New Students
Orientation
The Graduate School’s new student orientation is a two-week period of activities and programs held at the beginning of each academic year to provide students with an opportunity to take care of important pre-enrollment tasks and to learn about Yale and New Haven. All new students are expected to arrive in time for the opening days of the orientation program in order to receive assistance in the transition to a successful program of graduate study.
The schedule includes sessions that provide practical information concerning the resources of departments and programs, the Graduate School, the University and New Haven, as well as social events that offer students a chance to make new friends and to build community. There are specific sessions for international students, students with spouses, students with children, women and students of color. The activities listed in the orientation calendar are open to all new students in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, with spouses, partners and children welcome to attend as appropriate. Events are free unless otherwise noted, and certain events require advance registration.
Orientation begins in late August at the Hall of Graduate School (HGS), the home of the Graduate School. You will start by coming to HGS during one of the two days of “Welcome Center” check-in on Friday and Monday, at which time Graduate School staff answer questions and distribute student ID cards, orientation information packets, and course enrollment and registration information. After clearing any registration holds you might have related to missing documentation, you will be ready to participate in a variety of informational and social events, help sessions, and campus and city tours.
The highlight of orientation week is the ceremony at Sprague Hall at which Dean Jon Butler officially welcomes students to the University. It is followed by a reception at the President’s House and a picnic lunch in the HGS courtyard. Spouses, partners, children and parents are welcome to attend.
Online course selection for the Fall 2009 term begins on Friday, August 28. Many departments and degree programs have scheduled orientation days for new students on Friday, August 28, and Tuesday, September 1. Classes begin on Wednesday, September 2. Please refer to the 2009-10 Provisional Academic Calendar.
Graduate dormitory move-in begins in mid to late August, with dorm key release and move in administered separately by the Graduate Housing Office (not by the Graduate School).
Please contact the Office of Graduate Student Life at (203) 432-2583 with any questions or concerns regarding the orientation program.
