What is Residence Room Self-Selection?
Students select their own residence space through the Residence Room Self-Selection process.
On Tuesday, June 11, 2024 students will receive an email with details about their residence room selection time slot. This will tell them when they can log onto the Housing Portal to choose their residence room. Students will have five days to complete their selection once their time begins.
The first time slot will open in late June and the last time slot is expected to close in mid-July.
Steps to Complete Room Self-Selection
- When your time slot opens, log in to the Housing Portal with your MacID and password. Groups of students will receive the same time slot, so for the greatest selection choose your room as soon as possible.
- Click Undergraduate Residence on the top menu.
- Click Continue to select your term: Residence – Academic Year Sept 2024 to April 2025
- Upload your Residence Photo. To select your room, you must upload your Housing Portal profile photo first. We need your photo on file as part of our security protocol; it allows us to confirm your identity should you lock yourself out of your room. You will not be able to select your room without uploading a photo. Here are some tips regarding your photo:
- You may log-in to the Housing Portal using your mobile device and snap a selfie!
- Picture must be of you only – your head and shoulders (just like a passport photo)
- It must be clear, sharp and in focus
- Cannot include anyone else in the picture
- No hats, sunglasses, or filters, please
- Smile!
- Select the room and bed space you want to live in. If you are unable to click on a space, it is already filled.
- Confirm your selection by clicking “Submit”.
- You will be able to see your booking confirmation such as building, room type, and roommate(s) information (where applicable) on the Residence Assignment page.
Schedule of 2024 Room Self-Selection Timeslots
| Time Slot | Open Date |
Close Date |
| Slot 1 | June 17, 2024 | June 21, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. |
| Slot 2 | June 20, 2024 | June 24, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. |
| Slot 3 | June 24, 2024 | June 28, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. |
| Slot 4 | June 27, 2024 | July 1, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. |
| Slot 5 | July 2, 2024 | July 6, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. |
| Slot 6 | July 5, 2024 | July 9, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. |
| Slot 7 | July 8, 2024 | July 12, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. |
| Slot 8 | July 11, 2024 | July 15, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. |
If you are unable to complete your room self-selection by the deadline, Housing and Conference Services will assign you a space and provide an email confirmation.
Things to keep in mind when making your room selection:
- Please keep your budget in mind as you pick your room. You can view the fees per student of different room types here.
- Students who have been accepted to a Living Learning Community will be able to select room types from their designated LLC building and floor.
- Move-in weekend is August 24 and 25, 2024.
If you are unable to make any selection, or cannot log in to the Residence Portal:
- Try to log in to Mosaic to ensure your MacID and password are working.
- Reload your page or use a different browser.
- Clear your cache or browsing history.
- If these steps do not resolve the issue, please contact resadmissions@mcmaster.ca with “Self-Selection Error” as the subject line.
Video: How to a select bed space during Room Self-Selection
Room Self-Selection Frequently Asked Questions
You and your confirmed roommate request will both be entered into the same time slot lottery. The roommate with the earlier time slot will choose the room you will live in together. Once the room is chosen, both students will need to log back into the Housing Portal to complete the meal plan selection step.
Make sure you discuss the room type you prefer before making a selection.