Washington University in St. LouisMove-In Guide
St. Louis, Missouri
🏫 Private UniversityEst. 1853🔗 wustl.edu
WashU's Danforth Campus centers on the Collegiate Gothic Brookings Hall, once the administrative center of the 1904 World's Fair, with nearly all first-year students living together in the ten residential communities of "South 40," including Danforth, Umrath, and Rutledge Houses.
Enrollment
17,000
Total Students
Freshman Class
2,055
Approx.
Move-In Dates
Aug 14-15, 2026
Fall 2026
Acceptance Rate
12%
Most recent cycle
Move-In
Fall 2026 Move-In Details
Submit your preferred move-in date and timeslot through the Housing Application, which opens April 1 in the WashU Housing Portal. Arrive at the Danforth University Center to check in and receive your parking placard before proceeding to your unloading zone - please don't arrive ahead of your scheduled time. Orientation begins on Move-In Day itself and continues until classes start.
Check your assignment in the housing portal for your specific date and time - your exact move-in date is shown above in the Overview.
Move-in day logistics
- Arrival window
- First-year move-in is Aug. 14-15, with your date and timeslot selected through the Housing Portal starting April 1.
- Check-in location
- Check in at the Danforth University Center, then follow your color-coded route (based on your residence hall) to your unloading zone on the South 40.
- Parking
- After receiving your Parking Placard at check-in, display it on your dashboard for the entire move-in period. Long-term parking is available at two designated garages; shuttles run between long-term parking and a nearby lot, from which you can walk to the South 40.
- What you'll receive
- Your Parking Placard, issued at check-in.
- Vehicle restrictions
- Only vehicles actively moving in are permitted on the South 40 during move-in, and a vehicle without its Parking Placard displayed won't be allowed there. There's no long-term parking on the South 40 itself.
Move-in day tips
- Arrive during your assigned move-in window - arriving early may mean waiting until your time slot.
- Bring a rolling cart or hand truck - campus carts can run out quickly during busy move-in periods.
- Have a parking backup plan - spaces near residence halls can fill up quickly, so know where you can unload if your preferred area is full.
- Watch the loading-zone time limit - many campuses require you to move your vehicle to longer-term parking after unloading.
Housing & Dorms
- Photo coming soon
Danforth House
Suite-style · Coed
First-year only - Photo coming soon
Umrath House
Suite-style · Coed
First-year only - Photo coming soon
Rutledge House
Traditional · Coed
First-year only
Housing Links
Each available link goes directly to Washington University in St. Louis's own specific page, not just its general homepage.
Orientation
First-Year Orientation (required)
All new students are required to attend one orientation session.
August 14 - August 16, 2026
Orientation tips
- Register as early as your class allows - popular session dates fill up first.
- Bring a parent/guardian if separate family programming is offered.
- Check whether placement testing or advising sign-ups happen the same day.
Costs
Room & Board
$22,417
Estimated / Year
Nearby Essentials
- CVS Pharmacy0.5 miles
- Walgreens1.9 miles
- Walmart2.3 miles
- Target2.5 miles
More Links
Checklists
Get the Ultimate College Move-In Checklist
A free, printable packing checklist covering everything from bedding to important documents - built for any freshman, including yours at Washington University in St. Louis.
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