Welcome to the RAMily! Follow this guide to get started on your graduate student journey.
Steps Once Admitted
Admitted Graduate Checklist
1. Confirm your decision to attend Colorado State University
Confirm your decision to attend through your admissions application. This will let us know if you are accepting or regretting your offer of admission.
If you need to defer your admission to a future term, be sure to communicate this with your department.
2. Submit your official transcripts, diplomas, or other required documents and review your Letter of Admission
All graduate students must submit their official transcripts before they can register for their second semester. Failure to meet this condition will result in your dismissal from the Graduate School. Don’t delay, please follow the instructions in the Guide to Submitting Your Transcripts.
Your Letter of Admission lists all the documents needed before course registration. Review it and submit any documents as instructed. Delays in submitting the required documentation may prevent you from registering.
3. Create a CSU NetID and email account
Activate Your NetID
Your CSU NetID (electronic identification) grants access to CSU systems including your email and the RAMweb student portal.
Existing/Returning CSU students
If you are an existing or returning CSU student, your eName/eID automatically becomes your NetID and no action is required.
New CSU students
You must know your CSU ID to create your NetID. Your CSU ID is available on your application status page.
Follow the steps to create a NetID. When activating your NetID, you will also create a password. This will activate your CSU email account.
If you need assistance with your CSU ID, please contact the Office of Admissions at [email protected] or (970) 491-6909.
Access your CSU email account
When you create a NetID, a Microsoft Office 365 account will automatically be created for you.
Your Office 365 email account is utilized by the Graduate School as the official means of communicating important information such as academic deadlines; account holds; events and updates; and important campus news. You are responsible for accessing your account and checking your email regularly.
Returning students
Prior students who have an @rams email account have the option to continue using their @rams account or they can opt into an Office 365 account.
New students, to log into your university email account:
- Go to the Office365 login page: portal.office.com.
- In the sign-in box, enter your NetID as the username in the format [email protected].
- Enter your NetID password.
- Once logged in, click on “Outlook.”
There might be a delay of up to two hours between when you create your NetID and when your email account is ready to use.
For technical assistance, call the Central IT Help Desk at 970-491-7276 or e-mail [email protected].
Set up Duo two-factor authentication
Colorado State University requires Duo Two-Factor Authentication when you access certain CSU services, like RamWeb and Office 365, to better safeguard your personal information.
To set up duo two-factor authentication visit: duo.colostate.edu
For assistance, contact: it.colostate.edu/help
4. Access RAMweb and enroll in classes
Using your NetID and password, log in to RAMweb to access your student account information and registration details. Online students enroll through CSU Online.
Students can register and drop courses, pay tuition, find grades and degree progress information, and access additional resources through RAMweb. It can take up to 24 hours after setting up your NetID before you can log into your RAMweb and Canvas accounts.
Please note that student information can only be shared with the student and not with family members because of the Federal Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). More information about FERPA is available under “Students’ Rights Regarding Their Educational Records” in the Policies and Guiding Principles section of the General Catalog or through the U.S. Department of Education FERPA site.
5. International Students Only: Visit the Office of International Programs
Please communicate directly with the Office of International Programs regarding your immigration status requirements. For information about I-20 or DS-2019 issuance, please review this page. There are also helpful resources for incoming international students on the information for new and transfer international students page on the Office of International Programs website.
6. Find Housing
University Apartments are an affordable and convenient on-campus option that offers studio, one-, two-, three-, and four-bedroom apartments to residents from around the world. University Housing provides a variety of spaces for students of all types who wish to live in an academically supportive and interactive community. These apartment communities are open to students in their second undergraduate year and above, in a graduate program, those 23 years of age and older, post-doctoral fellows, and students with families.
If you are interested in living off campus, Off-Campus Life offers services to students.
7. Mandatory health insurance
All full-fee paying resident-instruction graduate students enrolled in six credits or more are required to enroll in the CSU student health insurance plan, or to opt-out by demonstrating health insurance coverage at a comparable level. For more information, please review the Mandatory Health Insurance page.
8. Complete other health requirements for enrollment
Information about other health requirements for enrollment is available in the New Student Checklist for Graduate Students. Follow the directions in the checklist and make sure you have completed all the necessary requirements by the date given.
9. Obtain a RamCard
Your RamCard is your student ID and is your ticket to just about everything at Colorado State University, and they are required for all students attending on-campus classes. Visit RamCard.colostate.edu for info on how to get your card. Once you have your RamCard, RamCash can be added to your account to buy food and access other campus services like parking and printing. Plus, RamCash purchases allow you to pay it forward by supporting on-campus businesses and CSU Departments.
10. Graduate School Orientation
Visit the Graduate School Orientation webpage for an introduction to resources for graduate students and information about orientation offerings.
The Graduate Student Council invites all incoming and returning graduate students to a welcome picnic each fall. This event is focused on community building and is a casual event specifically for the graduate community. Details about the Fall picnic will be sent to your CSU email.
Bookmark this digital handbook for use throughout your student journey. Take some time to review student expectations as well as our Principles of Community.
11. Set yourself up for success
Consider registering for the Onboarding and Beyond course
This 8-week course is designed to help new graduate students thrive during their time at CSU. Students will connect with peers, access valuable resources, and learn strategies to tackle common graduate school challenges like burnout and anxiety. To register for this professional development course, search for the course number “GRAD 580A3.”
Find a community
You will likely have to adapt and make life changes in graduate school. Interacting with students who understand what you’re going through can help you feel more supported and connected. CSU is home to over 475+ student organizations, ranging from academic/pre-professional to social and recreational. Explore organizations that interest you at RamLink. Or, consider joining the Graduate Peer Mentoring Program.
Make a plan to accomplish your goals
Personalize your graduate school experience and build a support network with our online guides. Navigate through the Competencies Road Map as a framework to develop core competencies and enhance personal and professional success. The RamIDP is a process that helps identify professional development needs, refine career objectives, and promote personal growth, while also functioning as a communication tool to enhance dialogue between mentors and their mentees.
Access accommodations
Assistance with documenting accommodations is supported by two CSU units. Students who are also CSU employees (for example, Graduate Assistants) should contact both offices.
- CSU students should contact the Student Disability Center at disabilitycenter.colostate.edu. The SDC has the authority to verify and confirm the eligibility of students with disabilities and/or health conditions for most accommodations on campus. The What-We-Do webpage on the SDC website details services.
- CSU Students who are also CSU employees should contact the Office of Equal Opportunity at oeo.colostate.edu.
Stay informed
Subscribe to the Graduate School’s event calendar to easily find upcoming events and set automated reminders. You will find a variety of professional development opportunities, Graduate Center for Inclusive Mentoring offerings, CSU Writes sessions, and social events among our 250+ curated offerings for the graduate community.
12. Complete your program
You’ve taken the first steps to success! Now is the time to start preparing to complete your program. Follow the guides below for general information about what to expect and the steps you will take to complete your graduate school journey.
Still have questions?
For information about the coursework, faculty, and specific program requirements, please reach out to your department. Please visit our program pages for contact information.
If you still have questions, reach out and we’ll try to get you to the right people.