Academics
Apply for January Graduation
Friday, October 6 is the deadline to apply in SIS for Fall semester graduation. You can find graduation information with detailed requirements here. All final materials are due by December 8. Degrees will be awarded on January 19, 2024. There is no diploma ceremony in January but if you plan to attend the 2024 Commencement in May, you will also need to register for the ceremony in the spring semester. Watch for details after the New Year.
If you applied to graduate in spring or summer 2023 but did not complete all requirements you must apply again this semester.
Verify Your Final Exams & Deadlines
Take a moment now to verify in your syllabi and with your professors the schedule for your final exams and deadlines for any papers or projects. Make sure all of your travel plans for winter break are after your final exams and that deadlines can be met. Exams and due dates will not be rescheduled due to travel conflicts.
NSF Graduate Research Fellowships
Each year, the National Science Foundation (NSF) recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students with three years of funding through the Graduate Research Fellowships Program (GRFP). Eligible applicants are research-based Master's and doctoral students 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.
Students interested in applying this year should self-enroll in our NSF GRFP Canvas site to review the program purpose, key elements, eligibility, application timeline and components, deadlines, resources, events, and application materials from CWRU GRFP awardees. Dr. Jessica Slentz (Grad Studies alum and President/CEO of Lake Effect Grant Solutions) is also offering free 30 minute one-on-one sessions in-person on campus or via Zoom most Wednesdays between 4:00 and 6:00pm EDT to review your application. A recording is available of our recent panel webinar featuring current GRFP fellows at CWRU discussing their experiences in applying and also faculty discussing 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, the registration links to all the review sessions and webinars can be found in CampusGroups.
The deadline to apply varies by your field of study but will be in the second half of October.
Fall Break October 23 & 24
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 23 and Tuesday, October 24. 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.
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!
