Living in International House FAQs

Who lives in International House?

International House UCSD is a residential community of over 350 international and American undergraduate and graduate students which was created to foster multicultural sharing. It is a unique and lively community dedicated to the promotion of international awareness and intercultural understanding. We are looking for resident scholars who are willing to participate in I-House Programs and to collaborate with the I-House staff in the development of programs for residents and for the campus at large.

Why should I live in International House?

I-House has an enviable reputation of being the center of activities that add richness and fun to our residents’ experience. I-House residents not only benefit from the international environment but also feel that they belong to a real community of engaged students who are aware of and excited about the world and the many opportunities available to them.

What types of rooms are available at I-House? Are there singles?

The majority of rooms in I-House are single bedrooms; there are only a limited number of double bedrooms. Please specify your reasons for needing a double room on your personal history form. Although we will do our best to accommodate your request, we cannot guarantee it. Placement in double rooms will be based on the receipt date of your original I-House application.

Is quiet living available in I-House? 

Yes. A small percentage of apartments have been designated as “quiet living”, specifically for residents looking for a quieter living environment. Residents selecting these apartments will agree to abide by the courtesy quiet policies.

Who is eligible to live in I-House?

All registered UCSD undergraduate students are eligible to live in I-House. This includes students from all 6 colleges, international exchange students, and full-time international students.

Do I have to be an ERC student to live in I-House?

No! Although I-House is geographically located in ERC and ERC Res Life is in charge of I-House housing contracts, students from all colleges are eligible to live in I-House.

I am a UCSD extension student. Can I apply to live in International House?

Unfortunately, UCSD Extension students are not eligible to apply to live in I-House; this includes international students. As an extension student, you are not technically admitted to UCSD and therefore cannot live on campus. For housing suggestions, please contact the UCSD Extension Office. 

How much does it cost to live in I-House?

 For the 2012-2013 academic year, single rooms were $10,966 and double rooms were $10,166. Prices of rooms for the 2013-2014 academic year are subject to change. The dining plan is included in the room fees.  For up the most up to date information, visit http://housing.ucsd.edu/value.asp

Do I have to buy a dining plan?

Yes, all UCSD on-campus residents are required to purchase the dining plan. The dining plan is included in the listed room fees.  For up the most up to date information, visit http://housing.ucsd.edu/value.asp

Where can I get information on applying to live in International House?

Information and applications can be found at our website.

What information do I need to access the online application?

You will need your Student ID/PID (ex. A10101010) and Personal Password or PAC (4 digit number) to sign in.

International EAP students will receives their PIDs in June. If you have not received your student ID number, this site may help you get a Student ID.

I can’t find the essay questions. Where are they?

The application essay questions are listed below:

1. Why have you chosen I-House over another living environment?
2. How would your past experiences and interests contribute to the I-House community?
3. International House promotes cross-cultural communication and the exchange of global ideas and opinions. How would you play a role in promoting these ideas?
4. We require a high participation in I-House activities and events. Given your class schedule and current interests, how will you fulfill these expectations?

We recommend that you work on your essays in a separate program, like Microsoft Word, because you will you will have a limited amount of time to fill out the online application while it’s open. Make sure to save your progress if you would like to complete your application at a later time.

I applied last year. Can I use the same reference/essays?

Yes you may, but our application system does not save your essays. It might be in your best interest to go over your essays and update them so that the information is current. This is especially important if you have been involved in I-House programs. Similarly, using the same person as a reference is fine, but it may be worthwhile to get an updated reference if you have been involved in  I-House programs to strengthen your application.

When are the applications due?

Applications for the 2013-2014 academic year are due by March 8th, 2013

I’ve missed all the application deadlines. Do you have a waitlist?

Please email the ERC Reslife office ercreslife@ucsd.edu regarding a waitlist if you have missed the I-House Application deadline. If you have missed all the on-campus application deadlines, Housing and Dining has an online waitlist.

Where can I find an updated version of the reference letter?

For your application to be complete, we need a reference. Please download this PDF file and give it to your reference and have them fill it out and mail it to the I-House Office. 

Where do I turn in my reference letter?

Please do one of the following:

1.            Email to ihouseintern@ucsd.edu

2.            Fax to (858) 534-0550

3.            Bring a hard copy to our office, located under the Great Hall

I sent in my reference letter but it still isn’t checked off online!

Please allow for a week of processing time for reference letters. If after a week you still do not see it up on the website, please contact ihouseintern@ucsd.edu

I keep on getting the error message “characters not allowed”. What should I do?

Check to make sure that there are no quotation marks, parenthesis, and other scripts in your application. If you have typed up your application in Microsoft Word, please ensure that the language for that Word document is set to English. If it was set in another language, copying and pasting the answers could set off the “characters not allowed” error message as well.

For reference, the non-alpha numeric letters that are allowed are:

-              single quote (')

-              "at" sign (@)

-              comma (,)

-              exclamation point (!)

-              hyphen (-)

-              period (.)

-              question mark (?)

-              underscore (_)

After I submitted my application, the name “aherold1” comes up. This is not my name. What should I do?

Do not worry! In order to submit your application, you signed in with your PID and password. This will allow us to identify your application. 

I have submitted my application! When do I find out if I was accepted?

Please continue to check back to our website, where we will be posting information regarding acceptance. Generally, we will get back to applicants regarding their application about a month after the each application cycle due date.

When can I move in?

Please check back for updated move-in information for the 2013-2014 school year. 

When do I have to move out?

Please check back for updated move-in information for the 2013-2014 school year.  

What if I don't get along with my roommate?

The first step is to speak with your roommate or apartment mate about the problem (e.g. cleaning, noise, etc.) If you haven't, talk to them about a possible solution. If you feel uncomfortable approaching them, you can go to your Resident Advisor (RA) for assistance, or to talk about possible approaches. The Resident Advisor has been trained to assist you in working out roommate conflicts. If the problem persists after the RA has been involved, the Resident Dean’s professional staff can assist in a resolution.

Can I have an overnight guest?

Students can have guests stay overnight for up to three days with prior discussion and approval of their roommates. Guests may not sleep in public areas (e.g. residence hall suite lounges). You must notify your RA when you will have a guest staying overnight for security and emergency reasons.

When will I get my mailbox combination?

You will receive your mailbox combination when you have turned in your room inventory form/move-in checklist to the Residence Life Office after moving in and speaking with your roommates.