From the Desk of Dr. Lori S. White
Academic Dates and Deadlines
What to Talk to Your Student(s) About
What is Happening on Campus?
Career Corner
Get Connected
|
|
|
From the Desk of Dr. Lori S. White
|
|
|
Dear parents and families:
I hope you had a wonderful New Year and are refreshed and ready for 2020.
With the start of the second semester of the academic year, many students return to campus confident as they find their routine. For some, however, the spring semester can bring its own new opportunities and unexpected developments. Students may change their field of study, or become more deeply involved in student groups and organizations. You can support your student through these types of changes in many ways:
1.
With the new year and semester, the “fresh start” mentality is very prevalent on campus. This mindset often provides a way for students to reflect on their successes from the fall, reevaluate what could be improved from last semester, and to take steps to make this semester even better. Your student may be excited about a number of opportunities this spring, which can sometimes lead to taking on an overload of responsibilities. Finding balance is key, and there are resources available for your student that can help. One group, in particular, the Washington University Student Associates (WUSAs), is a great resource if your student needs counsel, as they are upper-division students who can speak to their own first-year experiences. Your student is also encouraged to reach out to their four-year academic adviser and The Learning Center for academic support and guidance.
2.
In the spring semester, student groups and organizations are recruiting again and often appoint a new class of student leaders. While this can be an exciting time of new connections, some students may experience disappointment or setback. Remind your student that not getting a position or not being admitted to a group is a chance for growth and opportunity. We all experience successes and failures during our lifetimes, and learning from disappointment is an important skill. Encourage your student to ask what they can do to improve and to try again when the opportunity presents itself.
3.
The spring semester is also a smart time to begin preparing for the summer ahead. Your student has a variety of opportunities for a productive summer ranging from summer courses, volunteer work, internships, research, or summer employment. If your student is considering taking academic courses, have them talk to their four-year academic adviser about what courses might be appropriate and how to apply for credit for non-WashU courses. In addition, the
Career Center
offers many great resources to help students think about what their next steps might be. Whether your student has questions about a job search, an application process, resume assistance, or interview practice, the Career Center’s coaches and advisers are here to help. There are walk-in office hours as well as chances for individual advising appointments.
WashU is pleased to be partners with you on your student’s journey and look forward to the semester ahead. If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
With warm regards,
Lori S. White, Ph.D.
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
Professor of Practice, Department of Education
|
|
Academic Dates and Deadlines
|
|
|
Mark Your Calendars for Spring 2020
- March 8-14th: Spring Break
- April 24th: Last Day of Classes
- April 27-May 6th: Reading Week and Final Exams
- May 12-15th: Commencement
Important Academic Deadlines
- Friday, February 28th: Last day to change a class to pass/fail
- Friday, April 3rd: Last day to drop a class with a W (withdrawal) on your student's transcript or change grade option on course to "C" (letter grade). If your student is planning to take a W, we suggest they meet with their academic adviser beforehand.
- Friday, April 17th: Registration for Fall 2020 classes - Class of 2023
|
|
What to Talk to Your Student(s) About
|
|
|
Summer 2020: Course Browsing Now Open
|
|
Please remind your student(s) to talk with their adviser and review summer course options.
The WashU Summer School offers hundreds of courses over five sessions. Students can take a full year of lab sciences in ten weeks, get a head start on a major, or fulfill general graduation requirements in an efficient way. Class sizes are small and students benefit from close interactions with faculty and classmates. The condensed nature and intense focus of summer classes can also help students concentrate more effectively on difficult course content.
Visit the
Summer School website to learn more about summer classes and special programs. Registration for summer opens
March
25
th.
|
|
Undergraduate Summer Research Opportunities
|
|
Is your student ready to embark on a summer research experience? If so, encourage them to apply for summer research funding from WashU's Office of Undergraduate Research.
Application deadlines are quickly approaching, including uSTAR on
February 15 and SURA on
March 1.
|
|
What is Happening on Campus?
|
|
|
Intership & Job Career Fair
|
|
The Danforth Campus will host local and national organizations hiring for
internships, co-ops, and jobs at the
Internship & Job Career Fair
on
February 6
th
in Sumers Recreation Center.
The fair provides WashU students a unique opportunity to meet and interview with dozens of potential employers in a short amount of time. All WashU students and alumni are invited to attend. Professional attire (a suit) is strongly recommended. The career fair is open to all WashU students and alumni with a valid ID at check-in. Visit the
Career Fair mobile site for a current list of employers and positions.
The Career Center is offering multiple sessions of
Prepping for the Career Fair. Please visit
CAREERlink for details and to RSVP.
|
|
The upcoming webinars for our
Spring Webinar Series
have been released! You can learn more and register for the webinars below.
A Conversation About Prehealth Advising
Date
: Wednesday, February 19
th
Time
: 5:30 pm CST
Description
:
Carolyn Herman, Associate Dean and Director of Prehealth Advising at Washington University, will provide a brief overview of the Prehealth curriculum and describe some features of Prehealth advising here at WashU. Information about Prehealth advising is available at
prehealth.wustl.edu
.
- A Conversation About Study Abroad (March 9th at 5:30 pm CST)
- Summer Sendoff (April, date tbd)
|
|
Student Financial Services
|
|
Connect with a Student Financial Services Counselor!
Beginning
January 14
th
- March 11
th
, SFS counselors will be in the DUC (Room 248) every Tuesday from 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm and Wednesday from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm. No appointment is needed, so
please encourage your student(s) to stop by and get any questions answered.
|
|
The
Hire-a-Bear Program
is a collaborative effort among WashU Alumni, Parent Programs, and the
Career Center
to source paid internships and full-time positions across a range of industries and professions for WashU students and graduates. This is a great way to contribute to the education of a WashU student and have our students contribute to your organization’s goals.
Stipend deadlines approaching:
To make unpaid internships viable for financially qualified students, the Career Center provides a limited number of stipends.
Application deadlines are March 1
st
and April 1
st
.
If your student is still searching for a summer or post-graduation opportunity, encourage them to meet with a career adviser. Students can use
online scheduling
to set up an appointment.
|
|
Get to Know the First Year Center
|
The First Year Center supports new students through their transition into the community of Washington University in St. Louis to assure that they build and sustain their academic and personal goals. The Center brings together people, programs and resources to provide an undergraduate experience of exceptional quality where all students are known by name and story and where they prepare themselves for lives of purpose and meaning. Bear Beginnings: New Student Orientation, Parent & Family Weekend, and a host of other programs for students throughout the year are run out of the First Year Center.
|
|
Contact Us
Please continue to share any comments and ideas with us about content for upcoming issues by contacting us at
families@wustl.edu
.
Join Our Mailing List
If you were forwarded this email,
click here
to join the Family Ties mailing list now.
|
|
First Year Center | Washington University in St. Louis
Umrath House, lower level, suite 0925 | One Brookings Drive, Campus Box 1136 | St. Louis, MO 63130
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
