Look through the Advising & Orientation FAQ
Want to know more about what to expect at your Advising and Orientation session? Read through First Year Programs' frequently asked questions.Activate UW NetID Basic Services
Creating Your UW NetID
As an entering student at the UW, you will need to establish your University identity, called a UW NetID, and password that allows you to access your personal information, email, and campus services. If you did not create a UW NetID and password during the admission process, please visit the UW NetID page, select "Get Your UW NetID and Password," and follow the instructions.
Activating Your UW Email Account
Part of the UW NetID creation process will be the activation of your University email account. The University will use this account to share a great deal of important information with you, including your Advising & Orientation registration confirmation, your electronic bill for tuition, and correspondence from UW instructors. You should activate and check your UW email account on a regular basis.
IMPORTANT: Although it is possible to forward mail sent to this account to another email account we strongly recommend that you do not forward messages sent to your UW email. Antispam filters utilized by many email providers often inaccurately label mail sent from the University as spam. If you choose to forward your UW mail to another email account it is likely that you will miss important communications from the UW.
The MyUW Website
Each student at the UW has his or her own homepage called MyUW. This portal allows you to find personalized University information relating to classes, tuition, housing, athletics, and many other useful sources. You can also get information about current events and campus news. MyUW is your bird's-eye-view of what is happening on campus. Login to MyUW and check it out.Take Any Necessary Placement Tests
You may take placement tests on the day of your Advising & Orientation session, or by coming to the Testing Center during regularly scheduled placement tests. However, you will pay a higher fee. We recommend that you register online for a statewide APTP test to take advantage of lower testing fees. Read through our Placement Tests page to determine if you need to take any placement tests, and for information about how and when to take them.
Send Any Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Scores to the UW
If you've already requested that your AP and/or IB scores be sent to the UW, they will be evaluated and any credits awarded will be posted automatically to your student record. The awards UW grants for each exam are listed in our AP credit tables and IB credit tables. If you haven't had your scores sent to the UW, follow the instructions at the College Board website (for AP) or the International Baccalaureate website.
The UW usually receives AP and IB scores and posts credit in early July. You'll be able to see the credit posted on your Unofficial Transcript in the Student Personal Services Section of MyUW. If your credit isn't posted by late July, we recommend you contact Undergraduate Admissions for assistance.
Send Final Transcripts to the UW
If you have earned college credits at any other institution, have a final transcript sent to Undergraduate Admissions as soon as all your courses and degrees have been recorded.
As soon as your transfer credit is added to your academic record, you can access it via MyUW by selecting Unofficial Transcript under Student Personal Services. Just in case a transfer credit evaluation has not been added to your academic record by the time of your Advising & Orientation session, you should bring unofficial copies of your college transcripts to help plan your course schedule.
Check out Housing Information
If you've applied for on-campus housing, letters with housing assignments will be mailed in late August. Freshmen who apply by May 1 and transfer students who apply by August 1 have the highest priority, but after those dates you can still apply for housing. Lots of information (check out the FAQ) and an online application are at the Residence Halls website.
For information about fraternities and sororities, check out the Greek Relations website.
Planning to live off-campus? The student-run Off-Campus Housing Affairs Office maintains an online database of available rentals and has lots of useful information about how to look for a rental in the Seattle area.
Sign up for Parent Orientation
Members of your family are invited to attend an optional Parent Orientation session to learn more about student life at the UW. Registration can be completed online at the same time the student registers for Advising & Orientation or family members are welcome to contact First Year Programs (206-543-4905; fyp@u.washington.edu).
Consider Early Fall Start
Students who attend Early Fall Start take a 5-credit intensive course for 4 weeks beginning in late August. Most of the courses offered are restricted to entering freshmen. Be sure to check out the Discovery Seminars; these are new courses designed this year especially for entering freshmen, and available only during Early Fall Start.
All these courses are a great way to get a jump-start on your college career in a small class with other students who share your interests.
Note Your Residence Classification
Note your residency status on the Enrollment Confirmation Acknowledgment you received. If you are classified as a "nonresident" and you believe you qualify for resident status, you may apply for a change of status by completing the Residence Questionnaire, or from the Residence Classification Office, 264 Schmitz Hall.Update your Student Directory Information
Updating Your Information
Important mailings from the University (including tuition statements, email contact from professors, etc.) are sent according to information in the Student Directory. It is imperative that students keep their information updated in the directory so that they might receive timely and appropriate contact. In particular, the address listed in the directory is used to mail Registration Confirmation, financial aid information, and the tuition statement.
Students can update their contact information on MyUW; select Change of Address under Student Personal Services.
Privacy Considerations
The University will routinely release student directory information, unless the student requests otherwise. Directory information is defined as student's name, telephone number, email address, major field of study, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received, and, for members of athletic teams, place and date of birth, weight, and height. Student who wish to restrict access to this information, so that their name and telephone number does not appear in the Student Directory may do so on MyUW. In such cases, the University will release no information, including dates of attendance and degrees granted, without a written release from the student. Students who wish to change their authorization at any point may also do so on MyUW.
Dawg Daze
While Advising & Orientation introduces you to campus, Dawg Daze is when you connect, explore, and get involved. At Dawg Daze the UW community "kick-starts" your UW experience with a weeklong festival to welcome you to campus. During this week the entire UW community unites to provide you and your incoming class with opportunities to meet other new students, familiarize yourself with campus, and have fun during your first few days on campus.
Each day of Dawg Daze is packed with dozens of great free events: there are concerts, academic workshops, hundreds of student organizations to check out, free dance classes, outdoor big-screen movies, art gallery openings, department fairs, and lots more. Throughout the week you'll meet other new and returning students, as well as University faculty and staff. More information is available at the Dawg Daze website.
