Self-op houses are undergraduate houses that are typically small (fewer than 60 students) and offer an intimate community experience for the residents. Self-op houses usually have a commercial kitchen located within, where a dedicated chef prepares and serves meals for the house, and which is open on weeknights for students to grab snacks or prepare late night meals when the chef isn’t preparing food. Unlike co-ops, meals are prepared by a chef or provided via dining hall meal swipes, and custodial service is provided. Residents are usually expected to volunteer for an occasional cleaning shift to help keep the kitchen clean after student use.

In self-ops, rooms are categorized as premier rooms (singles and 2-room doubles) or standard rooms (1-room doubles, triples, quads, quints).

Additionally, self-op houses typically have a large lounge and dining area, that often serve as the social hub of the house where students study, gather for events and spend informal time together.

Each self-op is unique, and the level and variety of social and educational activities varies according to student preference.