Orientation and Welcome Events
Welcome to Virginia Tech Graduate School! We know that starting graduate school can be a challenge, so we offer a variety of events and activities to help new students connect with fellow students, faculty, staff, and local resources. Click on each event to find out more details. Events with an ** require registration. Events and sign-up links will be added when plans are confirmed.
New students are encouraged to attend the sessions below to learn about life as a graduate student! Please click each title to learn more about what will be coverd and to register. After each session, the video recording and slides will be uploaded here.
- Graduate School slides from this session
- Bursar's office slides from this session
- Q&A from this session
Get a head start on the fall semester and learn many of the key components to help you get started as a graduate student at Virginia Tech. At this session we will discuss how to register for classes, how to find and pay your tuition bill, the assistantship funding timeline and graduate comprehensive fee payment plan.
If you are an incoming on a graduate assistantship, you may be wondering what steps you need to take next. At this session you will learn more about your contract, what benefits are included with your assistantship and what questions you need to ask your supervisor.
Hear from current graduate students about what organizations and clubs they have gotten involved with and how they found their community at Virginia Tech.
Discover what living in Blacksburg and the New River Valley is like! We will discuss housing, transportation, shopping, entertainment, living on a budget, and more!
Graduate School Dean Dr. Aimee Surprenant helps you learn how to establish expectations and manage the relationship with your advisor. This session is intended for research students, both master's degree and Ph.D.
GTA Workshop** - August 19, 8:25 am-12:30 pm (check-in opens at 8:00 am)
International Graduate Student Orientation** August 20, 8 am-12 pm
Graduate Orientation* - August 22, 8 am-11:30 am
Lunch with the Dean** (Please only sign up for one lunch)
August 28, 12:00-1:00 pm
September 10, 12:00- 1:00 pm
What Have I Gotten Myself Into?** - September 26, 12-1:30pm
*Registration Requested
**Registration Required
GLC Cafe (Every Thursday and 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month)
Community Building for New Grads August 21, 2:00-3:30pm
Make Yourself at Home* August 21, 4:30-6pm
GPSS Welcome Back Social*, August 22, 4:30-6pm
Tour of the Lyric Theatre * August 26, 3:30-4:30pm
Grocery Bingo ** August 27, 5:30 - 6:30pm
Let's Make Lunch - Cooking Demo ** September 2, 2025, 12-2pm
*Registration Requested
Research Tools for Graduate Students Workshops
Use the link above to see descriptions and registration links for all workshops, or use the links below to register for any individual session.
Meet the University Libraries - August 27, 3:30-4:15
Finding Resources for Lit. Reviews in Social & Behavioral Sciences - Sept. 2, 3:30-4:45 pm
Introduction to Research Data Management - September 3, 3:30-4:30 pm
Tips & Tricks for Literature Reviews in Engineering - September 9, 3:30-4:30 pm
Getting Started with Zotero - September 10, 2-3:15 pm
Getting Started with Mendeley - September 15, 2:30-3:45 pm
AI Tools for Researchers & Publishing Tips - September 16, 3:30-4:30 pm
Introduction to LaTeX with Overleaf - September 22, 2:30-4 pm
Getting Started with EndNote - September 23, 3:30-4:45 pm
What You Need to Know: Academic Publishing & Online Profiles - September 29, 2:30-4 pm
Advanced LaTeX for ETDs and More - October 6, 2:30-4 pm
Getting the Most Out of Your Citation Manager - October 7, 3:30-4:30 pm
Lit. Reviews & Database Searching for Animal and Life Sciences - October 14, 3:30-4:45pm