Winter Welcome
2025 Winter Welcome Schedule
WELCOME, TRANSFER & EXCHANGE STUDENTS!
Welcome to Washington University in St. Louis! As you prepare for your semester at WashU, you will share many similar experiences with other new transfer and exchange students, beginning with Winter Welcome. This orientation program will help you become acclimated to our campus and introduce you to many people and resources that will assist you. Most importantly, orientation is a time to meet and socialize with other students new to WashU.
Your orientation experience will be comprised of events related to your WashU academic division as well as social events. Please pay particular attention to REQUIRED EVENTS as they may pertain to academic requirements.
Some of our social events are required, while others are optional; however, we strongly encourage you to participate in all programs in order to make the most of your Winter Welcome experience.
The most important thing to remember during orientation is that you are not alone in this new experience. Everyone on campus is excited to help you learn all that you need to know about being a student at WashU, so don’t hesitate to ask questions as you begin to discover your place in the WashU community!
Throughout the schedule, the following icons are used to indicate which student populations are invited attend specific events.
All students
International students
Transfer students
Exchange students
Pay close attention to which events are mandatory as indicated by the following icon: (RQ)
We are very excited to welcome you to the Washington University in St. Louis community!
STUDENT TRANSITIONS & ENGAGEMENT
newstudents.washu.edu | transitions@wustl.edu | 314.935.5040
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8
9:00 AM-5:00 PM
MOVE-IN & TIME TO COMPLETE TASKS
On Your Own
Take time to complete tasks that may require more time prior to the beginning of WashU’s orientation programming.
• (INTL) Check in with OISE
9:00 AM-5:00 PM (RQ)
INTL
6:00 PM-8:00 PM (RQ)PALL
• Set up a bank account
• Set up a mobile phone
(EX) (EX) (ALL)
• If you have your phone and bank account set up, you may want to go shopping. We have provided you a copy of our Shopping Guide with this schedule. Items you may need for your first night at WashU include:
o Bedding
o Towels
o Winter coat and warm clothing
o Toiletries
o Food and snacks
o Basic kitchen supplies, depending on residence
CHECK-IN WITH OISE
International students will need to visit with the Office for International Student Engagement (OISE) to checkin with immigration documents. Hosted by the Office for International Student Engagement.
CHECK-IN & DINNER WITH STUDENT TRANSITIONS & ENGAGEMENT
Lien House, Ursa’s Fireside
Check in with your WashU Student Associate (WUSA). Your WUSA will serve as your orientation leader during Winter Welcome and as an academic mentor throughout the semester. You will receive your welcome packet, and your WUSA will review the schedule with you and answer any questions you may have. Campus eateries close at 3:00 PM today, so we will have a catered meal available for you!
THURSDAY, JANUARY 9
10:00 AM-11:30 AM (RQ) ALL
WELCOME TO WASHU: MEET YOUR WUSA
Danforth University Center (DUC), various rooms
Participate in a small group discussion led by your WUSA. During this session, you will receive some welcome items, get to know other transfer or exchange students, and engage in conversation about personal and WashU values. Refer to communications from your WUSA for your specific meeting location.
TRANSFER & EXCHANGE STUDENT WELCOME LUNCH
Noon-1:30 PM (RQ)
1:30 PM-3:00 PM (RQ) INTL
Umrath Hall, Umrath Lounge
Join Student Transitions & Engagement, the Office for International Student Engagement, advisors from your academic division, and student leaders for a catered lunch to welcome you to the WashU community.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ORIENTATION: STAYING IN STATUS
Danforth University Center, room 248
Throughout the orientation session, you will get to know other students and receive information regarding how to maintain legal status as a non-immigrant student. Hosted by the Office for International Students and Scholars.
2:00 PM-4:00 PM
MEET THE COLLEGE
Cupples Hall II, McLeod Conference Room, room 102
Transfer students are invited to stop by for light snacks and a warm welcome from members of the College of Arts & Sciences. Hosted by the College of Arts & Sciences.
SHOPPING TRIP WITH OISE
3:00 PM-6:30 PM
ALL INTL TR
Mallinckrodt Bus Terminal
Shuttles will be available from WashU to Brentwood Promenade, a local shopping center, so international students can purchase any necessities they may need. Please refer to an email from OISE for more information. Hosted by the Office for International Student Engagement.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 9
4:30 PM-6:00 PM (RQ)
A Career Conversation
Lien House, Ursa’s Fireside
In this workshop, connect with a career coach to build a success formula and understand your career interests and envision possibilities. Each career community is meant to be a place where you can explore careers, make connections, and feel a sense of belonging. In this session, you’ll learn how to join one or more career communities to learn about potential career paths and set yourself up for success. The Center for Career Engagement offers career programs, events with alumni, recruitment events, industry-specific sessions and decision-making workshops, Bear Treks and beyond! Hosted by the Center for Career Engagement.
7:00 PM-9:00 PM
DINNER AND GAME NIGHT SOCIAL
Lien House, Ursa’s Fireside
Enjoy dinner from Pappy’s Smokehouse, a local St. Louis barbecue restaurant, while spending time getting to know your classmates and student leaders in an informal setting.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 10
10:00 AM-12:30 PM (RQ)
10:00 AM-12:30 PM (RQ)
COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES AND McKELVEY SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING EXCHANGE STUDENT ACADEMIC MEETING AND LUNCH
Danforth University Center (DUC), room 240
Get to know more about your academic division, expectations for the classroom experience, and make key connections in your WashU home.
