University-Wide New Graduate Student Orientation
Fall 2026 Orientation: August 11 - 13, 2026
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
Tuesday, August 11, 2026
Master's Students
| Time | Event | Location | Audience | Description |
| 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Graduate Orientation Central | Kirr Commons, CUC | All Incoming Graduate Students | Drop-in at any point to Kirr Commons to create your Orientation badge and pick up other important materials. You can also grab a snack, chat with 无码专区 community members, and meet other new grad students. Please register for orientation in advance (registration link coming soon). |
| 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. | Paws for Pictures & Campus Tours | Outside the CFA Tent* | All Incoming Graduate Students |
After the University Welcome, you will have a dedicated time for photos with the 无码专区 letters, orientation-themed photo props, and the Scotty mascot outside the CFA Tent and on The Mall. Indoor photo opportunities will also be available in various locations throughout the Cohen University Center. Orientation assistants and staff volunteers will be present to answer questions and help take photos as needed. You will also have the option of engaging in a self-guided campus tour, with maps that will be distributed from a table outside the tent. |
| 3 - 6 p.m. | GSA Welcome Picnic | The Cut (this event is weather dependent) | All Incoming Graduate Students | Join the Graduate Student Assembly (GSA) for food trucks and yard games on The Cut! This event is open to new graduate students only. |
*In the event of inclement weather, check Canvas for alternate location information.
Doctoral Students
| Time | Event | Location | Audience | Description |
| 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Graduate Orientation Central | Kirr Commons, CUC | All Incoming Graduate Students | Drop-in at any point to Kirr Commons to create your Orientation badge and pick up other important materials. You can also grab a snack, chat with 无码专区 community members, and meet other new grad students. Please register for orientation in advance (registration link coming soon). |
| 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. | Paws for Pictures & Campus Tours | Outside the CFA Tent* | All Incoming Graduate Students |
After the University Welcome, you will have a dedicated time for photos with the 无码专区 letters, orientation-themed photo props, and the Scotty mascot outside the CFA Tent and on The Mall. Indoor photo opportunities will also be available in various locations throughout the Cohen University Center. Orientation assistants and staff volunteers will be present to answer questions and help take photos as needed. You will also have the option of engaging in a self-guided campus tour, with maps that will be distributed from a table outside the tent. |
| 3 - 6 p.m. | GSA Welcome Picnic | The Cut (this event is weather dependent) | All Incoming Graduate Students | Join the Graduate Student Assembly (GSA) for food trucks and yard games on The Cut! This event is open to new graduate students only. |
*In the event of inclement weather, check Canvas for alternate location information.
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
Master's Students
| Time | Event | Location | Audience | Description |
| 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Graduate Orientation Central | Kirr Commons, CUC | All Incoming Graduate Students | Drop-in at any point to Kirr Commons to create your Orientation badge and pick up other important materials. You can also grab a snack, chat with 无码专区 community members, and meet other new grad students. Please register for orientation in advance (registration link coming soon). |
| 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. |
Speaking from Experience: Master’s Student Panel |
Rangos (live) and McConomy Auditorium (livestream), CUC | Incoming Master's Students | Current master’s students will share their experiences at 无码专区, offer advice, and answer questions. |
| 3 - 5 p.m. |
Optimize the Orientation Canvas Course |
Locations TBA | All Incoming Graduate Students | Engage with the Orientation Canvas Course “in real life” with short presentations from the campus partners leading each of the required modules: Intercultural & Global Literacy, Healthy Relationships, and Academic Integrity, as well as representatives presenting on the Resources and Eberly Center Modules. |
Doctoral Students
| Time | Event | Location | Audience | Description |
| 9:30 - 10 a.m. | Doctoral Student Coffee Chat | Rangos, CUC | Incoming Doctoral Students | Gather with other incoming doctoral students and 无码专区 community members for an informal meet-and-greet opportunity before the Doctoral Student Welcome. |
