Newly Admitted
Next Steps for Newly Admitted Graduate Students
Welcome to the Husky Family!
As a newly admitted graduate student, there are steps you will need to complete before you can enroll in courses and start your first semester. Recently Readmitted students must also follow these steps before they can sign-up for courses.
Please review the steps listed below.
This page has active links to assist you in the process. Questions about the orientation process or any of the steps listed below may be directed to usmgradstudies@maine.edu or 207-780-4872.
Stage 1: Securing Your Spot
Activate University Account (Required)
Use the activation code and directions found in your acceptance packet to get started.
Your University of Maine System student account gives you access to your University email, MaineStreet, and many other programs. University Email is used to communicate official University business (to both accepted and enrolled students) and should be activated as soon as possible. MaineStreet is the online system where you access your University records.
HelpDesk I Email Help Desk (help@maine.edu) I Call 207-780-4029
Confirm Your Intent to Enroll (Required)
Completion of the Graduate Student Enrollment Confirmation form is required to matriculate at USM and reserve your place in your program.
If required by your program, you may also need to submit an enrollment deposit. If so, it will be credited to your student account. Checks should be made payable to USM and sent to Admissions with the Accepted Student Confirmation Card. Online payment is also accepted on MaineStreet. Refunds are available for fall semester until May 1, for spring semester until January 2, and for summer term until April 1
Learn more about confirming your enrollment, including whether a deposit is required for your program, an how to pay your deposit, on the Office of Admissions page.
Pay Your Deposit I Email Graduate Admissions (usmgrad@maine.edu) | 207-780-5670 or toll-free 1-800-800-4USM
Apply for Scholarships
There are several USM scholarships available to graduate students. The Scholarship Portal is a helpful tool that allows you to search for available scholarships by program. For questions about scholarship opportunities, we strongly recommend that you contact your Financial Aid Counselor.
Student Financial Services | Email Student Financial Services (usm.finaid@maine.edu) | 207-780-5250
Apply to Live On Campus
If you plan to live in on-campus housing, you are required to:
Complete the online housing application
Pay a $75 housing deposit (via check, money order, or through MaineStreet)
Housing assignments are made based on the completed housing application date and course registration date, so you are encouraged to apply and enroll in classes as soon as possible.
Residential Life I Email Residential Life (usm.reslife@maine.edu) I 207-780-5240
Information on how to request disability-related housing or meal plan accommodations is available through the Disability Services Center at USM (MyUSM link - login required).
Stage 2: Enrolling in Courses
Meet with Your Faculty Advisor
Graduate students receive an assigned faculty advisor from their academic department. Your advisor will be your point-person for questions regarding course selection, registration, and degree requirements and progress. We strongly encourage all newly admitted graduate students to connect with their faculty advisor prior to their first semester of courses.
You can check to see who your assigned advisor is on MaineStreet. If you have not been assigned an advisor yet, contact your department.
Register for Classes
After you have met with your faculty advisor and selected your courses, you are all set to register! You may self-register online via MaineStreet. Registration & Scheduling Services has provided this helpful guide on When & How to Register.
Registration & Scheduling Services | Email RSS (registerusm@maine.edu) | 207-780-5230
Review Transfer Credit Evaluation
If you are entering with transfer credit from another institution, you must submit all official transcripts to USM in order to receive academic credit for any courses completed.
Visit our application instructions page and see the "Send us your admission materials" section to learn where to send your final transcripts.
Stage 3: Getting Ready for Courses
Provide Immunization Records (Required)
Students born after 1956 must comply with the Maine Post-Secondary Immunization Law. Documentation of your immunization compliance should be submitted before or shortly after attending your Advising & Course Selection (ACS) appointment.
The deadline to submit documentation:
Students starting in the Fall semester - October 1.
Students starting in the Spring semester - March 1.
To learn how to provide your records or to find more information, contact University Health & Counseling.
University Health & Counseling Services | Email UHCS (usmhealthcounseling@maine.edu) | 207-780-5411
COVID-19 Vaccination/Exemption Requirement
Prior to arriving on campus for the semester, you must submit either A) a photo of your COVID-19 Vaccination Card OR B) a valid exemption request form to the PointNClick Portal. Exemption request forms are located on the PointNClick Portal under the "COVID-19 Vaccine Exemption Forms" section on the lefthand side.
Need help uploading your vaccination card? VIDEO: How to Upload your Vaccination Verification Form.
Valid exemptions include: 1. Documented medical contraindication: a written statement from a licensed physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant that, in the provider’s professional judgment, immunization may be medically inadvisable. 2. Sincerely held religious belief: a signed statement from the student, or guardian if the student is a minor, that the student’s sincerely held religious beliefs are contrary to the COVID-19 vaccination requirement. 3. Remote learning only: a signed statement from the student, or guardian if the student is a minor, that the student will only enroll in remote learning courses that involve no participation in an on-campus experience at any University location. Because not all courses are available in an online modality, students who choose this option understand, agree and accept that this may limit their educational options and that, depending on degree program or course of study, it may not be possible to complete a course of study through remote learning only.
NOTE: Students with an approved exemption and an in-person presence are required to participate in weekly COVID-19 testing on-campus.
The University of Maine System’s COVID-19 vaccination requirements for students are located on the Together for Students page. You are highly encouraged to closely monitor your maine.edu email account for updates to the UMS COVID-19 guidance and policies. Need help uploading your vaccination card? VIDEO: How to Upload your Vaccination Verification Form
Questions/Concerns? Check out the Healthy Huskies MyUSM page (login required) or contact the Dean of Students Office: Email: usmdeanofstudents@maine.edu Phone: 207-780-5370
Checklist for Registered Students
On the next page, you will find a checklist for registered students. Items on this checklist include things such as: purchasing textbooks, paying your tuition bill, managing emergency notification preferences, obtaining your student ID card, registering for the New Graduate Student Orientation session, completing required pieces of training, and more.
Office of Graduate Studies | Email OGS (usmgradstudies@maine.edu) | 207-780-4872
Attend Orientation
We will host an in-person New Student Reception on Thursday, January 12, 2023 (snow date January 18) from 4-5:30 p.m. in the Abromson Center of the Portland Campus., and an online New Student Information Session on Friday, January 20 from 12-1 p.m. via Zoom. Find more information about these events on the Graduate Studies webpage.
Connect with Veterans Services and Request Joint Services Transcript (If applicable)
Veterans, servicemembers, dependents, and survivors using the GI Bill must submit a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility to our office.
Request a copy of your Joint Services Transcript for evaluation.
Veteran Services | Email Veterans Services (usm.veterans@maine.edu) | 207-780-4471
Connect with Disabilities Services Center (If applicable)
Did you have a 504/IEP in high school or receive accommodations at your last college/university? Do you have a documented disability?
Contact the Disability Services Center (DSC) as soon as possible to request a meeting to learn about our services and request accommodations. To set up an appointment, complete the Initial Appointment form (login required) or call the number listed below.
Disability Services Center | Email DSC (dsc-usm@maine.edu) | 207-780-4706 | TTY: 207-780-4395
Connect with of Prior Learning Assessment (If applicable)
The Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) office provides pathways by which students can earn credit for documented college-level learning acquired outside of a traditional academic environment. We evaluate Advanced Placement (AP) credit and International baccalaureate credit, as well as assess students through testing, credential review, and portfolios.
Credit for Prior Learning Office| Email PLA (priorlearningusm@maine.edu) | 207-780-4663