The Rising Sophomore Housing Lottery

Source: https://collegehousing.fas.harvard.edu/rising-sophomore-lottery/ Parent: https://collegehousing.fas.harvard.edu/

After completing your first term at Harvard College, you will participate in the rising sophomore housing lottery.

The College will email eligible first-year students (rising sophomores) in the spring before entering the lottery.

The Rising Sophomore Housing Lottery

If you are an eligible first-year student (rising sophomore), you are assigned to your House community during the Rising Sophomore Housing Lottery in the spring.

By entering the lottery, you are not guaranteed any particular House choice. House assignments are allocated by a lottery tool at random.

Registering as a blocking group ensures your group members are assigned to the same House.
Limited accommodations are made to meet State and Federal laws and policies of the College:\
Medical: You must register with the Disability Access Office (DAO) if you have a housing need due to a disability. Use the DAO accommodation registration\ process and include any supporting documentation. \
Title IX: You can request housing flexibility from The Title IX Office to improve physical and psychological safety in on-campus housing for students impacted by sexual harassment or other sexual misconduct.\
Gender Identity: All Houses offer gender-inclusive housing. You can request this option from your House Administrator.

Rising Sophomore Lottery Eligibility

All first-year students who have completed the fall term must enter the lottery, including:

Students on leave or those planning to take a leave of absence.
Students planning to move off-campus.
Students who intend to block as a group of one.

Exception: First-year students who do not complete the fall term do not participate in the lottery. They return to the Harvard Yard.

The Application Cycle (Spring 2026)

Mon., February 23, 2026\ 12 PM

Lottery registration opens for 48 hours.

Wed., February 25, 2026\ 12 PM

Lottery registration closes. Blocking group changes are due.

Fri., March 27, 2026\ 8 AM

Housing Day! You are notified of your House assignment during the morning dorm storm. We will also email your assignment in the afternoon.

2025 Rising Sophomore Housing Lottery Information Session

Applying as Groups (Blocking)

You can register for the lottery as a “blocking group” with up to eight students. Blocking ensures that your group members are assigned to the same House.

Choose a Group Leader: Blocking Group Leaders set a group name and password. They also receive your group’s housing assignment on Housing Day.\ \
Select a Group Name: Be creative and thoughtful about your group name. Blocking group names are shared with the Alumni Office for their record-keeping. \ \ Each House will run a separate process to assign sophomores to rooms in August.

Terms and Conditions

Your blocking group size does not influence your House placement. \ Avoid creating a blocking group of a specific size. Every year, we see many groups of 1 or 2, as well as many groups of 7 or 8. Do what works for you and your group.\ \
You might not share the same suite with all students in your blocking group.\ Suites in the Houses are first selected by Seniors and Juniors in the House lottery. Your House Administrator will assign you to spaces available after the Senior and Junior lotteries.\ \
First-year students who do not complete the fall term do not participate in the lottery. \ They return to the Harvard Yard.\ \
Eligible first-years who do not enter the lottery will be automatically registered as a blocking group of one.

Upcoming Deadlines

FAQ

What if I have accessibility concerns regarding housing?

If you are concerned that aspects of the residential environment may be inaccessible to you due to the impact of a disability, visit the Disability Access Office (DAO) website and complete an application to request accommodations.

What if I move off-campus after my first year and don’t get an assigned House through the lottery?

You will be automatically affiliated with The Dudley Community.

What if I don’t have a blocking group?

You will be placed in a group of one. Please still complete the form.

What if I have gender-based needs that require accommodations beyond those offered by your policies?

Submit any gender inclusivity concerns to our office before the lottery.

Can I change my blocking group after we have submitted a form?

You are allowed to make changes to the form before the deadline. You will not be able to make changes after the deadline has passed.

The Rising Sophomore Housing Lottery

After completing your first term at Harvard College, you will participate in the rising sophomore housing lottery.

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