Orientation

Welcome to Berkeley!

UC Berkeley’s New Graduate Student Orientation (NGSO) is an additional orientation designed to supplement orientations that are held by your academic department, school, or program.

NGSO takes place in person on Tuesday, August 25 from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. in various locations on campus. NGSO will include lunch, a resource fair and sessions hosted by key departments like the Graduate Writing Center, Berkeley International Office, Basic Needs, and many more. Stay for GradFest, happening from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.

Register for NGSO

While registration for individual in-person sessions is not required, we encourage you to register for the day so we can properly welcome you!

Register for NGSO on August 25

NGSO Schedule

Session Time Session Title Session Location Session Description
8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. BMO Coffee Hour DWIN Plaza Enjoy complimentary coffee and tea sponsored by BMO
9:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. Lisa García Bedolla DWIN 155 live & DWIN 145 livestream Welcome to UC Berkeley! We hope you’re excited to begin your graduate studies here with us. Come hear some opening remarks from the Vice Provost for Graduate Studies and Dean of Graduate Division, Lisa Garcia Bedolla.
9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Establishing Residency for Tuition Purposes DWIN 155 First year grad students are invited to attend this session on establishing residency for tuition purposes, focusing on the Statement of Legal Residency (SLR) filing process for Fall 2027
9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Funding Your Education STAN 105 This session will cover how funding is applied, available fellowship resources, campus employment opportunities, and updates on the federal loan program.
9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Academic and Professional Writing DWIN 145 Develop the academic and professional skills necessary for the successful completion of graduate programs: academic, grant, dissertation, and professional writing, editing, and preparing articles for publications. Learn about the many workshops offered to graduate students.
9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. International Student and Staff Panel PHYS 1 Are you an international student studying at Berkeley on an F-1 or J-1 visa? Come and meet your Berkeley International Office and get your questions answered by knowledgeable BIO staff and our student orientation leaders!
9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Graduate Student Wellnes PHYS 4 This presentation will address transitioning into Cal, wellness, life balance, stress & resilience, Imposter concerns, diversity & community, building relationships with your advisor, and mindfulness. Learn about GA Wellness Center services and counseling and psychiatric services through University Health Services.
9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Resources, Support, and Community Offered by the Office for Graduate Diversity STAN 106 Come learn about graduate student academic and mentorship resources, funding opportunities, and retention programs, including study spaces, events, and workshops hosted at the Inclusive Excellence Hub. Hear about the American Indian Graduate Program, Diversity and Community Fellows, First-Gen Initiative, UndocuGrads Program, STEM*FYI Program, Path to the Professoriate Program, and more!
9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Initiating Accommodations in Grad School PHYS 3 An introduction to Berkeley’s Disabled Students’ Program and an overview of the disability accommodations request process for incoming graduate students.
9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. The Graduate Assembly: UC Berkeley’s Graduate Student Government PHYS 2 The Graduate Assembly (GA) is the official representative body of UC Berkeley graduate and professional students. The GA aims to foster an empowering, responsive, enjoyable, and accessible campus environment and experience for all. In this session, we’ll discuss what the GA offers, and what opportunities we offer for you to make a difference in the well-being of graduate students across campus!
9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Navigating Cal: As a Graduate Student from a Chicanx Latinx Perspective DWIN 182 This workshop will discuss how to navigate Cal from a Chicanx Latinx Perspective. Graduate students and alumni will speak of their experiences and challenges as well as spaces and resources they used to create comunidad and life time networks.
10:45 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Innovation & Entrepreneurship Opportunities for YOU at UC Berkeley DWIN 155 Welcome to UC Berkeley, the “Startup Campus”! Meet our Chief Innovation & Entrepreneurship Officer and learn about opportunities for you to engage with our dynamic innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.
10:45 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Funding Your Education STAN 105 This session will cover how funding is applied, available fellowship resources, campus employment opportunities, and updates on the federal loan program.
10:45 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Academic and Professional Writing DWIN 145 Develop the academic and professional skills necessary for the successful completion of graduate programs: academic, grant, dissertation, and professional writing, editing, and preparing articles for publications. Learn about the many workshops offered to graduate students.
10:45 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. International Student and Staff Panel PHYS 1 Are you an international student studying at Berkeley on an F-1 or J-1 visa? Come and meet your Berkeley International Office and get your questions answered by knowledgeable BIO staff and our student orientation leaders!
10:45 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Learning to Embrace Failure (mistakes!) for Greater Success in Grad School PHYS 4 In this talk we will discuss how “failure” is a normal process of becoming a professional / academician, honoring this process rather than feeling shame, using your curiosity and creativity to expand your knowledge and productive ways to deal with “failure”.
10:45 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Getting Ready For Career Fairs STAN 106 Prepare for Berkeley Career Engagement’s Fall 2026 Schedule.
10:45 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Initiating Accommodations in Grad School PHYS 3 An introduction to Berkeley’s Disabled Students’ Program and an overview of the disability accommodations request process for incoming graduate students.
10:45 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Basic Needs Center Overview PHYS 2 Learn about our commitment to fostering belonging and justice on campus through a robust model that includes both short-term emergency relief and long-term support services addressing students’ basic needs. We define basic needs as an ecosystem that at the core includes food security, housing security, and financial stability. All enrolled graduate, international and undocumented students are eligible for Basic Needs Center resources and services.
