Admitted Graduate Checklist

As a newly admitted graduate student, you may have all sorts of questions about what to do next. This guide will help you navigate the start of your graduate career.

  1. When a decision has been made on your application and an electronic decision letter has been processed, the Graduate School will send you an email instructing you to log in to your application portal and view your decision letter.
  2. In your application portal, click the yellow envelope icon, then click the VIEW YOUR DECISION button. You will be able to view your electronic decision letter.
  3. Click the REPLY TO OFFER button at the bottom of the letter.
  4. If you plan to enroll at NDSU, select ACCEPT OFFER. Type your name for the electronic signature and click CONFIRM.
    1. If you accept the offer of admission and are a domestic student, you will be processed to be able to register within a few days of confirming enrollment.
    2. If you accept the offer of admission and are an international student, your documents will move forward to the Office of International Student & Study Abroad Services and they will work with you on issuing an I-20. Once the I-20 is issued and the Graduate School is notified, you will be able to register for classes.
  5. If you choose DECLINE OFFER, you will need to indicate your reason for declining.
    1. If you choose to delay your enrollment to a term within the next year, you will need to complete the Request to Delay Graduate School Enrollment form. Your department/program will need to indicate their approval on the form and then the Graduate School will give final approval.

To activate your electronic services at NDSU you must complete both the "Claim Your NDSU Account" and "Enroll Your Services at NDSU" processes.

To access IT services at NDSU, you must activate your electronic ID. Your electronic ID is usually your Firstname.Lastname. Your electronic ID gives you access to computer clusters, library services, Blackboard and your NDSU e-mail account.

Your NDSU email, like postal and campus mail, is an official means by which the university communicates with students. The university expects that email communication is received and read by students. The Graduate School and your department will send you information via this email address, so be sure to check it often.

Your advisor’s contact information is in your admission letter. You may also find contact information in the campus directory. During your initial communication, ask:

  • Are there specific tasks you must complete prior to your arrival
  • Is there a departmental orientation session and where you may find more information
  • Should you register prior to your arrival and for which courses
  • Is there a student handbook and where you may find that information
  • Other questions about your program that you may have

New graduate assistants must complete certain items before your beginning the assistantship. Go to the Graduate Assistant Onboarding page for details.

North Dakota State University requires certain vaccinations per NDSU Policy 162. Vaccination requirements, documentation requirements and other vaccine information are found on the Student Health Service website.

Non-compliant students may receive a registration hold on their account that will prevent them from registering for future classes. International students are exempt from deadlines as they can receive immunizations upon arrival to North Dakota at their required International Student Screening appointment.

As you make plans to attend NDSU, we encourage you to consider the many options for graduate student housing on campus by exploring the Residence Life website: www.ndsu.edu/reslife.

All NDSU apartments welcome not only students, but also their spouses and/or children. The Residence Life website also includes an online form to assist in roommate matching.

Being aware of NDSU and Graduate School policies is one key component for student success. The University Catalog is the source for policy information. The Graduate School is here to help you interpret and follow these policies.

Our campus, as well as the Fargo community, has a number of resources available to students and their families. Do not hesitate to seek out resources as you need them. We want you to feel supported on our campus and in our community.

Click here for information on student support services at NDSU.

Students register for classes through Campus Connection. Each semester, prior to registration, you are required to accept the Financial Obligation Agreement. There are very detailed instructions regarding adding classes and dropping classes available. If you have trouble with registering, contact your Academic Support Specialist for assistance.

NDSU uses Blackboard for its online learning management system. In Blackboard, students can view the course syllabus, access and submit assignments, and take tests.

All students must get an NDSU Card (Student ID) on or before the first day of classes (distance students are not required to have an ID card). The NDSU Card Center in the Memorial Union issues the card. You must have your NDSU Card to access many of the services at NDSU.