AU is committed to making sure your Move-In Day goes smoothly! There will be movers and volunteers to help unload, staff to point the way, hand-outs, and more. Watch for more details coming soon to your AU e-mail and this page.

Your Move-In Timeslot

Pre-Assigned: Each student will be pre-assigned a move-in timeslot (the date and time to move-in) based on their residential classification (i.e. First-Year, Sophomore, Transfer, Upperclass). If this date does not work for your plans, you can elect to move to an alternate day or time. Students will receive an e-mail with their timeslot by the end of June and additional information can be found on the move-in section of the Housing Portal. Once you receive your move-in timeslot, you'll receive a hangtag in your AU Housing Portal with your move-in date and time. These will be for your vehicle(s) to display when you arrive to campus.

Change your move-in timeslot: Once students receive their timeslot, they can switch to any open move-in timeslot through the Housing Portal. Please note that earlier time slots are limited for all students. Move-in dates between August 23-27 are restricted based on residential classification (see below). In addition to the specific groups listed below, the early arrival date (August 22) is only available to incoming first-year and transfer students who are unable to move in on either Sunday (August 22) or Monday (August 23). Details on how to submit an early move-in request will be available in the Housing Portal!

Move-In Calendar

Move-In takes place between Saturday, August 22 and Sunday, August 30, 2026, according to the following schedule:

• Saturday, August 15 - Summer residents transition to fall housing assignment.
• Saturday, August 22 – Early Arrival move-in
  • Pre-Orientation participants
  • Themed Community move in
  • Confirmed move-in volunteers 
    • Open to returning students - volunteer sign up coming soon!
  • Early Arrivals 
    • Only available to incoming first-years and transfer students whose assigned move-in date is not feasible under any circumstances. Must be requested through AU Housing Portal. 
• Sunday, August 23 – First-Year assisted move-in
  • First-Year LLC participants (University College, 3-Year Scholars, Honors, DC Impact Scholars, Lincoln Scholars)
  • First-Year, Transfer general population
• Monday, August 24 – First-Year assisted move-in
  • First-Year, Transfer general population
• Tuesday, August 25 - Thursday, August 27 - Sophomore move-in
  • Sophomore residents
• Thursday, August 27 -  Junior/Senior (upperclass) move-in begins
  • Upperclass students who reside in any hall
• Saturday, August 29 - Sunday, August 30
  • Late move-in available to all students

Move-In Guests

Guests are welcome during move-in and don't need to be registered in advance. 

Know Where You're Living

• You can find your room assignment and roommate's/suitemate's contact information, if relevant, on your AU Housing Portal after you receive a housing assignment.
• You can also visit your residence hall's webpage to view virtual tours, learn about room dimensions, review what is included in your room, and more.

Submit Your One Card Photo Online

To ensure that your One Card is ready when you arrive and to avoid long lines, submit your One Card Photo online by July 15.

Plan Mail or Packages

Visit AU's Mail Services to learn when mail and packages will be received on campus. Items should not be send in advance of the stated date.

Create a packing list

• Students live in a variety of residence halls and each hall has specific amenities. Check out your residence hall page to learn more.
• You'll need to bring far less than you imagine! Many necessities can be purchased on or near campus - at stores in nearby neighborhoods such as Tenleytown (5 minutes by free AU shuttle from campus), the Wisconsin Avenue shops, and elsewhere in DC.  Make your move-in motto "when in doubt, leave it out."
• Many students take advantage of AU's various vendor partnerships to help furnish their spaces, by renting a MicroFridge or lockbox.
• Certain items are restricted in your room but can be used in your lounge space. Others are completely prohibited in your hall and on campus. Know what to bring and what not to bring on the Housing Packing List.