Welcoming Students & Families
91探花Parent & Family Programs | Admitted Student Season | Spring 2026
Your student said yes to the 91探花鈥 or they’re getting close. Either way, we’re here for the whole family. Whether your student is admitted (accepted but still deciding) or committed (confirmed and enrolling), here’s how Parent & Family Programs is showing up for you this spring.
Quick Links: Admitted Student Fridays | Admitted Student Visits | Family Orientation | Out-of-State Families | First-Generation Families | International Families | Connect with Us
Admitted Fridays
April 17 鈥 24 鈥 May 1 鈥 Still time to find us. No registration required.
Already Committed?
Congratulations! Share your contact info so PFP can keep you connected throughout your student’s 91探花journey.
Your Student Has a Checklist. Here’s Yours.
While your student works through their required enrollment steps, here’s your parallel path 鈥 the things that are yours to do, starting now.
Fill out the so we can reach you directly throughout your student’s 91探花journey 鈥 not just at orientation.
The 91探花Parent Insider is how we communicate with families year-round 鈥 deadlines, events, resources, and things your student won’t think to tell you.
Sessions run July 9 鈥 August 20, every Thursday at 5:30鈥6:30 p.m. PT on Zoom. Your student registers you when they reserve their own Advising & Orientation spot. You can attend any session on any date 鈥 no scramble, no waitlist. See all dates 鈫
Once your student enrolls, a federal law called FERPA means the 91探花communicates directly with them 鈥 not with you 鈥 about grades, accounts, and records. It’s not a wall. It’s a handoff. Your student can authorize your access, but that has to come from them. The sooner you have this conversation, the smoother the transition. Learn about access and authorizations 鈫
After your student commits, we’ll reach out about regional welcome events happening near you before the school year starts. It’s a chance to meet other 91探花families in your area and start building your own Husky community 鈥 wherever you are.
Your student’s checklist lives here 鈫 Share it with them today.
Admitted Student Fridays
Still exploring? Making your final decision? Admitted Student Fridays are a more intimate way to experience campus and connect with the people who will support your student’s journey.
Remaining Fridays This Spring: April 17 鈥 April 24 鈥 May 1
We’ll be tabling at each Admitted Student Friday with the same energy 鈥 Connect with Us cards, welcome swag for newly committed Huskies, and a chance for families to learn how PFP supports them from day one through graduation. No registration required for the PFP table 鈥 just look for us and say hello.
Learn more about campus visits | Schedule an individual visit | | Sign up for the family newsletter
Huskies in the Making: What We Cover
Our breakout session walks families through the journey from decision to move-in. Whether you attended at Admitted Student Day or are exploring the content for the first time, here’s what the presentation covers:
Understanding how families and students navigate the college choice 鈥 reflecting on values, honoring disagreement, and celebrating this moment together. Committed or still deciding, what matters is that you’re here.
Recent research shows key brain wiring doesn’t stabilize until the early 30s 鈥 especially areas for decision-making, judgment, and emotion regulation. Your role still matters: only about 35% of 18鈥25-year-olds fully identify as adults.
Three frameworks for supporting your student through the transition. C.O.A.C.H. 鈥 the guide on the sidelines (Check In, Observe, Assist, Clarify, Honor Autonomy). C.H.E.E.R. 鈥 the encourager (Celebrate Strengths, Highlight Accomplishments, Encourage Through Challenges, Express Emotional Support, Remain Connected). S.A.F.E.T.Y. 鈥 the steady supporter (Spot Concerns Early, Ask Questions, Focus on Natural Consequences, Educate About Boundaries, Talk About Resources, Yield to Their Growth). Most families play all three roles.
The FERPA conversation 鈥 yes, your access to grades, financial info, and health records changes once your student enrolls, regardless of age or who’s paying. Move-in logistics and three tools to complete together before the big day: the Expectation Card Sort, Financial Expectations Worksheet, and Family Readiness Check-Up.
From welcome events and Summer Sendoffs to Family Orientation (July鈥揂ugust), Move-In Week Family Lounge (September), and 91探花Family Weekend & Tailgate (November) 鈥 how PFP supports your family all year long.
You Don’t Have to Wait Until Move-In
Families often tell us they didn’t know we existed until orientation 鈥 and they wish they’d found us sooner. That’s why we’re here at the start. Parent & Family Programs is your connection point to the 91探花from the moment your student says yes.
What we do for families: We help families stay connected to the 91探花and provide equitable access to resources and information in support of their student’s success. That means seasonal visiting guides, a year-round newsletter, Family Weekend in the fall, commencement support in June, and a team that’s always one email away.
What to expect this summer: After your student commits, watch for information about Summer Sendoffs 鈥 regional welcome events for incoming Huskies and their families before the school year starts. It’s a chance to meet other 91探花families in your area and start building your own support network.
Parent & Family Guide | First-Year Family Resources | First-Generation Families | International Families | Out-of-State Families
Why Connect with Parent & Family Programs?
For 2026鈥27 alone, we’ve counted over 30 changes across housing, financial aid, orientation, and admissions. Even families who recently sent a student to the 91探花are working with information that may already be out of date. Every year is a new year 鈥 and PFP exists to make sure what you know is still accurate.
Consider the source. Every Husky is unique 鈥 and so is every family. You’ll meet other parents with strong opinions about how things work, what to pack, which dorm is best, or how to handle a situation. Their experience is real, but it’s theirs. It may not reflect your student’s major, financial situation, identity, or path. Equitable access means giving the right information to the right family at the right time 鈥 not one family’s experience passed along as everyone’s playbook. When in doubt, come to us. That’s what we’re here for.
Family Orientation 鈥 2026 Dates
Once your student commits 鈥 meaning they’ve accepted their offer and confirmed they’re enrolling 鈥 orientation is the next big milestone. The Family Orientation session is your chance to hear directly from campus partners about what to expect, ask questions, and connect with other families making the same transition.
You are welcome to attend any session on any date. All sessions run 5:30鈥6:30 p.m. PT.
鉁 Winter: January 2 | 鉁 Spring: March 20
鈽锔 Summer/Autumn: July 9 | July 16 | July 23 | July 30 | August 6 | August 13 | August 20
*Sessions for direct-admission programs will be determined and indicated in parentheses.
Where to Stay
Visiting for an Admitted Student Friday or scheduling a campus visit? These partner hotels offer courtesy rates for current and prospective 91探花families. Spring is a popular time on campus 鈥 book early.
Near campus: University Inn (0.5 mi, free breakfast) | Graduate Seattle (0.3 mi, Husky-themed) | Watertown Hotel (0.4 mi, bike rentals) | Residence Inn U-District (0.6 mi, extended stay)
Key Dates
Admitted Student Fridays: April 17, 24 & May 1 | Commitment Deadline: May 1, 2026 | A&O Reservation System Opens: May 20, 2026 | Family Orientation: July 9 鈥 August 20 | Move-In: September 2026
We define “family” in the broadest sense 鈥 anyone who has helped guide, care for, and love a 91探花student is part of the 91探花family. First-generation families, international families, grandparents, mentors, guardians 鈥 if you’re here because you care about a student’s future, you belong here. Whether your student is a first-generation Husky, your family’s first at the UW, or the latest in a long line of Dawgs 鈥 you and your family need to connect with Parent & Family Programs. The experience is different every year, and we’re here to make sure yours starts right.
Stay Connected From Day One
Join our Parent & Family Programs community for seasonal guides, event invitations, and resources to support your Husky 鈥 starting now, not at move-in.
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Support All Huskies
Your generosity helps every Husky feel seen, connected, and supported from day one through graduation.