Rotation

Incoming students at Caltech are guaranteed housing and live in one of the 8 undergraduate houses or in the Bechtel Residence. Upon arrival to campus, students are placed in temporary housing and remain in that assignment for two weeks. While living in a temporary space, students participate in a process known as Rotation. Rotation is Caltech first year housing assignment process. It is also one of the most unique traditions at Caltech. Rotation provides incoming first year and transfer students with the opportunity to learn more about each of our residential communities.  During rotation first year students will meet upper class students, attend dinners and events, and learn more about the accommodations, traditions, and members in each residential community. At the end of rotation, all entering students are sent a survey to complete.

A part of the survey they are asked to rank all of the houses and the Bechtel residence. Students who are placed in a house will have full membership to that house. Bechtel residents can opt for a full membership to a house, or can opt out the housing system if they prefer not to affiliate. At the end of rotation the cannon goes off and students learn where they will affiliate and/or live. That night the houses and the Bechtel residents host welcome activities and engage in a roommate matching process. At the end this process, first year students move to their final and permanent housing assignment.

Wednesday, September 23th through Wednesday, September 30th, 2026.

All first-year, transfer, and exchange students are eligible to participate in Rotation. We encourage everyone to participate at some level in Rotation. That said, if joining a house or participating in Rotation is not for you, there is no obligation or pressure.

During Rotation there are lunches, dinners, receptions, and events. You will receive a personalized schedule with activities and meals that will provide the opportunity to speak to upper-class students in all the houses and in Bechtel. At all Rotation activities, upper-class students will work hard to make sure you are able to feel comfortable, meet people, and get to know the community.

Rotation is not mandatory. We want you to attend the events that interest you and help you make the decision that is right for you. You are welcome to attend everything, and it can be helpful to see as many communities as possible, but you are not required to attend anything. That said, we recommend attending at least one event for each house and one for Bechtel.

A matching algorithm is used to prioritize student rankings to determine optimal housing and affiliation for those participating in Rotation. The selection process is usually constrained: there are only a limited number of openings in each house, and it is impossible to simultaneously meet the preferences of all students and houses.

New student house memberships and housing assignments will be announced on Saturday, October 3rd, 2026.

After Rotation you will move to your new community and room unless you selected Bechtel in the summer and then you will remain in the building, and in your room (you may move rooms at this phase but not buildings). Upper-class students will help you move!