Carnegie Mellon UniversityMove-In Guide
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
🏫 Private UniversityEst. 1900🔗 www.cmu.edu
Carnegie Mellon University is a private research university in Pittsburgh known for computer science, engineering, robotics and the arts. Campus housing is required and guaranteed for all first-year students, who are placed mostly in designated first-year areas of traditional residence halls or apartments. First-year move-in is Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, followed by a week of First-Year Orientation.
Enrollment
16,676
Total Students
Freshman Class
1,808
Approx.
Move-In Dates
Aug 15, 2026
Fall 2026 (completed)
Acceptance Rate
12%
Most recent cycle
Move-In
Fall 2026 Move-In Details
First-year move-in is Saturday, Aug. 15. Sign up for a move-in timeslot through the Housing portal, and staff and volunteers help you move in. Follow the move-in map to the unloading zone for your building.
Check your assignment in the housing portal for your specific date and time.
Move-in day logistics
- Check-in location
- The Welcome Plaza is open noon to 4 p.m. on Aug. 15 for student and family check-in and class t-shirt pickup.
- Parking
- Use the unloading zone shown on the move-in map for your housing building.
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
Residence halls (13)
Open to undergraduates (first-year students may be able to live here)
Boss Hall
Donner House
E-Tower
Hamerschlag House
Show 9 moreShow fewer
Henderson House
Maggie Mo Houses
McGill Hall
Morewood Gardens
Mudge House
Residence on Fifth
Scobell Hall
Single-sex
Stever House
Welch Hall
Housing Links
Who can live where
- Residence halls:
- Not marked first-year only, so they may also house returning students. Assignment follows the school's housing process.
- Single-sex:
- Open to residents of one gender only.
Eligibility rules vary and can change. Check with the housing office.
Orientation
First-Year Orientation
All new students are required to attend one orientation session.
August 15 - 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
—
Not available
Nearby Essentials
We haven't listed nearby stores for this campus yet. Use the Campus Map link to find essentials near campus.
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 Carnegie Mellon University.
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Dates last checked October 2026.