LOCAL REALTOR
Drew Burroughs
Broker Associate, Compass
SMU-area real estate guidance
The short answer
Yes. SMU continues to require first-year undergraduates to live on campus, normally in a Residential Commons.
Do first-year students have to live on campus at SMU?
Yes. SMU continues to require first-year undergraduates to live on campus, normally in a Residential Commons.
Do sophomores have to live on campus at SMU?
No for students entering in fall 2025 or later. SMU removed the second-year residency requirement while keeping optional sophomore housing subject to space.
When does the 2026–27 SMU housing application open?
SMU states that the 2026–27 housing application becomes available in February 2026.
When should an incoming first-year student apply for SMU housing?
SMU tells incoming first-year students to apply as soon as they pay the enrollment deposit and by May 10 unless admitted later.
Where does my student apply for SMU housing?
The student applies in the SMU Housing Portal using SMU credentials and multifactor authentication.
What happens if my student applies late for SMU housing?
Late applications may receive rolling assignments when space permits; preferred community, room type, and roommate are less certain.
Is on-campus housing available for transfer students?
Transfer housing is very limited and space-available. Transfers have had no residency requirement since fall 2023 and should maintain an off-campus plan.
Can returning SMU students live on campus?
Yes. Returning residents apply through reapplication and room selection; availability and eligibility rules control the assignment.
Can a current off-campus student apply to return to SMU housing?
The student may contact RLSH; SMU may open applications in April if space is available, with assignments made later on a space-available basis.
Does SMU have a housing waitlist?
Yes. SMU publishes 2026–27 returning-student waitlists in the Housing Portal beginning in late March.
Sources & editorial context
University housing information is organized from the linked sources, with its original review date shown. Rates, deadlines and availability can change; use the applicable academic year and check the source before committing. CollegeHousing.ai is independent of Southern Methodist University.
Get help with your next decision
Drew Burroughs, Broker Associate at Compass, is the local real estate contact. Matt Dean, NEXA Lending, NMLS #227603, is the financing contact.