Division of Student Affairs
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Dear parents and families:
It’s almost time — we’re counting down the days! From Move-In Day to the many events planned during Fall Welcome, this is a special time and we’re honored to be part of it with your family.
As August gets underway, please encourage your student to complete any remaining items on their checklist to ensure a smooth move-in. If you haven’t already, check out the Incoming Families Guide for more details on what to expect as your student prepares for WashU and transitions to life on campus.
Parent & Family Orientation (PFO) takes place from August 15–17, and registration has been extended to Wed. Aug. 6 by 5 p.m. in case you haven't already registered. If you can’t be here in person, know your student will be in great hands.
We know this season brings a mix of emotions—excitement, anticipation and lots of questions. The Division of Student Affairs is here every step of the way to support your student.
We can’t wait to meet you soon!
Warmly,
Anna “Dr. G” Gonzalez
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
@akgonzal327
@washustudentaffairs
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Important dates and deadlines |
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August 4: Deadline to complete the First-year International Orientation registration form (international students only)
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August 6: Deadline to register for Parent & Family Orientation 2025
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August 13: International student move-in
- August 15 and 16: Class of 2029 move-in
- Fall varsity athletes have different arrival dates; please check with your student's head coach for more information
- August 16-23: Fall Welcome
- August 25: First day of classes
- September 1: Labor Day (no classes)
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September 5: Deadline to complete the Student Health Insurance Plan waiver
- October 4-7: Fall Break (no classes)
- November 26-30: Thanksgiving Break (no classes)
- December 5: Last day of classes
- December 8-17: Reading period and final exams
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Please note that failure to complete these checklist items can delay access to your student's residence hall on Move-in Day or place a hold on your student's record preventing them from adjusting their course schedule:
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| Student Financial Services goes cashless |
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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.
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WashU Student Associate (WUSA) communications |
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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 student's WUSA will lead their 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.
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New students will move-in to their residence hall on Friday, August 15 and Saturday, August 16*. Students should have selected their check-in time in early July; if not, please have them do so as soon as possible. Students can view their self-selected check-in date and time in the Housing Portal.
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).
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Students will check-in at Tisch Commons located on the main level of the Danforth University Center (DUC). The Danforth University Center is located at 6475 Forsyth Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63105.
- If they are arriving via taxi or ride-sharing service, have your student provide the above address to their driver.
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During check-in, short-term parking will be available in Zone 2 in Lot 35 (Simon Hall Lot).
- Students will go inside the DUC to receive their room key, parking placard, Metro U-Pass, and a one-time moving ticket. Any guests will need to stay inside the vehicle.
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The parking placard must be placed on your vehicle's dashboard for the duration of move-in.
- The one-time moving ticket is given to our professional moving team when it is your student's turn to move items into their room. Do not lose it!
- Those arriving via taxi or ride-sharing service will be assisted in transporting luggage to their residence hall.
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From check-in, you and your student will be directed to the unloading location for your student's residence hall. Once their items are unloaded, the driver of the vehicle will be directed to long-term parking while you stay with your items.
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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 Wednesday, August 13. Fall varsity athletes have different arrival dates; please check with your head coach for more information.
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Fall Welcome will begin the evening of Move-in Day and conclude the evening of Saturday, August 23. During Fall Welcome, students will meet with their WUSA small group, engage in academic experiences, and participate in a long-standing university tradition—Convocation. Preview the Fall Welcome schedule. Preview the Transfer and Exchange Fall Welcome schedule.
Convocation is open to first-year students, but parents and family can watch a live stream of the event online on August 23 at 7:30 p.m. A live stream link will be posted closer to the event.
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| CliftonStrengths assessment
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As part of your student's transition to campus life, all first-year students should complete the CliftonStrengths assessment before arriving for Fall Welcome. This powerful tool helps students discover what they naturally do best—and it will be a key part of activities and discussions during Fall Welcome.
Encourage your student to take the assessment by Thursday, August 7 to prepare for Fall Welcome. Use the instructions below to access the assessment.
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Health insurance requirement |
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All full-time, degree-seeking WashU students are required to have health insurance. They will be automatically enrolled in the university's health insurance plan and an annual premium charge for this coverage will be applied to their account. This plan runs August 1, 2025 - July 31, 2026.
Students may submit a request to waive this insurance by September 5. For approval, 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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Because you can't always predict when you might need mental health care, we encourage your student 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.
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Save the Date for Parent & Family Weekend |
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Parent & Family Weekend 2025 will be held September 26 – 28 and offers events and activities for students and their parents and families. Some include guest lectures by faculty, campus tours, a football game, trips to St. Louis attractions and much more. Save the date for this weekend and preview the event lineup. Registration for Parent & Family Weekend opens August 8.
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Gephardt Institute information |
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As your student prepares to join the St. Louis community, we encourage them to subscribe to a local news source or follow a local reporter on social media. Additionally, we encourage them to research local elected officials for our region to know who represents our area!
If your student is eligible to vote in the U.S., they should consider where they want to vote. They may vote using their home address or their school address—but they may only vote in one location.
Visit the Gephardt Institute for Civic and Community Engagement for more information.
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Symphony on the South 40 set for Sept. 15 |
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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.
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| Share our stuff: Fall move-in sales
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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:
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- Office and school supplies
- Clothes and shoes
- Books and textbooks
- Furniture
- Bedding
- Kitchen and bath materials
- Décor and more
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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!
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| Students ride for free with the U-Pass program
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Students can 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— students can apply online to receive a U-Pass and start enjoying this convenient, eco-friendly travel option. Learn more at the Metro U-Pass website.
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| Pre-game first-year student tailgate set for Sept. 6 |
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Encourage your student to 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!
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Washington University in St. Louis
1 Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130
washu.edu
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Washington University in St. Louis
1 Brookings Drive
St. Louis, MO 63130
washu.edu
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