Student Designed Communities

Source: https://collegehouses.upenn.edu/programs/pc/student-designed-communities Parent: https://collegehouses.upenn.edu/programs/pc

Student Designed Communities (SDCs) allow groups of upperclass students with a concept for a theme community to propose their ideas and turn it into a residential reality lasting for one academic year. This living option is application based and will be reviewed by the Residential Program Committee in College Houses & Academic Services. Here are the basics:

A minimum of 12 students are required to propose an idea (you will submit name, email, and class each student will be in Fall 2026 - e.g. second-year, third-year, fourth-year)
SDCs are assigned by CHAS to an upperclass or four-year house that best suits the program's theme and specific needs
SDCs will partner with the House Director and faculty of their assigned House with the execution of programming
Enrollment in an SDC may be opened to other interested students during the room selection process, but students involved in the original proposal process will receive first priority to room assignments
SDCs can be canceled if they do not meet certain enrollment requirements

Applications for the 2026-27 Academic Year are closed. Thank you.

Application Process

Step 1: Get Familiar with the Requirements

Read this document and understand what CHAS will require you to provide information about during your application and interview process:

Student Designed Communities (PDF)\

Step 2: Pay Attention to Important Dates

2026 dates:

November 7, 2025 at noon: SDC Applications are due to CHAS
November 7–12, 2025:Individual College Houses will review proposals and conduct interview process with applicants
Late November 2025: CHAS will release decisions about SDC applications; SDCs may be matched to a House, declined or wait-listed

Step 3: Apply

In order to apply for a SDC, the following information will be required:

Name of student program lead (who will serve as the liaison to CHAS)
Name of a faculty or staff advisor who will work with the community
Clear description as to what the SDC offers the students who will be involved (such as academic content, House partnerships, residential connections)
List of participation expectations in order for students to get the most out of the program
Tentative schedule of events - for the SDC and offerings for the assigned House
Tentative budget
Names and contact information of a minimum of twelve (12) students who are committing to live in this SDC. You will need to complete this form and upload it as part of the application process: SDC-Participant-Roster.xlsx

Click here to access the SDC application form.

Step 4: [For selected SDCs,] Apply for Housing

All students listed on the proposal indicated their intent to participate in the SDC
All students listed on the proposal will need to apply for "Program Community" housing during room selection in January (exact dates TBD) by logging onto MyHomeAtPenn
On the application, you will need to select your SDC from the list of PC options
The House Director of your assigned House will do the room assignments and may reach out to you to pick actual spaces
Visit the Residential Services website for additional room selection instructions