About SLU 101

Yes, as long as the date still has space available. Remember that you must submit your enrollment deposit before registering for SLU 101. When you register, you will see all the dates with remaining space listed for you to choose from. We recommend you wait to make your travel arrangements, such as purchasing plane tickets, for SLU 101 until after you have signed up for a session date. You and your guest(s) must be registered for a SLU 101 session to attend; we are not able to accommodate walk-ins.

Unfortunately, no. Each program date has a limited capacity, and there is also a set capacity for each college or school within the program to ensure that students across a variety of majors will be in attendance at each SLU 101 session. Early dates fill especially quickly, so it is best to register as soon as possible if you have a particular date in mind. You can edit your reservation to change your session/date as long as seats are available in that session. Students are also limited to registering up to two guests (parents/guardians), so don't forget to register your guests. Please note we do not keep waitlists for sessions that are full/closed.

During summer 2026 we are providing eight SLU 101 freshman sessions. Four of the sessions will be a 1.5-day overnight program and four of the sessions will be a 1 day program. The 1.5-day program has an overnight component: students will stay on campus in Grand Hall and the program ends the second day at noon. The 1-day program is more of an 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. experience where students have the option the evening prior to stay on campus.  

For students that may want the "taste of college" experience then the 1.5-day program sessions may be a good fit, providing more activities to choose along with staying on campus in a residence hall. For students and families who may have limited amount of time during the summer to come to campus then the 1=day program sessions may be a good fit since it is an abbreviated experience.  

Yes, but please note that we do not accept roommate requests for the sessions that include an overnight stay at SLU 101. Be sure that you and your friend enroll in the same session. Session dates have limited capacities, so make your arrangements as soon as possible.

Only admitted SLU students and their families may attend SLU 101, though your friends are most welcome to visit in the fall once you are settled. Friends interested in attending SLU can contact our Office of Admission at 314-977-2500 to arrange a tour.

Let us know if you are unable to attend by calling your admission counselor. Please give as much notice as possible so that we can inform your advisor and others who are expecting you.

SLU 101 is an orientation program for parents/guardians, too. Parents/guardians and/or family members are encouraged to attend SLU 101 and have their own guest schedule of events during the SLU 101 session that can help familiarize them with campus and prepare them for their student’s time at SLU. Some topics include: scholarships/financial aid, student health, campus safety, academic advising, student services and transition issues. Please note that each student is limited to bringing two guests with them to SLU 101. Students must register their guests as part of the SLU 101 registration process.

Yes, any member of your family is welcome, though the programs are geared toward parents/guardians. Your guests must be registered to attend the SLU 101 program. Each student is limited to two guests.

Each session has a capacity of how many students and guests we can accommodate. Guests must be registered 5 days out from the session/date. Your parent/guardians and family members are welcome to attend. Please keep in mind that each student is limited to two guests who can attend SLU 101 with them due to limited capacity. To register guests, simply log back into your reservation and make the update to your reservation.

Parents and other family members are not invited to the student advising overview meeting. It is important for you to meet with academic advising independently to begin developing relationships. Our schedule for parents and family members includes an information session with academic advisors that covers how academic advising works for SLU students.

Guests are responsible for making their own hotel reservations. SLU lists recommended accommodations, many of which offer discounts to campus visitors. We are not able to provide on-campus lodging for the guests who attend with the student.

During summer 2026 we are offering two types of SLU 101 experiences for incoming freshmen. Sample schedules are available online to give you a preview of the 1.5-day overnight program or the 1 day program. You will receive a schedule and folder of information during check-in. Please follow your individual schedule. Students who sign up for the 1.5-day overnight program will check in at Grand Residence Hall to pick up their key and drop off their overnight belongings. This check-in begins at 8 a.m. the morning of day one of the program. Students and families should then proceed to the Busch Student Center for SLU 101 program check-in, between 8 and 9 a.m., where they will receive a folder of information. The first presentation begins at 9 a.m. in the Busch Student Center. Students that signed up for the 1-day program will check in at at 8 a.m. the morning of the program in the Busch Student Center with the first presentation at 9 a.m. If you signed up for the optional overnight the evening before the one day program, then check-in to Grand is at 4 p.m. the evening prior.

Yes. SLU 101 is full of important information that will help you adjust to college and have a smooth first year. And it’s fun!  If you attended an admitted student event during the spring, you will find that SLU 101 is very different — it has been designed to get you ready for your first semester at SLU and to help you start to make connections with your peers. You must attend all of the SLU 101 program — all of it is required.

You should bring comfortable, casual clothes. Many activities will be inside, so dress appropriately for air-conditioned facilities. We strongly encourage layers in case you get cold sitting in air conditioning. If students are attending the 1.5-day overnight program -- then they will be staying overnight on campus, you should bring a change of clothes, toiletries — shampoo, toothbrush, soap, etc. — water bottle, personal items, bedding (or sleeping bag), pillow, towel and a small amount of money for vending machines, snacks or incidentals. Be sure to also bring a valid, government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license or passport, to obtain your SLU ID. Please note that there are no phone lines in individual student residence hall rooms. Students may use personal cell phones or community phones available in the building for local calls.

For the freshman student 1.5-day overnight program: On day one of the program, students receive lunch and dinner. On day two of the program, students receive breakfast. On day one of the program, guests receive lunch. On day two of the program, guests receive coffee in the morning. Please make sure you submit any dietary needs at the time of your SLU 101 registration so that information can be shared with our dining and catering team.  For the freshman student 1-day program: Students and guests will receive a lunch.  Again, please make sure you submit any dietary needs at the time of your SLU 101 registration.