OLIN BUSINESS SCHOOL EXCHANGE STUDENT
ACADEMIC MEETING AND LUNCH
Simon Hall, room 122
Meet with fellow exchange students and Olin staff for lunch and a small-group review of Olin academic policies and degree requirements with your exchange program advisor and Dean Paige LaRose.
10:30 AM-12:30 PM (RQ)
TR FRIDAY, JANUARY 10
COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES ACADEMIC ORIENTATION FOR SPRING TRANSFER STUDENTS
Cupples Hall II, McLeod Conference Room, room 102
Join members of the College Office for an overview of transfer credit, Arts & Sciences policies and requirements, and academic opportunities and resources to support your transition to WashU. Immediately following the presentation, members of the College Office will join you for lunch.
1:00 PM-3:00 PM (RQ) ALL
WASHU RESOURCES
Lien House, Ursa’s Fireside
This session will be hosted by a variety of campus partners including the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards, WashU Police Department (WUPD), the Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention (RSVP) Center, and the Gender Equity and Title IX Compliance Office (GETIXCO).
DIALOGUE ACROSS DIFFERENCE (DxD) WORKSHOP
Seigle Hall, various rooms
Join a small group of your fellow transfer and exchange students for a session dedicated to Dialogue Across Difference (DxD). During this workshop, you will have the opportunity to reflect on your lived experiences, the role of social identity, and their impact on your personal story. Hosted by Dialogue Across Difference.
6:30 PM-9:00 PM
3:30 PM-5:00 PM (RQ) ALL ALL
ICE SKATING AND HOT CHOCOLATE BAR
Lopata House, Lopata Multipurpose Room
Join your student leaders and classmates for a hot chocolate bar before you embark on a trip to Forest Park’s ice-skating rink! Dress warmly with a jacket, socks, a hat, and gloves. Don’t forget to bring your U-Pass!
10:00 AM-2:00 PM ST. LOUIS BUS TOUR & TRIP TO THE ARCH
Alumni House Parking Lot
3:30 PM-5:00 PM (RQ)
BU
7:00 PM-9:00 PM ALL ALL ALL SATURDAY, JANUARY 11
You will embark on a bus tour of St. Louis. This excursion includes a tour to the top of the Gateway Arch!
HEALTHY EXCELLENCE: A SMALL GROUP CONVERSATION
Seigle Hall, various rooms
Meet again with your WUSA. During this session, you will continue discussing yourselves, your experiences, and your future at WashU through a conversation on the concept of Healthy Excellence. Refer to communications from your WUSA for your specific meeting location.
FIRST TX WUSA HOURS
Lien House, Ursa’s Fireside
Stop by for First TX WUSA Hours! TX WUSA Hours are a university tradition that occur every other week for the first half of the spring semester. They typically involve games, chatting, and community-building activities. Your TX WUSAs will provide you with the full TX WUSA Hours schedule during this event.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 12
10:00 AM-11:30 AM (RQ)
PURPOSE AND LEADERSHIP AT WASHU
Simon Hall, room 017
In this session, you will engage in reflective and interactive exercises to help you consider your individual values and how purpose impacts your day-to-day experiences. Utilizing the CliftonStrengths assessment, you will begin to consider how your Top 5 Strengths can be applied to help actualize your purpose and goals during your time at WashU and beyond.
Noon-1:30 PM (RQ)
CLASSES ARE MONDAY, GET READY!
Seigle Hall, various rooms
Meet one final time with your WUSA before classes begin on Monday. Learn how to succeed academically at WashU. Your WUSA will provide you with academic resources, deadlines, study tips, and more. Refer to communications from your WUSA for your specific meeting location.
1:30 PM-2:30 PM
FIND YOUR CLASSES TOUR
Danforth Campus
Following the final small group, WUSAs will lead optional tours of WashU to help you locate your classes.
RELIGIOUS, SPIRITUAL, & ETHICAL SERVICES AND EVENS
The Office of Religious, Spiritual, and Ethical Life (ORSEL) offers connections to a wide variety of religious organizations on campus and in the St. Louis area. Please reach out to ORSEL to get connected with campus ministry groups and St. Louis organizations.
It often happens that religious services occur during Winter Welcome. It is our goal that students will be able to fully observe their faith, practices, and traditions without missing important information. Students should reach out to their WUSA if they plan to participate in a religious observance during an orientation event to ensure they have access to any information they miss.
Please visit newstudents.washu.edu for a listing of religious, spiritual, and ethical services and events happening during Winter Welcome.
CAMPUS RESOURCE OPEN HOURS
For a list of campus resource open hours, please visit newstudents.washu.edu.
o Bear Necessities
o Campus Bookstore
o Campus Card Services
o Dining Services
o Disability Resources
o Residential Life
o South 40 Mail Room
o Student Financial Services
o Student Health Center
o Student Technology Services
o Sumers Recreation Center
