Parents and Family Checklist
Important dates for parents and families
Use our family checklist to stay informed of your due dates and action items.
Mark Your Calendars
Please take a moment to review the key dates and important deadlines outlined for families below, as these milestones play a critical role in ensuring a smooth and successful transition to Wake Forest.
Staying informed and organized will help you and your student avoid unnecessary stress as the semester approaches.
Required Items
Log Into Wake Network to Verify Your Contact Information ASAP so we have your correct contact info, especially your email.
Due: June 1
Talk to your student about them making you a Third-Party payer in Workday so you have access to bills and can pay tuition.
Due: June 1
Make a plan for your student to have a laptop.
Order in time to have it when classes begin.
Ensure your student is up to date on all required vaccines.
Documentation must be uploaded by the student in their Deacon Health portal by July 1.
Due: July 1
Make travel plans for your student to be on campus for their assigned move-in date.
Ensure your student has either enrolled in or completed a student waiver for our health insurance program by Sept 15. Note that students are automatically billed for the Student Health Insurance Plan but the charge can be waived if they submit a waiver form demonstrating comparable coverage (enrollment and waiver forms open July 3).
Due: September 15
Review the Move-In Guide (coming in July) so you are prepared for move-in.
Recommended “To-Do” List
- Download the 2026 New Deac Welcome Week schedule when it is published (late June/early July) to view Family Orientation activities.
- Subscribe to the Daily Deac to receive news and tips in your inbox.
- Make flexible hotel reservations (or Vrbo, Airbnb, etc.) for move-in (until your student determines if they will do Pre-Orientation).
- For travel planning purposes, Family Orientation (strongly recommended) begins on August 18 and will conclude by 7:30 p.m. on August 19. All families should plan to depart on the 19th or 20th.
- Book a hotel (or Vrbo, Airbnb, etc.) for Family Weekend (October 2-4)
- Purchase football tickets for the Family Weekend game (tickets go on sale May 5 at 10 a.m. at godeacs.com or 336.758.3322)
- Register for the Virtual Information Session on June 23 and attend a local reception if available
- Review the Advice for Parents and Families page
- Have important conversations with your student about things like alcohol and drugs, consent, finances, etc.
- If applicable, your student should submit a disability-related academic accommodation request with supporting documentation (If applicable) taking this step during the summer will make for a smoother start to the semester
- Download the 2026 New Deac Welcome Week schedule (once available in late June/early July)
- Register for Family Weekend events (registration opens July 15)
- Ensure your student buys or rents their textbooks (recommended to buy/rent via the University Bookstore)
- Protect your student’s belongings with renter’s insurance (strongly recommended; either through your own policy or via Grad Guard) before August 23
- Register for Zipcar or their own car (if applicable)
- Prepare a medicine kit
- Download the Wake Safe app and opt-in to campus safety alerts so you receive security notifications and read how we communicate with families (by August 13)
- Attend Family Orientation if possible (August 18-19; families should depart late on the 19th or early on the 20th).
- Purchase optional (but strongly recommended) tuition insurance (by Aug. 23)
Checklist
Refer to the new student checklist to stay on track of all your summer tasks leading up to move-in.
Before You Arrive
Here’s what to prioritize over the summer to ensure you have a smooth transition to college life.
Once You’re Here
Learn about how students experience campus and how to make a home at Wake Forest University.
Academic Success
We have a robust suite of academic support offices to help students succeed in the classroom.
New Deac Week
Learn more about our in-person Orientation experience for students as well as parents/families.
Campus Resources
Explore our vast network of campus departments and resources that students will use at Wake Forest.