Orientation activities begin on September 5. Generally speaking, though, other than attending orientation activities, incoming students typically begin September 16 (which is when your funding begins), although Autumn Quarter doesn't begin until September 24. This will give you time to look around the labs and meet faculty and students. There is nothing you are required to do during this time other than meet with faculty (to discuss potential lab rotations) and grads and generally get a feel for the department. Most students will arrive late August / early September to look for housing and acclimate to Seattle. Please note that the 2025 department retreat runs Sept 8-10. The retreat will be held at IslandWood on Bainbridge Island.

The UW will want proof of required vaccinations before you can register for Winter Quarter. Please check the Immunization Website for more details. Please do not let this linger. It's a hassle, but putting this off can (and all too often does) cause registration delays and turn a small hassle into a much larger one.

Academic Manager Brian Giebel will meet with you sometime during the first two weeks of September to go over program requirements.

Employment paperwork is done online these days. The GS HR manager will contact you sometime in August to get this started.

International students will need to check in with the UW International Students and Scholars office. This can now be done online: http://iss.washington.edu/stu/ns.html . The UW graduate school has just set up an information page for admitted international students that you will surely find useful.