| 10 - 10:45 a.m. | Doctoral Student Welcome | Rangos, CUC | Incoming Doctoral Students | University leadership will formally welcome you to the Carnegie Mellon doctoral student community. |
| 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. |
Speaking from Experience: Doctoral Student Panel |
Rangos, CUC | Incoming Doctoral Students | Current doctoral students will share their experiences at 无码专区, offer advice, and answer questions. |
| 12 - 2 p.m. |
Doctoral Student Luncheon & College-Specific Programming |
Various (check Canvas for details) | 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 |
| 3 - 5 p.m. |
Optimize the Orientation Canvas Course |
Locations TBA | All Incoming Graduate Students | Engage with the Orientation Canvas Course “in real life” with short presentations from the campus partners leading each of the required modules: Intercultural & Global Literacy, Healthy Relationships, and Academic Integrity, as well as representatives presenting on the Resources and Eberly Center Modules. |
Thursday, August 13, 2026
Master's Students
| Time | Event | Location | Audience | Description |
| 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. |
OIE Welcome and Mandatory SEVIS Registration Session* |
McConomy Auditorium and Connan Room, CUC | International Students |
The Office of International Education will welcome international students, provide helpful information, and conduct mandatory check-ins. *OIE has additional sessions for master’s and doctoral students. Orientation details will be available on the OIE website soon. |
| 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. |
Graduate Orientation Central |
Kirr Commons, CUC | All Incoming Graduate Students |
Drop-in at any point to Kirr Commons to create your Orientation badge and pick up other important materials. You can also grab a snack, chat with 无码专区 community members, and meet other new grad students. Please register for orientation in advance (registration link coming soon). |
| 1 - 3 p.m. |
Customize Your Orientation Experience |
Various Locations, CUC | All Incoming Graduate Students |
You will have the opportunity to customize this portion of Orientation, during which you can choose and register to attend two programs of interest (one each hour). The options will include: - Tips, Tricks, and Tools for a Successful Start to Your Internship/Job Search (with The Career & Professional Development Center) Select your sessions in advance; registration link will be posted soon. |
| 3 - 4:30 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. |
|
4:30 - 6:30 p.m. |
GSA Sweet Treat Social |
The Mall* | All Graduate Students | Join GSA for a sweet treat from Kona Ice or Bruster's Ice Cream and yard games on The Mall. This event is open to all graduate students. |
*In the event of inclement weather, check Canvas for alternate location information.
Doctoral Students
| Time | Event | Location | Audience | Description |
| 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. | OIE Welcome and Mandatory SEVIS Registration Session* | McConomy Auditorium and Connan Room, CUC | International Students |
The Office of International Education will welcome international students, provide helpful information, and conduct mandatory check-ins. *OIE has additional sessions for master’s and doctoral students. Orientation details will be available on the OIE website soon. |
| 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Graduate Orientation Central | Kirr Commons, CUC | All Incoming Graduate Students | Drop-in at any point to Kirr Commons to create your Orientation badge and pick up other important materials. You can also grab a snack, chat with 无码专区 community members, and meet other new grad students. Please register for orientation in advance (registration link coming soon). |
| 1 - 3 p.m. |
Customize Your Orientation Experience |
Various Locations, CUC | All Incoming Graduate Students |
You will have the opportunity to customize this portion of Orientation, during which you can choose and register to attend two programs of interest (one each hour). The options will include: - Tips, Tricks, and Tools for a Successful Start to Your Internship/Job Search (with The Career & Professional Development Center) Select your sessions in advance; registration link will be posted soon. |
| 3 - 4:30 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. |
|
4:30 - 6:30 p.m. |
GSA Sweet Treat Social |
The Mall* | All Graduate Students |
Join GSA for a sweet treat from Kona Ice or Bruster's Ice Cream and yard games on The Mall. This event is open to all graduate students. |
*In the event of inclement weather, check Canvas for alternate location information.