Incoming Students

We are very excited that you are joining our community of scholars and leaders this year. We look forward to meeting you in person and sharing your academic and personal journey in the coming years.

Jump to the new student Orientation Schedule

2024 Important Dates and Deadlines

The information below will be updated and new information will be added in the coming months. Please check back frequently leading up to your arrival on campus.

March-April

Receive your Yale NetID and PIN to activate your Yale Account.

April 1

Please visit the Yale Graduate Housing website for more information about on-campus graduate housing, including a webinar for the 2024-2025 academic year scheduled for Wednesday, March 27 at 11:00am ET. The on-campus housing application will open on April 1, and room selection will begin on April 23. On-campus housing is limited, so plan to apply and choose your room early.

April 15 

Deadline to respond to offer of admission.

May 1 to June 30

Upload a photo for your Yale ID card on the ID Card Photo Upload web page by June 30. New Student ID cards will be distributed through your department. 

If you were previously a student or employee at Yale, you may not be able to use the photo upload option. Please contact the ID Center directly for a replacement ID.  

July 15

Official transcripts from each institution you have attended are due to Graduate School Admissions by July 15. Specific instructions for submitting your transcripts will be sent to you in May. For more information, please see FAQs on Transcripts.

August 1

Deadline for uploading vaccination, immunization, and health history documentation to Yale Health. Please review the instructions on the New Student Health Requirements webpage. Once completed, the packet must be uploaded directly to the Health on Track System (opens in May).

On-campus Graduate Housing occupancy licenses begin; contact Yale Housing with questions.

August 15

Student Health coverage begins.

August 15-18

Schedule I-9 verification appointment.

Departmental ID pick up - consult your department for more information. If you have a health or transcript hold, you will not be able to pick up your ID. You can check the status of your registration holds through the Yale Hub.

August 19

GSAS Matriculation Ceremony. GSAS Orientation Week begins (more info below).

Deadline to complete three required online trainings in the GSAS New Student Orientation course on Canvas (Log into Canvas with your NetID and password and complete the assignments in the “GSAS New Student Orientation FY25” course found in your dashboard.)

August 26

Course registration opens for new students. Please consult with your department about course requirements and selections before finalizing your course schedule online.

August 28

Fall term classes begin.

August 31

First stipend payments for new PhD students.

September 15

Due date for Yale Health Coverage Waivers.

Due date for Yale Health Family Member (spouse or children) Enrollment.

Due date to signup for optional Dental and/or Eye Care coverage from outside providers and pay associated premium fees.  

September 30

Deadline for Family Support Policy enrollment for PhD students with children, for fall term.

Orientation Schedule

New student orientation will take place August 19-23, 2024. Please check back frequently for the most up to date information. Many other social activities and tours will be posted in the GSAS New Student Orientation group on Yale Connect.

August 12-16

Departmental ID pick up. Please contact your department to see when they will be distributing new student IDs. Some departments may have additional orientation activities planned during this time.

August 19

8:30am - Arrival for GSAS Matriculation Ceremony (Cross Campus)

9:00am - Matriculation Ceremony begins

10:30am - Mandatory In-person Training I (Individual assignments will be sent by email)

• Students in the Science Divisions: Advising and Mentoring Session (O.C. Marsh Lecture Hall, 260 Whitney Ave)
• Students in the Social Science and Humanities Divisions: Community Values Conversation (Watson Center, 60 Sachem Street)

12:00pm - Dean's Luncheon (Commons - Yale Schwarzman Center)

1:30pm - Mandatory In-person Training II (Individual assignments will be sent by email)

• Students in the Social Science and Humanities Divisions: Advising and Mentoring Session (O.C. Marsh Lecture Hall, 260 Whitney Ave)
• Students in the Science Divisions: Community Values Conversation (Watson Center, 60 Sachem Street)

3:00pm -  Local 33 Union Orientation (O.C. Marsh Lecture Hall, 260 Whitney Ave)

4:00pm - Surviving and Thriving at Yale Panel (O.C. Marsh Lecture Hall, 260 Whitney Ave)

August 20

10:00am - Understanding Your Funding – Master's (Davies Auditorium, 15 Prospect St) 

11:00am - Understanding Your Funding - PhD (Davies Auditorium, 15 Prospect St) 

1:00pm - Staying Well at Yale – Wellness Resources Panel (Davies Auditorium, 15 Prospect St) 

2:00pm - Introduction to New Haven (Davies Auditorium, 15 Prospect St)

3-5pm - Information Fair (Commons - Yale Schwarzman Center)

August 21

10-12pm: Yale Scavenger Hunt (Register on Yale Connect)

1:00pm - Free Speech and Community at Yale (O.C. Marsh Lecture Hall, 260 Whitney Ave)

1:45-2:45pm – Introduction to Library Resources (O.C. Marsh Lecture Hall, 260 Whitney Ave)

3-5pm - Student Activities Fair (Register on Yale Connect)

August 22-23, 26-27

Some departments will hold supplementary orientation events on August 22-23 or 26-27. Please reach out to your department directly to find out more information.