University-Wide New Graduate Student Orientation
To welcome new graduate students to the Carnegie Mellon community and help support the transition to graduate study, the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs, in partnership with many colleagues across campus, offers University-Wide New Graduate Student Orientation.
Attendance at the University-Wide New Graduate Student Orientation is highly encouraged but is not mandatory. For more information on new student onboarding, please visit the Incoming Graduate Students and Postdocs page.
Thank you to everyone who attended the fall 2025 orientation! We hope you found the programming meaningful and informative.
Additional Orientation Programming
Pre-Arrival Webinar Series (For New Graduate Students Only)
Hosted by the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs, the Pre-Arrival Webinar Series is designed to support incoming graduate students and offers essential information, resources, and guidance to help you navigate your transition to graduate school with confidence.
Recordings of the Fall 2025 webinars below are available for new graduate students in the Orientation Canvas course.
Fall 2025 Programming |
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| Date | Time | Session | Description |
| Monday, June 16, 2025 | 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. ET | Welcome to Your CMU Community & Introduction to the Graduate Orientation Experience | Join the Office of Graduate & Postdoctoral Affairs for an overview of the graduate student onboarding and orientation experience at Carnegie Mellon University! Learn about what to expect throughout the summer as you prepare for your arrival on-campus. Office and divisional leadership will share details about key office initiatives; orientation programming, including additional details about the pre-arrival webinar series; the orientation Canvas courses; the schedule for the on-campus University-Wide New Graduate Student Orientation; details about what to expect after orientation; and much more. |
| Monday, June 30, 2025 | 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. ET | International Student Guidance & Resources Overview | Executive Director for the Office of International Education (OIE), Linda Gentile, along with her team, will introduce themselves and share insights into the services they offer. This session will cover key topics relevant to incoming international students and their families, including visa application procedures, current travel guidelines, and essential tips for a smooth transition. OIE will also provide details on their Welcome and Mandatory SEVIS Registration sessions, which are an integral part of the University-Wide New Graduate Student Orientation. |
| Monday, July 14, 2025 | 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. ET | Getting a Healthy Start: Understanding Requirements & Services | Your health and well-being are top priorities at CMU. To ensure you are set up for success and have completed all the related requirements, join Dr. Christine Andrews and Kelley Shell from University Health Services (UHS) for this webinar. They will discuss details regarding the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP), required immunizations, and services and resources available as part of the UHS suite of offerings and opportunities. |
| Monday, July 28, 2025 | 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. ET | Preparing for Arrival & Finalizing the Basics | The final webinar in the pre-arrival series will provide an overview of basic information about life at CMU that will help prepare you for your graduate student journey. From learning about campus and computer security, to navigating the shuttle system, to finalizing your student account and securing your ID card, you’ll acquire all the details you need to get started–and thrive. You will be introduced to critical people, offices, and resources to optimize a smooth transition to your on-campus CMU experience. |
Post-Orientation Onboarding Programming (For New and Continuing Graduate Students)
Both new and continuing graduate students are invited to explore a range of onboarding programming that will continue throughout August and into the semester. These sessions are designed to support your success in graduate studies, whether you're just beginning your program or continuing your academic journey. Attendance is not mandatory but encouraged, especially for sessions that align with your interests or goals. We hope you’ll join us for these additional opportunities!
