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Baylor UniversityMove-In Guide

Waco, Texas

🏫 Private UniversityEst. 1845🔗 www.baylor.edu

Baylor University's Waco campus, chartered in 1845 as the oldest continuously operating university in Texas, is anchored by Pat Neff Hall, its 1939 administration building whose gold-domed tower lights up green after athletic wins, with new Bears moving in during "Move2BU" each August, many first-year students housed near Pat Neff Hall in halls including Collins.

Enrollment

16,000

Total Students

Freshman Class

4,000

Approx.

Move-In Dates

Aug 19-20, 2026

Fall 2026 (completed)

Acceptance Rate

48%

Most recent cycle

Move-In

Fall 2026 Move-In Details

All new students are assigned a specific Move2BU timeslot and route in late July, viewable in the MyHousing portal - your specific day (Wednesday or Thursday) depends on whether you're assigned to a Living-Learning Community/Residential College or a First-Year Community/University Parks. Welcome Week, the official kickoff to the academic year, runs Aug. 20-23, 2026, taking place between move-in and the first day of fall classes.

Check your assignment in the housing portal for your specific date and time.

Move-in day logistics

Arrival window
Move2BU timeslots run Wednesday and Thursday, August 19-20, 8 a.m. to noon, based on your community assignment. Upper-division students have a flexible arrival window Friday through Sunday, August 21-23, 8 a.m. to midnight, with no timeslot required.
Check-in location
Students, faculty, staff, and volunteers greet you at your assigned drop-off location and help carry belongings to your room. Your specific timeslot and route appear in the MyHousing portal by late July.
Parking
Visitors can park in designated move-in parking areas or at the campus event center on move-in day. Use the interactive route maps provided - GPS gets you to the starting point, then switch to campus maps once you're on site, since traffic patterns are adjusted for move-in.
What you'll receive
Volunteers help unload and carry your belongings to your assigned room once you arrive at your drop-off location.
Vehicle restrictions
Students bringing a vehicle to campus must purchase a permit through Parking and Transportation Services.

Move-in day tips

  • Arrive during your assigned move-in window - arriving early may mean waiting until your time slot.
  • Bring a rolling cart or hand truck - campus carts can run out quickly during busy move-in periods.
  • Have a parking backup plan - spaces near residence halls can fill up quickly, so know where you can unload if your preferred area is full.
  • Watch the loading-zone time limit - many campuses require you to move your vehicle to longer-term parking after unloading.

Housing & Dorms

First-year halls (5)

Reserved for first-year students

  • Collins Hall

    Single-sex

    First-year only

  • Kokernot Hall

    Single-sex

    First-year only

  • Martin Hall

    Single-sex

    First-year only

  • Penland Hall

    First-year only

  • South Russell Hall

    First-year only

Residence halls (6)

Open to undergraduates (first-year students may be able to live here)

  • Alexander Hall

    Single-sex

  • Allen Hall

    Single-sex

  • Brooks Residential College

  • Dawson Hall

    Single-sex

Show 2 more

  • Memorial Hall

    Single-sex

  • North Russell Hall

Apartments (7)

Apartment-style housing, usually for upperclass students

  • Brooks Flats

    Apartment · Coed

  • Earle Hall

    Apartment · Coed

  • Heritage House

    Apartment and suite · Coed

  • Teal Hall

    Apartment · Coed

Show 3 more

  • Texana House

    Apartment and suite · Single-sex

  • University House

    Apartment and suite · Single-sex

  • University Parks

    Apartment · Coed

Housing Links

Who can live where

First-year only:
Reserved for incoming first-year students.
Residence halls:
Not marked first-year only, so they may also house returning students. Assignment follows the school's housing process.
Apartments:
Apartment-style housing, often for sophomores and up. Confirm eligibility with the housing office.
Single-sex:
Open to residents of one gender only.

Eligibility rules vary and can change. Check with the housing office.

Orientation

Welcome Week (required)

All new students are required to attend one orientation session.

August 20 - August 23, 2026

Orientation tips

  • Register as early as your class allows - popular session dates fill up first.
  • Bring a parent/guardian if separate family programming is offered.
  • Check whether placement testing or advising sign-ups happen the same day.

Costs

Room & Board

$14,000

Estimated / Year

Figures shown are estimates for room and board only, and can vary by hall and meal plan. Check with Baylor University's financial aid office for a cost breakdown specific to your situation.

Nearby Essentials

  • CVS Pharmacy0.7 miles
  • H-E-B2.2 miles
  • Walgreens2.3 miles
  • Walmart3.6 miles
  • Target4.8 miles

Need Dorm Essentials Delivered?

More Links

Checklists

Get the Ultimate College Move-In Checklist

A free, printable packing checklist covering everything from bedding to important documents - built for any freshman, including yours at Baylor University.

Get the checklist

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Send this page to a roommate, a parent, or anyone else helping plan the move.

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Dates last checked August 2026.