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.
You may opt to request an evaluation of previously earned graduate-level course credits to find out if they can transfer and count toward your degree program. Approved transfer credits may change what coursework is required for you to complete your degree, so if you plan to request a transfer credit evaluation, we advise doing so as early as possible. You can also request a transfer-credit evaluation before you’ve confirmed your decision to attend.
3. Student ID and University Email
Your electronic ID, aka NetID
Once you’re admitted, your official letter will prompt you to activate your NetID, the electronic ID that you’ll use to log into CSU systems and to create your university email address. As a reminder, you can access your official letter of admission by logging into your Admissions Dashboard and selecting the “View Decision Letter” link.
Once you activate your NetID, you can log in to other CSU systems such as RAMweb, the portal where you will register for classes, view your grades, pay your bill, and more.
Detailed instructions to activate your NetID are outlined below.
Existing/Returning CSU student
- If you have an active NetID, no action is necessary.
- If your NetID (formerly eID) has expired, you will have to activate your NetID following the New CSU Student instructions below. Depending upon when you previously were active in university systems, you may have a new username assigned.
- If you are unsure whether your NetID has expired, follow the steps to activate your NetID, and the system will walk you through verification steps; you may be prompted to update your password even if your username is unchanged.
New CSU students
Follow the steps to activate your NetID. You will be prompted to enter your NetID (for example, C83XXXXXXX), which is available in your admissions dashboard. When activating your NetID, you will set a password. Activating your NetID will also create your CSU email account.
If you need assistance activating your NetID, contact the Office of Admissions at (970) 491-6909 or [email protected].
Access your CSU email account
When you activate your NetID, a Microsoft Office 365 account will automatically be created for you.
Your Office 365 email account is utilized by the Graduate School and many other offices across campus as the official means of communicating important information such as academic deadlines, account holds, professional development events, updates, and important campus news. You are responsible for accessing your account and checking your email regularly.
Prior CSU Students
Prior students who have an @rams email account have the option to continue using their @rams account, or they can choose to opt into an Office 365 account.
New students, to log into your university email account:
- Ensure you have set up Duo two-factor authentication (instructions below).
- On your laptop/desktop computer, go to https://outlook.office.com.
- Enter your [email protected] (i.e., C83…@colostate.edu) as your username.
- Enter your NetID password.
- Your laptop/desktop/mobile will display a 2-3 digit code.
- Open the Duo Mobile app on your smartphone or tablet. Enter the code in the app.
Alternatively, you can use the Outlook mobile app and allow push notifications in order to authenticate when you log in. There might be a delay of up to two hours between when you activate your NetID and when your email account is ready to use.
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, follow these duo setup instructions.
You will need TWO devices to set up DUO (generally your laptop/personal computer and mobile device).
If you follow all these steps and still encounter issues, contact the Office of Admissions customer service team at (970) 491-6909 or [email protected] (phone preferred while you have your devices at hand so we can troubleshoot together). If necessary, they may refer you to the IT Help Desk at [email protected] or (970) 491-7276.
4. Enroll in classes
In-person students: log in to RAMweb, using your NetID and password, to access your student account information, register for, and/or drop courses.
Online students enroll through CSU Online.
In RamWeb you can pay tuition, find grades and degree progress information, and access additional resources. 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. Housing Information for in-person students
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 in-person 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. Information about other health requirements for resident-instruction students is available in the New Student Checklist for Graduate Students.
CSU Online graduate students enrolled in six credit hours or more can choose to enroll in CSU’s Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). Details on the CSU Health Network page.
8. 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.
9. Graduate School Orientation
In-person graduate students should visit the Graduate School Orientation webpage for an introduction to resources for graduate students and information about orientation offerings.
New and returning online students have access to a dedicated Online Success Coach to guide them through their academic path.
The Graduate Student Council invites all incoming and returning graduate students to an in-person 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.
10. Set yourself up for success
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. Both programs provide offerings for in-person and online students.
Visit the GradSpace
Join your peers in the GradSpace. It is exclusively designed for CSU graduate students and postdoctoral scholars in all programs. It’s a great place to socialize, work, collaborate, recharge, and find your graduate community. Learn more about hours of operation, how to reserve meeting room space and more on the GradSpace website.
Consider registering for the Onboarding and Beyond course
This in-person 8-week course is offered in the Spring and 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.”
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 Types of Accommodations 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.
11. 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.