| Event | Date | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🎉 | New Student Orientation | 20 August 2025 | Welcoming new students with campus tours and advising sessions. |
| 📚 | First Day of Fall Classes | 25 August 2025 | Start of the fall semester for all students. |
| 🛠️ | Labor Day Holiday | 1 September 2025 | No classes; university holiday. |
| 🍂 | Fall Break Begins | 10 October 2025 | Short break for midterm recovery. |
| 🏫 | Classes Resume After Fall Break | 14 October 2025 | Return to regular schedule. |
| 🦃 | Thanksgiving Break Starts | 26 November 2025 | Holiday break for family time. |
| 📖 | Classes Resume After Thanksgiving | 1 December 2025 | Back to studies post-holiday. |
| 🗓️ | Last Day of Fall Classes | 5 December 2025 | End of fall semester instruction. |
| 📝 | Fall Final Exams Begin | 8 December 2025 | Exam period starts. |
| ❄️ | Winter Break Begins | 15 December 2025 | Extended holiday break. |
| 🌸 | First Day of Spring Classes | 13 January 2025approximate | Spring semester commencement. |
| ✊ | Martin Luther King Jr. Day | 20 January 2025 | University holiday; no classes. |
| 🏖️ | Spring Break Starts | 8 March 2025 | Week-long break for relaxation. |
| 📘 | Classes Resume After Spring Break | 17 March 2025 | Return from break. |
| ✝️ | Good Friday Holiday | 18 April 2025 | Observance; possible no classes. |
| 📅 | Last Day of Spring Classes | 25 April 2025 | End of spring instruction. |
| 🖊️ | Spring Final Exams Begin | 28 April 2025 | Final exam period. |
| 🎓 | Commencement Ceremony | 19 May 2025 | Graduation for degree candidates. |
Are you planning on applying to WFU next year? Then you need to know the important dates and deadlines for the admissions process at WFU. You can check them out below…
| Event | Date | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 📅 | Early Decision I Application Deadline | 1 November 2025 | Deadline for early binding applications. |
| 📩 | Early Action Application Deadline | 15 November 2025 | Non-binding early submission. |
| ✉️ | Early Decision I Notification | 15 December 2025 | Decisions released for ED I applicants. |
| 🗓️ | Regular Decision Application Deadline | 1 January 2026 | Standard application cutoff. |
| 💰 | FAFSA Priority Deadline | 15 January 2026 | Financial aid submission priority. |
| 📬 | Regular Decision Notification | 1 April 2026 | Admissions decisions sent out. |
| ✅ | Enrollment Deposit Deadline | 1 May 2026 | Deadline to confirm attendance. |
| 🔄 | Transfer Application Deadline | 15 March 2026 | For students transferring in. |
| 🌍 | International Student Deadline | 1 January 2026 | Specific for global applicants. |
The academic calendar at Wake Forest University serves as the foundational framework for the entire educational experience in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. This private research university, known for its liberal arts tradition and strong emphasis on undergraduate education, structures its year around a semester system that balances rigorous academics with opportunities for rest and reflection. Typically, the calendar divides the year into fall and spring semesters, with an optional summer session for those seeking accelerated learning or additional credits. This setup allows students to immerse themselves in a diverse range of courses, from humanities to sciences, while faculty engage in research and teaching. One of the unique aspects of WFU's calendar is its integration of traditions like the university's founding history in 1834, which influences events such as homecoming and alumni gatherings. Compared to other institutions, Wake Forest's calendar aligns closely with many U.S. universities but stands out for its focus on work-life balance, incorporating breaks that encourage community service and personal growth. For students, this means ample time to plan classes, prepare for exams, and enjoy holidays. Faculty benefit from clear deadlines for grading and research submissions. International students often appreciate how the calendar accommodates global holidays, blending them with U.S. observances like Thanksgiving. Parents and prospective students use it to coordinate family travel and verify historical dates. To get insights into professors, we invite you to rate your professors or view ratings on our platform. Explore higher ed jobs if you're considering a career here.
Planning classes at Wake Forest University involves understanding the general timing of semesters, which typically begin after summer breaks and extend through the academic year. Students can strategize course loads by considering core requirements, electives, and majors like business or biology. The calendar's structure supports flexible scheduling, allowing for internships during breaks. Tips include using advising sessions to align classes with personal goals. Ratings from Rate My Professor can help choose instructors. Faculty plan syllabi around these periods, ensuring deadlines align with holidays.
Exam periods at WFU are strategically placed at the end of each semester, giving students time to review material. Preparation tips include forming study groups and utilizing library resources. The calendar's design minimizes conflicts with holidays, promoting better performance.
Thanksgiving break at Wake Forest University offers a cherished pause in the fall semester, allowing students to travel home, recharge, and celebrate with family. This U.S.-specific holiday aligns with national traditions, featuring campus events like community dinners before the break. Planning tips include booking travel early to coordinate with family and avoid peak times. It's an ideal period for reflecting on the semester's progress and preparing for finals. International students often join local festivities or explore Winston-Salem's cultural scene. The break impacts work schedules for faculty, providing time for research. For more on campus life, check rate my college reviews.
Wake Forest University's holidays and breaks are tailored to the U.S. context, including Thanksgiving, spring break, and winter holidays. These periods allow for travel, family coordination, and rest. Spring break often inspires trips to nearby beaches or mountains in North Carolina. Planning involves aligning with rival school events for sports enthusiasts. Historical alignments show consistency in break patterns over decades.
Faculty at WFU manage work schedules around semester deadlines for submissions and evaluations. This structure supports research timelines and professional development.
Meetings and grading periods are key for staff, with invites to rate your employer. Explore lecturer jobs.
Archives of past calendars reveal patterns, like consistent holiday placements since the university's early days.
Orientation and commencement are highlights. We invite students to rate professors or view results.
| Event | Date | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 👋 | New Student Orientation | 19 August 2026 | Introduction for incoming students. |
| 📖 | First Day of Fall Classes | 24 August 2026 | Fall semester begins. |
| 🇺🇸 | Labor Day Holiday | 7 September 2026 | National holiday; classes suspended. |
| 🍁 | Fall Break Begins | 9 October 2026 | Midterm break period. |
| 🏫 | Classes Resume After Fall Break | 13 October 2026 | Resumption of classes. |
| 🍗 | Thanksgiving Break Starts | 25 November 2026 | Thanksgiving holiday begins. |
| 📚 | Classes Resume After Thanksgiving | 30 November 2026 | Post-holiday class start. |
| 🗓️ | Last Day of Fall Classes | 4 December 2026 | Fall term concludes. |
| 📝 | Fall Final Exams Begin | 7 December 2026 | Exams commence. |
| 🎄 | Winter Break Begins | 14 December 2026 | Winter recess starts. |
| 🌷 | First Day of Spring Classes | 12 January 2026approximate | Spring semester launch. |
| 🕊️ | Martin Luther King Jr. Day | 19 January 2026 | Holiday observance. |
| ☀️ | Spring Break Starts | 7 March 2026 | Spring vacation begins. |
| 📘 | Classes Resume After Spring Break | 16 March 2026 | Classes restart. |
| 🙏 | Good Friday Holiday | 3 April 2026 | Religious holiday. |
| 📅 | Last Day of Spring Classes | 24 April 2026 | Spring term ends. |
| 🖊️ | Spring Final Exams Begin | 27 April 2026 | Finals period. |
| 🥳 | Commencement Ceremony | 18 May 2026 | Graduation event. |
