In an effort to simplify housing assignments and match roommates better, incoming freshmen will be able to fill out applications online for on-campus housing.

The online application, which looks exactly like the paper version used in past years, was tested last year by students admitted under early decision, said Mark D’Arienzo, associate director of university housing.

This year the online application is being extended to the entire incoming class. Although the application procedure is electronic, the actual assignments will be made manually by university staff.

D’Arienzo said putting housing applications online will allow students to be more involved in choosing their own living preferences.

“In past years we’ve seen applications filled out in one handwriting and signed in another,” D’Arienzo said. “This suggests that parents are more active in the housing process.”

The Web site, which will accept applications 24 hours a day, requires students to use a Net ID and password given only to the student.

Students without access to a computer can fill out a hard copy and send the application in through the mail, D’Arienzo said.

Although he has yet to hear from Undergraduate Housing about the online application, one incoming freshman said he liked the trend toward electronic applications.

“It sounds interesting and I plan do it,” said David Captain, an incoming Weinberg freshman from Moraga, Calif. “I hope housing will be easy because I don’t like filling in my name so many times.”

Captain said he also filled out his regular-decision application to Northwestern online and found that the process was easier than other schools’ applications.

Housing officials have held at least 1,925 spaces for next year’s freshman class and converted two residence halls — 600 Lincoln and Hinman House — into all-freshman dorms.

Said D’Arienzo, “We’re trying to make housing as simple as possible for next year’s freshman and subsequent classes.”