Academics
Apply for January Graduation
The deadline to apply to graduate in January 2023 is Friday, October 7. You can find graduation information with detailed requirements here. All final materials are due by December 9. Degrees will be awarded on January 20. There is no diploma ceremony in January but if you plan to attend the 2023 Commencement in May, you will also need to register for the ceremony in the spring semester. Be on the look out for details after the New Year.
Verify Your Final Exams
Take a moment now to verify your final exam dates and times with your syllabi and your professors. Make sure all of your travel plans for winter break are after your final exams. Exams will not be rescheduled due to travel conflicts.
Fall Break October 24 & 25
Effective this semester, students in the School of Graduate Studies will receive a two-day break from classes and class activities corresponding to Fall Break in the undergraduate calendar, Monday, October 24 and Tuesday, October 25. Please note that this exemption applies only to classes and class activities; faculty may still require students to perform research activities during fall break.
As a reminder if you do stay on campus over the break, please confirm access availability as some buildings and services (KSL, gyms, shuttles, dining, etc) may have reduced and altered hours, including the preceding weekend.
Holidays, Leave, & Vacation Policies
Need to take some time off? Graduate students receiving a stipend should be aware of our policy on graduate student holidays, vacation, parental leave, and sick leave. Note that this policy applies during the period of support and represents the minimum to which graduate students are entitled.
Campus Community
Get Your Flu Shot!
It's important to get a flu shot in any year - especially recently!
Over the next several weeks, students can receive a free flu vaccination (see the schedule at the bottom of the page). No registration required but bring your CWRU ID and dress accordingly to receive an upper-arm shot.
WISHED Professional Mentoring Program
Looking for a mentor? Women in Sciences and Humanities Earning Doctorates (WISHED) runs a Professional Mentoring Program to match students with a one-on-one CWRU faculty member. Interested students can apply by Thursday, October 6.
New International Students Survey
New international students, the International Student Advisory Council (ISAC) wants to hear from you! Take this survey by Friday, September 30 to share your experiences preparing to come to CWRU and have a chance to win gift cards or ice cream!
UH&CS Sessions
If needed, take advantage of University Health and Counseling Services' numerous group and individual sessions and support spaces this fall, both in person and online.
Prepare to Vote!
Election Day in the United States is Tuesday, November 8. It's important to make your voice be heard in this and every election. Right now check to make sure you are registered and your information is up-to-date and request a mail-in-ballot if you wish. In Ohio, you must be registered by October 11 and mail-in-ballots must be postmarked by November 7 or returned in-person by November 8. Early voting in Ohio begins October 12. If you are voting in a different state's election, please review their dates, deadlines, and policies.
Turbovote is a resource CWRU students can use for information and reminders. See some additional voter resources for students from the Center for Civic Engagement and Learning.
Update Shuttle Tracking App
Make sure you have updated your bookmarks so you're able to continue tracking the shuttle routes that service campus and the greater University Circle area. Also, if you haven't done so already, download the Spartan Safe and Spartan Ride apps released this summer.
Virtual Office Hours with the Provost
Students can meet with Provost and Executive Vice President Ben Vinson III during monthly virtual office hours to discuss important topics, seek advice, or talk about what's impacting CWRU and student life personally. See more info and how to register for a 10-minute meeting.
Want or Need Your Refunds Faster?
If you anticipate getting any financial aid refunds, be sure to sign up for Direct Deposit following the instructions here.
Did You Miss New Student Orientation?
If you were not able to join us last month or you just want to review material, we have all the Orientation info you need right here on Canvas!
Funding Opportunities
Each year, the National Science Foundation (NSF) recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students with three-year annual Graduate Research Fellowships (GRFP). Students interested in applying this year should join the School of Graduate Studies for a panel discussion webinar on Tuesday, September 27 from 1:15 to 2:15pm EDT. Current GRFP fellows at CWRU will discuss their experiences in applying for the grant, who they talked to, what they learned through the process, etc. Faculty will also discuss what reviewers are looking for in grant applications.