Fall 2025 Programming |
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| Date | Time | Location | Session | Description |
August |
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| Wednesday, August 20, 2025 | 2 - 2:45 p.m. | McConomy Auditorium, CUC | Banking Basics for Students |
Carnegie Mellon is committed to providing the resources needed to establish a solid financial foundation. PNC Bank is offering two live sessions of Banking for Students along with a Q & A session. The seminar is designed to provide students with the resources for budgeting for the unforeseen, establishing and managing credit, and best practices to protect yourself from identity theft. This session will also be offered on Friday, August 22. The content of both sessions will be the same. |
| Friday, August 22, 205 | 11 - 11:45 a.m. | Studio Theater, CUC | Banking Basics for Students |
Carnegie Mellon is committed to providing the resources needed to establish a solid financial foundation. PNC Bank is offering two live sessions of Banking for Students along with a Q & A session. The seminar is designed to provide students with the resources for budgeting for the unforeseen, establishing and managing credit, and best practices to protect yourself from identity theft. This session will also be offered on Wednesday, August 20. The content of both sessions will be the same. |
| Monday, August 25 - 29, 2025 | Have a great first week of classes! We hope you will continue to join us for the weekly post-orientation onboarding sessions beginning again on 9/3 and throughout September and October. | |||
September |
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| Wednesday, September 3, 2025 | 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. | The Cut | The FAIR | The FAIR showcases many of CMU's 350+ Student Government recognized student organizations and 20+ sorority and fraternity organizations. The entire CMU community — undergraduate and graduate students, staff, and faculty — are invited to explore ways to get involved at Carnegie Mellon. Registration is recommended. |
| Thursday, September 4, 2025 | 12 - 12:45 p.m. |
Virtual Register here |
Overview of Conference, Professional Engagement, & Scholarly Project Funding Opportunities & Processes for Graduate Students | Join representatives from the Office of Graduate & Postdoctoral Affairs to learn more about the three types of supplemental funding supported by the Provost’s Office and the Graduate Student Assembly. An overview of each funding type will be provided, along with information regarding how and when to apply, tips for optimizing your application, and related expectations regarding the application, review, and award processes and requirements. |
| Monday, September 8, 2025 | 12 - 12:45 p.m. |
Virtual Register here |
What's the Word?: An Introduction to Communication and Language Support | Communication and Language Support (CLS) is committed to helping you convey your written, verbal, and visual messages confidently and effectively through writing consultations, English language speaking appointments, and other engagement opportunities. Join this session for an overview of CLS initiatives from the leadership team and specific insights from graduate consultants who both lead and participate in the various programs. |
| Tuesday, September 16, 2025 | 12 - 12:45 p.m. |
Virtual Register here |
Disability Accommodations Info Session | Do you have a disability or health condition that may impact your academics at CMU? This might be a mental health condition like depression or anxiety, a learning disability, attention deficit, autism, chronic or physical health condition, or a sensory disability like a hearing or vision impairment. Whether or not you have been formally diagnosed with a disability, if you experience challenges in areas such as test-taking, assignment completion, notetaking, or class participation, we invite you to a webinar where you can learn more about how to apply for disability accommodations and use them in your educational activities. You can attend anonymously if you wish. |
| Thursday, September 25, 2025 | 12 - 12:45 p.m. |
Register here |
Conflict Styles Assessment | Your conflict style is your natural tendency when you are faced with conflict. Knowing how you tend to respond to conflict and understanding there are different ways to respond to conflict gives you choices in negotiation and in conflict. Are you effective at managing yourself when in conflict or would you like to approach conflict differently? Are you savvy about using different styles in different situations? Learn about your natural conflict management style and the advantages and disadvantages of each type. |
| Monday, September 29, 2025 | 12 - 12:45 p.m. |
Virtual Register here |
K-12 Engagement Opportunities with The Leonard Gelfand Center | The Leonard Gelfand Center serves as the central catalyst and connector for K-12 engagement opportunities at CMU. Learn about all the different opportunities and resources they provide, and how you can get engaged with the local K-12 school community. Hear from a doctoral student who has collaborated with the Center during their time at CMU, and how that has supported their research and personal portfolio development. |
| OCTOBER | ||||
| Thursday, October 2, 2025 | 12 - 2 p.m. |
Graduate Student Lounge, CUC, 3rd floor No registration required |
Professional Development & Skill Building: Current & Upcoming Opportunities with the Office of Graduate & Postdoctoral Affairs | Join the Office of Graduate & Postdoctoral Affairs to learn more about the October schedule of professional development events, GSA/Provost funding opportunities, and the Scholar to Scholar: Graduate Project Showcase. This is a drop-in event, and snacks will be provided! |
| Monday, October 20, 2025 | 12 - 1:30 p.m. |
Connan Room, CUC Register here |
Building Your Online Scholarly Identity & Visibility | Presented by the University Libraries, this 90‑minute session introduces audiences to essential tools for establishing a strategic, credible identity online. Participants audit current social profiles (ORCID, Google Scholar, LinkedIn), are introduced to Scholars at CMU, the institutional researcher portal, and learn to manage consistent branding across platforms, and explore how to share research via social media to reach public, policy, and interdisciplinary audiences. The session includes peer review and planning time to set participants up for success in mapping a personalized visibility strategy. |
| Tuesday, October 28, 2025 | 12 - 12:45 p.m. |
Connan Room, CUC Register here |
Workshop: Turning a Good Team into a High-Performance One | Much of graduate education involves group work—whether in research labs, class projects, or interdisciplinary collaborations–so it’s vital to learn skills for building trust, communicating effectively, and leveraging diverse strengths. This interactive workshop led by Maryia Rakach, a Certified Team Coach and Director of Graduate Programs in Biomedical Engineering, will equip you to lead projects in labs and classrooms, adapt to diverse working styles, and stand out as collaborative leaders who can deliver results in high-stakes environments. |
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