Newly Admitted Students FAQ’s
I HAVE DECIDED NOT TO ATTEND ASU, WHAT SHOULD I DO?
It is important for you to withdraw from all of your courses, if you have already registered for
courses. Otherwise, you will be charged for those courses.
Students can also submit a “Voluntary Complete Withdrawal” form to Graduate Admissions
Services; (https://students.asu.edu/graduate/afteryouareadmitted - scroll down to “Making
Changes” – then look under “Deferring or cancelling your graduate admission”) however, this is
not recommended if students think they may change their mind and attend ASU.
Completing the Voluntary Complete Withdrawal form is not required, but may deflect further
correspondence from ASU.
Students may email, fax or mail the form to:
Email: grad-ges@asu.edu
FAX:
480.965.5185
ASU Mailing Address
If sending by U.S. Mail, use this address:
Arizona State University
Graduate Admission Services
PO Box 871003
Tempe, AZ 85287-1003
If sending by FedEx, DHL or UPS, use this address:
Graduate Admission Services
Arizona State University
1151 S. Forest Avenue, #SSV112
Tempe, AZ 85287-0112
CAN I GET MY ASU GRADUATE ADMISSION SERVICES ONLINE APPLICATION FEE BACK?
Unfortunately, the Graduate Admission Services application fee is non-refundable and nontransferable.
I WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND ASU BUT I WOULD LIKE TO COME THE SEMESTER AFTER THE ONE I AM
ADMITTED FOR. HOW CAN I DEFER MY ADMISSION DATE?
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A student can submit a request to defer his/her admission for one semester only; this can be
done in the student’s MyASU student account; it is the Request Change web link; and there is a
$30 charge for this transaction. A student must not be registered for courses at the time of the
deferral request.
I HAVE BEEN ADMITTED TO THE NON-THESIS PROGRAM AND I APPLIED TO THE THESIS PROGRAM. WHY
IS THIS?
All master’s students are admitted into the non-thesis program until they secure a faculty
advisor. Once a faculty advisor is secured, it is possible to change to the thesis degree. Our
faculty is listed on this webpage: http://graduate.asu.edu/graduate_faculty. A student may
contact faculty via email. This can be done before or after arriving at ASU.
I WANT TO BE IN THE THESIS PROGRAM. HOW CAN I DO THIS?
Once a faculty advisor is secured, it is possible to change to the thesis option. First the SEMTE
Graduate Academic Advising Office must have in writing, agreement from the faculty that they
plan to serve as the student’s committee chair (email will work). Students must then change
their culminating experience on their Plan of Study (iPOS) in their MyASU student account.
Students will then need to change their faculty advisor on the iPOS to their chosen faculty
advisor. The iPOS must be approved before thesis credit (599) may be added to it. Update your
coursework on your iPOS to include 6 thesis credits. Before a student may defend, they must list
their entire committee on their iPOS, and have it approved.
WHAT TYPE OF FINANCIAL AID IS AVAILABLE?
Financial aid may be available to graduate students in the form of Teaching Assistantship (TA) or
Research Assistantship (RA) positions.
US citizens and Permanent Residents may also apply for Federal Aid. Please contact our Student
Financial Assistance office for details: https://students.asu.edu/financialaid
WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR APPLYING FOR A TEACHING ASSISTANTSHIP (TA)?
There is an application process to apply for a Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering TA. Please
contact this email address for additional information: semtehr@asu.edu
TA positions for Chemical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering students are
assigned, and there is no application process.
WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR BECOMING A RESEARCH ASSISTANT (RA)?
To become an RA, students must contact the faculty directly to inquire about a position; they
can do this before arriving at ASU. Information on faculty research and contact information can
be found on the following webpage: http://graduate.asu.edu/graduate_faculty
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS ALIGNED WITH BEING AWARDED A TEACHING ASSISTANTSHIP (TA)?
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For students who hold ½ time (50%) TA, there is a full tuition waiver and potentially a stipend.
Additionally, 50% time TAs also receive health insurance benefits. A student who is a ¼ time TA
receives ½ tuition waiver and potentially a stipend.
I AM HAVING TROUBLE WITH RECEIVING OR SUBMITTING DOCUMENTS FOR THE I-20. WHAT SHOULD I
DO?
All information regarding the I-20 (how to request, what is needed, and tracking the status) may
be found in the student’s MyASU student account. The student should be aware that Graduate
Admission Services is the area on campus that produces the I-20. If the student has questions
that are unable to be answered through the MyASU student account or through a search on
their website (https://students.asu.edu/graduate), the student should contact Graduate
Admission Services directly at 1-480-965-6113 or by email: grad-ges@asu.edu. Financial
documents may be emailed to Graduate Admissions Services: grad-ges@asu.edu
THERE IS A “PRIORITY TASK” ITEM WHICH REQUIRES A FINAL TRANSCRIPT FROM MY CURRENT
INSTITUTION; HOWEVER, I HAVE NOT YET COMPLETED MY CURRENT TERM. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
After students are admitted, they have one semester to submit their final official transcript (and
official degree certificate if applicable).
I HAVE A MMR HOLD ON MY ACCOUNT. HOW DO I GET THIS REMOVED?
The MMR hold requires a student to send proof of the MMR vaccine or illness to Student Health
Services; the student should see the following website:
https://students.asu.edu/health/immunization
Mail or Fax or Email MMR to:
MAIL: IMMUNIZATION DEPARTMENT
ASU Health Services
Arizona State University
P.O. Box 872104
Tempe, AZ 85287-2104
FAX NUMBER: (480) 965-8914
EMAIL: measles@asu.edu
PHONE NUMBER: (480) 965-8177
I HAVE ADVISING HOLDS, WHAT ARE THESE AND HOW CAN I GET THEM REMOVED?
