Next Steps for Admitted Students

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Congratulations on your admission to Binghamton University! Below, you will find a list of steps to take as you prepare to begin your graduate studies.

Make It Official 

  • Accept your admission offer
  • Set up your Binghamton University online account and email

    Activate your online student account

    Visit the Binghamton University Password Portal webpage to activate your account. Select the option "I am claiming my account for the first time," and then follow the instructions. To change your password or security questions for your online account, select the option "I know my username / password and I want to change my password," and then follow the instructions. 

    Use your Binghamton University online student account to access all online resources on campus, including the myBinghamton Portal (my.binghamton.edu). The myBinghamton Portal will link you to services such as myCourses, BU Brain and QuikPAY, which will allow you to register for courses, pay your bill, access your transcripts and more. You can also use your account to access other services, such as on-campus computers and Internet connection.

    Configure two-factor authentication (2FA)

    Once you have activated your account, configure your two-factor authentication (2FA) on the Password Portal webpage by selecting the option "I know my username / password and I want to configure my second factor authentication (2FA)," then follow the instructions. Additional information about two-factor authentication, including step-by-step instructions, is available on the two-factor authentication website set up by Information Technology Services (ITS).

    Log in to your student email account

    BMail (bmail.binghamton.edu) is your official Binghamton University email account. You must activate your online account before you can access your student email account. Use your user ID and password to log in to BMail.

    Since all official University communications will be sent there, make sure to check your BMail at least once each week prior to the start of the semester and more often throughout the academic year.

Submit Required Documents

  • Submit official, final Bachelor's transcript(s)

    The Office of Graduate Admissions requires copies of your official, final Bachelor's transcript(s) documenting your previous college and/or university coursework and degree conferral. If your transcript does not show that your degree has been conferred or awarded, you will also need to submit an official (attested) diploma. Unofficial documents will not be accepted.

    This requirement applies to all enrolling students, both matriculated and non-matriculated. You must submit your official, final Bachelor's transcript(s) no later than six weeks after the beginning of the semester in which you start graduate studies. 

    If your official, final Bachelor's transcript(s) showing degree conferral is (are) not received, you will be unable to register for coursework beyond the first semester. Missing such documentation may result in a rescinded admission offer or a hold on your student account and may prevent the future conferral of a graduate degree.

    Official, final Bachelor's transcript(s) can be submitted to the Office of Graduate Admissions in the following ways:

    1. Request your official, final transcript(s) be mailed to Binghamton University. The Office of Graduate Admissions is unable to return transcripts submitted by mail. Do not fax or email your official, final transcript(s). To ensure timely delivery and processing of your transcript(s), please be sure your transcript(s) is (are) mailed to the appropriate address.

    For the United States Postal Service (USPS):
    The Office of Graduate Admissions
    Binghamton University - State University of New York
    PO Box 6000
    Binghamton, NY 13902-6000

    For private shippers (DHL, UPS, FedEx):
    The Office of Graduate Admissions
    Binghamton University - State University of New York
    4400 Vestal Parkway East
    Binghamton, NY 13902-6000

    2. Bring your official, final transcript(s) to the Office of Graduate Admissions in a sealed envelope. Do not open the envelope prior to arrival in the Office of Graduate Admissions. If the envelope is opened, the documents will not be considered official.

    3. If your previous institution provides electronic versions of final, official transcripts, those can be sent to gradadmission@binghamton.edu, but must come directly from your previous institution.

    4. If your previous institution is a Parchment member, electronic final, then official transcripts can be sent directly to Binghamton University by visiting the Parchment website and following the directions to order transcripts. Please find the Office of Graduate Admissions under SUNY at Binghamton - GRADUATE ADMISSIONS.

    5. Applicants from Chinese institutions may request and submit final, official transcripts directly through Center for Student Services and Development, Ministry of Education, P.R. China (CSSD). Requests are processed by CSSD and will be sent electronically to Binghamton University. Visit CSSD to get started.

    6. Applicants, including Indian students, may request and submit their final, official transcript through Truecopy Credentials, which will send it electronically to Binghamton University. Visit Truecopy Credentials to get started.

    7. Applicants may request and submit their final, official transcript through WES (World Education Services), or equivalent evaluations. Visit WES to get started.

