Ohio State's Columbus campus centers on The Oval, the iconic green space at the heart of campus, with first-year students required to live on campus for two years in halls including Baker, Bowen, and Norton, most concentrated on South Campus.
Enrollment
60,046
Total Students
Freshman Class
11,432
Approx.
Move-In Dates
August 19 - August 22, 2026
Fall 2026
Acceptance Rate
57%
Most recent cycle
Move-In
Fall 2026 Move-In Dates
Schedule a day and time for your arrival through the housing portal - details on your specific building and signing up for a timeslot were emailed the week of July 13. Ohio State's Office of Student Life refers to this period as "rolling out the scarlet carpet," a tradition marking the start of Move-In week each autumn. The majority of freshmen are assigned to South Campus, the biggest residential cluster and center of first-year social life.
August 19 - August 22, 2026
Check your assignment in the housing portal for your specific date and time.
Move-in day tips
- Arrive during your assigned window - early arrivals often just wait longer.
- Bring a rolling cart or hand truck; loading-zone carts run out fast.
- Parking near freshman halls fills up quickly - have a backup plan or drop-off spot.
- Loading zones usually enforce a strict time limit (often 30 minutes) before you're expected to move your car to long-term parking.
- Activate your student ID online before you arrive - many schools require it for building and elevator access from day one.
- If you want your bed lofted or the frame height adjusted, check whether your school needs that request submitted online in advance - most won't do it on the spot.
- Check your school's specific package-acceptance window before shipping anything ahead - most won't hold early deliveries outside a set date range.
- Unpack essentials first: bedding, toiletries, and chargers, before anything else.
Housing & Dorms
- Photo coming soon
Baker Hall
Traditional · Coed
- Photo coming soon
Bowen House
Traditional · Coed
- Photo coming soon
Norton House
Traditional · Coed
Housing Links
Links open The Ohio State University's website - not always the exact page, but a real starting point.
Orientation
New Student Orientation (required, two-day)
All new students are required to attend one orientation session.
June 1 - August 18, 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
$15,252
Estimated / Year
Nearby Essentials
Nearby data coming soon.
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 The Ohio State University.
Share
Send this page to a roommate, a parent, or anyone else helping plan the move.