Information for New Graduate Students
Graduate studies at the University of Rochester are decentralized and focused within individual Departments and Programs. These units are the most important sources of advice and information about programs and policies, and you should contact them directly about any specific issues.
In addition, you should read the current official Graduate Bulletin, paying particular attention to those sections governing your specific degree program and the section “Regulations and University Policies Regarding Graduate Study.”
Several items of general importance are discussed below. Additionally, the Council of Graduate Schools Resolution Regarding Graduate Scholars, Fellows, Trainees and Assistants can be downloaded here.
- Jump to:
- Credentials
- Orientation
- Registration
- English Language Testing
- Immigration Documents
- Appointments and Awards
- External Work Policy
- Financial Aid
- Supervised Teaching
- TA Training
- Student Health Program
- Estimated Expenses
CREDENTIALS
- Each entering student must eventually provide all documents requested in the application form (even when an offer is made prior to receipt of all such documents). These include transcripts and three letters of recommendation. Graduate admission is, in addition, contingent upon completion of the requirements for a Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent, unless an exception is explicitly noted in the letter of appointment.
- The following materials were not requested with the application, but must be received:
- Supplementary or final transcript, including certification of the completion of any degrees
(by 12/31/2013) - Health History Form (which will be mailed to you upon receipt of your acceptance of our offer)
- Supplementary or final transcript, including certification of the completion of any degrees
- New York State Public Health Law #2165 requires that all full-time and part-time students enrolled for at least six credit hours per semester (or 4 quarter hours per quarter), born on or after January 1, 1957, attending a college or university in New York State, must provide evidence of immunity to Measles, Mumps, and Rubella. The law also mandates that full time students indicate receipt of information about Meningococcal disease and the availability of a vaccination for students. Students from countries where tuberculosis is endemic must be screened for TB using a PPD test. The University of Rochester also requires a tetanus vaccination, preferably containing Pertussis. Students not in compliance with the immunization requirements will be withdrawn from school and required to leave campus. All of this information is included in the Health History Form packet that you will receive after accepting admission to the University. Further information about the immunization requirements is on the University Health Service website in the Student Services section.
- The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 requires all students receiving assistantships from the University to submit proof of their employment eligibility. Failure to complete an Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9) will result in termination of an assistantship.
- Documents that establish both identity and employment eligibility are (a) a US passport, (b) a certificate of US citizenship, (c) a certificate of naturalization, (d) an unexpired foreign passport with attached employment authorization or (e) an alien registration card with photograph.
- You can prove your identity by providing a US Military Card, a state-issued driver’s license, or a state-issued ID card with a photograph that includes your name, sex, date of birth, height, weight, and color of eyes. You can establish employment eligibility by producing either an original Social Security number card (other than a card stating it is not valid for employment), a birth certificate issued by a state, country, or municipal authority bearing a seal or other certification, or by an unexpired USCIS Employment Authorization.
OR
The Employment Verification forms (Form I-9) will be available in your Department/Program office. A departmental representative will be happy to certify it for you.
ORIENTATION
Arts, Sciences and Engineering will be having an orientation on August 29, 2013, from 1:00 – 4:00pm. All new students are encouraged to attend.
REGISTRATION
Classes begin Tuesday, September 3, 2013. First-year graduate students should plan to arrive on campus at least one week before the first day of classes (especially if you are looking for housing) to allow time for consultation with departmental advisers, course selection and registration. Registration must be completed within two weeks from the first day of classes or a late registration fee will be charged.
All students holding teaching or research assistantships must register for at least nine credit hours (but not more than twelve credit hours) in order to be considered full-time. Students not holding assistantships must register for at least twelve credit hours (but not more than sixteen credit hours) in order to maintain full-time status; this also includes holders of Fellowships and Traineeships who are not teaching or department assistants.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE TESTING
All incoming graduate students whose first language is not English and who will be teaching assistants in the coming year are required to be tested for their English proficiency. Individual oral testing with a language specialist will be held on Monday, August 26, 2013. Students will sign up for a 15 minute timeframe for the testing. Students must ensure that they are on campus and available for the testing.
Students whose language skills are judged to not be satisfactory will be required to take an English as a Second Language course designed specifically for International Graduate Students (at a cost of $625). This course emphasizes the acquisition of English cultural and linguistic skills needed for clear communication in the university and career environments. Primary areas covered will be accent reduction, pragmatics (culture’s role in language), nonverbal communication, public speaking, and academic and business writing.
Strong English language skills are vital to your success in the program and to your future career. If you have any doubt about your English abilities, you are strongly encouraged to come to Rochester during the summer and take part in the University of Rochester’s 4-week Summer Intensive English Course, which will be held July 22 - August 16, 2013 (at a cost of approximately $850). If you wish to take advantage of this opportunity to improve your English before beginning your program, please let us know as early as possible, so we can work with you to change the start date of your program.
IMMIGRATION DOCUMENTS
International students who require immigration sponsorships as an F-1 or J-1 student should return the New Student Request for an I-20/DS-2019 form to their Department/Program as soon as possible after the offer of admission has been accepted. Supporting documents may also be required, including a passport copy and proof of financial support, if needed. This form and detailed instructions can be found on the International Services Office (ISO) website. The ISO is unable to issue necessary immigration documents without complete and accurate information.
