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What to Bring

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What to Bring:  Your program fee covers your housing, meals, tuition, and expenses for most programmed social events, but you will need to have money for textbooks, supplies, snacks, meals away from campus, shopping, etc.  We recommend bringing around $100 for each week you are here.  Do not bring large amounts of cash.  Debit cards or traveler’s checks are good options.

You should bring the following: 

  • bedding for an extra-long 36” by 80” twin bed that should include sheets (regular twin sheets made of jersey material will also stretch to fit the extra-long mattress), mattress pad, pillow, and blanket or comforter
  • towels
  • toiletries (soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush, etc.)
  • alarm clock
  • backpack for carrying books to class
  • umbrella (remember you will be walking everywhere, everyday—and every college student has one)
  • laundry detergent, quarters for the laundry machines
  • bathing suit
  • clothes (generally casual, and something slightly dressy for the banquet).

St. Louis summers are hot and humid, and you will probably wear shorts and t-shirts most of the time.  However, buildings can be cold due to air-conditioning, and evenings can be cool, particularly in June.  You should bring a light jacket, jeans, and sweats or flannel pajama pants for the dorm.  Bring a warm blanket for your bed.

Additional items some participants have found useful to bring:  small trash can, study lamp, extension cords, clothes hangers, stamps, a calculator (if you need it for a course), school supplies (paper, highlighters, pens, stapler, tape, etc), camera, and sports equipment.  If you need to buy some personal items when you get here, you can use public transportation to go to Target, a grocery store, or the Galleria shopping mall.  The campus bookstore also sells school supplies and personal items.

What Not To Bring:  The following are prohibited by the university in the residence halls:  any appliance with open coil heating elements (hot plates, toaster ovens, toasters, grills, etc.); open flames (candles, incense); cigarettes or smoking paraphernalia of any kind; dart boards with metal tipped darts. 

All Washington University campus buildings and exterior spaces are tobacco free.

Students are not allowed to bring cars to campus or to keep them nearby. 

The following are strictly prohibited and are grounds for immediate dismissal from the Program:

  • the use, possession, or sale of alcohol or any illegal drug;
  • the use or possession of any paraphernalia that can be used for taking illegal drugs;
  • the possession or use of any weapon (i.e.: firearm, knife, explosive device, fireworks).

Bikes:  You may bring a bike, if you wish, but the campus is smaller than it looks on the map and everything is within easy walking distance.  Bikes cannot be kept inside the residence hall.  You may lock your bike on the outdoor bike rack next to Dardick House.  Campus Police rents U bike locks for a nominal fee.

Computers: Many students bring a laptop computer. If you do not bring a computer, you will have access to computers on campus. The residence hall has a small computer lab that you will be able to use until curfew.

Internet Connection: All Summer Participants will have access to the Internet though the campus computers in the computer labs. In-room data connections are available in each residential hall room that allow you to connect your own computer to the campus network and the Internet. You will need to bring an Ethernet cable (we suggest at least a 12-ft. cable). DO NOT BRING your own wireless router. Non-university-owned wireless routers and access points are not allowed on the WU residential network due to security concerns.