Division of Student Success
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Dear students,
I hope you are having a wonderful and restful summer! As you pack your bags and prepare to take your next big step at WashU, we have been working diligently behind the scenes to prepare for your arrival. This summer marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter—not just for you as you start college, but for our division as well.
I recorded a quick, one-minute video to introduce myself again, to share an exciting campus update with you, and to give you an early glimpse of how we are here to help you thrive from day one.
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Enjoy these last few weeks of summer before your WashU journey officially begins. Take some time to rest, celebrate with your family and friends, and get excited! I am already cheering for you, and I absolutely cannot wait to meet you on campus very soon!
Warmly,
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Important dates and deadlines |
- August 18: Transfer & Exchange Move-in
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Fall varsity athletes have different arrival dates; please check with your head coach for more information.
- August 19-22: Transfer & Exchange Orientation
- August 22:
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August 24: First day of classes
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September 5: Deadline to submit the Waiver of Insurance Coverage to opt out of the Student Health Insurance Plan
- September 7: Labor Day holiday - no classes
- September 14: Symphony on the South 40
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October 3-6: Fall Break - no classes
- November 25-29: Thanksgiving Break - no classes
- December 7: Last day of classes
- December 8-16: Reading period and final exams
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Please note that failure to complete some of 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:
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| Family Webinar Series concludes this week |
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Our Family Webinar Series answers questions we know our students and their parents and family members are asking. Visit our website to view previous recordings or register to participate in upcoming webinars.
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| Explore your new home before Move-in |
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Getting excited for Move-in? Take a few minutes to review your residence hall's virtual tour, photos and floor plans before Move-in Day. Seeing your room layout ahead of time can help you plan what to bring, coordinate with roommates and feel more prepared for arrival day.
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Move-In Day for all transfer and exchange students is on Tuesday, August 18, 2026.
Students living in Residential Life-managed housing must move in between 9 a.m.–5 p.m. on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. Students living in off-campus apartments must arrive in St. Louis by 6 p.m. on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 to attend the required Check-in with Student Transitions & Engagement, Office for International Student Engagement, and Residential Life in the Village House Lobby.
The Office for International Student Engagement (OISE) will offer a free shuttle to international transfer and exchange students from St. Louis-Lambert International Airport to campus on August 18, 2026 only between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. International students intending to ride the shuttle must indicate this in the International Student Arrival form.
Please visit the Housing Portal for information about your 2026–2027 Residential Life housing assignment, including roommate and suite mate details if applicable.
If applicable, students should reach out to their roommates/suite mates via their WashU email(s) to introduce themselves and discuss what items they will bring to the room or suite. View our packing list for suggestions.
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.
Fall varsity athletes have different arrival dates; please check with your head coach for more information.
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| Find your strengths before Orientation |
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All first-year students must complete the CliftonStrengths assessment by Sunday, August 9. This quick tool uncovers what you naturally do best, and we’ll discuss your results during Orientation activities. Here's how to complete it:
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Visit Gallup Access and redeem your unique code: F4X3D7G6C4M6G3YB
- Register using your WashU email address.
- Complete the assessment in one uninterrupted sitting. The assessment usually takes about 30 minutes to complete.
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Already taken it? You only need to complete it once. Email Campus Life if you are unsure whether you've completed the assessment, or if you experience any technical issues.
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Orientation will begin on the evening of your Move-in Day and conclude the evening of Saturday, August 22. During Orientation, you will meet with your WUSA small group, participate in academic experiences, and social programming. Preview the Orientation schedule, and ensure you have registered for Transfer & Exchange Orientation.
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| Health insurance requirement |
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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, 2026 - July 31, 2027.
You may submit a request to waive this insurance by September 5. This waiver must be submitted annually. 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.
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| TimelyCare telehealth service |
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Taking care of your health shouldn't be stressful. As a full-time student (18+) who pays the health and wellness fee, you have free access to TimelyCare, a virtual wellness service available 24/7 (even during summer break).
Think of it as having a doctor or counselor in your pocket whenever you need them! Use it to:
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- Talk to someone right now: Anxious late at night? Use the TalkNow feature to connect with a mental health professional immediately.
- See a therapist: You get 12 free, scheduled virtual counseling appointments every year.
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See a doctor: Get medical care or psychiatry visits for minor illnesses or routine medical issues that can be treated safely from your residence hall.
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Consider enrolling in Bearprints for Success, a one-credit, seven-week seminar that supports your transition to WashU through data-driven learning and collaborative discussions. You will be introduced to key campus resources and staff that will help you navigate WashU and find success in your first year.
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| Dialogue Across Difference (DxD) |
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College is a time for you to encounter new ideas and perspectives. While this can sometimes be challenging, it’s also an important part of your personal and intellectual growth. Consider enrolling in the Dialogue Across Difference (DxD) course, which will help you build essential skills like critical thinking, civil discourse and respectful dialogue—tools you'll use well beyond the classroom.
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| Do you want an on-campus job? |
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Join a virtual On-Campus Employment Info Session to learn about job opportunities, the hiring process, and resources available to help you succeed. Sessions will be held August 25, 5-6 p.m. CDT and August 26, noon to 1 p.m. CDT.
Then attend the On-Campus Employment Fair August 27, 12:30-4 p.m. CDT in Hillman Hall to network with WashU departments that are recruiting now and in the future for paid on-campus positions. .
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| Student Technology Services (STS) |
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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), Apple laptop repair (out of warranty only), Dell laptop repair (both in and out of warranty), loaner laptops if your computer is being repaired, and more.
As you prepare to come to campus, here are a few tech tips to get you started:
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Washington University in St. Louis
One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130
washu.edu
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Washington University in St. Louis
One Brookings Drive
St. Louis, MO 63130
washu.edu
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