APPOINTMENTS AND AWARDS
The University of Rochester, as a member of the Council of Graduate Schools in the United States, subscribes to the Resolution Regarding Graduate Scholars, Fellows, Trainees, and Assistants. In accordance with that Resolution, “when a student accepts an offer before April 15 and subsequently desires to withdraw, the student must submit in writing a resignation of the appointment at any time through April 15. However, an acceptance given or left in force after April 15 commits the student not to accept another offer without first obtaining a written release from the institution to which a commitment has been made.”
The continuity of all appointments and awards, and the eligibility for reappointment, require that the student make satisfactory academic progress. Any award can be terminated, at any time, if the academic work is regarded as unsatisfactory.
EXTERNAL WORK POLICY
Full-time students holding fellowships, assistantships, or scholarships may not accept other full-time employment.
FINANCIAL AID
Merit-based awards are provided by the academic department during the admission process, while federal and private loan funding can be obtained through the Financial Aid Office. Graduate students may borrow up to a maximum of $20,500 per academic year through the Federal Direct unsubsidized loan program. The actual amount a student is eligible to borrow cannot exceed the University of Rochester’s cost of attendance minus any other assistance received, including merit-based awards and tuition waivers provided by employers.
The application required for federal student loans is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), available at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Students who have completed their application materials will be reviewed for aid eligibility. Eligibility is determined based upon planned enrollment.
Please contact the Financial Aid Office at (800) 881-8234 or visit the website at http://enrollment.rochester.edu/financial/ for additional details on loans and contact information for staff members.
SUPERVISED TEACHING
All graduate students matriculated for the PhD degree are required to perform a certain amount of teaching assistance as part of their education. Teaching experience deepens and enriches a student’s understanding of the discipline and provides invaluable professional training and is, therefore, considered to be a vital component of any PhD program. The amount and nature of the teaching varies according to Departments and Programs. This requirement is independent of whether the student is receiving a fellowship, scholarship, or assistantship, although teaching assistants will, by virtue of their assignments, automatically fulfill this requirement.
TA TRAINING
There will be an all-day TA training workshop on Friday, August 30, 2013. This workshop is open to all first-time teaching assistants. Please check with your specific program to see if attendance at this workshop is mandatory and, if so, plan your arrival on campus accordingly.
STUDENT HEALTH PROGRAM
The Student Health Program for full-time students has two parts:
- Mandatory Health Fee
- (1) The mandatory health fee, which is paid by all full-time students through their tuition billing statement, covers the cost of visits with physicians, nurse practitioners, and registered nurses at the University Health Service (UHS), short-term psychotherapy at the University Counseling Center (UCC), health education services, and public health/disease prevention programs. The cost of the mandatory health fee is $480 per year for 2012-2013. Each year the fees are posted on the UHS website.
- Health Insurance
- (2) In addition to the mandatory health fee, all full-time students must have health insurance. Students can enroll in the University-sponsored health insurance plan offered through the University Health Service or remain on their own health insurance. Each year, all full-time students must complete the online Health Insurance Enrollment/Waiver Process before the start of classes to indicate their health insurance coverage. The link to this online process is in the pink Quick Links box on the UHS website. Health insurance generally covers the cost of services such as hospitalization, surgical procedures, and diagnostic laboratory tests and x-rays; the mandatory health fee does not cover these services. The benefits covered by health insurance will vary depending on the student’s insurance plan. The cost of the health insurance offered through the University Health Service is $1,956 per year for 2012-2013. Students who choose to remain on their own insurance plan can waive this portion of the fee if their insurance plan meets University standards. (The health insurance fee increase is usually within 10% each year.)
Insurance Options for Married Students: Due to the high cost of health care, it is recommended that students have health insurance coverage for their families who are with them in Rochester. Students who enroll in the University-sponsored insurance can also enroll their spouse and dependent children. Spouses who enroll in the insurance plan must also pay the mandatory health fee, which covers their visits to the University Health Service and the University Counseling Center. The cost for the spouse is the same as the cost for the students. In 2012-2013, the cost for one or more children is $3,330. Students with children may want to check Healthy New York, a program available for residents of New York State who meet eligibility criteria. For information about Health New York, check www.HealthyNY.com.
All non-immigrant international students and their families who are in the United States with them must comply with immigration requirements and University policies governing health insurance.
Further information about the University Health Service and health insurance for students is available on the University Health Service website.
Estimated Expenses
Based on 2011-2012 financial figures, the Financial Aid Office has estimated the following support requirements for your information and planning: (Actual figures listed on immigration documents for 2012-2013 will vary slightly.)
| Item | ESTIMATED Cost (24 credits) |
ESTIMATED Cost (32 credits) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $31,776 | $42,880 |
| Health Fee | $480 | $480 |
| Health Insurance | $1,956 | $1,956 |
| UHS PT Student Processing Fee | $30 | $30 |
| Activity Fee | $20 | $20 |
| Rent | $9,540 | $9,540 |
| Utilities | $750 | $750 |
| Food | $4,760 | $4,760 |
| Books, Supplies, Personal Expenses | $1,075 | $1,075 |
| International Student Fee | $25 | $25 |
| Repatriation and Evacuation Fee** | $10 | $10 |
| Total | $50,417 | $61,521 |
| Dependent Support | $7,000 (spouse) | $7,000 (each child) |
* Health insurance is for the student. This fee can be waived if the student has his/her own insurance that meets University standards. Spouses who enroll in the health insurance pay the same fees for health insurance and the mandatory health fee as the student. The fee to cover dependent children is $3,330 in 2012-2013: this fee covers one or more children.
** Repatriation and Evacuation Insurance for Foreign Nationals. This fee is waived for students who are enrolled in the University-sponsored health insurance plan since repatriation insurance is included in the plan.
