How to Apply | Learning Communities

The deadline to apply for or join a First-Year Community is April 1.

Follow the instructions below to apply for a Learning Community or Themed Community. Completion of your Housing Application is required before you are able to apply to a community.

Housing Applications will become available in January to first-year students who have been admitted and paid their University enrollment deposit. Complete your Housing Application in order to gain access to the "Housing Services" page.
On the Housing Services page, which can be found in MyRed/the Housing Portal, you will see the options to either "Apply to a Learning Community" or "Join a Themed Community."
- "Apply to a Learning Community"
  - If you wish to apply to a Learning Community, you must complete and submit a brief essay application.
  - This essay will be your opportunity to express why you'd like to be a part of a Learning Community, how the experience would be a benefit to your first year at Nebraska, and any other details you believe are important to you being in a Learning Community.
  - Once complete and submitted, applications will be reviewed in two (2) waves from January to April to ensure equitable review of all applications.
  - After April 1, you will receive communication about your application status. Those who are not admitted will be placed on a waitlist and admitted at a later date, if a spot in the desired Learning Community becomes available.
- "Join a Themed Community"
  - If you wish to join a Themed Community, you will be able to make your selection after reviewing some brief Themed Community policies and additional information.
  - There will be a drop-down menu of available Themed Communities to choose from.
  - After making your Themed Community selection, be sure you "confirm" your selection to fully submit it. You will be auto-enrolled into the Themed Community as long as there is available space. If you do not see your preferred Themed Community as an option to select, the community has been filled.
  - If your desired Themed Community is not available, email learningcommunities@unl.edu to be placed on the waitlist.
Once you have been accepted into a Learning Community or joined a Themed Community, you will be able to go into the Roommate Finder to begin searching for a roommate(s).
- Important note on Living with a Learning or Themed Community! By participating in a community, you will select to live with someone in your community. You may not see many individuals in Roommate Finder immediately, especially if you are early in the process.
- This does not mean you will not find a roommate. Please check back periodically to browse individuals and find someone who matches well.
More information on the Housing Application timeline.

If you have questions or wish to drop or switch your Learning Community or Themed Community, you will need to contact the Learning Communities office at (402) 472-7128 or learningcommunities@unl.edu.

Change requests can only be made by the student, must be sent in writing to our email address, and need to include your NUID.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I join a Learning or Themed Community?

Meet new people you already have something in common with from day one
Benefit from increased interactions with faculty and staff
Connect with knowledgeable upper-division student mentors
Enjoy programs to help you explore career paths and succeed academically
Gain chances to network with professionals in your field of study and connect with alumni

Participation in Learning or Themed Community activities is completely voluntary, but we're confident you'll find plenty to enjoy and that it will be one of the best decisions of your first year at Nebraska!

What if I don't know what I want to major in, yet?

That's completely normal! Luckily, with the Learning and Themed Communities, you can apply to or join ANY one that interests you.

So, even if you don't know your major, yet, or are deciding between multiple, you can still apply to or join a community of your choice.

Is there a cost to join a Learning or Themed Community?

Students accepted into a Learning or joining a Themed Community will be billed an additional $95.00 through University Housing at the beginning of the fall semester.

This fee helps fund all Learning or Themed Community events and programs throughout the entire year, and our staff ensures you get that worth back!

What if I change my major?

That's no problem! Most Learning Community classes meet ACE (general education) requirements, which are accepted in all degree programs.

Also, you are still able to participate in the events and programs - even if they are just for fun now.

I have already taken one of the courses the Learning Community takes together. What should I do?

You are still able to apply to that Learning Community!

At your New Student Enrollment (NSE) session, you will work with an academic advisor to verify that the Learning Community courses are right for you. If there is a course in which you already have credit, you will not be expected to retake that course. Be sure to communicate that with your academic advisor.

Can I request a specific roommate?

Yes! You may request a specific roommate if that person has also been accepted to the same Learning Community or Themed Community.

While you are not required to request a roommate, you can utilize the Roommate Finder tool in your MyRED account up until May 1 to find potential roommate matches for you.

Even if you are not able to live with your specific roommate, many of the communities are in the same residence hall so you will not be far from them. Also, this is a great way to expand your friend group and meet new people!

What should I do if I am interested in a Learning or Themed Community, but my first choice of residence hall is not home to that Learning or Themed Community?

To be part of a community, you live with that community so the community can flourish. If you select a different hall as your first choice, the Learning or Themed Community preference will override the hall preference, if you are admitted to the Learning or Themed Community.

The benefit to living with your community is having a support system built into your "home away from home." You do not have to go far to make connections, get involved, and feel at home while in a Learning or Themed Community.

Also, living in tradition-style residence halls, like Abel Hall and Massengale Residential Center, provide a great deal of socializing opportunities that you have to try harder to find in different styles of residence halls. All you have to do to meet people is leave your room door open, while you're home, and people can stop by to make a connection!