Family Ready for the U Registration — Fall 2026
Welcome Parents, Families, Guardians, and Supporters! We look forward to partnering with you to support your student’s transition into UMass. The start of college is an exciting time not only for new students, but also for their parents, family members, found-family, and supporters. Whether it’s the first or fifth family member to take this step, each time is different, and families have many hopes, concerns, and questions about their student attending UMass Amherst.
All new students attend a Ready for the U session before their first semester to prepare for their upcoming transition to campus. When students select their Ready for the U date, they have the option to invite parents or family members to register for Ready for the U.
Use the information below to inform your participation in your student's New Student Experience, especially Ready for the U.
Overview
Information about supporting your student is available through both Guide to the U and Ready for the U. We offer two modalities to provide parents, family members, and supporters increased flexibility to access information.
On-Campus Ready for the U
Each student can invite family members to attend our On-Campus Ready for the U session. If invited, you will need to register after your student registers. During on-campus Ready for the U, registered guests have opportunities to interact with university staff and current students and identify strategies and behaviors that support your student’s overall success as they transition to the UMass community. Students and families attend several sessions together.
As you select your date keep in mind important commitments and events like travel and work plans. Make sure you talk with your student before selecting a Ready for the U date. Choose a session that does not conflict with any other commitments so that you can attend the full program. Students must attend the entire session. All listed times are for the Eastern Time Zone. The following option will be available to family members:
- One-Day, On-Campus sessions take place from 8 a.m. – 5:15 p.m.
- Two-Day, On-Campus sessions take place from 8 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. on Day 1, and 9:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. on Day 2.
One-day Online Ready for the U
Family members who are unable to participate in our On-campus Ready for the U may attend our full-day Ready for the U session via Zoom from 9:45 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Once invited, you will need to register after your student registers. During Online Ready for the U, registered guests have opportunities to interact with university staff and current students and identify personal strategies and behaviors that support your student’s overall success as they transition to the UMass community. Students and families attend several sessions together. These sessions will not be recorded.
General Information
Guide to the U is now updated for the Fall 2026 cohort.
- Click the Create New Guest Account button on the guest login page
- You can create an account using one of the social media buttons are with an email address.
- To create an account with an email address by clicking "Create New Guest Account" and completing the required fields including setting your own password for the site
- Remember your email and the password you choose as you will use this to login again any time you return to the Guide to the U
- Your Guide to the U guest account is not tied to your student's account and you may see content that does not apply to your student (ex. transfer specific pages when your student is a first-year and vice versa)
NOTE: Students do not log in through the Guest page and instead authenticate into Guide to the U on the student log in page using their UMass Amherst IT account credentials.
Ready for the U for parents and family members is an on-campus OR online experience where you will have the opportunity to:
- Learn about a variety of student services, including academics, diversity and inclusion, partnering with campus resources, and more to support your student throughout their college career
- Meet university staff and become acquainted with their roles in the university community and their contributions to student learning and development
- Meet current students and find out their perspectives on life as a student at UMass
- Learn about the many ways parents, family, and supporters can contribute to the adjustment and achievement of a student, as well as the transition you will experience at home
- Experience the award-winning UMass Dining
- Two-Day sessions include 4 meals
- One-Day sessions include 2 meals
Ready for the U takes place between June 11 and September 1. The complete schedule will be available during Ready for the U.
Registration, Fee, and Overnight Accommodations
Your student has the option to invite family members to attend Ready for the U. Be sure to discuss family Ready for the U and session dates with your student if need an invitation link. Registration is a 4-step process.
- Your student will register for Ready for the U. They are responsible for selecting which guests to invite and adding your name and email address when they register for their Ready for the U.
- When your student invites you, you will receive a unique link and registration code via email prompting you to complete your own registration. Please note that the email invitation you will receive does not register you for Ready for the U.
- Each invitation code allows that guest to complete a unique registration. Only one transaction per code can be completed and each guest needs to register separately with their own code.
- You must complete the registration separately from your student. You are encouraged to sign up for the same session date as your student.
On-Campus Ready for the U:
- One-Day Session: $65 per person
- One-Day sessions include 2 meals
- Two-Day Session: $120 per person
- Two-Day sessions include 4 meals
Online Ready for the U:
- Free of charge
NOTE: Registration fees for on-campus Ready for the U sessions are non-refundable.
Financial Assistance: Fee reductions or waivers that reduce the cost of attending Ready for the U are available for families whose students have demonstrated financial need. Please contact us to determine if your student is eligible.
Overnight Accommodations: The registration fee does not include overnight accommodations. Parents, families, and supporters attending the On-Campus Ready for the U and planning to stay overnight need to make their own overnight lodging arrangements. Guests can make a reservation to stay at Hotel UMass or off campus for an additional charge.
Overnight accommodations for On-Campus Ready for the U are not included in the cost of registration. Parents, families, and caregivers should arrange for their own overnight accommodations. The following options are available for Fall 2026:
- Hotel UMass: Families staying overnight for Ready for the U sessions can contact the hotel directly at 1-877-822-2110 to make reservations.
- Off Campus: For information on additional area lodging at hotels, bed & breakfasts, and Airbnb visit Places to Stay.