View the UW's response to COVID-19. Our services and staff are available remotely and by phone. Advising & Orientation sessions will remain in a remote platform through 2021. For more information, review our Remote Advising & Orientation Updates page. (updated 1/12/2021)
In line with local and state guidance, we have made the decision to facilitate A&O sessions remotely.
University of Washington leadership has announced their intent to resume in person instruction for fall quarter as much as possible and as conditions allow. The University will continue to update the Coronavirus Information page as additional information and decisions are made. You can also review updates from the Back to School Task Force page as additional details will be posted there through spring and summer quarters.
Traveling to the UW: As of January 26, the CDC requires all air passengers traveling to the U.S. to have a negative COVID-19 test result no more than 3 days before travel or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 in the past 3 months before they board a flight to the U.S. If you have been fully vaccinated with an FDA authorized vaccine, you are still required to have a negative COVID-19 test before travel to the U.S. Currently, there is no vaccination requirement to apply for an F-1 visa or to travel to the U.S. Review International Student Services Coronavirus Information for F1 and J1 students for updates.
Review the CDC’s recommendations for traveling safely and get tested in WA 3-5 days after arriving in the U.S. If your port of entry is not Seattle, find a testing center near you. If you have been fully vaccinated prior to your travel, you do NOT need to self-quarantine after arriving in the U.S. If you have not been vaccinated, CDC recommends that you self-quarantine for a full 7 days after arriving in the U.S. even if you have a negative COVID test. If you do not get tested again after arriving in the U.S., the CDC recommends that you self-quarantine for 10 days after travel.
Getting a Vaccine: Goveror Jay Inslee announced on March 31 that everyone 16 and older who wants a COVID-19 vaccine will be eligible to receive one in Washington state starting April 15. We believe that unvaccinated students will be able to get vaccinated once they arrive at the UW.
Living on Campus: UW Housing and Food Services has additional coronavirus information for on-campus residents. For the most up to date information and announcements, review CDC guidelines before travel. Visit the Washington State Department of Health’s COVID-19 page for more information about local state and city travel recommendations and requirements.
While the format may be different from other years, the goals of Advising & Orientation remain the same. After attending A&O, you will have registered for classes, discovered campus resources, and started to make connections with the UW community.
Please select your session type to view additional session specific information. For further questions, visit the Frequently Asked Questions webpage.
Session Type: General-Freshman U.S., General-Freshman International, Engineering Direct to College, EOP Scholars, Foster Freshman Direct, Honors, UW Academy
All Freshman Two-Day sessions will be facilitated remotely. Remote sessions will be scheduled at specific times on both days of your two-day session. In your reservation confirmation, you will receive a link that will take you to your agenda for the day, along with links to join live presentations and conversations hosted by advisers, faculty members, and orientation leaders (OLs). Freshman U.S.sample agendas and Freshman International sample agendas are now posted on our website.
Like A&O sessions facilitated on campus, remote sessions will allow students to attend workshops and panels hosted by campus experts, register for classes, participate in small group discussions led by OLs, and interact with other first-year students.
Supplies & Equipment Needed:
A personal computer or tablet with internet access to Google applications, video cameras, and sound will be needed to fully participate in a remote session. Accessing your remote A&O on a smartphone device will make it difficult to participate fully. Please also be prepared to appear on camera, actively engage in activities, and take notes during your remote A&O. If you have any questions about accessing your remote A&O session or need help support in preparing for your session, please visit our accommodations website.Additional Connection Opportunities:
The secret to success at UW is to find your community, so our priority is to ensure that you have additional opportunities throughout the summer and autumn to make connections with the UW community. Utilize the Dawg Daze website as your go-to resource for opportunities. Events will be updated in early July.For more information about the program, please visit our Freshman U.S. and Freshman International websites.
Session Type: Summer Admission, Autumn Pre-Quarter, Winter Admission
All Freshman 1-day sessions will be facilitated in a remote environment.
Designed for first-year students who cannot engage in summer programming, late September and make-up orientation sessions will be hosted in a remote environment. At the time of your session, you will register for classes, meet your academic adviser, and connect with first-year students in small groups. Sample agendas are now posted on our website.Additional Connection Opportunities:
The secret to success at UW is to find your community, so our priority is to ensure that you have additional opportunities throughout the summer and autumn to make connections with the UW community. Utilize the Dawg Daze website as your go-to resource for opportunities. Events will be updated in early July.For more information about the program, please visit our Freshman A&O Website.
Session Type: General, Summer Admission, Autumn Admission, Winter Admission, Spring Admission
All transfer sessions will be facilitated remotely.
Remote sessions will be scheduled at specific times during your one-day session. In your reservation confirmation, you will receive a link that will take you to your agenda for the day, along with links to join live presentations and conversations hosted by advisers, faculty members, and orientation leaders (OLs). Sample agendas are now posted on our website.Like A&O sessions facilitated on campus, remote sessions will allow students to attend workshops and panels hosted by campus experts, register for classes, participate in small group discussions led by OLs, and interact with other first-year students.
Supplies & Equipment Needed:
A personal computer or tablet with internet access to Google applications, video cameras, and sound will be needed to fully participate in a remote session. Accessing your remote A&O on a smartphone device will make it difficult to participate fully. Please also be prepared to appear on camera, actively engage in activities, and take notes during your remote A&O. If you have any questions about accessing your remote A&O session or need help support in preparing your session, please visit our accommodations website.
Additional Connection Opportunities:
The secret to success at UW is to find your community, so our priority is to ensure that you have additional opportunities throughout the summer and autumn to make connections with the UW community. Utilize the Dawg Daze website as your go-to resource for opportunities. Events will be updated in early July.
For more information about the program, please visit our Transfer A&O Website.
Session Type: General, Engineering Direct to College, EOP Scholars, Foster Freshman Direct, Honors, UW Academy
All Family Orientation sessions will be facilitated remotely.
Family Orientation is available for parents, guardians, and other supporters of freshman, international, and transfer students. The program intentionally brings together parents and other supporters of first-year students with advisers, faculty, and orientation leaders in an online environment. Family Orientation begins with self-guided modules and then invites family members to select live webinar sessions based on their interests. In your reservation confirmation, you will receive a link that will give you access to all programming components, along with links to join live presentations and conversations hosted by UW staff and faculty.
For more information about the program, please visit our Family Orientation Website.
Additional opportunities to engage with UW will be communicated by the Office of Parent & Family Programs through monthly email newsletters and events throughout the year.
120 Mary Gates Hall Box 352825
Seattle, WA 98195-2825
Academic Year: M-F 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (PDT)
Summer: M-Th 7:30 a.m.–4:30p.m.; Fri. 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Closed during University holidays.
206-543-4905 (Voice)
206-207-5564 (Text)
First Year Programs fosters a successful undergraduate student experience through strategic programming that focuses on positive academic transitions and the development of learning communities. Through partnerships with faculty, staff, alumni, and student leaders our programs create the space for students to define how they will engage, learn, and thrive at the University of Washington.
