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Carnegie Mellon University
Student Affairs  ›  Housing & Residential Education  ›  First-Year Fall Move-In

First-Year Move-In

Congratulations on your admission to Carnegie Mellon University! Move-In Day at CMU is high-energy and engaging, and we can't wait to meet you! You'll find all the need-to-know information here, but feel free to email us with any questions.

Move-In Day for Incoming First-Year Students is Saturday, August 16, 2025!

Due to traffic restrictions, students will be required to sign up for a move-in timeslot through the Housing Portal between 9 am and 3:30 pm. Staff and volunteers will be present until 3:30 pm to assist with your move-in. ID card pick-up will be unavailable from 3:30 pm to 4 pm while we transition to our late check-in location. 

Sensory-Friendly Move-In Option

At Carnegie Mellon, we understand that move-in day can be exciting, but also a bit overwhelming. That's why we are offering a sensory-friendly move-in experience for students and families who prefer a calmer environment.

If you're interested in a lower sensory move-in experience, you can sign up for a move-in timeslot between 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, August 16. During this hour, our student leaders and volunteers will create a welcoming atmosphere with limited music and cheers, and will be ready to help you move your belongings. While we can't guarantee complete silence, we're committed to making this time as sensory-friendly as possible to ensure an inclusive and comfortable start for everyone.

Late ID Card Pick-Up

Students arriving after 3:30 pm on Saturday, August 16 who did not receive their ID card in the mail will need to visit the front desk at the Residence on Fifth beginning at 4 pm to collect their ID card before moving into their rooms. This location will be open through midnight on Saturday, August 16, and will re-open at 9 am on Sunday, August 17. If you cannot arrive to campus by August 17, and will be arriving later in the week, please email Room Assignments so that we know to hold your space for you

The Residence on Fifth Service desk will be open from 9 am to midnight on Sunday, August 17, and the  Housing Office will be open from 10 am to 2 pm.

Note: If you are unable to move-in on Saturday, August 16 due to religious observance, please email Room Assignments and we will help you make arrangements for an adjacent move-in date.

Helpful Links

Where To Go

When you arrive on campus at your designated move-in timeslot time, you should follow the directions available on the Move-In map for your housing assignment building location's unloading zone. Students with ID cards can begin unloading and moving in; students who don’t yet have their ID cards will need to pick their card up at a designated pick-up location, based on what building you are moving into. Volunteers will be available to assist with unloading your belongings.

ID Cards for all first-year students with a permanent US address will be mailed directly to your home address in early August. If you will not be home to receive your ID Card in August and need to request on-campus pick-up instead, email us.

ID Cards for international students will be available for pick-up at three designated pick-up locations (one in each housing neighborhood). International students need to be pick up their ID card before moving into their room.

Haven't submitted your photo ID? Visit the ID Card Services website. Otherwise, you will receive a temporary key at check-in and can pick up your ID card at The HUB later in the day.