Title: What To Know Before Georgetown’s 2026 Move-in

At the end of August, 1,650 new students will move into Georgetown and officially call themselves Hoyas.

Georgetown’s move-in runs from Aug. 20 to the 24, with new students arriving on the Hilltop Campus from Aug. 20-21 and students on the Capitol Campus on Aug. 24. 

This year, move-in weekend coincides with the Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, DC, a two-day IndyCar race around the National Mall. The event will bring road closures and heavier-than-usual traffic in downtown DC, particularly near the Capitol Campus. Families arriving by car, train or plane should plan for extra travel time. Students on the Capitol Campus will move in after the race on Monday, Aug. 24, to minimize disruptions. 

Once new students have arrived and settled into their residence halls, they’ll begin New Student Orientation, a five-day introduction to campus life.

Here’s what students and families should know before arriving on campus. 

Key Move-in Dates:

• Hilltop Campus move-in: Aug. 20-21
• Beginning of NSO: Aug 21 at 8 p.m.
• President’s Move-in Lunch: Aug. 20-21 from 12-2 p.m., Leo O’Donovan Hall
• New Student Convocation: Aug. 22 at 10 a.m., Copley Lawn
• Returning students move-in: Aug. 23
• Capitol Campus move-in: Aug. 24
• Welcome Back Jack BBQ: Aug. 25 from noon-2 p.m. on Healy and Copley Lawns
• Mass of the Holy Spirit: Aug. 25 from 4-5 p.m., Gaston Hall
• Capitol Campus Welcome Back Event: Aug. 26, 4-6:00 p.m., Eleanor Holmes Norton Green, Georgetown Law
• First day of classes: Aug. 26

Hilltop Campus Move-in:

• For new students, move-in starts at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 20.
• Each student has been assigned a 30-minute window to arrive on a specific date and begin moving in. Upon arrival, move-in aides will unload students’ belongings into move-in carts labeled with the Hoya’s name and phone number. 
• Visit the Residential Life website for more information and tips on move-in. 
• View the new student move-in map and returning student move-in map for more details.

Capitol Campus Move-in:

• Students will move into the residence buildings 55 H St., 77 H St. and Gewirz Residence Hall starting on Monday, Aug. 24, after the end of the Freedom 250 Grand Prix. 
• Like the Hilltop Campus, complimentary move-in assistance will be available.
• If students need to arrive on Saturday or Sunday, they should be prepared for restricted vehicle access and potential delays in unloading their luggage.
  

Parking and Transportation:

Hilltop:

• All new students will receive a sign that they should place on their vehicle’s dashboard, which will help Georgetown’s team direct them to their residence. 
• Drivers will line up at a designated unloading zone outside students’ residence halls. After unloading, drivers should proceed to a free, two-hour parking area on campus.
• Families should avoid oversized vehicles or roof racks, as they cannot park in Georgetown’s on-campus garages.
• Georgetown has a free shuttle service, which connects the Hilltop to Metro stations and its downtown campuses.

Capitol Campus:

• If arriving by car, students can temporarily park in front of 55 H St while move-in aides help unload their items (Note: This only applies to residents moving in on Monday, Aug. 24, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.).
• After unloading, drivers should proceed to the 111 Massachusetts Ave. parking garage where they can park for free for two hours from Saturday, Aug. 22 to Monday, Aug. 24.
• When parking on city streets, be sure to obey posted parking signs by the District of Columbia.
• Do not leave your vehicle unattended at any time, as Georgetown cannot supervise unattended belongings and/or vehicles.
• Students using a rideshare service should be dropped off at 55 H St. NW. 
• Visit Georgetown’s move-in website for more information.

Plan Ahead for Freedom 250 Grand Prix:

• The Freedom 250 Grand Prix will run from Saturday, Aug. 22, to Sunday, Aug. 23, in downtown DC near the Capitol Campus. 
• There are extensive road closures in DC planned from Thursday to Sunday around Pennsylvania Avenue, the National Mall and the U.S. Capitol. 
• Sign up for notifications from AlertDC for updates on additional traffic advisories. 
• Changes to Georgetown’s shuttle service will be posted on the Office of Transportation Management website ahead of the race. 

What to Pack:

• Students should bring essentials like toiletries, towels, bedsheets and pillowcases. View the complete packing list to see what’s included in your room and what to bring.
• Make sure that every box, package and piece of luggage is labeled with the student’s name, building and room number, and cell phone number. This ensures that any misplaced items can find their way to your room.

New Student Orientation:

• Led by students, New Student Orientation (NSO) is a five-day experience designed to help incoming Hoyas meet classmates, connect with faculty and staff, explore campus and the surrounding neighborhoods, and prepare for the school year ahead.
• NSO begins on Friday, Aug. 21, and runs through Tuesday, Aug. 25. View the New Student Orientation schedule. New students will find a more detailed version of the NSO Schedules on their NSO Canvas page.
• Follow NSO on Instagram to learn what the team is planning this year.

Important Arrival To-Dos:

• New students can pick up their free robes for New Student Convocation on the second floor of the university bookstore from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. on Aug. 20-21.
• Students should upload a photo of themselves for their GOCard on GU360 to access different buildings and residences on campus.
• Students can view the Pre-Arrival Checklist on CampusGroups.

Before arriving, students are also invited to explore these blogs written by Hoyas for Hoyas. The tips and guides, which range from connecting with a college club to choosing your major, offer wisdom from fellow students to help you make the most of your Georgetown experience.