Skip to main content

New Student Orientation

Welcome to Northwestern!

The Graduate School (TGS) will launch a virtual New Student Orientation via Canvas on Monday, August 21, 2023 for you to complete at your own pace. We will email a link to the virtual orientation to your Northwestern email address once the course has launched.

Please complete this virtual orientation prior to the start of the Fall Quarter on Tuesday, September 19, 2023. Plan approximately 90 minutes to complete all the modules.

Please note that all aspects of TGS New Student Orientation are suggested, not required. 

The virtual orientation features four modules:

  1. Essential information from key campus partners;
  2. Important resources and services provided by TGS; 
  3. Information about graduate student organizations and campus resources;
  4. Tips for living in the Chicago area (for students who will be on campus). 

Please email tgs@northwestern.edu with any questions.

TGS Resource Fair

TGS will host an in-person resource fair on Wednesday, September 13, 2023, from 1:00–3:00 PM on the second floor of Norris University Center. The purpose of this fair is to connect incoming TGS students with the community of support at Northwestern, including a wide variety of campus partners and graduate student organizations. 

Giveaways will be provided (while supplies last), and registration is preferred, but not required. However, students who pre-register for the fair by Wednesday, September 6, will be entered into a raffle to receive one of 25 credit vouchers for $50 to the Norris University Bookstore.

Register Here for the Resource Fair

We also invite you to explore the resources and support available to you from our TGS-affiliated student organizations & campus partners.

Q&A Session with the Office of Fellowships

Designed for all graduate students to learn how to seek out and apply for external fellowship awards. 

The Q&A Session with the Office of Fellowships was held on Wednesday, August 30, 2023 from 12:00–1:00 PM CDT.

WATCH THE RECORDING HERE

Q&A Session with the Office of International Student and Scholar Services

Designed for all international graduate students to ask questions regarding support services available to you, such as immigration services, advocacy, and outreach. 

The Q&A Session with the Office of International Student and Scholar Services will not be recorded.

Q&A Session with Counseling and Psychology Services (CAPS)

Designed for all graduate students to answer questions regarding Northwestern's mental health clinical services, consultations, and educational workshops. 

The Q&A Session with Counseling and Psychology Services was held on Wednesday, September 6, 2023 from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM CDT. 

WATCH THE RECORDING HERE

Q&A Session with TGS Student Funding Team

Designed for PhD and MFA students who will receive stipends from TGS. Note: The funding team is unable to provide tax advice. 

The Q&A Session with the TGS Student Funding Team was held on Wednesday, September 6, 2023 from 1:00–2:00 PM CDT. 

WATCH THE RECORDING HERE

Q&A Session with NU Health Services, Pharmacy, and NU-SHIP

Designed for all graduate students to answer questions regarding Northwestern's health services and student health insurance requirement.

The Q&A Session with NU Health Services, Pharmacy, and NU-SHIP was held on Thursday, September 7, 2023 from 1:00–2:00 PM CDT.

WATCH THE RECORDING HERE

Q&A Session with Current TGS Students

Designed for all incoming graduate students to ask questions of current TGS students. Topics may include the first-year experience, the adviser/advisee relationship, cultivating mentors, strategies for self-care and mental well-being, extracurricular activities and/or student organizations, living in Evanston and Chicago, and more. 

The Q&A Session with current TGS students was held on Friday, September 8, 2023 from 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM CDT.

WATCH THE RECORDING HERE

Q&A Session with AccessibleNU

Designed for all graduate students to answer questions regarding Northwestern's academic accommodation, determination, and coordination process for students with disabilities. 

We regret that this webinar had to be canceled. Please visit the AccessibleNU website to learn more about the academic accommodation determination and coordination process for students with disabilities and email AccessibleNU with any specific questions or inquiries. You can also meet AccessibleNU in person at the TGS Resource Fair on Wednesday, September 13. 

The Office of Diversity and Inclusion Welcome Reception

Attend The Office of Diversity and Inclusion's annual Welcome Reception on Thursday, September 14, 2023, from 4:00–6:00 PM in Scott Hall's Guild Lounge. Join incoming and continuing graduate students and postdoctoral fellows of underrepresented and marginalized (URM) populations for an evening of networking, feasting, and fellowship. 

Register here

Theater Delta Presents: Proaction

The Graduate School's Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) will host an interactive mentoring training for all TGS students with Theater Delta on Friday, September 15 from 1:00 – 2:30 PM CDT at the McCormick Auditorium in Norris University Center

This interactive theater performance equips graduate students with strategies to maximize relationships with their mentors. Students will observe three distinct interactions between a graduate student and her mentor over the course of her first year, asking questions of both characters and participating in a facilitated discussion with a nationally-acclaimed researcher and storyteller. Explore how to establish expectations and healthy boundaries, manage time and competing responsibilities, communicate proactively and effectively, address power dynamics, and build strong, meaningful relationships with a mentoring network.  

Register here

Fall 2023 Welcome Events

Many student organizations and campus partners will be hosting welcome events this fall quarter. Check back here later this summer for a list of planned events and activities.

Human Resources Office Hours

Northwestern's Office of Human Resources holds regular office hours, no appointment is necessary.

These office hours are designed to assist students with completing their Form I-9, setting up their direct deposit and W-4 in myHR, and answering any payroll-related questions. HR staff members also can assist students who are foreign nationals with reviewing documentation, completing the I-9 process, and providing FN tax documentation.

Follow the guidelines on the TGS New Student Onboarding webpage to set up your financial information and email askHR@northwestern.edu with any questions. Note: HR staff members can assist with technical questions related to W-4 tax forms, but they are unable to provide tax advice.