Be on the lookout for an email sent to your SLU email address in late spring (or early summer) that will share information on how to submit your photo online for your SLU ID. Use the link provided in the email and follow the directions within the email on how to do the online photo submission process. Don't forget to complete this step before you attend SLU 101. Please bring a valid, government-issued photo ID to SLU 101 so you can obtain your SLU ID. You must complete the online photo submission process for your student ID to have it ready for your SLU 101 visit. You must also receive an email back sharing your photo has been approved for your SLU ID to be completed.

Yes, if you have not already done so, you can submit your immunization record and required tuberculosis screening directly to Student Health Center staff during the SLU 101 resource fair or through the online portal. The online health insurance enrollment or waiver process for the University Health Plan can be completed online once you are registered as a full-time student - the portal typically opens up in mid-July.

The MetroLink will take you directly from the airport to within three blocks of campus. You can also access ground transportation with Go Best Express. We do not provide an airport pick-up service for the SLU 101 program.

Students and families attending the SLU 101 program may park in the Laclede Parking Garage. Laclede Parking Garage is at the corner of Grand and Laclede. Parking is free for the students and families — just show your SLU 101 folder as you exit the garage.

Contact your admission counselor if you are not able to attend/participate in your SLU 101 sessions. We appreciate any notice you can give us so that we can inform the academic advisor and others who may be expecting you.

We are unable to process walk-ins for SLU 101 sessions due to everything that goes into preparing for the program with advising meetings, folder preparation, catering and meal counts, etc. Please make sure you sign up for a SLU 101 session to ensure we are ready for your attendance/participation.

New international students who are already in the United States are encouraged to sign up for SLU 101. New international students who will not be arriving to the U.S. until August should not sign up for SLU 101 in-person sessions since they will be academically advised and registered for classes in a different way during the summer. All new international students will receive information from the Office of International Services during the summer to share information about International Student Orientation that is held in August before classes begin.

New students are required to complete course placement tests and the course selection survey; ideally, these are completed by June 2. During SLU 101, your academic advising office will do an overview with you to help you understand the registration process and to answer your questions. Students will attend an academic advising overview to go over important information about their course schedule and how changes can be made to your draft class schedule you will receive at SLU 101. The Office of the University Registrar builds your class schedule with all of the information you provided academic advising along with your completed placement tests and course selection survey. This pre-registration model is used for incoming freshmen and classes will be held for you so it doesn't matter if you attend the first or last SLU 101 session.

Your draft class schedule will be shared with you at your SLU 101 session. Again, students are required to attend SLU 101 to receive their draft class schedule along with important information about academic advising and the course registration process. During SLU 101, you will learn how you can still make adjustments to your class schedule prior to the start of the semester.  

During SLU 101 you will learn information from your academic advising office and have time to ask questions. It is important for you to complete your placement tests and course selection survey, so that the University Registrar's Office can build your first class schedule for you.

During SLU 101 you will learn during the Academic Advising Overview the process of how your class schedule is being built for you and the process to follow if you want to change a class once your class schedule is released to you.

Yes, all students complete online course placement tests and the course selection survey. This information will help the University Registrar Office in preparing your class schedule. View more information about the online placement tests.

If you used an Individualized Education Plan (IEP)/504 plan/another accommodation plan in high school or if you have a documented condition that may require academic or housing accommodations, please contact the Center for Accessibility and Disability Resources (CADR) in the Student Success Center at 314-977-3484 or accessibility_disability@slu.edu.

The higher education accommodation process differs from the high school accommodation process, so please make sure to contact the office as soon as possible to understand the procedures. You are welcome to make an appointment during your SLU 101 visit. Based on the SLU 101 schedule, the afternoon of day two is usually the best time. Or, you can schedule a virtual appointment to speak to someone later in the summer.

Yes, if you selected the 1.5-day overnight SLU 101 session the overnight stay in Grand Hall is an important part of the program for the students. Because of the importance of making friends and feeling socially comfortable in a new environment, we expect you to stay overnight in the residence hall, whether you will be living on campus in the fall. Students will have randomly assigned roommates/suitemates for the overnight stay; we do not accept roommate requests for the program.

Yes, you are welcome to stay on campus a night prior to SLU 101 for a $53-per-night fee. Sign up for the extra night through SLU 101 registration. The fee will be added to your student account at a later date. If you sign up for early arrival for SLU 101, then the earliest you can arrive is 4 p.m. the day before the program begins. You will check in through Grand Hall the day before if you signed up to arrive early for the extra night of lodging. You can arrive anytime from 4 p.m. throughout the rest of day/evening. Once you check in as early arrival, please get settled in at Grand. You will then check in at the Busch Student Center the next morning at 8 a.m. for the SLU 101 program. SLU 101 leaders are here to assist you and are also staying in Grand Hall.  Please note that we do not provide the option to be a late stay after your SLU 101 session ends.

The Department of Housing and Residence Life makes housing assignments and they are sent out mid-July to students. SLU has a first- and second-year residency requirement to live on campus. You can learn more about the exemption process and the required exemption form on the housing selection web page.

Residence Hall sample room tours are not available during the summer due to buildings being used for summer school, camps and conferences, or buildings offline for maintenance work and facility enhancement projects. We encourage students to review the Housing and Residence Life website for pictures, videos, and floor plans for each residence hall.

Yes, a campus tour will be offered during the program. Details will be listed on the SLU 101 schedule you'll receive when you arrive. For more information, contact New Student Orientation at slu101@slu.edu.