Important Dates
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Move-In Day
Saddle Up provides students the special opportunity of Early Move-In Day on Aug. 15, 2025! First-year students will arrive early to campus over one week before the fall semester begins. You'll check in at a Saddle Up station, be assigned to your Poke Pack group and receive all the details (and SWAG!) for the upcoming week.
Move-In DayWeekend Activities
Get to know campus and your classmates over the weekend (Aug. 16-17. 2025) as you take a tour and get to know your peer mentor, AKA Poke Pack Leader, for the week of Saddle Up. You will also meet other students from your college who you'll likely have classes with throughout your time at UW!
Academic Prep
From Aug. 18-22, 2025, students will take part in a week of skill-building, study sessions, and a course that will earn one college credit toward their degree. These essential touchpoints are designed to help pave the way for a successful journey at UW. Your individualized schedule will be assigned to you at check-in.
Camp Highlights
Earning a College Credit
Since Saddle Up is required for incoming first-time, full-time students, you will earn one (1) college credit hour toward your degree after successfully completing the Saddle Up program. Find more credit hour and cost details here.
Poke Pack Leaders
During Saddle Up, student peer mentors known as Poke Pack Leaders guide you and the rest of your Poke Pack throughout the week's activities! These leaders are selected across various degree programs and colleges to tailor your Saddle Up experience.
Early Move-In — Residence Halls
Saddle Up allows our first-time, full-time students to arrive to campus ahead of the fall semester. That's right! You'll get to settle into the residence halls over one week in advance of the fall semester. Students will arrive to check in* and move into the halls. Your housing assignments will be finalized at the end of July, so if you haven't started your housing contract yet for fall, now is the time!
*First-time, full-time students who have received an exemption from living in the UW residence halls will still be required to check in on campus on move-in day and participate during the full week of Saddle Up. Housing exemption notifications are sent to students weekly.
