Welcome to the University of Florida!
We are thrilled you have chosen to join the Gator Engineering community. Below are links to events on campus to help you acclimate to graduate school, UF, and Gainesville.
Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering: New Ph.D. Student Welcome
The New Ph.D. Student Welcome Event is designed to introduce new doctoral students to the University of Florida, and to provide strategies for success. There will be informative sessions led by Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering administration, faculty, and staff, as well as opportunities for networking with fellow new Ph.D. students. The Fall 2025 New Ph.D. Student Welcome will be held on Wednesday, August 20, 2025.
Grad Gator Greeting: A Day of Welcoming Events for UF Graduate Students
Mark your calendars for Grad Gator Greeting — a day of welcoming events for University of Florida graduate students, running 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, August 29, 2025 at the Reitz Union on UF’s Gainesville campus! This day of events will provide you with information, inspiration, and plain ol’ good fun to help you and fellow Grad Gators kick off the 2025-2026 academic year in high spirits!
Graduate School: GRADSTART
GradStart is the UF Graduate School’s home for orientation resources for all incoming graduate students. GradStart is a Canvas-based orientation program, providing asynchronous modules which contain an introduction to academic expectations at UF. Master’s and Doctoral students who have been admitted will be added to GradStart, and the course opens Thursday, August 5, 2025.
International Center: Check-In and Orientation for New UF International Students
All international students admitted to UF must check in with the International Center. Check-in is a two-part process, the first part online and the second in person. The International Center also hosts informational orientation sessions. Click the link above for more information.
Engineering Departmental Orientations
Each department within the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering hosts an orientation for new graduate students. Formats and dates vary by department; some are online and available now, while others are in person and held shortly before the start of classes in August. Click the link above to contact your department’s graduate staff for more information.
New Teaching Assistant (TA) Orientation
In collaboration with the Center for Teaching Excellence, the UF Graduate School will host a New Teaching Assistant (TA) Orientation Friday, August 15, 2025 from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm via Zoom. TA Orientation is offered in two parts and mandatory for graduate students who will be teaching assistants for the first time, beginning with the Fall 2025, Spring 2026, and Summer 2026 semesters. Click the link above for more information and to register.