Welcome families of the Class of 2029! We’re sure you are both excited and nervous about what the next several months and beyond will be like for your student. In this section, we have put together some questions that we hear most often from the families of our incoming students. If you have questions that aren’t answered in this section, please take a look at the other FAQs under Learning, Living, and Moving In.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is there a separate orientation for families?
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While we don’t have a separate Orientation for families, we will have events planned on move-in day that are specifically for you, including the Families Welcome event, lunch in the dining halls, and welcome receptions in the residential colleges.
And don’t forget, November 7-8 will be First-Year Families Weekend – we really hope you can join us! Full program information for First-Year Families Weekend will be posted to our FFW website over the summer, so make sure to bookmark the webpage to stay up-to-date!
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I would like to come to Princeton before move-in day. Can my student move into their dorm earlier than Friday, August 22?
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The majority of first-year students must move in on Friday, August 22, but there are a few exceptions to this rule: if your student is participating in International Orientation or is a member of a student group or fall sport athletics team that has been asked to arrive early. Please refer to the Housing website for more comprehensive information regarding early arrival policies.
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This will be my first time visiting Princeton. Do you have any suggestions on places to park, stay, and eat?
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Absolutely. The Princeton area has a ton of shops, restaurants, hotels, and more. Many resources are available to acquaint you with the area surrounding Princeton University and to help you plan your stay. Visit Princeton is a great guide to stores, restaurants, lodging, and entertainment.
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What can my student have in their dorm? Where can I purchase these items?
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All dorm rooms come equipped with a number of items, including an extra-long twin bed, dresser, desk and chair, small bookcase, waste and recycling cans, as well as a closet or wardrobe. If your student would like to furnish or decorate their room with personal items, these can be purchased on campus through Princeton Student Agencies or the U-Store. If you don’t find what you need on campus, the Princeton Shopping Center in town, Target and HomeGoods nearby on Route 1, and IKEA in Elizabeth, NJ are great for dorm room furnishings. Please refer to the Housing website for a full list of things your student can and cannot bring. And here is a list of move-in tips regarding mattresses, bunking/un-bunking beds, air conditioning, and more.
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Is there an additional orientation for international students?
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Yes! We want your student’s transition to their new home at Princeton to be as smooth and stress-free as possible. The University offers a separate International Orientation (IO) before the other first-year students move in. While IO is not required, it is highly recommended.
Please refer to the Davis International Center’s website for more information on International Orientation.
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I need to update my contact information with the University. How do I go about doing that?
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Families of Princeton undergraduate students have a secure website where they can update contact information, Tiger Family Hub. As soon as your student fills out the Permanent Address Information in the Matriculation Online portal, you will receive an email with directions about how to set up your Tiger Family Hub account.
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Who should I talk to if I have a question about my student?
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Feel free to reach out to your student's residential college, but please be aware that due to FERPA regulations we are limited to what can be shared about your student without their consent. We always encourage students to be in touch with us directly.