An updated and more organized version can be found at http://howtospellcollege.com/2008/08/28/master-checklist-for-dorm-packing/. The blog also has lots of other useful information, including how to save money on books. For those who came to this page by following a chain of other links, I'm terribly, terribly sorry for all the inconvenience. This should be the last time the URL will change.

Thank you for all your support and constant visits.
- Nathan

I looked through a lot of college checklists and saw that most of them forgot something that another listed. So I combined them all together.. and here's a master checklist for dorm needs. As far as I know, this is the single most comprehensive dorm packing list online.

Lots of the things I listed are things you could live without. I've never used some of the things, let alone heard of some of them. Before you pack something, seriously ask yourself if you'll really need it. I did not make this list for your roommate to be living on the ceiling. I can't stress that enough: again, you will not need everything listed here. This list is mainly for organizational purposes, not for setting goals on who can bring the most stuff.

My recommendation is to save the list as a text file, delete the stuff that you don't use or that you won't need, and then print that copy out. Also note to yourself:
        1) which items are easier to purchase upon arrival, especially if you're not traveling by car,
        2) which items can be easily improvised later, and
        3) which items can be brought later or shipped to you later, such as winter clothes.

Other notes:

1) For colleges in northeastern USA , cold weather can set in as early as October. You should at least have a jacket by then. And you can be safe with delaying the heavy winter gear until the Thanksgiving break (late November). For the cold weather and snow-challenged people, there are these inventions called the coat, boots, hat, and scarf....

2) Remember to read your college's housing site to check what is not allowed. For Boston University's: http://www.bu.edu/housing/services/furnishings/index.html

3) This is a dorm packing list, not an apartment packing list. I did not list beds, desks, shelves, and other furniture that most college dorms provide.

4) Have a list of serial numbers, makes, and models of all expensive items. Have one hardcopy in your dorm, one left at home with your parents, one as a computer file, and one emailed to yourself. It'll help in case of a robbery. You can also take pictures of the items.

And now on with the list...

Important General Stuff
wallet, purse, hand bag
ID, license
cash, change, credit cards, debit cards
ATM Card
watch
glasses, contacts

Basic Kitchen Stuff (even if you won't have a kitchen)
forks, knives, spoons (plastic and metal)
microwaveable bowl
plastic cups
thermo cup/mug
paper plates
food containers
can opener, bottle opener, corkscrew
chip clips, clothes pins, twisters
Ziploc® bags, various sizes
water purifier, water filter, pitcher
straws
cloth for dishwashing
napkins
wet wipes

Additional Kitchen Stuff (if you'll have a kitchen)
ceramic plates
pots and pans
plastic wrap, aluminum foil
dish detergent
hand soap
sponge
paper towels
kitchen towel
dish cloth
oven mitt
toaster
coffee maker (only allowed at BU if you'll have a kitchen)
blender (only allowed at BU if you'll have a kitchen)
hot plate (only allowed at BU if you'll have a kitchen)

Food
non-perishable food: noodle cups, canned foods, soup
candy, cough drops, gum, mints
snacks, popcorn, cereal, etc.
bottled drinks, soda, bottled water
coffee
tea bags, powder drink mixes
vitamins
general medication (headache, cough, pain reliever, eye drop)
your prescription medication

Room Needs/Storage
alarm clock/clock radio
tissues
desk chair seat cushion/pad (to make your ass happy)
desk chair (BU has them already, but i've seen some kids bring more comfortable ones)
boxes
storage bins, stacking baskets
bags: garbage, plastic, paper
small wastebasket
bedside lamp, clip-on lamp, desk lamp, decorator lamps, extra light bulbs (In some BU dorms, a desk lamp is provided.)
night light, flashlight
fan
over-the-door hooks, adhesive hooks
bulletin board and push pins
dry erase board
shoe rack
closet organizer
closet add-in shelf
various organizers: CDs, papers, cosmetics
tools, screwdriver, hammer
RackRaisers®, bed raisers
bunking kit
bookcase (BU provides a small one on your desk that should be enough)
air freshener
dust wipes
disinfecting wipes
all-purpose cleaner
Lysol®
photos of family, friends, pets
posters
decorations
plants

Computer Stuff
laptop, battery, AC adapter
laptop case
USB Keyboard (if your laptop keyboard sucks)
desktop computer, monitor, keyboard
mouse, mouse pad
blank CD-Rs, floppy disks
CD cases
CDs: your favorite software, emergency startup cd, backup of most important files (keep a copy at home)
ethernet cord, modem
head phones
USB key, portable flash storage drive
laptop lock
printer (you may want to share with your roommate or use the college's printing labs), extra ink cartridge, blank printer paper
scanner
webcam
speakers

Electronics
surge protectors
extension cords
3-2 prong adapaters
cell phone, cell phone charger, accessories
camera / digital camera, memory card/stick, upload cable, photo software CDs, camera accessories
calculator
battery charger, rechargeable batteries, extra batteries
favorite movies
iPod®, earbuds, accessories
audio recording device
CD player, cassette player, headphones, favorite CDs and cassettes (CD? cassette? what?)
land phone, answering machine, phone cord (land phone? what's that?)

