Hi transfer students!

Welcome to the second Bear Bulletin for incoming transfer students. Read through this newsletter for important information about your transition to WashU. If you have any questions, feel free to email us!

Check out the second Bear Bulletin: Transfer Student Edition below to learn more!

- Student Transitions & Family Programs

What to Expect this Month

You will receive the following item in the mail from us in June*:

New Bearings: A Guide for Transfer Students

• New Bearings is a publication made specifically for transfer students with advice from past and current WashU transfer students.

*Please note that we are only able to mail publications to U.S. addresses. If you have an international address, you can access all information digitally, as linked above.

You have already received an email with information about completing the following:

Bear Beginnings: Get Your Bearings online orientation

• This month, you will use an orientation portal to complete modules on a number of key topics for student success at WashU. Completion of this online orientation is due by Sunday, June 30, 2024. Instructions for accessing this platform are:

1. Go to orientation.wustl.edu
2. Select 'Student Login' and sign in using your WUSTL Key
3. Answer the member profile questions. Please select transfer undergraduate. International students are defined as students attending WashU on non-immigrant visas.
4. Complete the modules. Throughout the modules, you will be asked to choose a track for your academic division. Please complete the academic division to which you are currently enrolled. 

June 2024 Checklist

Each month this summer, there will be important items you need to complete to ensure you are as prepared as possible for your arrival to WashU. Some items on the June checklist include:

• Review and update your WebSTAC user profile.
• Take any necessary online placement and diagnostic exams.
• Complete Bear Beginnings: Get Your Bearings online orientation.
• Connect with Disability Resources if you require accommodations due to an identified disability or have questions about specific disability-related concerns.

Health & Well-being Updates

All WashU students must complete the following health and wellness requirements:

• Submit your immunization record and health history form. Students who have not completed this requirement prior to move-in will not be allowed to enter their residence hall.
• Choose a health insurance option. All students are required to have health insurance and will be automatically enrolled in the WashU student health plan. Students with personal or family health insurance coverage may waive out of the university’s plan, but waiver requests must be submitted by September 5.
• Transfer prescriptions to the Quadrangle Pharmacy, located on campus in the Habif Health and Wellness Center.
• Discuss plans to continue mental health support or counseling, if appropriate. 

Course Registration

Registration for fall 2024 courses will take place via WebSTAC during your assigned registration time. Your registration time may be in June or July, depending on your academic division. Your academic adviser will reach out to schedule a virtual advising meeting soon.

You must have your WUSTL key and email established to have access to course listings and to communicate with your adviser. Check your WashU email at least two times a week to have the most up-to-date information.

Bearprints for Success: L43 1100

This one-credit, seven-week course is designed to help new students make a successful transition to WashU, both academically and personally. In Bearprints, students will engage in collaborative real-time learning with academic readings and data-driven strategies grounded in the five core anchors of WashU Student Affairs: Healthy Excellence; Leadership; Career Development; Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion; and Student Engagement & Belonging. The course also introduces students to valuable learning resources for academic success and campus staff who will support their growth at the university. Each section of the course is limited to 15 students to ensure small-group discussion and engagement.

Students interested in taking Bearprints for Success should speak with their academic adviser when discussing their fall 2024 course schedule.

Move-In Day & Fall Welcome

We're excited to welcome you to campus in August! Move-In Day for all transfer students is on Tuesday, August 20*. Those students living in Residential Life-managed housing must move-in between 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM CDT. There will be a free dinner and required check-in with Student Transitions & Family Programs at 6:00 PM on Tuesday, August 20.

Bear Beginnings: Transfer & Exchange Fall Welcome will take place Wednesday, August 21 through Saturday, August 24. Attendance is required. A draft schedule is available to view!

Please complete the Transfer & Exchange Fall Welcome Registration form by Monday, July 1. International transfer students must also complete the International Student Arrival form by Monday, July 1.

*Fall varsity athletes have different arrival dates. Please check with your head coach for more information.

Summer 2024 Webinar Series

Our Summer Webinar Series was designed to answer student and family members' questions about WashU. Recordings of past webinars can be viewed on the Webinar Series page.

Click the following links to register and find out more information about our upcoming webinars.

• Tuesday, July 16 at 5:30 PM CT: A Conversation about Student Financial Services
• Tuesday, August 6 at 5:30 PM CT: A Conversation about Move-In & Fall Welcome

Important Dates

Fall 2024

August 20*: Transfer student move-in

August 20-24: Fall Welcome

August 26: First day of classes

September 2: Labor Day (No classes)

October 5-8: Fall Break (No classes)

November 27-December 1: Thanksgiving Break (No classes)

December 6: Last day of classes

December 9-18: Reading period and finals

*Fall varsity athletes have different arrival dates. Please check with your head coach for more information.