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Orientations for Parents & Families

Parent Orientation is designed to answer your administrative, academic, and transition questions. Whether your son or daughter is commuting to the UW or living on campus; whether home is 5 or 500 miles away, we will provide you with presentations and information to prepare you for the college experiences that you and your son or daughter are about to begin.

The orientation program has a conference style format. This relaxed setting allows you to get specific and accurate information about student services and campus resources. It additionally gives you the chance to meet other parents who are experiencing similar transitions with their families. Furthermore, the Parent Orientation will provide you with contacts, real people at the university, who can help if you have a question to ask, a concern to share, or maybe a compliment to give. The list of offices/presenters that are involved in Parent Orientation includes:

  • Current UW Students
  • Academic Advisers or Deans
  • Health Services
  • Student Fiscal Services
  • Public Safety
  • University Honors Program
  • Residential and Greek Life
  • Counseling Center
  • Career Center

Parent Orientations Are Purposefully Separate From Advising & Orientation Programs

Not surprisingly, parents of new students often have different concerns than their sons and daughters when it comes to college transition. While both are concerned about classes and course registration, students typically focus a great deal on their social adjustment. Parents, on the other hand, tend to have more questions concerning health services, housing or commuting, safety on campus, college financing, and the overall well-being of their sons and daughters at the UW. Parent Orientation will cover these issues in detail.

Please note: The Parent Orientation is designed for PARENTS AND GUARDIANS ONLY. Entering college students will receive everything that they need to know during their separate Advising and Orientation (A&O) program and while we love showing off the University to “future” UW students, we discourage bringing younger children, since the program is of little interest to them. Conversely, the A&O program serves as the stepping-stone in the transitional process, and is designed for STUDENTS ONLY, while at first it may seem insensitive; the University wants entering students to begin assuming primary responsibility for their academic and co-curricular decisions. We encourage you to make travel arrangements accordingly so you are able to attend these programs separately.

Become Equipped To Provide Meaningful Advice

Students report that input from their parents is one of the most significant influences on the decisions that they make when they come to the UW. Informed parents can and do influence the success of their children when they attend college. The more you know about the academic resources and services available to your son or daughter, the better prepared you will be to ask the “right” questions or provide the most helpful answers when future issues arise.

Registering For Parent Orientation

When students register for an A&O session, they will be asked if they want to register family members to attend a Parent Orientation. Parents who are registering separately or are making registration changes must call FYP.

Please note: If any registered guests have any special needs that require accommodation, we ask that you contact First Year Programs as soon as possible (fyp@u.washington.edu or 206.543.4905) so we can make the necessary arrangements.

How Much Does Parent Orientation Cost And Why Is There A Fee?

Parents can attend an on-campus program for $65. The program fee for Family Orientation directly offsets the costs associated with the program including program space, breakfast, lunch, staffing, materials, and services. Family Orientations at the University of Washington include a separate program fee because the budget for First Year Programs is self-supporting, receiving no funding from either the University or the state.

Changes, Cancellations, Refunds

Cancellations for Parent Orientation must be made 10 business days before your assigned date. If made before the two-week period, a full refund will be granted or you can change your Parnet Orientation date to a more convenient time. However, if a cancellation is made within this period, there are no refunds.

Changes to an Orientation must be made 10 business days before your assigned date. If a change is made within two weeks of a session, there is a $20 change fee. Families who also miss their session may reschedule with a $20 change fee. There are no refunds for missed sessions.

Things We Recommend Parents Bring To Parent Orientation

  • Bring Yourself – You play a crucial role in supporting your son or daughter throughout their college experience.
  • Comfortable Walking Shoes – If you’ve been to the University of Washington you’ll know that the campus is quite spread out. Nearly all of the Parent Orientation sessions take place in one location, but there are several points throughout the program that involve walking.
  • Pen and Paper – Some of the feedback that we get from parents is that a pen and paper come in handy. There is a great deal of information shared at the Parent Orientation and something to take some notes with will definitely be beneficial.
  • Lots of Questions – The best way for us to help you is for you to share with us what information and resources you have questions about. Your questions can help to guide discussion. It’s our goal that by the time you leave campus, we’ve answered the questions that you had when you arrived.

Changes and Cancellations

Cancellations for Parent Orientation must be made 10 business days before your assigned date. If made before the two-week period, a full refund will be granted or you can change your Parent Orientation date to a more convenient time. However, if a cancellation is made within this period, there are no refunds.

Changes to an Orientation must be made 10 business days before your assigned date. If a change is made within two weeks of a session, there is a $20 change fee. Families who also miss their session may reschedule with a $20 change fee. There are no refunds for missed sessions.
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