Incoming Students

Welcome new Graduate School 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.

2026 Important Dates and Deadlines

The information below is provisional and will be updated 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 2

Please visit the Yale Graduate Housing website for more information about on-campus graduate housing. The on-campus housing application will open April. On-campus housing is limited, so plan to apply and choose your room early.

Please review the instructions for your student health requirements on the New Student Health Requirements webpage. Due dates are based on term. Please note summer students and early start student have earlier deadlines. Assignments will be available in the Health on Track System when student information is received from Banner after April 1st. 

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 completing your student health requirements in the Health on Track System.

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

August 15

Yale Health coverage begins for new students.

Window opens to sign up for optional Dental and/or Eye Care coverage from outside providers and pay associated premium fees.  

August 15-17

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 17

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

August 24

GSAS Matriculation Ceremony. 

GSAS Orientation Week begins (more info below).

August 31

First stipend payments for new PhD students.

September 2

Fall term classes begin.

September 15

Due date for Yale Health Coverage Waivers.

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

Due date to sign up 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

Orientation dates will be August 24-26, 2026. Details to come by mid-April.

Academic dates and deadlines, 2026-27

August 17: Registration opens to incoming students, 12 p.m.

August 24: New student orientation begins.

August 26: Add/drop period opens for returning students, 8 a.m.

September 2: Fall term classes begin.

September 4: Monday classes meet on Friday.

September 7: Labor Day: Classes do not meet.

September 11: Add/drop period ends, 5 p.m.

September 16: Final day to apply for a fall term leave of absence; the full fall-term tuition charge will be cancelled for students who withdraw from the Graduate School or are approved for a leave of absence by this date.

September 26: One-half of the fall-term full tuition charge will be canceled for students who withdraw from the graduate school on or before this date, or who are granted a medical leave of absence effective on or before this date.

October 20: October recess begins after last academic obligation.

• Final day to change enrollment in a fall-term course from Credit to Audit or from Audit to Credit.
• Final day to withdraw from a fall-term course.
• One-quarter of the fall-term full tuition charge will be canceled for students who withdraw from the graduate school on or before this date, or who are granted a medical leave of absence effective on or before this date.

 October 26: Classes resume.

 November 13: Registration for the spring term opens, 8 a.m.

 November 20: November recess begins after last academic obligation.

 November 30: Classes resume.

 December 14: Classes end.

 December 15: Final exams begin.

 December 22: Registration for spring term closes, 5 p.m.

 December 22: Final exams end; winter recess begins after last academic obligation.