University-Wide New Graduate Student Orientation
Fall 2025 Orientation: August 11 - 13, 2025
View the full schedule of events
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.
Communications
Schedule of Events
Monday, August 11, 2025
Master's Students
| Time | Event | Location | Audience | Description |
| 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Graduate Orientation Central | Kirr Commons, CUC | All Incoming Graduate Students | Graduate Orientation Central offers you an opportunity to meet members of the CMU community, get information about Orientation programming and campus resources, grab a beverage or snack, and take a break before or between events. |
| 1 - 1:45 p.m. | University Welcome | CFA Tent | All Incoming Graduate Students | Members of University Leadership will formally welcome you to the Carnegie Mellon community. |
| 2 - 3 p.m. | Your CMU Journey: Preparing for Academic & Professional Success | CFA Tent | All Incoming Graduate Students | Your CMU Journey–Your academic journey as a graduate student at CMU will be rigorous and rewarding, and a variety of campus services are dedicated to supporting you along the way and beyond. This session will introduce you to key people and resources including the Student Academic Success Center, University Libraries, Career & Professional Development Center, student leadership within the Graduate Student Assembly, and the Office of Graduate & Postdoctoral Affairs. Join us to learn more about preparing for your academic and professional success! |
| 3 - 4 p.m. | Campus Life, City Life: Maximizing Your Tartan Experience | CFA Tent | All Incoming Graduate Students | Your welcome and introduction to CMU and Pittsburgh continues during this program where you will get a chance to learn a bit more about opportunities in the city and on-campus. Current graduate student leaders, along with members of our Division of Student Affairs, will address topics including CMU traditions, dining options on-campus, Pittsburgh highlights, engagement opportunities, and more. Join us to learn how to maximize your experience as a Tartan and Pittsburgher! |
| Time TBD | GSA Welcome Picnic | The Cut | All Incoming Graduate Students | Join the GSA for food trucks and yard games on The Cut! This event is open to new graduate students only. |
Doctoral Students
| Time | Event | Location | Audience | Description |
| 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Graduate Orientation Central | Kirr Commons, CUC | All Incoming Graduate Students | Graduate Orientation Central offers you an opportunity to meet members of the CMU community, get information about Orientation programming and campus resources, grab a beverage or snack, and take a break before or between events. |
| 1 - 1:45 p.m. | University Welcome | CFA Tent | All Incoming Graduate Students | Members of University Leadership will formally welcome you to the Carnegie Mellon community. |
| 2 - 3 p.m. | Your CMU Journey: Preparing for Academic & Professional Success | CFA Tent | All Incoming Graduate Students | Your CMU Journey–Your academic journey as a graduate student at CMU will be rigorous and rewarding, and a variety of campus services are dedicated to supporting you along the way and beyond. This session will introduce you to key people and resources including the Student Academic Success Center, University Libraries, Career & Professional Development Center, student leadership within the Graduate Student Assembly, and the Office of Graduate & Postdoctoral Affairs. Join us to learn more about preparing for your academic and professional success! |
| 3 - 4 p.m. | Campus Life, City Life: Maximizing Your Tartan Experience | CFA Tent | All Incoming Graduate Students | Your welcome and introduction to CMU and Pittsburgh continues during this program where you will get a chance to learn a bit more about opportunities in the city and on-campus. Current graduate student leaders, along with members of our Division of Student Affairs, will address topics including CMU traditions, dining options on-campus, Pittsburgh highlights, engagement opportunities, and more. Join us to learn how to maximize your experience as a Tartan and Pittsburgher! |
| Time TBD | GSA Welcome Picnic | The Cut | All Incoming Graduate Students | Join the GSA for food trucks and yard games on The Cut! This event is open to new graduate students only. |
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
Master's Students
| Time | Event | Location | Audience | Description |
| 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Graduate Orientation Central | Kirr Commons, CUC | All Incoming Graduate Students | Graduate Orientation Central offers you an opportunity to meet members of the CMU community, get information about Orientation programming and campus resources, grab a beverage or snack, and take a break before or between events. |
| 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. |
OIE Welcome and Mandatory SEVIS Registration Session for Master’s Students |
McConomy Auditorium and Connan Room, CUC | International Master's Students | The Office of International Education will welcome international master’s students, provide helpful information, and conduct mandatory check-ins. |
| 1:45 - 2:30 p.m. |
Master’s Student Meet-Up: Building Community |
CFA Tent | Incoming Master's Students | Information coming soon. |
| 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. |
Getting to Belonging: Inclusive Excellence at CMU |
CFA Tent | All Incoming Graduate Students | Join several CMU health and well-being professionals who will discuss available resources and strategies that will support your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Learn how to be better equipped to navigate challenges, stay balanced, and take care of yourself while navigating various academic and social aspects of your graduate experience. Come with questions, and leave with tools for a healthier, more fulfilling graduate student experience. |
| 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. |
First Things First: Your Health & Well-Being |