10:45 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Navigating Cal: As a Chicanx Latinx Graduate Student DWIN 182 This workshop will discuss how to navigate Cal from a Chicanx Latinx Perspective. Graduate students and alumni will speak of their experiences and challenges as well as spaces and resources they used to create comunidad and life time networks.
11:45 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. Lunch and Resource Fair Campanile Enjoy complimentary lunch (while supplies last) and a resource fair hosted by campus organizations.
1:15 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. Cultivating a Respectful Graduate Community DWIN 155 The 60 min training on sexual violence and sexual harassment prevention is a required education opportunity that all new graduate students must complete. This training will cover topics such as: the definitions and impact of sexual violence, being an active bystander, how to challenge unhealthy social norms that normalize violence, how to support a friend or colleague impacted by violence or harm, as well as the resources, rights, and options for those impacted by SVSH.
1:15 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. Wellness, Recreation, and Play STAN 105 Come hear from RecWell, Athletics, and CalPerformances about various events occurring throughout campus and how to get involved!
1:15 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. Getting the Mentoring You Need in Graduate School DWIN 145 Gain insight into establishing and working within the context of mentoring relationships with faculty. Learn strategies and skills for mentoring undergraduates at Berkeley and in your future career.
1:15 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. ITIN Drop-Off Event PHYS 1 Are you a new graduate student receiving UC Berkeley funding? If you have been instructed to create a GLACIER record, join us to submit your documentation for a U.S. Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). The IRS issues ITINs for tax purposes to individuals who do not have, and are not eligible to obtain, a Social Security Number (SSN).
1:15 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. University Health Services and SHIP Overview PHYS 4 Come learn about the Tang Center and the Student Health Insurance Plan(SHIP) and health resources that all students can use.
1:15 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. CalFresh Clinic STAN 106 Join us during this clinic to walk through the application process and have your CalFresh questions answered! CalFresh is a federally funded program, also known as SNAP/EBT, that provides eligible students with up to $298 to purchase food.
1:15 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. GenEq: Your Campus Gender & Sexuality Resource Center PHYS 3 Learn about the Gender Equity Resource Center and campus resources focused on gender and sexuality. Meet staff and current graduate students to hear about upcoming community building events, local resources, and more.
1:15 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. Student Legal Services: How Can We Help? PHYS 2 SLS will share an overview of the free attorney advising services available to currently registered UC Berkeley students, and answer questions that students may have about their legal rights or concerns.
1:15 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. ““Kids and Classes at Cal” – Resources for Graduate Student Parents at UC Berkeley.” DWIN 182 This presentation will cover key resources and services from the Student Parent Center, a campus program that supports students who are also parenting while attending UC Berkeley.
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Cultivating a Respectful Graduate Community DWIN 155 The 60 min training on sexual violence and sexual harassment prevention is a required education opportunity that all new graduate students must complete. This training will cover topics such as: the definitions and impact of sexual violence, being an active bystander, how to challenge unhealthy social norms that normalize violence, how to support a friend or colleague impacted by violence or harm, as well as the resources, rights, and options for those impacted by SVSH.
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. The University Library: Your Partner in Research and Teaching STAN 105 The UC Berkeley Library offers unique collections and expertise that attract researchers from around the world. Learn how the Library’s collections and services can save you time and boost your research to the next level.
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Getting the Mentoring You Need in Graduate School DWIN 145 Gain insight into establishing and working within the context of mentoring relationships with faculty. Learn strategies and skills for mentoring undergraduates at Berkeley and in your future career.
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. ITIN Drop-Off Event PHYS 1 Are you a new graduate student receiving UC Berkeley funding? If you have been instructed to create a GLACIER record, join us to submit your documentation for a U.S. Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). The IRS issues ITINs for tax purposes to individuals who do not have, and are not eligible to obtain, a Social Security Number (SSN).
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. University Health Services and SHIP Overview PHYS 4 Come learn about the Tang Center and the Student Health Insurance Plan(SHIP) and health resources that all students can use.
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. CalFresh Clinic STAN 106 Join us during this clinic to walk through the application process and have your CalFresh questions answered! CalFresh is a federally funded program, also known as SNAP/EBT, that provides eligible students with up to $298 to purchase food.
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. What the Tech?! Navigating Tech Resources at UC Berkeley PHYS 3 Learn about tech resources across campus available to UC Berkeley students
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Getting Ready for Berkeley: A Guide to Financial Planning PHYS 2 Join the Center for Financial Wellness for an insightful session on how to start your financial planning journey—the Berkeley way. We will cover everyday financial basics, available resources, and healthy financial habits to help you start your Berkeley journey feeling financially prepared.
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. UC Labor Center: Student Engagement DWIN 182 Learn what the UC Berkeley Labor Center does and ways to get involved in student programs!
3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. GradFest Campanile Various Graduate Registered Student Organizations (GRSOs) will table and provide incoming graduate students the opportunity to connect with campus community and peers. Light snacks provided.

Other events for new graduate students