Washington (UW)
UW is green and gorgeous in the heart of Seattle, with Rainier on the horizon and water in nearly every direction. Skip the parka — the real test is the long gray drizzle from fall to spring, so pack to stay dry and beat the early dark.
What to wear in Seattle, month by month
This corner of the country breaks every generic packing list. It is not about surviving cold — it is about staying dry through a long gray winter and a famously short, beautiful summer.
| Late Aug–Sep | 70–80°F | Dry, sunny, the secret best season. Light clothes; you won't need AC. |
| Oct–Nov | 45–60°F | The gray, drizzly season begins. A great waterproof shell and shoes matter more than a heavy coat. |
| Dec–Jan | 35–48°F | Cool, wet, dark; rarely snows. Layers plus rain gear. |
| February | 38–50°F | Still gray and damp — the long wet stretch. |
| Mar–May | 50–65°F | A slow warm-up toward another glorious dry summer. |
What Washington (UW) lets you bring
- A rented MicroFridge (from Collegiate Concepts)
- 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
- Hot plates, space heaters, halogen lamps
- Personal A/C units and personal Wi-Fi routers
- Open-coil cooking appliances
These come from Washington (UW)'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 Washington (UW)
- 01Apply early — space-available
Build your HFS profile, then apply
Housing isn't guaranteed at UW, so apply as early as you can. First, complete your HFS student profile (it determines your eligible housing and unlocks the application on the right date); then submit your housing application in the StarRez Housing Portal. Most autumn applicants who apply promptly are housed.
- 02Under 18?
Have a parent complete the Cosigner Agreement
If you're younger than 18 when you submit your application and agreement, your parent or legal guardian must complete the Cosigner Agreement within two weeks. Don't let this step stall your application.
- 03On the application
Set preferences and request a roommate (by student number)
Choose your area (North vs West Campus), room type, and bathroom type. To request a specific roommate, enter their UW student number (not their name) — both applications must have the same agreement length and identical preferences to be matched. Mixed-gender rooms are available when both roommates mutually request and the room has a private bath.
- 04No roommate in mind?
Use Roommate Finder, or get matched
You're not required to find your own roommate. Browse the Roommate Finder Message Board (or the Queer-Positive board) with your UW email, or let HFS assign one based on your application. LLCs (Arts, Business, Engineering, Pre-Health, and more) and Black Affinity Housing in Lander Hall are selected here too.
- 05Room-selection appointment
Self-select your actual room
HFS emails you a room-selection appointment time. Log in right when it opens, search rooms matching your criteria, and assign yourself (and a mutually requested roommate). Have backup buildings ready — popular halls fill fast. Don't select, and HFS assigns you to the closest match to your preferences.
Where you'll live at Washington (UW)
West Campus
Newer, apartment-and-hall buildings along Campus Parkway, parallel to Red Square at the south end of 'The Ave' (University Way). Most rooms have private bathrooms, the buildings are the most modern on campus, and you're steps from Ave food, Portage Bay waterfront, and the libraries. Best for a big-city, walk-everywhere experience.
The newest West Campus halls (opened 2015) with singles, doubles, and triples — all with private bathrooms. Maple holds the Area 01 maker/creative community center (Dabble, Sound, Image, and Game Labs) and an engineering LLC; Terry has a rooftop space, an honors LLC, and views from every lounge.
The West Campus social and dining hub — home to Local Point (seven dining concepts), the main desk, and the new Black Affinity Housing community. Reputedly the best Space Needle views; doubles and singles with private baths.
Alder (private baths, the District Market grocery and a Pre-Health LLC below) and Elm (Cultivate dining + Fitness Center West) sit right by the Ave. Poplar is the smallest new West hall — easy to know your whole floor — with great Red Square and Space Needle views.
North Campus
A cluster of halls around Denny Field at the northeast corner of campus — a mix of brand-new (2018) buildings and historic ones. The North dining hall (Center Table) is widely considered better, and you're close to the IMA gym, the Ave, and University Village shopping.
A 2018 hall designed as the affordable North option — varied room types from communal-bath doubles to four-person suites, plus Frost Bite (a student-run ice cream shop) and a Learning Resource Center. L-shaped, overlooking Denny Field.
McCarty houses the MILL (McCarty Innovation Learning Lab — a makerspace with 3D printers and sewing machines, run with the College of Engineering); Oak holds the District Market grocery and Husky Grind Café. Both opened in the 2018 North Campus rebuild.
Oliver is the North dining hub (Center Table, nine concepts, green-roof terrace). Hansee (the first residence hall on campus, with piano lounges and 24-hour quiet) and McMahon are the historic North options for students who want character over new construction.
The Washington (UW) 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
Seattle logistics, sorted
Rain, not cold
Leave the car
Move-in & mail
Seattle & around
'The Ave' (University Way NE)
The U-District's main drag bordering campus — cheap international eats, coffee, thrift stores, a Target, and the Neptune concert venue. Where students and visiting families grab a quick, affordable bite. The Saturday U-District Farmers Market is a local favorite.
University Village
An upscale open-air shopping-and-dining center just northeast of campus — the go-to for a nicer parent-weekend meal, errands, and move-in supplies.
The Quad cherry blossoms & Suzzallo Library
In late March the Quad's cherry trees draw crowds for the bloom; Suzzallo's Gothic reading room is nicknamed the 'Harry Potter library.' Both are must-sees, and on clear days Mount Rainier looms over campus.
Pike Place, the Space Needle & the water
Light rail from the U-District station puts downtown, Pike Place Market, and Seattle Center (Space Needle, MoPOP, Chihuly Garden) ~20 minutes away. The Burke-Gilman Trail and Lake Washington kayaking are right at campus.
Where to stay near Washington (UW)
Graduate by Hilton Seattle
U-District, ~10-min walk to The QuadA Husky-and-Seattle-themed hotel in a 1930s art-deco building, across from the U-District light rail station — one stop from Husky Stadium — with a rooftop bar. The most spirited campus-adjacent base for football and graduation weekends.
Staypineapple — University Inn & Watertown
4 blocks / short walk to campusTwo well-loved Staypineapple hotels in the U-District (University Inn and the Watertown) — bright, friendly, with free bikes, shuttles, and afternoon pineapple cookies. A favorite of visiting families touring campus or here for graduation.
College Inn Hotel
Directly adjacent to campusSeattle's oldest hotel — a European-style, vintage 1909 inn right next to campus (no elevator, so pack light). Charming and budget-friendly for parents and visitors who want to be steps from The Quad. Silver Cloud and a Residence Inn round out the U-District options.
Washington (UW) gear & gifts
Washington (UW) — links & contacts
- Housing & Food Services: hfsinfo@uw.edu
- Phone: 206-543-2430