New Graduate Students

Welcome to Stanford! Please take some time to review the Gateway for New Graduate Students. These pages contain helpful information and checklists that will ensure you are prepared for your first days as a Stanford graduate student. We have also prepared a new graduate student checklist below to help you navigate your first steps.

The Graduate Life Office (GLO) holds New Graduate Student Orientation (NGSO) each year in the week before the Autumn quarter begins in September. NGSO is not mandatory but students are encouraged to attend events throughout the week so they can connect with the resources available to them as graduate students.

New Graduate Student Checklist

  1. Check your Stanford Email: If you haven’t already please make sure to set up your Stanford email and start checking it daily! Starting August 1, we will only be sending emails to your @stanford.edu addresses. Visit UIT Email Services to configure your email and/or forwarding services.
  2. Check your “To Do” list in Axess: Check your “To Do” list in Axess to clear any additional admission requirements that may still be pending. Please also update your emergency contact info and confirm that the correct email, mailing address, and telephone number are listed.
  3. (PhD Students) Sign up for Direct Deposit: All PhD students are encouraged to enroll in Direct Deposit to ensure you receive your first stipend payment during the first week of the quarter
  4. Payroll Deduction Plan: For students whose funding will be provided by an Assistantship, (either Research or Teaching) please enroll in a Payroll Deduction Plan before the listed deadline.
  5. Complete Employment Verification: For students whose funding will be provided by an Assistantship, (either Research or Teaching) please complete the I-9 Employment Eligibility form.
  6. Health Requirements and Insurance: All incoming graduate Stanford students are required to complete the Entrance Health Requirements. All students are also automatically enrolled in Cardinal Care, the university-sponsored health insurance plan. If you would like to waive Cardinal Care you must do so via Axess by September 15 or you will remain enrolled in Cardinal Care for the full year. The Cardinal Care subsidy fully covers the quarterly charge for students employed in RA/TA positions or for graduate students receiving an equivalent level of fellowship support. The Vaden Health Services website has additional information on the services provided, entrance health requirements, and Cardinal Care.
  7. Sign the SU-18 Patent Agreement: All Stanford graduate students (as well as all faculty, staff, postdoctoral scholars and visitors engaged in research) are required to sign the SU-18 agreement. To sign the agreement, log in to Axess and scroll to the bottom quick links navigation pane.
  8. Upload your Photo for your ID card.
  9. Complete the Online Honor Code Training by September 23rd.
  10. Building Access: <programs should add any information about building access that is necessary for students to complete>
  11. <departments may add any program specific reminders here>

Helpful Links

Graduate Life Office Student Resources

Stanford Acronyms

Stanford Bulletin 

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