UT Austin
UT Austin sits right in the middle of one of the best cities in the country, with the Tower glowing orange over it on a win. Austin runs hot and bright, so every dorm comes cooled — pack for sun, plus one warm layer for the rare cold snap.
What to wear in Austin, month by month
The national lists assume everyone needs a winter coat. Here the real questions are heat, sun, and rain — plus clothes for buildings kept ice-cold against it.
| Move-in (Aug) | 95–100°F | Hot, intense sun. AC provided. Lightweight clothes, sun protection. |
| Sept–Oct | 80s–90s | Still hot, slowly easing. |
| Nov–Dec | 50s–70s | Mild, pleasant, cool nights. A hoodie or jacket. |
| Jan–Feb | 40s–60s | Coolest; a rare ice storm is possible and the city stops. One warm layer plus a backup plan. |
| Mar–May | 70s–90s | Warming; spring storms. |
What UT Austin lets you bring
- All residence halls have AC and heat
- A MicroFridge is provided in every room
- Twin XL bedding (confirm your specific hall)
- UL/ETL power strip with a built-in circuit breaker — not a bare extension cord
- Damage-free wall hangings like Command strips — no nails or screws
- Low-draw LED desk and task lamps
- A fan, a reusable water bottle, and UL-listed electronics
- Open-coil / open-flame cooking: toasters, toaster ovens, air fryers, hot plates, electric grills, sandwich makers
- Candles, incense, wax warmers, and anything with an open flame
- Halogen lamps
- Extension cords without a breaker; outlet splitters and multi-plug adapters
- Space heaters and personal A/C units (unless your school provides/approves them)
- Hoverboards, e-scooters, e-bikes, and other e-mobility devices
- Weapons of any kind — including decorative — and fireworks
- Open-coil appliances: Instant Pots, air fryers, rice cookers, toasters, hot plates, grills
- More than two sheets of paper on a door or wall
- Wireless (app-based) printers — use UT Print
These come from UT Austin's official housing pages and cover the essentials plus the genuinely local rules. Double-check the current official guidance before you buy — policies and renovations change every year.
Getting your room at UT Austin
- 01Application opens Aug. 1
Apply the day the portal opens
You can start your housing application August 1 — before you're even admitted. Earlier is dramatically better: UT prioritizes first-time freshmen but space is limited, and your application date drives everything downstream. In the application you set room-type and bathroom preferences and answer roommate-profile questions.
- 02Offers start March 1
Sign your contract and pay the prepayment
Housing contract offers go out beginning March 1. Sign the contract and satisfy the $300 prepayment to secure your spot and unlock the next steps.
- 03Roommate groups open in February
Find and verify your roommate group
Once your contract is signed, build a roommate group in the portal — search by college, major, or UT EID, or by roommate-profile percentage match. The Family & Friend Expanded Roommate Option lets any two enrolled students room together regardless of gender. No specific roommate? Many students just pick into a room with someone already in it.
- 04LLC deadline ~May 3
Apply for a Living-Learning Community
After signing, indicate interest in an LLC — communities grouped by major, interest, or commitment. You'll get a follow-up email with the campus partner's application link; each LLC has its own timeline, and most close around May 3.
- 05Room selection time emailed by June 1
Select your room in June
You'll receive your room-selection timeslot by June 1, and selection happens in June. In a roommate group, the person with the earliest slot picks for everyone. Miss your slot and you'll be auto-assigned by preference — those assignments post to the portal in early July.
Where you'll live at UT Austin
Jester Center (East & West)
The legendary heart of first-year life — once the largest residence hall in North America, housing 3,000+ between the two towers. Traditional shared rooms, smallest on campus, but unbeatable for meeting people. Attached to J2 and Jester City Limits dining, steps from Gregory Gym and the PCL.
A 14-story hall inside the Jester hub. Social and diverse, consistently posts the 'happiest residents' in UT's housing surveys. Communal or suite-style baths; rooms are compact but the energy is the draw.
A 10-story hall neighboring the Jester hub. Bustling and busy — ideal if you want to be immersed in campus life from day one. Recently renovated.
