The dorm packing list, done right
Move-in is a logistics problem: the right list depends on your room type and your school's rules. DormBySchool gives you both — a complete, no-fluff checklist you can tailor in two clicks.
Bed size: nearly every US dorm uses an extra-long twin (Twin XL) mattress — standard twin sheets won't fit. Buy Twin XL, and double-check your school's housing page for the rare exception. See price on Amazon
The eight things every dorm needs
Twin XL sheet setDorm beds are extra-long. Standard twin sheets will not fit.See price on Amazon
Twin XL mattress topperDorm mattresses are thin. A topper is the biggest comfort upgrade.See price on Amazon
Mesh shower caddyCarries everything to a shared bathroom and drains dry.See price on Amazon
Low-profile under-bed binsUnder the bed is the room's biggest free storage. Measure the gap first.See price on Amazon
Surge protectorRooms have few outlets. Many halls allow these but not extension cords.See price on Amazon
LED desk lampOverhead dorm light is dim, and your roommate may be asleep.See price on Amazon
Dorm fanMany residence halls have no air conditioning, and move-in is warm.See price on Amazon
Laundry hamperOne that carries a week of washing down to a shared laundry room.See price on Amazon
Start here
- The complete packing checklist — everything, by category.
- By room type — first-year, single, suite, triple, apartment-style.
- Printable checklist — print-clean, checkbox-ready.
- By school — room types + move-in notes for 1071+ universities.
- Laptop requirements by school — which colleges publish a minimum spec, and whether it binds your program.
- Dorm cost statistics — what room & board really costs, by state and school type.
Popular room types
First-year residence hallShared doubleSingle roomSuite-styleTriple / forced tripleApartment-style / suite with kitchen
Popular school lists
University of Wisconsin–Madison · WisconsinTowson University · MarylandStony Brook University · New YorkBinghamton University · New YorkUniversity of Nebraska–Lincoln · NebraskaThe Ohio State University · OhioPenn State University · PennsylvaniaUniversity of Michigan · MichiganUniversity of Texas at Austin · TexasUniversity of Florida · FloridaTexas A&M University · TexasMichigan State University · Michigan
Find your school’s packing list
The schools families search for most by name. Each list is built from that campus’s own room types.
- University of Delaware packing list
- University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee packing list
- University at Buffalo (SUNY) packing list
- University of Cincinnati packing list
- Kennesaw State University packing list
- Wayne State University packing list
- George Mason University packing list
- Georgia State University packing list
- Georgia Institute of Technology packing list
- University of Massachusetts Amherst packing list
- University of Arizona packing list
- Kansas State University packing list
- University of Illinois Chicago packing list
- University of Houston packing list
- Syracuse University packing list
- Virginia Commonwealth University packing list
- Kent State University packing list
- North Carolina State University packing list
- Texas Tech University packing list
- Duke University packing list
- University of Connecticut packing list
- Oregon State University packing list
- Ohio University packing list
- San José State University packing list
- Boston College packing list
- University of New Hampshire packing list
- Central Michigan University packing list
- Oklahoma State University packing list
- University of Texas at Arlington packing list
- University of Tennessee, Knoxville packing list
- Missouri State University packing list
- Clemson University packing list
- University of Utah packing list
- University of Kentucky packing list
Not yours? Search all 1071 schools →