Parent & Family Orientation 2025
Welcome to the Wildcat Family!
Even if you went to college, Â鶹´«Ã½ is a unique place, and we feel strongly that parents and families need orientation too! Parent and Family Orientation (PFO), which will take place September 9-10, 2025, is designed to introduce you to the people and resources available to help support you and your student during their time at Â鶹´«Ã½. PFO is for the parents and families of both 2025 Transfer Students and the Class of 2029. Orientation leaders, called Family Ambassadors, will guide you through the program, answer your questions and give you some insight into student life on campus.
So you can get an idea of what PFO may look like, the 2024 schedule is below. The 2025 schedule will be posted by early summer. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please email family@northwestern.edu or call us at 847-467-2751. Go ’Cats!
TIME | EVENT INFORMATION |
---|---|
8:00 am – 4:00 pm | Move-In Day (assigned residence halls) |
9:00 am – 5:00 pm | Wildcat Welcome/Parent and Family Check-in (Louis Room, Norris University Center) |
8:30 am – 10:30 pm |
Move-In Day Parking Shuttles to Ryan Field
|
11:00 am – 4:00 pm |
Complimentary lunch for parents and families in Dining halls (See map for all four Dining Hall locations)
|
3:15 & 3:30 pm |
Student Staff Available to Walk Family Members from the Weber Arch on South Campus and the lobby of Norris University Center to Ryan Fieldhouse for the President’s Welcome. |
4:00 – 5:00 pm |
President’s Welcome for Parents & Families (Ryan Fieldhouse and Wilson Field) - Recorded
|
5:00 – 6:30 pm |
President’s Reception for Parents and Families (Outdoor Tent next to Kemper Hall)
|
7:00 – 8:00 pm |
Dean of Students Welcome and Panel Presentation (Cahn Auditorium) Recorded
|
8:30 – 10:00 pm |
“A Year in the Life” Skits and Panel Presentation with Family Ambassadors (Cahn Auditorium)
|
TIME | EVENT INFORMATION |
---|---|
9:45 – 11:00 am |
March through the Arch (Weber Arch, Deering Meadow) – Livestreamed & Recorded
|
11:30 am – 12:30 pm |
Academic Welcome for Families (Locations Listed Below)
|
12:30 – 1:30 pm |
Lunch on Own
|
12:30 – 3:30 pm |
Campus Tours (Leaves from “The Rock” near Harris Hall)
|
1:30 – 3:30 pm |
Parent and Family Resource Fair (Louis Room, Norris)
|
2:00 – 3:00 pm |
Wellness in Community Roundtable Conversations |
3:15 – 4:15 pm |
Wellness in Community Roundtable Conversations |
4:00 – 5:30 pm |
“A Year in the Life” Skits and Panel Presentation with Family Ambassadors – Repeat of Tuesday evening performance (McCormick Auditorium, Norris)
|