Admitted Graduate Students
International Students
International services staff are available to assist all incoming international students. Learn more about helpful resources and important information for starting your graduate school journey at Clarkson.
Register for Orientation
During orientation you'll get an idea of what to expect during your graduate studies. Sessions are generally held just prior to the start of your first class and you'll receive information about how to register in your email. International students are able to register for international-specific orientations. If you have any questions you can email us at gradschool@fenxiong.net.
Plan Your Course Load
Check in with your graduate coordinator and department office during this time, especially if you have any additional questions. Schedule a meeting with your advisor to plan your course enrollment, as well. You can find detailed instructions on completing course enrollment below:
Arrange Tuition Payments and Check In
Make sure you have paid your tuition and fees in full by the semester or quarter due date. Once you do, you can check in as a student to confirm that you are planning to attend the upcoming term. All students are required to complete the check-in process. You will not have access to Moodle (Clarkson's portal for online course content) until you do. You may also be subject to late fees if this is not completed in a timely manner.
Verify Your Employment Eligibility
If you are holding research or teaching assistantships or expect to work on campus, you must provide certain identification and employment eligibility documents within three days of your official start date. Upon arrival, visit your graduate coordinator's office to begin this process. Please plan to have the following documentation with you:
- U.S. citizens: Two forms of ID, along with/including your Social Security Card.
- International students: I-94, visa and passport.
Submit Health Requirements
All students must complete the required student health forms and show proof of health insurance during registration. You can submit all required health forms on your Accepted Student Portal. If you do not have insurance through an outside provider, you will be prompted to purchase Clarkson's student health insurance plan when you check in for classes. More information will also be included with your first invoice.
Arrange Housing
If you need housing to complete your studies at our Potsdam campus we recommend starting the process as soon as possible. Housing in Potsdam close to campus can be limited, and we suggest arriving on campus at least two weeks before classes begin. The information below is only meant as a resource.
A limited number of on-campus housing units (apartment style) are available. The semester rates may be found here. Please contact Residence Life to reserve housing on campus. Campus housing is a great solution for those wanting the closest proximity to campus.
We've put together a list of local communities and other resources. These rental agreements are between the student and rental company or landlord.
- Collegiate Village of Potsdam (2.0 miles/3.21 kilometers from CU campus).
- Meadow East Apartments (2.1 miles/3.34 kilometers from CU campus).
- Crescent Meadows Apartments (0.5 miles/0.8 kilometers from CU campus).
- Garden Place Estates (4.0 miles/6.43 kilometers from CU campus).
- Swan Landing Associates (0.6 miles/0.96 kilometers from CU campus).
- Adirondack Quality Apartments (1.5 miles/2.41 kilometers from CU campus).
- Liberty Rental of Canton (11 miles/17 kilometers from CU campus) *public transportation in the area is very limited; a personal vehicle is recommended.
- Your NY Home
- North Country Now
- Potsdam Living
Final Tasks
You are expected to have a valid Clarkson University Identification Access/ID card when on any Clarkson University campus. ID cards are effective from your first day of study. Your Clarkson student ID will work at all of our campus locations. To secure an ID, please log into your PeopleSoft account and follow the instructions found in your "To-do" List.
Vehicles on the Potsdam or Schenectady campus must be registered. You can find the form in your CU account. To secure a parking pass/sticker:
- Potsdam: Your registration sticker can be picked up during orientation along with your student ID.
- Schenectady: Your registration pass can be picked up at the front desk on the first floor of the Capital Region Campus.
If you did not do this during the admissions process, obtain your username and PIN to complete the password setup process. This will allow you to access PeopleSoft, Campus Email, Moodle (for courses with online components) and on-campus computers. For assistance, email the OIT Helpdesk.
This will be provided in your orientation folder. Read the packet and return the signed front page to your graduate coordinator within one week of arrival.