Graduate Student Checklist
Welcome Tartans! We know the start of a new semester can be a busy and exciting time. Once you arrive on campus, you can use this checklist to stay on track during your first days.
- Secure transitional housing (if necessary).
- Report to your academic department and complete registration procedures. Your department may have other tasks for you.
- Get your student ID card. Distribution processes vary by department. To confirm your department's distribution plan, you can contact your department after August 1 for instructions and details. If your department will be distributing ID cards with The HUB, please bring a form of government ID, such as a passport.
- Attend Graduate Student Orientation. You will receive essential information and assistance in getting settled. Orientation is an opportunity to meet students from across campus and around the world. It’s also an opportunity to meet staff from a variety of Carnegie Mellon offices. If you arrive later than the main orientation program deadline, you must inform the Office of International Education by emailing oie@andrew.cmu.edu.
- Complete the Mandatory International Student Orientation and Immigration Registration. Immigration registration must be completed by the first day of classes to maintain your legal nonimmigrant status in the U.S.!
- Find off-campus housing. Review the information here and with the Carnegie Mellon Off-Campus Housing Office on finding housing that meets your specific needs and preferences. If you arrive early, be sure to visit the Community Housing Office on the second floor of the Residence on Fifth, (412) 268-4990.
- Open a bank account. Take into consideration services and fees associated with checking and savings accounts, interest rates, wire transfer fees, ATM machine access, credit and debit card availability, as well as telephone and web banking. You may not want to open an account until you have secured housing as proximity to your residence is also an important consideration. In the meantime, you can find more information about banking at CMU, and check out the following websites:
- Buy health insurance for yourself and dependents if you do not already have it. Health insurance is required by the university and is a necessity in the U.S. because the cost of routine and emergency health care is extremely expensive. For more information visit the Health Services website.
- Apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) if you will be employed on campus. A Social Security Number is a number used for tax purposes that are required for employment in the US. You must have an offer of employment to be eligible to apply for an SSN. You can learn more about working on campus under the Employment section of our website.