Orientations – Autumn Quarter Freshmen

Each of these sessions combine all the necessary academic advising, registration, and introduction to campus resources that you will need to get off to a solid start at the UW. The General Interest Sessions dedicate additional time to introducing you to the full range of academic possibilities options available at the UW. There will be advisers and staff from a variety of disciplines at each General Interest Session who you can speak with as you consider your options choices.

When you visit our registration website beginning in March and choose an academic area of interest, General Interest Sessions will be one of the A&O options presented to you. When you visit our registration website and are offered a Special Interest Session, simply click on the “No thanks, I’m interested in a General Interest Session” link. Some of our A&O programs tend to close more quickly, so we recommend that you register for your session early in order to have the best selection of dates.

These orientations combine all of the standard features of our General Interest A&O programs, but also provide opportunities to interact directly with faculty and staff from the departments in which you have an interest. Special Interest Sessions are ideal for students who are exploring a particular academic program; you’ll be able to learn about specific major requirements, opportunities within your intended major, and receive more focused academic presentations. You’ll also be attending A&O with students who have similar academic plans as yours and who you are likely to see in class during the coming year.

When you visit our registration website beginning in March and choose an academic area of interest, you will be invited to register for a Special Interest Session. These popular programs tend to fill quickly so we recommend that you register early for the best selection of programs and dates.

The Outdoor Adventure adds a two-day off-campus expedition to your A&O program. Each Outdoor Adventure includes a day of low and high ropes course initiatives, and a night of camping on Whidbey Island. This is followed by a day of coastal hiking that will take you from pristine beaches to old growth forests. As fun and involving as the expedition is, students often say that getting to know everyone on the expedition is even better. With no group larger than 25 students, we purposefully keep the group size small so that everyone can get acquainted. First Year Programs staff will provide all of the planning and logistics for each Outdoor Adventure, including transportation and meals. If your trip includes a ropes course, the facilitators that we use are fully trained and certified. If you select an Outdoor Adventure A&O, you will receive a confirmation which includes a personal packing list and all the details of your expedition. Since the Outdoor Adventure is not a required part of your transition to the UW, extra fees do apply (see registration website beginning in March).

When you visit our registration website beginning in March and choose an academic area of interest, Outdoor Adventures will be one of the A&O options presented to you. There is typically a waiting list for Outdoor Adventures so we recommend that you register early for the best selection of programs and dates.

When we take A&O “on the road, ” we bring everything and everyone included in our on campus programs. Each 2-day Off-Site program incorporates time for you to take placement tests, learn about campus resources, meet with advisers, and register for classes. You will also have the chance to interact with current UW undergraduates as well as other incoming freshmen and UW alumni from your region. For many students, the Off-Site A&O is a great first step in getting to know the UW before you get to know the campus during Dawg Daze. Another added benefit of the Off-Site program is that each incorporates a concurrent but separate 1-day Parent Orientation that takes place on the first day of the student program . This allows you and your parents or guardians to get timely and relevant transitional support from the UW at the same time.

IMPORTANT: Since the Off-Site A&O program is not a required part of your transition to the UW, extra fees do apply. The fees associated with the Off-Site programs cover only the costs associated with each program and are designed to be competitive or less expensive than a comparable trip to campus for your A&O program.

Summer 2008 Off-Site Locations, Dates, and Fees*

Irvine, CA (June 22-23) - Students: $195 | Parents $100 each
Burlingame, CA (June 29-30) - Students: $195 | Parents $100 each
Honolulu, HI (July 29-30)- Students: $255 | Parents $100 each

*For the most up to date information about our Off-Site Advising and Orientation programs, please visit the Off-Site website.

We strongly encourage all entering students to participate in Overnight Housing during their A&O program. Besides those students who require local accommodations, we invite students who live locally, are intending on living in a fraternity or sorority, and those who are planning on commuting to campus. Advising and Orientation is more than just selecting your classes, we also want you to be comfortable with the campus and relax with other new freshmen. Staying overnight is the best way to experience the UW campus at your own pace and get a sense of what residence hall life is like. Overnight Housing is also a sensible way to participate in your A&O program: spending the night on campus is cheaper than a night at a hotel, it saves you from making the early commute back to campus for the second day of the program, you’ll learn what life in the residence halls is all about, and the fees include breakfast.

Overnight Housing students are paired with another entering student of the same gender for their stay. Each room is fully furnished with standard residence hall furniture, including 2 twin beds, and all the necessary bedding. All you need to bring are your personal belongings. You’ll have the opportunity to register for Overnight Housing while you are selecting your A&O program date online. If you have further questions, feel free to contact us at 206.543.4905 or fyp@u.washington.edu.

EARLY ARRIVAL AND LATE DEPARTURE

If you are coming a significant distance to attend your A&O program you may want to consider staying on campus the night before (early arrival) or after (late departure) your program. Separate fees apply for these additional overnight accommodations and meals are not provided, but early arrival and late departure are highly economical ways to stay at the University before and after your A&O program. You can register for these accommodations by visiting the registration website beginning in March, and selecting the date(s) that you wish to stay.