Skip to main content
NEWLY ADMITTED STUDENTS

New Graduate Student Orientation

The Graduate College hosts an orientation event at the beginning of each semester to welcome incoming graduate students to the thriving graduate community at Boise State.

Orientation includes a welcome from university leaders, resource presentations from the Graduate College and campus partners, and an interactive graduate student panel.

To view orientation resources, visit New Graduate Student Orientation Resources.

Orientation Details

New Graduate Student Orientation will be held on Friday, August 16, 2024 from 11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Orientation will include informative presentations from the Graduate College and campus partners on topics including:

Student Panel

The Graduate Student Panel is always a highlight of orientation. There are current graduate student panelists representing most of the college. Panelists will answer questions from the audience and cover topics including:

  • What to expect as a graduate student at Boise State
  • How to manage workload and life responsibilities
  • How to seek out mentors and advisors
  • Finding professional development opportunities

New Student FAQs

First Steps

Confirm Your Intent To Enroll

It is highly encouraged to let us know of your enrollment plans! Please indicate whether or not you plan on attending Boise State University by logging into your application and replying to the offer of admission.

Access Your myBoiseState Account and Email

myBoiseState is the university web portal for all Boise State Students. When you access myBoiseState, you have the ability to register for classes, view your student financial account and pay your tuition and fees, view your “To Do” items and much more.

Your Boise State student email account has already been created for you. Upon admission to the university, an admissions email was sent to you from the Graduate Admission and Degree Services office at Boise State. This email contains your student ID number and your email username. To access your email account, go to My Boise State and click on “Log On.” From there, navigate to “Reset/Create Password” to create your new password. Return to the main page and click “Log On” again. Enter the username you were provided with and the password you created.

Important: Make sure to check your email account daily, as all official university communication will be sent to your myBoiseState student account.

For email assistance, contact the Help Desk at The Zone at (208) 426-4357 or helpdesk@boisestate.edu.

Contact Your Advisor

Contact your advisor to determine your program’s preferred timeline for class registration, required core classes, your projected plan of study, etc. If you do not have an advisor yet, consider talking to your program coordinator regarding class registration. Visit the degree program pages and find your program coordinator.

Resolve Any Registration Holds

You may have a registration hold on your account if you were admitted provisionally to the university. Holds will keep you from registering for courses. You can check on any holds through the Student Center on your myBoiseState account.

Before Classes Begin

Register For Class

You may register for courses the beginning day of registration until the 10th day of the semester. Check the Academic Calendar for dates on registration, dropping or adding classes, adding independent study or directed research, and payment of fees.

Financial Aid

At Boise State University, funding is available as department assistantships, internal and external fellowships, scholarships, grants and federal loans. Federal and state financial aid is available to U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents only. To learn more about financial aid opportunities, visit the Funding Your Graduate School Education webpage.

Arrange for Housing

The Housing and Residence Life department offers graduate students several options for an on-campus housing experience. Currently there are suites, townhomes, and university apartments available for graduate students. For more information on housing, please visit the Housing and Residential Life webpage.

Explore Meal Plan Options

Whether you live on-campus or off, Boise State Dining Services has got you covered! Dining Services offers a number of meal plan options to best fit the varying needs of all students at Boise State. To learn more about meal plan options, visit the Boise State Dining Services webpage.

Get To Know Your Campus

Familiarize yourself with campus by taking an Interactive Campus Tour of Boise State University! Additionally, look for resource tours that the Graduate College offers to incoming graduate students at the beginning of each semester.

Week Before Classes Start

Get Your Bronco Card

Your Bronco Card is your key to campus life. Bronco cards can be used in many ways, but they are necessary for accessing printing privileges, some campus facilities and free athletic tickets. Bronco Cards can also be used in concordance with Bronco Bucks, as a cashless prepaid debit plan. Bronco Cards can be picked up at the Information Desk in the Student Union Building with a valid ID and proof of registration.

Learn more about Bronco Cards

Attend Orientation(s)

Graduate College Student Orientation – New Graduate Student Orientation is held each fall and spring.

International Orientation – Students attend a 2-day International Student Orientation to learn about graduate student resources and opportunities at Boise State University, as well as important immigration regulations. For more information on the next available international student orientation, visit the International Student website.

Academic Program Orientation – Check with your academic program regarding any program specific orientations you may have available or be required to attend.

Parking Permits and Shuttle Services

If you plan on parking your vehicle on campus, you must have a parking permit displayed on the inside lower left windshield of your vehicle at all times. View permit pricing. For more information, please visit the Transportation and Parking webpage or stop by the Transportation and Parking office located in the Student Union Building (SUB).

SUB Transit Center
1700 University Drive
Phone: 208-426-PARK (7275), Text: 208-953-1681
Office Hours 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday – Friday

Graduate Student and Advisor Checklist

Your relationship with your major advisor is an important part of your graduate experience. This partnership can help to demystify the graduate school process, provide an opportunity for professional growth, and help to foster networking. Your advisor is critical to your progress in the program and your eventual graduation success. Students who reported being most satisfied with their mentoring relationship indicated having regular meetings with their advisors and an ability to communicate openly. The “Graduate Student and Advisor Checklist” is one way to began this dialogue. Click here to access the Graduate Students and Advisor Checklist.

Student Support Services

For information regarding university offices across campus that provide student support services such as academic success units, health and counseling services, campus recreation, and many more, please visit our Student Services webpage.

Graduate Student Perks

Graduate Student Perks

Do you have questions about what is available to you as a student? View a comprehensive list of resources available to graduate students.