Students can also attend several additional webinars in the coming weeks sponsored by NSF. For more details, please self-enroll in the NSF GRFP Canvas site and review the content including GRFP purpose, key elements, eligibility, application timeline and components, deadlines, resources, and events. Registration links to all the webinars and Canvas can be found in CampusGroups.
GRFP applicants are open to research-based master's and doctoral degrees at accredited US institutions pursuing degrees in chemistry, computer and information, engineering, geosciences, life sciences, materials research, mathematical sciences, physics and astronomy, psychology, social sciences, and STEM education disciplines.
The deadline to apply varies by your field of study but will be in the second half of October.
Need funding for an upcoming conference? The Graduate Student Travel Award (GSTA) and the Verhosek Fund (V-Fund) are still accepting applications to support graduate students presenting a paper or poster at both in-person and virtual conferences. Check out our Fellowships and Awards page and read carefully for specific rules and requirements for each award to see if you qualify. Applications for both are accepted first-come, first-served throughout the academic year.
Full-time PhD students, second year MA students, and third year MFA students in the arts and humanities within the College of Arts and Sciences can apply for grants up to $500 from the Baker-Nord Center to support works-in-progress or help defray expenses associated with thesis research not already covered by department funding.
Apply by Friday, October 28.
Women-identified individuals at CWRU in underrepresented fields and researching feminism or women and gender equality can apply for grants from the Flora Stone Mather Center for Women to support professional development and research.
Applications are open until Sunday, October 9.
See the latest FSM newsletter for details or contact the Mather Center for more information.
The Hertz Foundation will award 5-year fellowships to first-year grad students and those soon-to-start a graduate program who intend to pursue a PhD in the applied physical and biological sciences, mathematics, or engineering and direct their studies toward understanding and solving major, near-term problems facing society.
Applications are open through Friday, October 28.
The U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science Graduate Student Research Program provides supplemental awards to outstanding domestic doctoral students to pursue part of their thesis research in areas of physics, chemistry, material sciences, biology (non-medical), mathematics, engineering, computer or computational sciences, or specific areas of environmental sciences.
CWRU's Great Lakes Energy Institute will host an info session on the application process on Friday, September 23 at 3:00pm in Olin 408.
The next application deadline is Wednesday, November 9.
![Student working on a gear project at Sears think[box]](/gradstudies/sites/case.edu.gradstudies/files/2019-09/ThinkBox-banner.jpg)
Student Project Fund
Fulltime grad students at CWRU can apply for up to $2,500 from Sears think[box]'s Student Project Fund for personal projects, team projects, design competitions, entrepreneurial activities, and more! The application will be open until current funding is exhausted or Friday, December 9.
Welcome Fund
First-time CWRU students, discover what you can create and innovate at Sears think[box] by taking advantage the Welcome Fund! New students can receive up $50 in free materials through Monday, November 7.
Current grad students and those who completed your degree in 2022 can apply for up to $1,000 from the Student Entrepreneurship Fund with CWRU LaunchNET to support individual and team ventures, entrepreneurship competitions, and innovation projects.
The application opens Monday, September 26.
Campus Events
The Graduate Student Council invites all grad and professional students to their annual Welcome Back Picnic on Thursday, September 22 from 5:00 to 8:00pm in Thwing Ballroom for free food, beverages, and music!
Register on CampusGroups to attend.
Considering applying for a Graduate Research Fellowships (GRFP) from the National Science Foundation? Join us for a panel discussion webinar on Tuesday, September 27 from 1:15 to 2:15pm EDT!
Current GRFP fellows at CWRU will discuss their experiences in applying for the grant, who they talked to, what they learned through the process, etc. Faculty will also discuss what reviewers are looking for in grant applications.
Grad students are invited to the Office of Multicultural Affairs' welcome event on Tuesday, September 27 from 2:00 to 4:00pm in Sears 409 to help get back into your routine on campus and see some friendly faces.
