Residence Hall Application

Frequently Asked Questions about Housing

1. Are ELI students required to live in campus dormitories?
   No. Many students live in apartments or houses near the campus.
   
2. Which is better: living in a dormitory on campus or living off-campus?
   Each option has advantages and disadvantages. You must decide which is better for you!
   
3. What are the advantages of living on campus in a dormitory?
   
   • It’s convenient. You live on campus and can walk to class, to the cafeteria, to the library, to the post office, and anywhere else you need to get to. A bicycle is useful, but you don’t have to have any “wheels” - no car, no bike!
   • Minimal furnishings are required. The necessary furniture is provided in the dorm; you must provide only your sheets, blankets, and towels.
   • There is no kitchen to take care of. All dorm students are required to purchase a meal plan. The Fresh Food Company (campus cafeteria) takes care of all the cooking and dishwashing. You just show up to eat.
   • You have many opportunities to talk and listen. The main reason the ELI recommends that you live in the dorm is that the University Residence Life Office tries very hard to place each ELI student with an English-speaking roommate. You have someone to talk to every day! And you have neighbors all around you. While your friends in apartments must make special efforts to find people to talk to and interact with, you’ve got that problem solved!
     
4. How much does it cost to live in a dorm? What are the dorms like?
   The dormitories cost $805 per 8-week course. Each suite is air conditioned with 4 occupants (2 rooms with 2 occupants each) sharing one bathroom. Every room has a telephone outlet, a cable tv outlet, a small refrigerator, and a microwave oven.
   
5. Can I have a private room in a dorm?
   Because on-campus housing is so convenient, demand is usually high. It isn’t always possible to have a private room in a dormitory. Expect to pay higher rates for private rooms, but only when such rooms are available. Keep in mind that “private room” typically means only “private bedroom/sleeping room.” It does not mean “private bathroom.” If you really want your own space, you should probably find an apartment to your liking.
   
6. How can I apply for dormitory housing?
   You should send your Residence Hall application with your ELI application. The sooner you apply for dorm housing, the better your chances of obtaining a room, especially if you are coming to the ELI for the Fall-1 term. Traditionally, the enrollment rate at The University of Southern Mississippi is at its highest in the Fall. It is always best to send your applications for the ELI and for the university dormitory as early as possible. High school students who graduate in May make their plans in the Spring or early Summer to attend the university in the Fall. They often send their applications for the university dormitory at the same time that they send their applications for admission to the university. The university Residence Life office accepts applications on a first-come, first-served basis.