CFA Tent | All Incoming Graduate Students | Join several CMU health and well-being professionals as they discuss available resources and strategies to help you support and prioritize your health and well-being. Learn how well-being connects to success in all aspects of your graduate student experience. Topics will include navigating challenges with resilience, integrating self-care into your academic life, and building a supportive community at CMU. Bring your questions and leave with valuable tools for prioritizing your health and well-being. |
Doctoral Students
| Time | Event | Location | Audience | Description |
| 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Graduate Orientation Central | Kirr Commons, CUC | All Incoming Graduate Students | Graduate Orientation Central offers you an opportunity to meet members of the CMU community, get information about Orientation programming and campus resources, grab a beverage or snack, and take a break before or between events. |
| 10 - 10:45 p.m. | Doctoral Student Welcome | Rangos, CUC | Incoming Doctoral Students | University Leadership will formally welcome incoming doctoral students to the Carnegie Mellon community. Presenters include Chief Academic Officer and Provost Jim Garrett, Senior Vice Provost for Academic Initiatives Amy Burkert, Vice President for Research Theresa Mayer, Vice Provost for Faculty Shelley Anna, and the Graduate Student Assembly Vice President for Academic Affairs Luis Garcia. |
| 10:45 - 11:45 a.m. |
PhDs on the Cutting Edge: Research, Teaching, & Innovation at CMU |
Rangos, CUC | Incoming Doctoral Students | Carnegie Mellon occupies a prestigious position in the world of research and innovation, and doctoral students play a vital role in continuing this legacy. Join key stakeholders who will introduce various opportunities and resources that will support you on your academic journey--and particularly related to the areas of research, teaching, and entrepreneurship. |
| 12 - 2 p.m. |
Doctoral Luncheon with College Representatives & Leaders |
Various Locations | Incoming Doctoral Students | Doctoral students will have the opportunity to enjoy a boxed lunch while meeting key leaders, students, and partners within their own college. Each college will host a program exclusively for its students, so locations and program agendas will vary. |
| 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. |
Getting to Belonging: Inclusive Excellence at CMU |
CFA Tent | All Incoming Graduate Students | Join several CMU health and well-being professionals who will discuss available resources and strategies that will support your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Learn how to be better equipped to navigate challenges, stay balanced, and take care of yourself while navigating various academic and social aspects of your graduate experience. Come with questions, and leave with tools for a healthier, more fulfilling graduate student experience. |
| 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. |
First Things First: Your Health & Well-Being |
CFA Tent | All Incoming Graduate Students | Join several CMU health and well-being professionals as they discuss available resources and strategies to help you support and prioritize your health and well-being. Learn how well-being connects to success in all aspects of your graduate student experience. Topics will include navigating challenges with resilience, integrating self-care into your academic life, and building a supportive community at CMU. Bring your questions and leave with valuable tools for prioritizing your health and well-being. |
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
Master's Students
| Time | Event | Location | Audience | Description |
| 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Graduate Orientation Central | Kirr Commons, CUC | All Incoming Graduate Students | Graduate Orientation Central offers you an opportunity to meet members of the CMU community, get information about Orientation programming and campus resources, grab a beverage or snack, and take a break before or between events. |
| 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. |
OIE Welcome and Mandatory SEVIS Registration Session for Master’s Students |
McConomy Auditorium and Connan Room, CUC | International Master's Students | The Office of International Education will welcome international master’s students, provide helpful information, and conduct mandatory check-ins. |
| 1 - 2 p.m. |
Speaking from Experience: Master’s Student Panel |
CFA Tent | Incoming Master's Students |
Current students will share their experiences at CMU, offer advice, and answer questions. |
| 2 - 3:30 p.m. |
Campus Resources Fair |
Rangos, CUC | All Incoming Graduate Students | Representatives from various campus departments and services will be available to answer questions and provide information (and giveaways!) at tables arranged around Rangos Ballroom. |
| Time TBD |
GSA Sweet Treat Social |
The Mall | All Graduate Students | More information coming soon. |
Doctoral Students
| Time | Event | Location | Audience | Description |
| 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Graduate Orientation Central | Kirr Commons, CUC | All Incoming Graduate Students | Graduate Orientation Central offers you an opportunity to meet members of the CMU community, get information about Orientation programming and campus resources, grab a beverage or snack, and take a break before or between events. |
| 1 - 2 p.m. |
Speaking from Experience: Doctoral Student Panel |
Connan Room, CUC | Incoming Doctoral Students |
Current students will share their experiences at CMU, offer advice, and answer questions. |
| 2 - 3:30 p.m. |
Campus Resources Fair |
Rangos, CUC | All Incoming Graduate Students | Representatives from various campus departments and services will be available to answer questions and provide information (and giveaways!) at tables arranged around Rangos Ballroom. |
| Time TBD |
GSA Sweet Treat Social |
The Mall | All Graduate Students | More information coming soon. |