Applying to ISH
Information & Rates
The International Student House is a residence and program center for graduate students, interns, trainees or visiting scholars committed to promoting the mission of tolerance, respect and friendship among individuals from around the world. We strive for a balance of residents from all parts of the world representing many fields of study.
Because there are routinely more applicants than spaces available, the Admissions Committee asks you to thoughtfully write answers to three questions on the application form. Here are the questions that are on the application form:
- Please read our mission and write how you will help us to promote this mission.
- ISH is more than just a place to live. How do you plan to be involved in the life of the house?
- What will you be doing while in DC and what about it do you have a passion for?
In the admissions process, preference is given to a diverse range of full-time students over 21 years of age. Full-time interns and artists are also encouraged to apply. Applications to ISH are competitive. It is wise to apply at least 3 months in advance of your arrival date. We will also accept last minute applications, but there is more of a chance that we will have no more rooms available.
ISH does not offer housing to individuals who are job hunting / apartment hunting.
Information and Rates:
Room Fees:
Room fees include meals, Internet, utilities and laundry facilities. Take this into consideration when comparing prices.
Click Here for June 2008 - June 2009 Rates.
All rooms are furnished with a desk, chair, lamp, single bed, dresser, and bookcase. Most of our rooms are shared. Residents cannot choose their roommates as doing so may go against the houses mission. Men and women live in separate quarters and have separate bathrooms. Rooms do not have private bathrooms unless specified.
Smoking Policy:
Effective January 1, 2010, ISH will become a totally smoke free property. Applicants who will find it difficult to refrain from smoking are encouraged to look for housing elsewhere.
Room Type Preference:
Every effort is made to reserve the type of room requested on the application form, but ISH cannot fulfill all requests given the number of rooms and demand for them. We hope that everyone who stays here values the experience of living with others and will consider having a room mate even when their privacy is a concern.
If a single room is requested but is not available upon check-in, the resident's name will be added to a Single Room Wait List. We will do our best to give an accurate estimate of when the resident can be assigned to a single room.
Meals:
Included in the room fees are 13 meals per week. Breakfast and Dinner (M-F), Breakfast (Sa-Su) and a sit down "Family Dinner" at 1pm on Sunday. Late meals can be arranged by calling the house extension 208. No rebate is given for missed meals. Cooking is not allowed in the rooms, but we do offer rice cookers and microwaves in each building.
Additional Fees:
A one-time bed linen set-up charge of $15 and an activity fee of $60 (long term) or $40 (short term) will be assessed on the first invoice. The activity fee is annually renewable.
Deposits:
Stays Longer Than 30 Days:
After an acceptance letter has been issued, a room deposit of $500 is required to reserve a room.
Stays Shorter Than 30 days:
After an acceptance letter has been issued, a room deposit comprised of the first day's room fee and the linen charge is required to reserve the room.
The deposit is not refunded if the reservation is canceled less than 30 days in advance. The deposit is refunded just before or after the resident moves out of the House, provided the resident has completed the period of residency for which he or she applied and has paid all debts.
Payment:
On arrival, residents pay at least one full month rent and payment is due on the first of each month thereafter. There is a late fee for payments made after the 5th of the month. There is a 5% late fee for payments made after the 5th of the month. Residents must give 30 days notice of moving out in writing; otherwise residents will be charged for 30 days from the day they give notice. Stays of less than one month are billed at the daily room rate. Guests reserving rooms at the daily rate must pay for the first night; in case of cancellation this will not be refunded.
If you leave the House for a holiday or any other temporary leave prior to the end of your stated reservation dates, room and board charges will apply.
Payment of the fees may be made in U.S. dollars by cash, traveler's checks, a personal check drawn on a U.S. bank, a bank transfer, Visa or MasterCard. Checks should be made payable to the International Student House. Bank transfers should be made to our account at BB and T Bank #5162711298. ISH will charge you the cost of the transfer ($15-25) upon arrival.
Checking In
New resident members may check in anytime after 3:00 p.m. When you arrive a packet will be awaiting you at the front desk containing the following:
- Front Door Key- Used for the entry to the main building and the building you have been assigned
- Room Combination - Rooms do not have keys, but combination numbers for entry
- Resident Handbook - Rules and regulations, facility use instructions, phone use instructions and other vital information are included in this important guide
- Several forms are included and require your signature, unless otherwise indicated.
- Financial Responsibility Form (required of all residents)
- Overnight Guest Policy Form (If you plan to invite a guest to visit you, and there is a room available)
Change and Cancellations
We understand that changes to reservations can happen. We have some guidelines for changes and cancellations that we use. Feel free to read up on these guildelines: Changes and Cancellation Guidelines
