Welcome to the UW

Congratulations on your acceptance to the University of Washington! Check out the different options for Advising & Orientation.

Orientation

Get Involved

First Year Programs creates space for students to engage, learn, and thrive at the UW.

Engage

Who is a First-Year Student?

A first-year student is anyone in their first year at the University of Washington. This includes students who enrolled right after high school, as well as those who transferred from community and technical colleges or other universities. First Year Programs works to make the University a welcoming and supportive place for all first-year students.

About FYP

Explore

UW student completing the University 101 training on a laptop

Orientation

To begin your first year at the University of Washington, you will need to attend an Advising & Orientation (A&O) session. A&O is required of all new undergraduate students and it is where you will be introduced to academics, student life, and extracurricular opportunities. 

Orientation for New Admits

FIGs

First-year Interest Groups (FIGs) help new students find their way at UW through connection and building intentional learning communities. Offered during Autumn Quarter, FIGs are made up of clusters of classes. Each cluster includes a GEN ST 199 seminar. These seminars are facilitated by peer instructors and focus on finding social- and academic success at UW.

Learn More about FIGs
The back of a man

Dawg Daze

Join in on the fun at one of the nation's largest welcome weeks! Connect, explore, and get involved. View a list of all events, along with a list of family events, on the Dawg Daze website.

Explore Dawg Daze Events

Fast Facts

FYP hires over 400 student leaders50% of freshmen join a FIG