San Jacinto Hall
"San Jac" — one of the newest and nicest dorms, the classic "I want to live there" pick. Modern suite-style with semi-private/private bathrooms, study rooms on each floor, even a small movie theater, and its own underground parking garage. Quieter and more upscale; near the stadium and Moody/engineering buildings.
Bigger-than-Jester rooms, private bathrooms, modern finishes — and one of the priciest options. Popular with athletes and students who prioritize comfort and privacy over maximum social buzz.
Duren Hall
The newest hall on the northwest edge of campus, with a boutique-hotel reputation. Individual thermostat control, private or connecting bathrooms, a social lounge opening to a courtyard, game room, gym, and 24-hour study lounges per floor. Close to Kinsolving Dining and the aerospace/communication buildings.
Suite-style with private or shared-suite baths and a MicroFridge in every room. Comfortable and modern; a bit removed from the central social hubs, which suits students who want a quieter base. Steps from Kerbey Lane, In-N-Out, and Lucky Lab coffee.
Kinsolving Hall
"KinSol" — UT's all-female hall, a classic that blends history with a strong, family-like community. Especially popular with first-year women and honors students. Its dining hall is widely called the best on campus, and it has its own exercise room.
On the north side near the communication and psychology buildings. A supportive, empowering environment with one of campus's best buffets right downstairs.
The Honors Quad & courtyard halls
For honors students and those wanting tight-knit, historic living. Andrews, Blanton, and Carothers form the Honors Housing Quad (with Littlefield Café, a food favorite); Brackenridge, Roberts, and Prather share an elegant 1930s courtyard near inner campus.
Communal, academically-focused honors halls surrounding a shared courtyard. Older buildings, so livelier than you'd expect — there's always something going on. Near Kinsolving Dining.
1930s charm with wood-accented, light-filled rooms sharing a courtyard. Roberts has a rooftop terrace with one of the best views of the UT Tower on campus. Quiet and cozy.
The UT Austin move-in checklist
Bedding6
Bath5
Laundry4
Storage & organization6
Desk & study4
Electronics6
Cleaning5
Kitchen — within the rules5
Health & meds4
Clothing — see the seasonal guide7
Move-in day go-bag5
Austin logistics, sorted
A MicroFridge is provided
AC and heat in every hall
Decoration & printer rules
Austin & around
Guadalupe Street — "The Drag"
The main commercial spine along campus's west edge — fast food, coffee, bookstores, and the University Co-op. Where students and visiting families grab a quick bite between campus stops.
South Congress (SoCo) & Zilker Park
A short drive from campus: the SoCo shopping-and-dining strip, Barton Springs' cold spring-fed pool, and Zilker Park. The classic Austin afternoon for a visiting family.
Sixth Street & the music scene
"The Live Music Capital of the World" — Sixth Street, the Continental Club, and dozens of venues. Even a casual dinner out comes with a soundtrack.
Blanton Museum & the Bullock
The Blanton Museum of Art (on campus) and the Bullock Texas State History Museum (a five-minute walk) are easy, low-key visit-day stops near the Capitol.
Where to stay near UT Austin
AT&T Hotel and Conference Center
On campus, steps from the UT TowerUT's own upscale hotel — 297 rooms with Tower and Capitol views, mini-fridges, four restaurants, and a pool. It runs in-house festivities for orientation, move-in, parents' weekend, and commencement, and offers 20% off for families attending orientation. The most convenient stay; books first.
Downtown Austin hotels
~5-min drive south of campusDowntown sits a five-minute drive away with the city's deepest hotel selection (Hilton Garden Inn, Marriott, boutique options) plus dining and nightlife — a good base when campus rooms are gone, especially over multi-day stays.
West Campus & Drag-area hotels
Walk to campusHotels just west of campus put you walking-distance to the Drag and the dorms — handy for move-in hauling and parents' weekend. Austin-Bergstrom airport is about 20 minutes out.
UT Austin gear & gifts
UT Austin — links & contacts
- University Housing & Dining: housing@austin.utexas.edu