Important Dates
Below are important dates for the Class of 2026, new transfer students, and family members. Stay up-to-date by connecting with Wildcat Welcome's various social media accounts.
Most immediately after acceptance, admitted students should do the following:
- Follow directives in your Admitted Student portal. This includes anything you need to complete upon acceptance.
- Setup your Northwestern email. You setup your email when you initially activate your NetID. If you did not setup your email at that time, learn how to activate your email.
- Join the Class of 2026 Facebook group!
Week of May 3
The Purple Prep suite launches for the Class of 2026; students to be notified via Northwestern email upon launch. The suite includes:
- Purple Prep website: Your one stop to all the information you need to complete tasks throughout the summer and to prepare for your arrival in September.
- Purple Prep checklist: A personalized checklist to keep you on track for meeting deadlines throughout the summer.
- Purple Prep email: In your Northwestern inbox the first Tuesday of each month is this email to remind you of what is coming up the month ahead and to provide you with any important updates/changes to tasks, dates, and fall information.
May 3-September 11: Purple Prep
Serving as the first step of the orientation process is Purple Prep. Learn more about the 3 parts of Northwestern's orientation process.
August: Housing Assignments
New students learn of their assigned room/building, as well as roommate, at the start of August. Learn more on the Residential Services website.
September 8-12: International Student Orientation
The Wildcat Welcome experience for international students begins with a track specifically designed for you called International Student Orientation. International students move to campus on September 8 to participate in ISO through September 12 and then join the entire class in Wildcat Welcome through September 19. Students register for International Student Orientation through the Wildcat Welcome Information Form in May/June. Visit the Office of International Student and Scholar Services website for more information.
September 12: New Student Move-in Day
New first-year and transfer students will move in during a scheduled appointment time on September 12; international students move in earlier as referenced above with International Student Orientation. An appointment signup form will be sent to student email accounts in mid-August after room assignments are completed. Learn more about on the Residential Services website.
September 12-19: Wildcat Welcome
The final, on-campus component of Northwestern's new student orientation process is Wildcat Welcome. The mandatory orientation program for all new undergraduate students begins once students move to campus and runs through the day before fall quarter classes begin. Learn more about the 3 parts of Northwestern's orientation process.
September 12-13: Parent & Family Orientation
Parent and Family Orientation (PFO) provides family members of new students with information to serve as informed support systems for their student during their tenure at Northwestern. Programming begins at the end of move-in day and runs through approximately 5 p.m. on September 13; students participate in their orientation programming during this time. PFO is not a required event for families. Learn more about Parent and Family Orientation.
September 20: Fall quarter classes begin
Start of fall-quarter classes
November 4-6: Family Weekend
Family Weekend occurs yearly and is available for the families of all undergraduate students. Programming during Family Weekend provides opportunities for families to experience Northwestern with their student. Learn more about Family Weekend.
Full Academic Calendar
Visit the Office of the Registrar website to view the academic calendar to find dates for breaks as you seek to plan travel.