University of Illinois ChicagoMove-In Guide
Chicago, Illinois
🏫 Public UniversityEst. 1913🔗 www.uic.edu
The University of Illinois Chicago is a large public research university just west of the Loop in Chicago. UIC Campus Housing runs ten residence halls, and six of them (the Academic and Residential Complex, Commons West and South, Courtyard, James Stukel Towers and Polk Street Residence) take first-year students. New residents book a move-in time slot on one of two days in late August through the housing portal, and a full-day in-person orientation is required before registering.
Enrollment
35,869
Total Students
Freshman Class
6,065
Approx.
Move-In Dates
Aug 20-21, 2026
Fall 2026 (completed)
Acceptance Rate
77%
Most recent cycle
Move-In
Fall 2026 Move-In Details
New residents move in on Thursday, Aug. 20 or Friday, Aug. 21. Pick your time slot in the housing portal before making travel plans; arriving outside your slot or the 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. move-in hours can carry a check-in fee.
Check your assignment in the housing portal for your specific date and time.
Move-in day logistics
- Arrival window
- Self-selected time slot on Aug. 20 or 21 through the housing portal, within move-in hours of 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Slots can be rebooked with at least 24 hours' notice.
- Check-in location
- Check in at your own residence hall; Polk Street Residence and the other west-side halls share one Polk Street entrance.
- Parking
- No parking passes for the streets near the halls: unload, then use a nearby paid parking structure. Daily and semester permits are sold separately.
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 (7)
Open to undergraduates (first-year students may be able to live here)
Academic & Residential Complex (ARC)
Traditional and semi-suite · Coed
Commons North
Suite · Coed
Commons South
Traditional · Coed
Commons West
Traditional · Coed
Show 3 moreShow fewer
Courtyard
Suite-style · Coed
James Stukel Towers
Suite-style · Coed
Polk Street Residence
Suite-style · Coed
Apartments (3)
Apartment-style housing, usually for upperclass students
Marie Robinson Hall
Apartment · Coed
Single Student Residence
Apartment · Coed
Thomas Beckham Hall
Apartment · Coed
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.
- Apartments:
- Apartment-style housing, often for sophomores and up. Confirm eligibility with the housing office.
Eligibility rules vary and can change. Check with the housing office.
Orientation
First-Year In-Person Orientation
All new students are required to attend one orientation session.
June 16 - August 22, 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
$14,831
Estimated / Year
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 University of Illinois Chicago.
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Dates last checked October 2026.