Though it might seem far away, it's a good idea to take time to discuss summer plans with your student over the Winter Break. In this edition of Family Ties, there are some resources for planning opportunities for summer engagement , including the Career Center and Overseas Programs. Additionally, it is important to discuss expectations around finding a summer job, taking summer courses at WashU or a institution closer to home, or participation in unique opportunities such as Undergraduate Research  early on so students may begin making plans and meeting application deadlines. 

Winter Break is a great time to have conversations about what the first summer after college might look like and explore options that meet those expectations together as a family.  For a list of dates for Summer Break, visit WashU's academic calendar .

Wondering what your student will experience if they decide to explore opportunities to go Greek at Washington University?  A whirlwind process awaits them filled with fun activities, friendly faces and a chance to join a values-based organization that may just challenge new members to grow in ways they haven't imagined. 

 

How sorority recruitment is structured:

If your daughter has registered for formal recruitment, she will return to campus by 5:00 PM on Wednesday, January 10, 2018.  Official recruitment events will occur on Thursday January 11 (round one - women visit all 9 chapters), Friday January 12 (round two - women visit up to 7 chapters), Saturday January 13 (round three - women visit up to 5 chapters), and Sunday January 14 (round four - women visit up to 2 chapters).  At each recruitment event, women will meet current members, ask questions, learn more about specific chapter programming and events, and get a better sense of each chapter and its members. Bids/invitations for membership are extended on January 15th.

 

How fraternity recruitment is structured:

Your son will not need to return to campus early because events do not begin until Wednesday, January 17, 2018 with open houses at each chapter.  Additionally, students are required to attend one Information Session (either on Tuesday January 16th or Sunday January 21st at 8:00 PM in College Hall) to gain important information about the process. Following open houses, all 12 chapters will host additional events between January 18th - January 25th.  Your son can pick and choose which events he would like to attend based on the chapters he is interested in learning more about.  At each recruitment event, men will meet current members, ask questions, participate in activities such as attending sporting events or playing demo ball, and get a better sense of each chapter and its members.  Each chapter will provide a schedule of open events at their open house, and then during the final days of recruitment, men will receive invitations to closed events.  Bids will be extended on Friday, January 26th and after a 24 hour no contact period; bids can be accepted on  Saturday, January 27th. 

 

Joining a National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) Fraternity or Sorority:

St. Louis is home to city-wide chapters of NPHC or historically black Greek lettered organizations. Students from most local colleges and universities, including WashU, are eligible to join these organizations. Each chapter does membership intake at different times of year and students will need to reach out to NPHC.wustl@gmail.com for more information.

 

What you can do:

Parents are often called upon to offer support through the recruitment process.  Please encourage your prospective new member to be themselves, keep an open mind (the more chapters a student is willing to consider, the more chances they have for finding a match). and listen carefully to the information gathered regarding what each organization is all about as well as how the values of each group match their own values.  Your student's friends may connect more with another chapter, but ultimately each individual needs to decide what the best fit is for them.  Above all else, encourage your student to not be afraid to ask questions of the various chapters so they can make an informed decision.

 

More details about the process of both men's and women's recruitment can be found on the Campus Life website at https://campuslife.wustl.edu/fraternity-sorority-life/joining/.

Applications are now open for study abroad in the fall, academic year, and summer!

The application deadline for Fall 2018 and Academic Year 2018-2019 is February 1, 2018. Most Summer 2018 programs have an application deadline of February 15, 2018.

Be sure to research our programs at sa.wustl.edu to learn about program eligibility, prerequisites, and other requirements.

Remember that financial aid and scholarships can carry over for WashU-approved semester and academic year programs abroad. Additional information can be found on our website at overseas.wustl.edu.

IS your student looking for study abroad opportunities? Applications for Olin's global programs for the 2018-19 academic year will be due spring semester. As your student considers whether or not a global or domestic program is the right choice, encourage them to think about the many opportunities offered by Olin Business School. Their academic advisor is ready to fill them in on all their options. You'll find helpful information online at https://olinwustl.campusgroups.com/bsbaglobal/about/. 

The ring is a lasting symbol of your loved one's connection to one of the finest academic institutions in the world and makes a wonderful gift idea. With many great options, you can customize the ring just for your student. They'll love this special reminder of their time at WashU. Orders received by February will receive an invitation to the spring ring ceremony.

 

More details: universityring.wustl.edu

Assistance is available for upcoming end-of-semester essays! Consider encouraging students to attend the Fall Write-In on December 13. Writing Center Tutors and Research Librarians will be on hand.  Students can also schedule a one-on-one research consultation with a librarian at Olin Library.  

The Olin Library Transformation project-a reimagining of Washington University's main library-began in 2016. The project is expected to be complete in spring semester 2018, resulting in new study spaces and resources for learning, research, and teaching. For a glimpse of things to come at Olin Library, take a look at this video. 

Now, students may easily access Olin's study spaces and resources from the North side of campus. Read about Olin's recently-opened North Entrance . 

While at home, we hope you and your student will have the opportunity to talk about their housing plans for the next academic year. The 2018-2019 Housing Reapplication and Room Selection process will launch on January 29th. We are pleased to offer a wide array of living options that will suit a variety of preferences, making life in Residential Life, a convenient and comfortable option while being centrally located.

Our communities provide all-inclusive amenities, faculty living in residence, access to both professional and peer leaders, and experiences that extend from the classroom to the surrounding community. Choosing a place to live depends on your student's classification and what type of amenities are important.

South Forty
Nicknamed "The Forty" because it is forty acres located directly south of the Danforth Campus, this space is home to about 3200 residents in twenty-four residence halls, as well as recreational space, computer clusters, campus eateries, and much, much more. "The Forty" is a place to study, sleep, eat, relax, and form new friendships.

North Side
Many of our upperclass students live on the North Side, which consists of residential communities on the Northwest corner of the Danforth Campus and in our neighborhoods near campus. Each of which provides a variety of programs and amenities for students to enjoy.

The Housing Selection Process starts once students return to campus in January and you can read more about the process by visiting the Housing Selection website which will be available in mid-December. For more information about our housing options, please visit us at  https://reslife.wustl.edu.

If your international student is planning to travel outside the U.S. over break, they should have their I-20 signed for travel prior to leaving to avoid delays with Customs and Border Patrol upon re-entry to the U.S.  

I-20's can be dropped off for signature at OISS and picked up after three business days. Also, at the end of the semester there are several days when students can get their I-20 signed while they wait: 

More information on travel abroad can be found here: https://oiss.wustl.edu/students/travel-abroad-reentry-visa-renewal/

Students can make appointments to receive a flu vaccine through the Habit Health and Wellness Center.

2017 graduate Lizzy Crist is the second student-athlete from WashU to win the award, joining 2012 winner Elizabeth Phillips. She is also the fifth NCAA Division III student-athlete to claim the honor.

Learn and grow through real-world experience. While Colton Calandrella was a b-school student at WashU, he was a rockstar in Center for Experiential Learning (CEL). Hear about Colton's experience in the CEL's Taylor Community Consulting Program and his advice to students considering participating in an experiential learning project.