Hi students!

Welcome to the fourth 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

If you have a U.S. address, you will receive the following items in the mail from us this month. If you live outside the U.S., you can review the information online.



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.

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.

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 July checklist include:

• 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.

Waiver for Free Off-Campus Excursions

During Transfer & Exchange Welcome and the Transfer Experience, you will have opportunities to join TXSMs on free excursions throughout St. Louis. In order to participate, you must sign a waiver before the first day of classes.

If you would like to participate in the off-campus excursions during Bear Beginnings: Transfer & Exchange Welcome and/or the academic year, please sign the Transfer & Exchange waiver before arriving to campus for Move-In Day.

Course Registration

Registration for fall 2023 courses will take place via WebSTAC during your assigned registration time in July. 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! 

Shipping Items to Campus

USPS, UPS, FedEX, and other parcel services deliver to your WashU campus address. Your MSC number and mailing address can be found with your housing assignment on WebSTAC. See example address label.

Mail Services can accept packages 14 days prior to move-in day. 

UTrucking, an independent student-operated business, offers two options to ship to campus:

1. East Coast Home Pickups: If you live on the East Coast (between Washington D.C. and Boston), UTrucking picks up your belongings from your home and delivers them to your room. 
2. Ship to School: UTrucking sends you boxes, packing materials, and prepaid UPS labels. Drop off your boxes at any UPS store or have UPS pick them up from your home, and they will be delivered to your room.

Meal Plan Adjustments

From July 1 through September 8, you have the option to adjust your meal plan by completing a Meal Plan Change Request Form via the Request Forms tab on the Housing Portal.

Meal plan changes can affect your financial aid package. Follow-up with your Student Financial Services Counselor prior to submitting a Meal Plan Change Request Form.

To learn more about the different meal plans offered, please visit WashU Dining Services. 

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.

*Note: Mental Health Services will be changing their name to Counseling and Psychological Services. You will see this name change reflected on their website around mid-July and in other resources over the next few months.

Housing Assignments and Renter's Insurance

Housing Assignments:

Your 2023-2024 Residential Life housing assignment, including your roommate and suitemates, is now available to be viewed on the Housing Portal. You can log into the Housing Portal via WebSTAC.

If applicable, reach out to your roommate/suitemates via their WashU email(s) to introduce yourself and discuss what items you both will be bringing to the room or suite! A recommended packing list can be found on the new students website.

We work diligently to meet the room preferences of our students. When demand exceeds the supply of a given room type, we are not able to meet all room preferences. If you wish to request a room change, you can access the Room Change Form via the Request Forms tab on the Housing Portal. We will not begin processing room change requests until after the first two weeks after fall classes begin.

Renter's Insurance:

WashU has partnered with GradGuard to offer renter's insurance to students. You can obtain renter's insurance through GradGuard via the Request Forms tab on the Housing Portal.

Residential Life strongly recommends that all students obtain renter's insurance prior to their scheduled move-in date and time either through GradGuard or another provider of their choice. Residential Life is not responsible in the event of theft, destruction, or loss of money, valuables, or other personal property belonging to, or in the custody of a student, as stated in the Housing Terms and Conditions.

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, July 11 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 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.