Hi students!

Welcome to the third Bear Bulletin for incoming transfer students at Washington University in St. Louis.

Read through this newsletter for important information you need to know regarding your transition to WashU. If you have any questions, feel free to email us!

-Student Transitions & Family Programs

What to Expect this Month

You will receive the following items in the mail from us this month*:



1) New Bearings

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

2) Habif Health & Wellness Postcard

• Refer to the Habif Health & Wellness Postcard for more information about health and wellness requirements.

3) July Before You Arrive Checklist

• The July Before You Arrive Checklist contains action items that should be completed throughout the month of July.

*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 will also receive the following communication in July: 

4) TXSM Phone Call

• Each transfer student is assigned a Transfer & Exchange Student Mentor (TXSM) who will lead small groups during Bear Beginnings and serve as a mentor throughout your first year. A TXSM will call you in July to introduce themselves and answer any questions you may have.

June and July 2023 Checklist

Each month this summer, there will be important items you need to complete to ensure you are as prepared as possible for your first year. Some items from the June and July checklists include:

• Submit your final transcript to Admissions and syllabi for courses to consider for major credit to transfer@wustl.edu by June 30.
• Submit your TX Welcome Registration & Arrival Form by July 1.
• Complete Get Your Bearings, the required online orientation portal, by July 3.
• Sign up for a move-in time slot on the WebSTAC Housing Portal on at Noon CDT on July 8. 
• Register for classes on WebSTAC during your assigned registration time.
• Apply for a WashU ID card by July 31.
• Submit immunization records to the Student Health Portal by August 1.

Housing Assignments and Move-In Date

Housing assignments, including roommate information, will be released on July 1 at Noon CDT via WebSTAC on the Housing Portal. Contact Residential Life with any questions about housing assignments or move-in*. 

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

Course Registration

Registration for fall 2023 courses will take place via WebSTAC during your assigned registration time. Your registration date may be in June or July depending on your academic division. You should already have been in contact with your academic adviser or academic division. If you have not, please reach out as soon as possible.

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! 

Religious, Spiritual, and Ethical Life

Religious, Spiritual, and Ethical Life is here for all students of any/no religious, spiritual, or philosophical background. They offer fun pause retreats to help you de-stress, interfaith dialogues, a confidential listening ear, and connections to prayer spaces and religious groups.

• Request information about religious organizations on-or off-campus.
• Find prayer or reflection spaces on campus.
• Sign up to receive a monthly newsletter.
• Review the Religious Holidays Calendar.

Contact Rev. Callista Isabelle, Director for Religious, Spiritual & Ethical Life, with any questions.

Health & Wellbeing Updates

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

• Submit your immunization record and health history form by August 1.
• Choose a health insurance option. 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.
• Review the mental health Scope of Services and discuss plans to continue mental health support/counseling, if appropriate. 
• Complete the Year One College Behavior Profile, designed to give personalized feedback about alcohol and marijuana.
• Ask questions! You can find information about campus health and wellness resources online at Habif Health & Wellness Center.

Summer 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 our Webinar Series page. 

Students and family members are encouraged to attend our upcoming webinar, A Conversation with Habif Health & Wellness, on Tuesday, June 27 at 5:30 PM CDT. Registration is required.

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

• Tuesday, July 11 at 5:30 PM CDT: A Conversation about Student Financial Services
• Tuesday, July 25 at 5:30 PM CDT: A Conversation about Disability Resources
• Tuesday, August 1 at 5:30 PM CDT: A Conversation About Move-In and Fall Welcome

Important Dates



Fall 2023 Dates

Transfer Student Move-In*: August 23

Bear Beginnings: Transfer & Exchange Fall Welcome: August 23-26

First Day of Class: August 28

Labor Day (no classes): September 4

Fall Break (no classes): October 7-10

Thanksgiving Break (no classes): November 22-26

Last Day of Classes: December 8

Reading Week and Exams: December 11-20

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