Checklist for Incoming ECE Graduate Students

Checklist for new students

1. Confirm Enrollment – Congratulations on your admission to the University of MN – Twin Cities Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Students who are admitted must confirm their enrollment. When you confirm your enrollment, you are declaring your intent to attend the University of Minnesota. To confirm your enrollment in graduate school, visit your online application to check your status and confirm your enrollment.

2. Initiate University of Minnesota Student Account (Internet ID sometimes referred to as X500) - To get started, go to http://www.myu.umn.edu/ and click on the Internet Account link under “Need an Account?” Initiating your Internet account will give you access to all University Internet services including the admitted student portal, the University library system, and e-mail. You will be asked to provide your Social Security Number,  (student) ID number (on the top of your admission letter from the Graduate School), and your date of birth.   International students who don’t have a social security number may leave that field blank. If you have any difficulties with the initiation process, please call 1-HELP at (612) 301-4357 or send an e-mail to help@umn.edu. Please note that if you already have a University of Minnesota Internet account you should use that account and you will not be able to open a new account.  Please remember your InternetID and password, you will need this to register and to take online safety courses (see below) and many other uses during your studies.

3. Claim your UMN Email Your University email address is the official form of communication at the University of Minnesota. Official announcements from the University, your department, professors, and ISSS are sent to this email address. Your tuition bill will also be emailed to this account. You are responsible for knowing any information sent to you through your University email.

Go to z.umn.edu/claim-account to claim your email account. You can leave the field empty that asks for a Social Security Number if you do not have one.

Once you have claimed your account, you can go to mail.umn.edu to read your email.

Create a Strong Password You Will Remember

You will be required to create a complex password that includes letters, numbers, spaces, and/or special characters (for example, ~ ! @ # $ % ^ & ( ) - _ + = ).

It is important that you select a password you will remember. While it is possible to reset your password, this process can be difficult for students who are not physically in Minnesota.

We recommend you write down a hint to help you remember your password. The Office of Information Technology has suggestions for how to create a password that will be easy to remember at z.umn.edu/strongpassword2.

Need Help With Email?

If you need help claiming or accessing your email, you can contact the UMN’s Technology Help service desk (called 1-Help) by email, phone, or chat. Learn how at z.umn.edu/1help.

4. Enroll in DUO: Students are required to enroll in Duo within one week of registering for classes. The University of Minnesota provides Duo Security to help students, faculty, and staff safeguard themselves against cybercrime. Duo Security (two-factor authentication) is required at the UMN Sign-In page. The Sign-In page is the University’s gateway to applications such as MyU, G Suite (Gmail, Calendar, Docs, etc.) Canvas, and many others.

By requiring you to verify your identity with a device, Duo Security adds additional security to protect your information, accounts, and assets you access online even in the event your password is stolen.

Directions for Most Students

All students located in the U.S. or internationally who are not in China or an Embargoed Country should do the following:

Enroll in Duo Mobile (recommended), or

Request Bypass Codes

5. International students must complete the  International Student Preparation Course (https://isss.umn.edu/new-students/requirements/iprep).

6. International students: review all information on the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) new student website: https://isss.umn.edu/new-students/requirements

7. Check for holds on your account at myu.umn.edu. When a University office needs you to complete a task, that office will "place a hold" (also known as a negative service indicator) in the University's student system to prevent you from registering for courses or getting an official transcript until you complete that task.   

Below are common holds you should know about and instructions about their removal.  To see if you have any holds, go to http://onestop.umn.edu/, click on “Hold” under the Registration Section. 

• AI and IL Hold - All international students will have these holds.  The University is required to maintain a file with information about the legal status of each international student at the University.  ISSS will remove this hold temporarily so you can register for Fall coursework.

• AZ Hold  - Many new international students have this English proficiency hold.  Bring your TOEFL scores or transcripts of previous academic study in the United States.  You may need to take an English placement test or English as a second language courses if you are unable to document that you meet the University's standards for English proficiency.  

