Off-Campus Housing

An inclusive and dynamic residential community is a central element of the Bowdoin experience. All first-year and sophomore students are required to live on campus. However, due to fluctuations in enrollment numbers and changing on-campus capacity, the College does allow a limited number of juniors and seniors to live off campus. These students typically live in houses or apartments in close proximity to the campus that are neither owned nor managed by Bowdoin.

Students who wish to live off campus for the 2024-2025 academic year must meet all of the qualifying criteria and adhere to the instructions that follow in order to be eligible to participate in the off-campus housing lottery.

Important note:

Juniors and seniors interested in living off campus in private rentals must enter the Off-Campus Housing Lottery to seek approval to be released from their on-campus living requirement. The ability to live off-campus is a privilege, not a right, and approval is not guaranteed. Therefore, students should refrain from signing leases until after they receive written approval to live off campus from the Office of Residential Life. The Office of Residential Life and Office of the Dean of Students will review all lottery names and may deny anyone for whom living off campus may not be the best option for the student or for the local-area community.

Please click here to view a recording of the Off-Campus Housing Information Session.