@slights32 Kid thought it was the proper thing to do.
@Gauchman: WashU has a lot of academic flexibility, so it’s a good school for students who have a lot of different interests or who might not be sure what they want to do.There are people who do bio and dance or psychology and computer science for example. I did know someone who did International Area Studies at WashU with a focus on China specifically. There is also an East Asian Library on campus.
@bordertexan Yes, it is the proper thing to do.
Do the kids need these items in there dorm rooms
Printer, TV, microwave, small fridge
How does the mail center works? If we ship something big to her like the printer, does she have to go to the mail center somewhere on campus or does it get delivered to her dorm. In my son’s school he has to go to mail center and pick it up regardless if it’s a big or small item. So when we shipped a TV to him he needed to carry it across campus. But he’s a big, strong guy.
I believe you have to go pick it up. I mailed her lots of stuff too and she got her friends to help out. 
If the item is super large, the mailroom has dolly’s you can use to cart it to your room. It’s not like you have to cart 50lb boxes on your own.
(If I’m wrong on the mailroom having them, I’m 100% certain the ResLife office would let you borrow one too).
Thanks for letting us know. That’s great to know!
Do the kids need these items in their dorm rooms
Printer, TV, microwave, small fridge
@momworried
I have a microwave and mini fridge in my dorm room; I rented both from UTrucking, and they were delivered to my room. I hardly use the microwave (maybe once or twice a month), and there is a microwave in the lounge on each floor. However, my microwave has come in handy several times, and people sometimes misuse the one in the lounge. There’s also a normal sized fridge with a freezer in the lounge, but I’ve found it to be very convenient to have a fridge in my room for milk.
Most students don’t have TVs; most people watch on their laptops, and there are TVs in the main floor lounges. I don’t have a printer, but some of my friends do. If your daughter gets a printer, she’ll probably never use the school’s printers. It’s pretty easy to print using the PaperCut system, and you get printing credit as a residential student; you just need to slide a student ID, and the documents that have sent to the printer appear on the screen. Each dorm has a computer lab and printer. You also don’t have to worry about paper or ink.
In summary, for a freshman living in a dorm, none of those are needed, but it’s nice to have a fridge and microwave. A TV and a printer are unnecessary.
That’s really helpful! Thank you…
@sungoose do you have to pay for printing something? In my son’s school you do. That’s why we got him a printer. In the long run it was cheaper and more convenient.
@momworried Each year, every student starts with a $5 credit, and then students living in Wash U housing get a $40 printing credit on top of that. Some of the schools also give more, but not the College of Arts and Sciences. I have $32 left near the end of second semester, but if you were to run out, the cost is 4 cents per page or 3 cents double-sided. $40 would give you at least 1,000 pages, more since most people print double-sided. IMO, if you’re living on campus, you’re already paying for printing along with the housing, and all of the rescolleges have a computer lab, so take advantage of the printing system. There is a chance that the computer lab for your child’s rescollege will be in the other dorm in the rescollege, but in that case, it would still be right next door. I also often use the printers at the dining hall or the library due to convenience.
From the website:
All WUSTL Danforth Campus students receive a $5.00 credit
All students living in residential housing receive a $40.00 credit
Other quotas are given by individual schools. If there are questions concerning your quota for individual schools, please contact the school that you are attending.
@sungoose Thanks so much for that Info. Really helpful. No need for a printer. My son’s school doesn’t give any credit. And I think it’s like 10 cents per page. And his printers were located really far from dorms. That’s why we got one for him.
Daughter is going to Olin. I’m sure there are printer in Olin building also.
@momworried You’re in luck because Olin students get $70 additional printing credit.
@momworried I think the items you asked if a student needs are up to the student. My son tends to procrastinate on assignments, so he wanted a printer so he could print at his fingertips. He was used to having one at home. He didn’t want a microwave. I’m not sure he has ever used one. I really wanted to buy him a mini-fridge but he refused and has been fine. He didn’t bring a TV either. Year 1 watched his laptop. Year 2, there is a computer is his suite that a roommate brought for their common area. My son brought his PS3. The TV is used mostly for gaming. So it really depends on your child. Let your child guide you on their needs.
@mommyto2 This is a great thread for upcoming students. The meal plans are discussed here.
I’m happy to report that D has committed to WashU. She turned down one top-5-ranked school and one top-10 Ivy. For anyone whose kids went to the summer registration weekends, was it a positive experience? I know they are not mandatory, but I’m wondering if it would benefit a shy kid to meet some classmates in a smaller setting.
I definitely recommend going to the summer registration weekend. My son who graduates this year is also shy. Turns out he became great friends with the very first person he met at orientation week-end and lived with him sophomore through senior years. I am sure that does not happen that often, but it is nice for the students to spend a few days on campus before August. Wash U is a fabulous school. Good luck to your D!
For the purposes of making friends/meeting people, I would actually suggest a pre-o rather than a registration weekend. Easy way to meet people but without the gap before school starts.
Thanks @2135ar and @Johnson181 for your replies.
21354r: I’m happy to hear about another shy kid who was so fortunate that weekend.
Johnson181: And she is planning to sign up for a pre-o too.