    If any documents are written in a language other than English, then they must also be accompanied by English translations of those documents. You can either send attested copies of these documents in the mail or bring them to us when you arrive on campus.

  • Submit official, final Master's transcript(s)

    The Office of Graduate Admissions requests copies of your official, final Master's transcript(s) documenting your previous college and/or university coursework and degree conferral, if you have earned your Master's degree. If your transcript does not show that your degree has been conferred or awarded, you will also need to submit an official (attested) diploma. Unofficial documents will not be accepted.

    This request applies to all enrolling students, both matriculated and non-matriculated. 

    If you have earned your Master’s degree, we request that you provide your Final Official Master’s transcript(s) as soon as possible. While not required, missing such documentation may impact the amount of credits you will be required to register for to remain in full-time status, if you are enrolling in a Doctoral program.

    Official, final Master's transcript(s) can be submitted to the Office of Graduate Admissions in the following ways:


    1. Request your official, final transcript(s) be mailed to Binghamton University. The Office of Graduate Admissions is unable to return transcripts submitted by mail. Do not fax or email your official, final transcript(s). To ensure timely delivery and processing of your transcript(s), please be sure your transcript(s) is (are) mailed to the appropriate address.

    For the United States Postal Service (USPS):
    The Office of Graduate Admissions
    Binghamton University - State University of New York
    PO Box 6000
    Binghamton, NY 13902-6000

    For private shippers (DHL, UPS, FedEx):
    The Office of Graduate Admissions
    Binghamton University - State University of New York
    4400 Vestal Parkway East
    Binghamton, NY 13902-6000

    2. Bring your official, final transcript(s) to the Office of Graduate Admissions in a sealed envelope. Do not open the envelope prior to arrival in the Office of Graduate Admissions. If the envelope is opened, the documents will not be considered official.

    3. If your previous institution provides electronic versions of final, official transcripts, those can be sent to gradadmission@binghamton.edu, but must come directly from your previous institution.

    4. If your previous institution is a Parchment member, electronic final, then official transcripts can be sent directly to Binghamton University by visiting the Parchment website and following the directions to order transcripts. Please find the Office of Graduate Admissions under SUNY at Binghamton - GRADUATE ADMISSIONS.

    5. Applicants from Chinese institutions may request and submit final, official transcripts directly through Center for Student Services and Development, Ministry of Education, P.R. China (CSSD). Requests are processed by CSSD and will be sent electronically to Binghamton University. Visit CSSD to get started.

    6. Applicants, including Indian students, may request and submit their final, official transcript through Truecopy Credentials, which will send it electronically to Binghamton University. Visit Truecopy Credentials to get started.

    7. Applicants may request and submit their final, official transcript through WES (World Education Services), or equivalent evaluations. Visit WES to get started.

    If any documents are written in a language other than English, then they must also be accompanied by English translations of those documents. You can either send attested copies of these documents in the mail or bring them to us when you arrive on campus.

  • Finalize your financing

    Financial Aid

    All domestic graduate students who seek federal loans or need-based tuition scholarships should file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If you receive student aid, accept or decline your loans online through BU Brain. For more information, contact the Office of Financial Aid and Student Records.

    Students with Funding

    If you are a teaching assistant (TA), graduate assistant (GA), research project assistant (RPA), fellow and/or tuition scholarship awardee, you must sign and submit the award letter(s) you received with your offer(s). TAs and GAs should contact Human Resources for information regarding health insurance plans and required paperwork. RPAs should contact the Research Foundation at 607-777-4264 with questions.

    Proof of Enrollment/Enrollment Verification

    If you need to obtain proof of enrollment for an insurance company, scholarship program, loan company or other third party, visit BU Brain and then click on "Student Service Tools" under the "Student" tab.

  • Submit mandatory health forms

    All students must submit health requirements before they will be allowed to register for courses. Use the Patient Portal to upload and submit your health requirements. For more information, visit the Decker Student Health Services Center website.

    Health Insurance: All international students are required to have health insurance. Review plan options, eligibility requirements and enrollment details for health insurance through the Decker Student Health Services Center. 

  • Apply for New York state residency for tuition purposes, if applicable
  • Upload a photo for your graduate student ID card

    Student ID cards are available through the Office of Financial Aid and Student Records. Visit the Office of Financial Aid and Student Records website to learn where and when student ID cards will be issued. A valid photo ID is required to pick up a student ID card.

