You are here: American University Student Affairs Housing & Residence Life Fall Move-In: Before You Arrive
Contact Us
Main Office (Anderson Hall):
Mon-Fri: 9 AM-5 PM;
Sat-Sun: Closed;
Anderson, Room 1st Floor Anderson on a map
Housing & Residence Life 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW Washington, DC 20016-8101 United StatesWelcome to Your Home at AU!
In case you missed it, Housing & Residence Life held a webinar to walk incoming first-years and transfers through the move2AU process on June 24, 2025, you can watch the recording of our move-in webinar here!
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 17 - 21 are restricted based on residential classification (see below). In addition to the specific groups listed below, the early arrival date (August 16) is only available to incoming first-year and transfer students who are unable to move in on either Sunday (August 17) or Monday (August 18). 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 16 and Sunday, August 24, according to the following schedule:
- Sunday, August 10 - Summer residents transition to fall housing assignment.
- Saturday, August 16 – Early Arrival move-in
- First-Year Venture to Volunteer participants
- Pre-Orientation participants
- Themed Community move in
- Confirmed move-in volunteers
- Open to returning students - click here to learn more about volunteering!
- Early Arrival
- 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 17 – 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 18 – First Year assisted move-in
- First-Year, Transfer general population
- Tuesday, August 19 - Thursday, August 21 - Sophomores move-in
- Sophomores residents
- Thursday, August 21 - Junior/Senior (upperclass) move-in begins
- Upperclass who reside in any hall
- Saturday, August 23 - Sunday, August 24
- 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.

Upgrade Your Space
Do you want a microfridge for your room? Looking for a bed loft? Check out AU's vendor partnerships.