Withdrawing From Residence: How it Will Affect Your Year
An overview of what to expect when withdrawing from residence after move-in day and how it will affect you and your University experience.
Making the decision whether or not to withdraw from residence can be a challenging process, but we’re here to help you through it. Here are some common reasons for withdrawing and our advice to you:
Trouble with Roommate or Others in Residence
A lot of times, students who are having trouble with their roommates may think the only option for fixing the situation is moving out. If this sounds like your situation, there are lots of options to consider before residence withdrawal. The first is to talk to your CA for advice on how to navigate the situation. Click here for advice on resolving conflict with your roommate. Another alternative to residence withdrawal is submitting a room change request which can be granted if space becomes available through a cancellation. Though room change requests cannot always be permitted, they are an alternative option to withdrawing from residence in which the student can have a more comfortable environment and still enjoy the benefits of living on-campus.
Struggling with Residence Life
Living on campus is a big change and we are here to help you adapt to this new lifestyle. If you are having a difficult time with this change, please reach out to your Residence Life Area Coordinators. We want to support you and are happy to see if there is anything we can do to improve your experience.
Medical Reasons
For students who need to withdraw due to a medical reason, we invite you to speak with your Residence Life Area Coordinators to see if there is anything we can do to accommodate and find a healthy living situation for you. You do not need to share a diagnosis with anyone, but simply let us know what you need to be supported.
Transferring to a New School/Leaving McMaster
We are sorry to see you go! If there is anything we can do to help you stay, please reach out and let us know.
If you decide to go, here is what to expect happens next.
How Our Withdrawal Policy Works:
Students who withdraw from residence anytime after move-in week are responsible for paying their entire year’s residence fees, unless their spot is filled on the residence refund waiting list.
The process of requesting a refund for residence costs is as follows:
- When a student leaves residence they are placed on a refund waiting list, in order of their date of withdrawal.
- If/when a new student comes into residence, the person at the top of the withdrawal refund waiting list will be issued a prorated refund equivalent to the price of their residence room based on the date the new student fills the vacancy.
- However, the later in the year one withdraws, the less likely it is for a new student to be coming into residence.
If you decide to withdraw from residence, complete the following steps:
- Visit Residence Admissions in Commons 101 to fill out the required paperwork. At this point, you will have to decide what day you’d like to move out.
- Remove all of your belongings from your residence room
- Check out at the Service Centre closest to your residence and return your residence keys and access card
If you have any questions about withdrawing, please talk to your CA, Residence Life Area Coordinators or Residence Admissions office.
Current Residents, Moving Out, Residence Admissions, Roommates