A note about COVID-19: On Wednesday, May 27th, Chancellor Andrew Martin released information about the start of the Fall semester. In this communication, Chancellor Martin also detailed a timeline for making additional decisions regarding programs such as Bear Beginnings. You can view this communication on the Messages from the University webpage. We anticipate that the picture may become a little clearer in the weeks ahead, and we will update our students and their families as new information becomes available.
Bear Beginnings 2020 Prioritizes Safety and New Student Success
We recognize that this will not be the same orientation as previous years, but know that we will prioritize safety in addition to finding ways to deliver on the Bear Beginnings Learning Outcomes despite the changes. Our objectives for Bear Beginnings remain the same, that new students:
- Connect with other new students and begin to identify a peer group
- Navigate the Washington University campus and the opportunities offered by the St. Louis community
- Interact with faculty, staff, and an upper-division mentor
- Discover pride for WashU, their academic division, and their residential college
Class of 2024 Bear Beginnings
We’re developing a re-imagined orientation for first-year students which will include both virtual and in-person programs:
- Bear Beginnings: Summer Engagement Series (Zoom meetings/webinars & WashU Admitted Students Network Wisr chat connections)
- Bear Beginnings: Get Your Bearings (online orientation)
- Bear Beginnings: Fall Welcome (in person)
| Fall 2020 for Arts & Sciences, McKelvy Engineering, Olin Business School, Sam Fox School and University College | |
|---|---|
| June | Students will be contacted by their academic adviser to discuss class registration |
| Summer | Housing assignments and move-in time released |
| Summer | Register for classes during assigned registration time |
| Monday, September 14 | First day of classes |
| Thursday, November 26 and Friday, November 27 | Thanksgiving break (no classes) |
| Friday, December 18 | Last day of fall semester classes |
| Monday, December 21-Friday, January 1, 2021 | Winter break part 1 (no classes) |
| Monday, January 4-Sunday, January 10 | Final exams for fall semester |
| Monday, January 11-Friday, January 22 | Winter break part 2 (no classes) |
| Spring 2021 for Arts & Sciences, McKelvey Engineering, Olin Business School, Sam Fox School and University College | |
|---|---|
| Monday, January 25 2021 | First day of classes |
| Monday, March 15-Friday, March 19 | Spring break (no classes) |
| Thursday, May 6 | Last day of spring semester classes |
| Friday, May 7 -Thursday, May 13 | Final exams for spring semester |
| Friday, May 21 | Commencement – Class of 2021 |
| Sunday, May 30 | Commencement – Class of 2020 |
Move-In: Please Hold Your Travel Plans
Due to the updated academic schedule, new students will not be arriving in August as in previous years. Instead, the new arrival date will be in September and will be released no later than July 31.
Virtual Parent & Family Orientation
We are not hosting an in-person Parent & Family Orientation. More information on our virtual programs will be available soon.
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