8. Complete GEAR 1: The Graduate School has developed an online orientation called GEAR 1 (Graduate Education Resources for the First Year), available now.

9. Register for classes – After all holds are removed or updated so you can register for classes, please review the information included below.  

• • One Stop  Registration Information

  • Two Stop (an alternative site to search for classes)

  • How to Guides

10.  Obtain University U Card “ID Card” - http://www1.umn.edu/ucard/ - click Twin Cities.  

11. Complete the required documentation for immunizations: https://boynton.umn.edu/immunization-requirement

Steps for International Students Only

International students, please review the information for students on the International Student and Scholar  Services (ISSS) - http://www.isss.umn.edu/

In order to ensure the University of Minnesota can verify your immigration status, there is currently an AI hold on your record that will prevent you from registering for classes. This hold will be lifted by International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) for your initial course registration after you complete the Global Gopher Online Orientation and Immigration Check-in requirements listed below.

Please note, many international students have at least two holds on their record when they arrive at the University of Minnesota, so make sure to visit MyU and navigate to the "Holds" tab to see if there are any others on your record (learn how here). All of these holds will need to be removed before you will be allowed to register.

Contact ISSS if you have any questions.

All new international students must complete the International Student Preparation Course prior to their Immigration Check-in.

What is the International Student Preparation Course?

The International Student Preparation Course was developed specifically for new international students based on input from current international students. We worked with them to create this course to share important information so that you will know what to expect as you prepare for your arrival to the University of Minnesota.

The International Student Preparation Course has helpful modules that address some of the questions most frequently asked by international students, including:

·   What is International Student and Scholar Services, and how can you help me before and after I arrive at the University of Minnesota?

·   What do I need to do BEFORE and AFTER I arrive?

·   How do I register for classes?

·   What it is like to study or teach in the USA?

·   What do I need to know about employment in the USA?

·   What do I need to travel?

·   What resources does the campus have to support my cultural adjustment?

You should complete this course as soon as possible as it will give you a better awareness of your visa status and resources available on-campus.

After you arrive in the USA, you must scan and submit your documents using the “ISSS Check-in: Document Check” form in MyISSS. To avoid complications and delays, you should ensure the text on your documents is legible and all of the complete document is visible in the scanned image.

The documents you must submit are as follows:

·   Your I-20 or DS-2019

·   Passport biographical page

·   F-1 or J-1 visa (except citizens of Canada)

·   Your most recent I-94 record of entry to the USA (you will receive this when you enter the United States, and you should upload it as soon as you arrive)

You will then need to complete an ISSS Check-in and Welcome Online Session in MyISSS. You will access this through a link on the “ISSS Check-in: Document Check” form. This online session will contain important information and action items you will need to complete before you begin classes.

Please Note: The International Student Preparation Course and the ISSS Check-in and Welcome Online Session are separate online items, and your AI registration will not be permanently removed until you complete both courses.

Directions to Log Into MyISSS

1.  Go to myisss.umn.edu.

2.  Click the Login button shown in the box titled "Login with your UMN ID for Full Access." Do not use the link to "Access Limited Services."

3.  Use your UMN email and password to log in (if you have not already, you must claim your account by going to z.umn.edu/claim-account).

4.  Under the Admissions tab on the upper left, select ISSS Check-In: Document Check and upload the required documents.

5.  Email isssnew@umn.edu if you have questions or experience difficulties when logging into MyISSS.

International Students – U.S. Social Security Number.  Students on F-1 student visa will need the Verification of F-1 Student’s On-campus Job letter; Tiffany Ralston or Gary Nelson will provide you with this when you arrive.  This needs to be signed by ISSS in advance.  You must have all holds removed and be registered for classes before you can apply for a Social Security Number.

    Review what is required on the Social Security Number application form itself so that you are prepared for the questions on the form - http://www.ssa.gov/online/ss-5.pdf.