Families

Welcome families of the Class of 2026! 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 Logistics.

Frequently Asked Questions

As you may imagine, there are some questions that arise anew with each entering class. We’ve taken the opportunity of answering some of the more common questions on this page. We will add to the FAQ list over the summer as new issues of common concern come up in the Ask a Dean correspondence. If you want more information about any of these topics, use the Ask a Dean link on the upper right-hand side of this page.

Is there a separate orientation for families?

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, October 1-2 will be First-Year Families Weekend – we really hope you can join us! We will have in-person programming on Saturday, October 1 and virtual programming on Sunday, October 2. 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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Families
I would like to come to Princeton before move-in day. Can my student move into their dorm earlier than Friday, August 26?

The majority of first-year students must move in on Friday, August 26, 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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Families
This will be my first time visiting Princeton. Do you have any suggestions on places to park, stay, and eat?

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 and Shop Princeton are both great guides to stores, restaurants, lodging, and entertainment.

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Families
What can my student have in their dorm? Where can I purchase these items?

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 Wal-Mart 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, un-bunking beds, and air conditioning.

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Families
Is there an additional orientation for international students?

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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Families
Will there be a First-Year Families Weekend this fall?

Yes! Please save the dates for Saturday, October 1 and Sunday, October 2. This year’s event will be held in person on Saturday, October 1 and virtually on Sunday, October 2. Please visit our First-Year Families Weekend website for the most up-to-date program information.

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Families
I need to update my contact information with the University. How do I go about doing that?

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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Families