If you have any Holds in the “Priority Tasks” section of your MyASU page, please click on that
Hold for more information.
DO I GET ADVISING HOLDS EVERY SEMESTER?
Holds are put in place when:
 A student does not have an iPOS on file by the third semester
 A student has a GPA below 3.0
o (3.25 GPA in Mechanical or Aerospace Ph.D. program)
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WHERE DO I GO FOR ADVISING?
The SEMTE Graduate Academic Advising Office is located in the Engineering Center, G wing,
Room 207 (ECG 207). A student may schedule an academic advising appointment by calling 480965-4979 or through this website: https://fultonapps.asu.edu/advising/
Student may also email the Graduate Academic Advisors directly.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE PROGRAM CHAIR, A FACULTY ADVISOR, AND A GRADUATE
ACADEMIC ADVISOR?
The Program Chair is responsible for the academic administration of the program and can
explain content of course. The Graduate Academic Advisor assists with registration issues, plan
of study submissions, and interpretation of policies to students. The Faculty Advisor directs the
thesis, applied project, and/or dissertation research and course selection related to it. They may
also provide final approval of the plan of study.
WHERE IS THE COURSE CATALOG?
See: https://catalog.asu.edu/
For specific courses offered by SEMTE Graduate Program and course descriptions, see:
Chemical Engineering
(https://webapp4.asu.edu/catalog/courselist?s=CHE&l=grad&t=2107&hon=F)
Materials Science and Engineering
(https://webapp4.asu.edu/catalog/courselist?s=MSE&l=grad&t=2107&hon=F)
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
(https://webapp4.asu.edu/catalog/courselist?s=MAE&l=grad&t=2107&hon=F)
HOW DO I CHOOSE MY CLASSES?
Refer to our handbook: http://engineering.asu.edu/semte/GradHandbooks.html
Next, see our Check Sheets on our Forms page:
http://engineering.asu.edu/semte/GradForms.html
Specific questions should be referred to the Graduate Program Chair for the student’s discipline
(i.e. CHE, MSE, MAE).
HOW MANY CREDITS ARE REQUIRED FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS TO TAKE EACH SEMESTER?
International students are required to take at least nine (9) credit hours each Fall and Spring
semester.
HOW DO I REGISTER FOR COURSES?
On your MyASU student account, in the “My Classes” section, the student will see a link for
“Registration” and “Class Search.” Your Registration Date will tell you at what date and time you
may begin registering for courses. Watch MyASU for any Priority Tasks, as these may prevent
registration.
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IS IT IMPORTANT THAT I READ ALL OF THE EMAIL SENT BY MY SEMTE GRADUATE ACADEMIC ADVISOR?
Yes, the Graduate Academic Advisor sends emails containing important information on policies,
procedures and deadlines which will help the student to succeed in his/her program; therefore,
it is important to read these emails in their entirety.
HOW CAN I FIND MY 10 DIGIT ASU ID NUMBER (ALSO KNOW AS AFFILIATE OR EMPL ID)?
Three to five business days after students apply to ASU, they should expect to receive an email
from ASU Graduate College detailing how to activate their MyASU student account. A student’s
10-digit ASU Affiliate ID number may be found under the Profile link on the MyASU student
account page.
WHERE CAN I GET MYASU SUN CARD/ID CARD?
A student can acquire it after admission at the Sun Card office. A student must also be eligible to
register for courses in order to acquire a Sun Card. See: https://cfo.asu.edu/cardservices
IS THERE ON-CAMPUS HOUSING FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS?
1. Please visit this website: http://housing.asu.edu/home
2. Otherwise a student may select the following link to learn more about off-campus housing
(most of our students live off campus): http://www.asu.edu/studentaffairs/reslife/occss/
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO ATTEND ASU?
Please use the cost calculator (Tuition Estimator) link to estimate cost of attendance; please be
advised that this is only an estimate; see: http://students.asu.edu/costs
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO AUDIT A COURSE? WILL AN AUDITED COURSE AFFECT MY GPA?
 Auditing a course is when a student registers for a course, but does not receive credit for the
course, and receives a grade of “X.”
 An audited course will not go on your Plan of Study (iPOS), nor will it affect your GPA.
 Auditing courses in the School for Engineering is prohibited until after all coursework for the
degree is completed.
 Students may petition this policy should they wish to audit a course before they complete their
degree program coursework.
IS ORIENTATION MANDATORY?
Yes, Orientation is mandatory; it will assist with creating a smooth transition into the University
and The School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy (SEMTE).
However, please note: If a student is a current ASU Master’s student going into their ASU PhD,
the Orientation is not mandatory. Orientation for Online students is also not required.
HOW LONG WILL ORIENTATION LAST?
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Orientation is typically from 8:30AM to 5:00PM (May vary by program).
ARE CAMPUS TOURS AVAILABLE?
Yes, for campus tours please visit: http://visit.asu.edu/
DOES ASU HAVE A PLACE ON CAMPUS WHERE I CAN USE A COMPUTER TO DO MY SCHOOLWORK?
Yes, ASU has multiple spaces where students may use a computer to do their schoolwork:
https://ucc.asu.edu/sites/schedules/tempe-hours/
DOES ASU HAVE ORGANIZATIONS OR CLUBS FOR STUDENTS?
Yes, ASU has organizations and clubs for students; see: http://asu.orgsync.com/search
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