New Incoming Graduate Student FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Initial enrollment Questions
What is the initial enrollment cycle for the Graduate Program?
How do I obtain my Andrew ID and activate my university email?
What is the initial process for an international student to obtain a I-20/DS-2019?
international student questions
How long does it take for OIE to process my I-20/DS-2019?
Who do I list as a contact person on my DS-160 Form if I am not able to cite a known contact person in the U.S.?
TRANSCRIPT(S) QUESTIONS
I am completing my degree program this summer. What if I am unable to submit my official transcript before the July 15 deadline?
My institution cannot send an official copy of my transcript. Can I send a scanned copy of the transcript and certifications by email?
Initial enrollment questions
What is initial enrollment cycle for the SoA Graduate Program?
Graduate Program initial enrollment begins once a student has declared their intent to enroll by submitting the Decision Form and $500 deposit by April 15. Student records are created and international student 1-20 documents are requested by May 1 for all students who commit to enroll by the April 15 deadline. Initial enrollment for all new incoming graduate students will be complete by the end of May.
How do I obtain my Andrew ID and activate my university email?
Incoming graduate student records were created in mid- to late-April. Around that time you should have received an email to your personal email from CMU Computing Services with the subject line "Receive your Andrew userID." The message contained a link for retrieving your Andrew userID and instructions for continuing the First Pass process to set your initial password. If you haven’t received your Andrew ID, and the link that you received in that email has expired, you must contact Computing Services at it-help@cmu.edu.
To receive your Andrew userID and set your initial password:
Follow the link in the email you received to your personal email from Computing Services (it-help@cmu.edu).
Note: The link is unique and can only be used once. Be sure to visit the web page before the expiration date stated in the email. If you have not activated your Andrew ID prior to the expiration date, please contact it-help@cmu.edu. 2. Follow the on screen First Pass instructions to receive your Andrew userID. Write down your Andrew userID; you will only see it once and you will need it to set your password.
Once you have received your Andrew userID, a confirmation page will be displayed.
You will receive another email with instructions on how to set a permanent password.
What is the initial process for an international student to obtain a I-20/DS-2019?
The School of Architecture will initiate the student visa process in April by submitting to the university’s Office of International Education (OIE) an I-20/DS-2019 document request for each international student requiring a visa. In order for the School of Architecture to request documents for a student by May 1, the following must occur:
Applicants must accept their offer of admission by submitting the Decision Form and $500 deposit by the April 15 enrollment deadline.
The School of Architecture will create a student’s record. Within 2-3 business days, the student’s Andrew ID will be generated.
Students will receive to the personal email used in their application instructions to obtain their Andrew ID and activate their university email. This step is important as international students will receive information about their I-20/DS-2019 in their university email account.
Once the Andrew ID populates, an SoA administrator will request I-20/DS 2019 documents for each student.
Then the student will receive to their university email instructions from OIE requesting them to submit information and documentation for their I-20/DS-2019.
OIE processes documents within approximately 6 weeks of receiving complete materials from the student.
International Student Questions
How long does it take for OIE to process my I-20/DS-2019?
We understand you are eager to receive your immigration documents. In order for OIE to prioritize issuing I-20/DS-2019 documents, it takes their office up to 6 weeks to process and issue the I-20/DS-2019 document once the required forms are submitted by the student. This will allow their office to work as efficiently as possible and serve our community best. OIE will not reply to individual requests for updates prior to 6 weeks from receiving your completed forms.
Visit the OIE website for information and frequently asked questions about pre-arrival for new students.
Who do I list as a contact person on my DS-160 Form if I am not able to cite a known contact person in the U.S.?
Contact persons in the U.S. include relatives or distant relatives. If you do not have any other contact in the U.S., you can list our administrator who manages initial enrollment of foreign students:
Alexis McCune Secosky
amccune@andrew.cmu.edu
(412) 268-6390
Carnegie Mellon University
School of Architecture
4919 Frew Street
CFA Bldg., Room 201
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
U.S.A.
Transcript Questions
My institution cannot send an official hard copy of my transcript. Can I send a scanned copy of the transcript and certifications by email?
No. We cannot receive PDF copies of your transcript as an attachment in an email. It is not a secure means by which to receive transcripts.
If your university registrar issues e-transcripts translated into English through a secure means, then we may accept them as the degree and date of conferral is listed on your transcript, and the document is authenticated by the issuing authority. The academic credential verification service will then send this course-by-course report directly to the School of Architecture either electronically or by mail.
For applicants whose institution is located outside of the United States and wish to submit an electronic transcript, they must use an academic credential verification service to obtain a course-by-course report. We accept electronic delivery of official transcripts only if they can be provided through a secure electronic exchange that guarantees authenticity.
If your institution is not able to send us an authenticated copy of your complete official transcript, then we prefer that you send a WES evaluation of your transcript. At the minimum, please select the Basic Package with the course-by-course evaluation sent to us by mail.
I am completing my degree program this summer. What if I am unable to submit my official transcript before the July 15 deadline?
Some students may be completing their degree program this summer or too close to the transcript submission deadline. You will have to wait until after you have graduated and your degree has been certified by your institution to have the official transcript sent to the School of Architecture.
If you are unable to submit your transcript by the July 15 deadline, then you must contact the Director of Recruitment & Enrollment by email with the date your degree will be complete so that we can work with you to ensure that your official transcript(s) will be received by the beginning of the fall semester. You cannot begin Fall semester courses until we receive copies of all Official Transcripts.