Linens/Laundry Supplies
sheets (for most colleges, including BU: extra long)
pillowcase
pillows, small pillow, headrest pillow
mattress pad
blankets
comforter and duvet cover
egg crate
clothes hangers
laundry bag/hamper/basket, pop-up hamper
laundry detergent (liquid or convenient tablets)
small container to carry just some detergent to the laundry room
fabric softener
laundry marking pen
laundry stain remover
sewing kit
lint brush
drying rack
electric blanket (not allowed at BU)

Bath and Toiletries
towels: body, hair, hand, face, extras
shower tote/caddy
shower shoes, flip-flops
shampoo, conditioner
body wash, or soap and soap container
body sponge, back brush
toothpaste, toothbrush (and extras), toothbrush case
mouth wash
bathroom cup
dental floss
comb, brush
hair gel, mousse
razors, electric razor, shaving cream, aftershave
deodorant
facewash, acne cream
lotion, facial moisturizer
perfume, cologne
tweezers
nail clipper, nail file
Q-tips®
cotton swabs/balls
small mirror
extra eyeglasses, case, cloth
contact lens solution
contact lens container
scissors
sponge
bath robe
chapstick
Band-Aid® bandages
suction hooks
bathtub scrubber (if your room will have a bathroom)
pads, tampons
nail polish, nail polish remover
hair dryer
hair straightener
curling iron
hairspray
makeup, cosmetics
Being-a-Model Kit

Clothes
pants/jeans
skirts
shirts/blouses
sweaters
underwear
bras
socks
sweats
pajamas
robe
sneakers, comfortable walking shoes
slippers, flip-flops, sandals
jackets: light, heavy, rain
winter coat
gloves
scarf
hat, cap
boots
dress shoes
dress clothes
1 set formal/business attire
1 set semi-formal attire
dresses
ties
belts
umbrella
poncho
jewelry
bathing suit
sports equipment: shin guards, helmet, etc
gym clothes
hairbands, hairpins
sunglasses

Office/Desk Supplies
bookbag
assignment book, planner
calendar
notebooks: new, old, composition
folders
binders, dividers
lined paper
pens, pencils, pencil holder, sharpener, eraser
colored pencils, markers, crayons
highlighter pens (multiple colors)
Scotch® tape
heavy duty tape, masking tape, mounting tape, duct tape
tacky adhesive
scissors
stapler, staples, staple remover
paper clips
rubber bands
glue
ruler
Wite-out® (yeah, there's no H. who would've known?)
pins
hole puncher, 3-hole puncher
index cards
Post-it® notes
stamps and envelopes, standard size and paper size
labels of various sizes
adhesive hooks, tack
protractor
compass
graph paper
string
book light
book ends
small memo books
typing paper holder/clip
stackable desk trays
hanging files or folders, folder storage bin
chain
combination lock
safe

Papers, Books, and Documents
textbooks for your classes
old notes from previous classes that may be useful
course catalog
dictionary, thesaurus
reference books
phone/address book, important phone numbers, contact list
maps of the campus, of the city, and of public transportation
guides/instructions for laptop, digital camera, cell phone, graphing calculator, etc
one or two of your favorite books
high school yearbook, BU Freshman Record
checks, bank stuff
phone card
social security card
insurance card/papers/forms
renter's insurance
car insurance, registration (if you're bringing a car)
Visa information, citizenship info, alien info
passport (if you're considering traveling for Spring Break or other breaks)
financial aid forms (leave a copy at home if your parents will need them for reference when they're renewing it in the spring)
any documents your school told you to bring

Misc Things
luggage/duffel bag (for going home during short breaks)
house key
quarters (most of the big BU dorms have change machines)
key chain
favorite memoirs
stuffed animals
ear plugs
sleeping mask
patches, thermal patches for aches
scale
beach towel, swim cap, goggles, swimming gear
sunscreen
bug spray
Neosporin®, Imodium®, Pepto-Bismol®, Viagra®, et cetera, et cetera...
condoms, birth control pills, contraceptives
pregnancy tests
favorite board games, electronic games
deck of cards
items for your hobbies (such as musical instruments or sports stuff)
sports equipment (basketballs and volleyballs can be rented for free at BU's FitRec gym)
frisbee
car
bike, skateboard, roller skates, roller blades
helmet
bike lock, cover, pump
any necessary items for specific classes (especially art classes and gym electives, such as ice skating)
any necessary items or books for your culture and/or religion

Shared Items (check with roommates to avoid duplication)
microwave-fridge aka microfridge (can be rented at BU for a fee)
microwave (not allowed in a BU dorm, but you can bring one and share it in the common room)
fridge
TV, TV cable, remote
DVD player, VCR
video game systems, controllers, games
audio equipment
air conditioning (not allowed at BU)
handheld vacuum (can be rented for free at BU's RA offices)
small brush and dustpan
bathtub scrubber
doorstop
area rug
iron
ironing board
floor lamp, tree floor lamp
TV/snack tray
fold-out chair
beanbag
full-length mirror
shower curtain (most BU dorms and apartments have them already)
curtains (most BU dorms have them already)