Boston Campus

Residence Life FAQs

Below is a listing of frequently asked questions. Find an answer to your question by either browing the questions or click on a question to take you directly to the answer you're looking for.

Is Housing guaranteed?

Housing is guaranteed for all brand new first year students who meet application and deposit deadlines. Housing is not guaranteed for students who miss the deadline. A very limited amount of housing is available for upper-class students through the housing lottery process. The housing lottery takes place during the spring semester.

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What is College Sponsored Housing?

College Sponsored Housing is housing MCPHS rents from local Colleges in Boston. These sites house anywhere from 20 to 130 + MCPHS students and include many of the same amenities as our on-campus locations including MCPHS Resident Assistants and professional staff. Previous and current institutions include Wheelock College, Bay State College and Wentworth Institute of Technology.

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What types of housing can I live in?

We offer a variety of different housing options which include: apartment style with a kitchen & bathroom (ex. Matricaria), traditional corridor style (ex. Fennell Hall), and suite style – multiple single, double, triple, or quad rooms with a shared bathroom and common living area.

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How do students apply for on-campus housing?

Once a student has been accepted by the College, he or she will be required to pay a $250 housing deposit in addition to your deposit for admission. A housing contract and related materials will be mailed in mid-April. Students are required to read, fill out, and sign the contract and materials and mail them back to the Office of Residence Life.

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How are housing assignments determined?

A variety of factors are used when assigning students to housing. Assignments are made based upon the date in which the housing contract and related materials are received by the Office of Residence Life. We try to assign each student based upon their specific requests but cannot guarantee or promise the request will be made.

When will students find out their housing assignment?

Housing assignment information including location and roommate(s) information will be sent out mid to late July.

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After students get their assignment, can they come and see their room?

Unfortunately, this cannot be arranged. Many of our spaces are used throughout the summer.

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What is included in the room?

Each room is furnished with twin extra long beds, desks with desk chairs, dressers, closets or wardrobes.

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Do students have to have a meal plan?

Yes, meal plans are required of all students residing in housing. Matricaria residents are required to have (at minimum) a partial meal plan. Fennell Hall residents are required to have the full meal plan. Other College Sponsored Housing locations are required to purchase meal plans comparable to the style of housing. Please contact the Office of Residence Life for more information.

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What is the students’ mailing address? Can packages be sent before they arrive?

Fennell & Matricaria Residents:

Name
Hall Name & Box Number 179 Longwood Avenue Boston, MA 02115

Please do not mail packages or other mail to campus before your move in date. Packages/mail will be sent back “Return to sender.”

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Can students request a specific roommate?

Yes, you may request a specific roommate. Requests can be made on the housing contract and the Roommate Profile form. Roommate requests must be mutual. Roommate requests may only be honored if both roommates request one another. We will try our best to honor your request but make no guarantee the match will/can be made.

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What should students bring to campus? What shouldn’t they bring to campus?

This information is specific to your assigned residence hall. On this site, we maintain a list of suggested items you should and should not bring to campus.

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When do students get their $200 damage deposit back?

Damage deposits are refunded to students in September following the year you resided in on campus housing, minus any costs for damage.

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If a student is having a problem on campus, what should he or she do?

Students are encouraged to speak with their Resident Assistant (RA). RA’s are very knowledgeable and trained to assist students with a variety of problems or concerns. If their RA is not available, seek out your Area Coordinator or another staff/faculty member for assistance. We’re here to help! All you need to do is ask!

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How much does it cost to live on campus?

The cost of living on campus can vary based upon which residence hall you’ve been assigned to. Please the Student Financial Services site for more information.

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Can students bring their own furniture?

No. Outside furniture such as couches/sofas, futons, bean bag or comfy/cushion chairs are prohibited. The City of Boston maintains strict fire codes which MCPHS must adhere to. Please contact the Office of Residence Life if you have questions regarding furniture.

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When is move in day?

Move in dates and times can be found here.

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Are the Residence Halls wireless?

Yes, all of our residence halls are equipped to provide students with wireless Internet.

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If a student is having trouble with cable or internet access who should they contact?

Students with questions or difficulties regarding cable or internet access should call the Help Desk at 617.732.-2170 or e-mail helpdesk@mcphs.edu.

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When are students supposed to move out?

Fall Semester: Residents are required to depart campus 24 hours after their last final exam or by 6pm on the last day of final exams, whichever comes first. Residents returning for the spring semester may leave their belongings.

Spring Semester: Residents are required to depart campus 24 hours after their last final exam or by 6pm on the last day of final exams, whichever comes first.

Specific dates can be found here.

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What is an Area Coordinator (AC)?

ACs are full-time professional staff members employed by the College and responsible for the day-to-day operations of the residence halls. The Area Coordinator supervises a staff of resident assistants and has primary responsibility for the hall you live in.

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What is a GA or Graduate Assistant?

GAs or Graduate Assistants are part-time professional staff members employed by the Office of Residence Life. GAs are graduate students pursuing master’s degrees and assist Area Coordinators with the administrative and programmatic aspects of the residence halls.

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What is an RA or Resident Assistant?

An RA or Resident Assistant is a talented upper-class student with a wealth of knowledge and experience to share with each student. RAs live in the residence halls with their residents and serve as role models promoting academic success, developing positive relationships, and educating students about their responsibilities within the College community.

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