Applying to McMaster University Residence

Applying to Residence at McMaster University

Moving in to McMaster this year?

The Mac Campus Store has a Dorm Room Essentials package to get you started off on the right foot. Visit their page for more details.

Quick Links

This page contains information about:

Start Your Application

Four young adults sitting outdoors. They are holding laptops.

How to Apply

Step 1 – Receive an Offer of Admissions to McMaster

You must have an offer of admission to a McMaster program in order to apply for residence. However, you do not need to accept your offer before submitting your residence application.

Note: If you are an international or exchange student, please follow the instructions here.

Step 2 – Explore Residence Living Options

Before applying, take some time to review what McMaster offers:

Step 3 – Submit Your Residence Application

  • For students with a residence guarantee, residence application and $600 payment must be received by June 1, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. ET. This payment includes a $500 deposit applied towards your first residence charge and a $100 non‑refundable application fee.
  • Before you make the payment, please be aware of our cancellation and refund policy.
  • You can make changes to your residence application until the June 1, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. ET deadline.
  • Access the application through the Housing Portal.
Visit the Housing Portal

Undergraduate Residence Application Process

Who Is Guaranteed Residence?

If you are unsure of your status, please check your offer letter. If you still have inquiries please visit the Office of the Registrar’s website and select the Live Chat option to speak with a representative.

You are guaranteed residence if you are:

  • An Ontario student coming directly from high school and meet the residence admission average
    • The required admission average may change each year
    • The average may be adjusted before the residence application deadline
  • An International and out-of-province students coming directly from high school, based on your admission status as determined by the Admissions Office

Guaranteed students who miss the application deadline, will forfeit their residence guarantee and can apply to the waiting list.

The Wait List

The wait list for residence works differently depending on whether applications enter it before the residence deadline, or after.

Your wait list position can be viewed on the Housing Portal.

Before the Residence Deadline

Before the residence application deadline, applications enter the wait list if they are under the Residence Admissions average, and are ranked by admission average. For example, for the admission average of 88%, McMaster starts ordering at 87.99 and works in descending order (87.99, then 87.98, then 89.97, etc.)

After the Residence Deadline

After the residence application deadline, all applications enter the wait list. Applications are ranked by the order in which they are received. If the deadline is June 1, an application received on June 2 will be be considered before an application received on June 3.

  • Students already on the wait list before the deadline will not be rearranged. Only applications made after the deadline are added to the end of the list.
  • Priority will be given to first-year students.

Roommate Requests

We guarantee one roommate request if both students:

  • Have a residence guarantee
  • Meet the residence application and deposit deadline
  • Have requested and accepted each other as roommates on their online application
Deadline Note

All of the above steps must be completed by June 1, 2026.

Roommate requests cannot be modified or cancelled after the residence deadline.

Learn More About Requesting a Roommate

Room Self-Selection

Residence room assignments are completed online through a self‑selection process, typically held in mid‑June.

  • Students with a residence guarantee who complete their residence application by the deadline will receive a self‑selection time slot.
  • Time slots are assigned by lottery.
  • Each student has approximately two days to select their bed space.
  • Time slot details are sent by email.

Learn More About Self-Selection

Accommodation Requests

Students may request accommodations when applying for residence for reasons including:

  • Medical needs
  • Dietary requirements
  • Disabilities
  • Religious needs

To request accommodations, students must:

Learn More About Accommodation Requests

Mary E. Keyes residence in Summer 2025.