Division of Student Affairs

August 4, 2025

It's almost time for your arrival and we're counting down the days until we officially welcome you to campus! In the meantime, check out the important to-dos for the month of August. 

— Student Affairs

View the Academic Calendar →

Please note that failure to complete these checklist items can delay access to your residence hall on Move-in Day or place a hold on your student record preventing you from adjusting your course schedule:

View the complete Before You Arrive Checklist →

As part of your transition to campus life, all first-year students should complete the CliftonStrengths assessment before arriving for Fall Welcome. This powerful tool helps you discover what you naturally do best—and it will be a key part of activities and discussions during Fall Welcome.

Don't wait—take the assessment by Thursday, August 7 to prepare for Fall Welcome. Use the instructions below to access the assessment.

Each incoming student with a U.S. phone number will receive a call on August 9 or 10 from their WashU Student Associate (WUSA). Your WUSA will lead your Fall Welcome small groups, serve as an academic mentor throughout the year and host weekly WUSA Hours. Students with international phone numbers will have an opportunity to ask their WUSAs questions via email.

Fall Welcome will begin the evening of Move-In Day and conclude the evening of Saturday, August 23. During Fall Welcome, you will meet with your WUSA small group, engage in academic experiences, and participate in a long-standing university tradition—Convocation. Preview the Fall Welcome schedule.

All transfer students must arrive to campus by Tuesday, August 19 at 5 p.m. CT.  All new transfer students will be required to check in with Student Transitions & Engagement. Find us on the Village Lawn at 6 p.m. to kick off Transfer & Exchange Fall Welcome.

Staff from Student Transitions & Engagement will be available to answer questions on Friday, August 15 and Saturday, August 16 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Student Transitions & Engagement is located in the lower level of Umrath House on the South 40 (across from the Bear’s Den entrance).

Review ResLife's Move in Guide for detailed information about the Move-In Day process, maps, packing lists and more.

Contact Residential Life with any questions about housing assignments or move-in.

* Move-In Day for international students attending WashU on a visa is Tuesday, August 19. Fall varsity athletes have different arrival dates; please check with your head coach for more information.

Join us on Tuesday, August 19, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on the Village Lawn for a Welcome BBQ! Get to get to know your WUSA and fellow transfer and exchange students while enjoying dinner from a St. Louis favorite, music, and games! Vegetarian, vegan, and other dietary-restriction-friendly options will be provided. The Center for Career Engagement will be offering a cool treat and sharing information about upcoming major events. You'll also have the chance to meet Bear & Brookie, WashU PD Comfort Dogs! 

All full-time, degree-seeking WashU students are required to have health insurance. You will be automatically enrolled in the university's health insurance plan and an annual premium charge for this coverage will be applied to your account. This plan runs August 1, 2025 - July 31, 2026.

You may submit a request to waive this insurance by September 5. For approval, your current insurance coverage must meet the university's specific criteria. Contact the Student Health Center - Danforth Campus with questions about health insurance.

You can't always predict when you will need mental health care. We encourage you to register for and download the TimelyCare app before arriving to campus.

TimelyCare is a 24/7 virtual care service for full-time students, aged 18 years or older or those with guardian consent, to address common concerns that can be safely diagnosed and treated remotely. Users have access to free telehealth support day or night, including TalkNow on-demand mental health sessions, 12 free scheduled counseling sessions per year, psychiatric care and health coaching. Services are available throughout the year, including summer months.

Explore St. Louis with a free Metro U-Pass! Full-time WashU students can register for a free U-Pass, which provides unlimited rides on the city's MetroBuses and the MetroLink light-rail system. It's easier than ever to commute between campuses, explore downtown, and visit iconic St. Louis landmarks.

Registration is simple—apply online to receive your U-Pass and start enjoying this convenient, eco-friendly travel option. Learn more at the Metro U-Pass website.

Student Financial Services has a fully cashless system for accepting payments for items charged through student accounts (tuition, fees, housing, etc.). The Payment Options page of the Financial Services website features a full list of payment options, including step-by-step instructions for students to set up online payments. Contact financial@wustl.edu with any questions.

Join WashU football for the season opener game against Rhodes College on Saturday, Sept. 6 at 7 p.m. at historic Francis Olympic Field. WashU students receive free admission with a valid student ID, and first-year students are invited to a special pre-game tailgate to kick off the season!

Plan to check out WashU's Office of Sustainability Share Our Stuff sales. These sales contain a wide variety of lightly-used, donated room/apartment essentials, such as:

View the location and date of sales on our event page. Get excited to find that perfect item for you while supporting circular material reuse!

Mark your calendar for an annual WashU tradition, Symphony on the South 40! St. Louis Symphony Orchestra members visit campus to perform in a small ensemble for students, faculty, staff and community members on the South 40. The Department of Music also selects student musicians to showcase.

Join us on Monday, Sept. 15 from 5:30-7 p.m. on the Bear's Den Patio on the South 40. In inclement weather occurs, the event will be held in Risa Commons.

As you prepare to join the St. Louis community, we encourage you to subscribe to a local news source or follow a local reporter on social media. Additionally, research local elected officials for our region to know who represents our area!

If you are eligible to vote in the U.S., consider where you want to vote. You may vote at your home address or your school address—but you may only vote in one location.

Visit the Gephardt Institute for Civic and Community Engagement for more information.

Student Technology Services (STS) provides IT support to students via walk-up support, phone, text message and email. Services include troubleshooting software and hardware, network connectivity (WiFi and wired), Dell laptop repair (under warranty only), and loaner laptops if your computer is in the shop.

As you prepare to come to campus, here are a few tech tips to get you started:

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