We look forward to welcoming you and your family to Bear Day!
Parking & transportation
Driving to campus
If you are driving to campus, you will be parking on the roof (2nd level) of the Shepley Drive Garage located at 6615 Shepley Drive. This garage can only be accessed from Big Bend Blvd and eastbound Shepley Drive. Once you have parked on the roof level, you will utilize the staircase at the east end of the roof to descend to the street level and then travel along the McLeod Walkway to your destination at the Danforth University Center. For more information, see the Visitor Parking information website.
Arriving by rideshare
Due to limited parking on campus, we encourage you to use a ride-share if possible. Please use Danforth University Center, 6475 Forsyth Ave. St. Louis, MO 63105 as the drop-off location.
You will check-in at Tisch Commons, Danforth University Center (DUC) once you have arrived.
What to pack
Bear Day is a fun, informative, and casual program. Remember to check the weather and dress accordingly. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes for exploring campus!
Tentative schedule
*Times and events are subject to change.
Morning activities:
| Time | Activity | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. | Check-in | Visitors check in and receive Bear Day information. A light breakfast will be available before the day’s activities. |
| 9:00 – 9:30 a.m. | Welcome | Visitors receive an official welcome to campus. |
| 9:30 – 10:15 a.m. | Student Affairs Presentation | Panelists from the Division of Student Affairs will give an overview of the student experience at WashU. |
| 10:30 – 11:45 a.m. | Learn about Your Academic School | Learn more about your first-year experience in your academic school. |
| 11:45 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Lunch | Enjoy lunch in the Bear’s Den & Risa Commons. Note: Lunch time is chosen on registration. |
Choose your own adventure afternoon activities:
Visitors can pick and choose which activities they would like to attend.
| Time | Activity | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 2:00 – 2:45 p.m. 3:00 – 3:45 p.m. | Campus Tour | Explore campus on a tour guided by a current student. Note: This tour will not include the South 40 residential halls. Tour will last about an hour. |
| 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. | Campus Resources Showcase | Drop in to learn about the many resources available to students at WashU. |
| 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. | Student Financial Services Meet & Greet | Stop by the Student Financial Services office to ask questions and submit your enrollment deposit. |
| 12:00 – 4:00 p.m. | Self-Guided Tour of the South 40 | Enjoy a self-guided tour of where you’ll eat, sleep, and play as a first-year student. Includes residential halls. |
| 12:00 – 4:00 p.m. | Bear Day DJ | Stop by to listen to music, enjoy ice cream, and take pictures with the WashU Bear! |
| 12:00 – 4:00 p.m. | Forest Park Experience | Enjoy a trolley tour of Forest Park from our Bear Ambassadors. Note: The first trolley will depart campus at 12:00 p.m. and the last trolley will return by 4:00 p.m. If you have luggage on campus, it must be picked up by 4:15 p.m. |
| 12:00 – 4:00 p.m. | Athletics and Recreation Open House | Explore WashU’s athletic facilities and learn about the many opportunities to stay active on campus. |
| 12:00 – 4:30 p.m. | Residential Life Open House | Learn about all the features of WashU’s residential communities. |
| 3:00 – 3:50 p.m. | McKelvey School of Engineering | Enjoy a walkthrough of the opportunities present in the McKelvey School of Engineering. |
| 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Danforth Campus Bookstore | Visit the campus store. |
| 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. | Bear Necessities | Visit the not-for-profit gift bookstore operated by the Women’s Society. All proceeds fund the Elizabeth Gray Scholarship Endowment. |