Orientation FAQs

The transition to the college experience at Washburn University starts with New Student Orientation. The event is designed to prepare you with valuable information for a successful start to college at Washburn University, as a first-year or transfer student.

All new incoming students, coming directly from high school have a New Student Orientation (NS) hold placed on their account once they are admitted to Washburn. First-year students are required to participate in New Student Orientation and the hold helps us track all new students. Once a student checks in at New Student Orientation, the NS hold will end before they enroll in classes.

All students admitted to Washburn for the upcoming fall, spring or summer terms are invited to attend New Student Orientation.

All students attending Washburn directly after graduating from high school are required to attend a New Student Orientation session. Parent(s), guardian(s) or family is welcome to come along.

We strongly encourage you to attend our New Student Orientation sessions for transfer students. For spring transfers, we host orientation in the fall, and for summer or fall transfers, we host orientation in late spring and summer. If you are unable to attend one of these sessions, please join us at any of the summer New Student Orientation sessions.

New Student Orientation provides you with opportunities for one-on-one interaction with current students, staff and faculty, in-person help to advise and enroll in classes, and learn about campus support and resources. We love our Washburn community and want to share information with you for an easy transition.

No, there is no fee to attend orientation. We ask students to register at least one week in advance, to order enough food and prepare materials for each student.

You can register online, email orientation@washburn.edu or call 785.670.1834.

For our summer orientations in May, June and August, the morning session check-in begins at 8:00 am, with our welcome session starting at 8:45 am in Memorial Union. Our afternoon session check-in begins at 12:00 pm, with our welcome session starting at 1:00 pm. For the afternoon sessions, there is an Engagement Fair from 12:00-1:00 pm for anyone who arrives early.

Yes - orientation is just as important for parents, guardians and family as it is for students. Everyone in your family or support system is about to experience a transition and can learn how to support one another. The orientation day includes parent and guest sessions.

Yes. If you or someone participating has a dietary restriction, disability, mobility issues, or requires a non-English translator, please send us an email at orientation@washburn.edu to provide more information.

Washburn offers free parking to visitors, students, faculty and staff. Use our campus map as a guide. Visiting students and families should park in Lot 10 or 11 and enter the doors closest to Mulvane Art Museum. Look for the tall blue "WELCOME" flags. We'll start in Memorial Union, 1820 SW Jewell Avenue, Topeka, KS 66621.

Directions

• From the north: Take U.S. Highway 75 south to the Gage Boulevard Exit/I-70 East turnoff (Exit 358), taking the Gage Boulevard exit. Turn right on Gage and proceed south to SW 17th Street. Turn left (east) and follow 17th Street to Plass Avenue.
• From the south: Take U.S. Highway 75 north the 42nd Street/Burlingame Road exit. Turn left and drive to yield sign. Turn right on Burlingame Road (north) and follow Burlingame (which changes into Washburn Avenue) to SW 17th Street (approximately 20 blocks). Turn left (west) and follow 17th Street to Plass Avenue, turn left (south).
• From the southwest (I-335): Take I-335 north (Kansas Turnpike) to the South Topeka Exit (Exit 177). After leaving the toll area, continue straight. The highway will veer to the left and become I-470 west. Take the Burlingame Road exit (Exit 5). Turn right (north) and follow Burlingame (which changes into Washburn Avenue) to SW 17th Street (approximately 20 blocks). Turn left (west) and follow 17th Street to Plass Avenue, turn left (south).
• From the east: Take I-70/I-470 (Kansas Turnpike) to the South Topeka exit (Exit 177). After exiting the toll area, continue straight. The highway will veer to the left and become I-470 west. Take the Burlingame Road exit (Exit 5). Turn right (north) and follow Burlingame Road (which changes into Washburn Avenue) to SW 17th Street (approximately 20 blocks). Turn left (west) and follow 17th Street to Plass Avenue, turn left (south).
• From the west: Take I-70 to the NW MacVicar Ave. exit (Exit 359) and turn right (south). Follow NW MacVicar to SW 17th Street (approximately 2.4 miles). Turn left (east) and follow 17th Street to Plass Avenue, turn right (south).

All orientation sessions are half-day programs and do not require an overnight stay. If you are traveling from farther away and need to stay overnight, we have an on-campus lodging option or a couple hotels in Topeka with Washburn discounts for visitors.