    All graduate students must have a graduate student ID card to access most campus services. 

    All NEW students for the summer or fall semesters will be able to upload their ID card photo after May 1.  Please use your desktop to upload your photo rather than your cell phone. If you have issues uploading your photo, please email your photo to idcard@binghamton.edu.

    If you were a Binghamton University undergraduate student, you will need to obtain a new graduate student ID card to take advantage of extended library privileges and other graduate student services. Graduate students who attended Binghamton University as an undergraduate student should email idcard@binghamton.edu to request a graduate ID card; please include your B number in your email.  You may also choose to upload a new photo for your graduate ID card before making this request. Your graduate ID Card will be available to print after your undergraduate degree has been conferred.

Prepare for Your First Semester

  • Arrange for housing, transportation and parking

    The Binghamton area offers a wide variety of affordable off-campus housing options for graduate students. Students can access free bus service to and from campus and around the Binghamton area with their student ID cards. For more information on housing and transportation, or to begin your housing search, visit the Off Campus College website. If you plan to park a vehicle on campus, learn about parking options through Parking Services.

  • Check student employment opportunities

    To find part-time employment opportunities on and off campus, check hireBING through the Fleishman Center for Career and Professional Development regularly for job postings. New fall graduate students will have access after August 1.

  • Register for courses

    You will use BU Brain, Binghamton University's online student services hub, to view the course schedule, check your registration time ticket, add and drop most courses and confirm your enrollment. You may also access a public schedule of classes online through the Office of Financial Aid and Student Records.

    Registration processes vary across departments, so check with your department for more information about course registration. In some departments, students register themselves; in others, the department registers students. Watch for communications from your department, graduate director or faculty advisor. 

    All students who have been admitted into a graduate degree-granting program must maintain continuous registration each major (fall and spring) semester for a minimum of 1 credit hour. Students who do not register and who have not been granted a leave of absence must reapply to the Graduate School and pay additional fees. Readmission is not automatic.

    Note: Non-degree/non-matriculated students have different policies and procedures. Please see our New Non-Degree/Non-Matriculated Students webpage.

  • Obtain textbooks

    Visit the University Bookstore online or in the University Union to view the list of textbooks required for your courses and to buy or rent your textbooks.

  • Attend orientation(s)

    Binghamton University offers several orientations: an orientation for new graduate students (fall only), an orientation for all international students (fall and spring), an orientation for new teaching assistants (fall only) and program-specific orientations hosted by individual academic departments (fall and spring). Visit the Graduate Student Orientation webpage for the schedules, locations and requirements.

  • Complete Mandated Interpersonal Violence Prevention (IVP) Training
    • Once you have paid your enrollment deposit and activated your accounts, you must complete the Interpersonal Violence Prevention (IVP) Training
    • This training is an online training and can be found on Brightspace, and is required for all new graduate students
      • Please note, this also includes student's who have previously completed their undergraduate degree at Binghamton University
    • Questions about this training should be directed to the 20 to 1 at 20to1@binghamton.edu
  • Confirm enrollment

    Students are required to confirm their enrollment in their coursework every semester by the fifth day of classes. Students who do not confirm enrollment will be dropped from their courses, regardless of whether their bills are paid.

    You will confirm your enrollment using BU Brain. Review instructions for confirming enrollment.

  • Pay your bill

    Your semester bill notification will be sent to your BMail. The first semester bill notification will be sent after you have registered for courses. You may pay your tuition and fees online through Student Accounts using QuikPAY. Make sure to pay your bill by the date listed on the bill to avoid penalties. If you have questions regarding tuition, fees, billing or payment, please contact Student Accounts directly at 607-777-2702 or stuaccts@binghamton.edu.

  • Set yourself up for academic success

    Help yourself have a successful graduate school career by being proactive in knowing and fulfilling your degree requirements. Here are some suggestions:

    • Meet with your advisor at least a couple of times per semester. Prepare an agenda. Tell your advisor about your progress, ask for feedback and discuss your career aspirations.
    • Pay attention to deadlines. If you fail to meet deadlines you may lose time and money.
    • Check with your department about its specific requirements for satisfactory progress. Graduate programs often have requirements that are more demanding than the minimum requirements monitored by the Graduate School. Individual department satisfactory progress criteria are usually printed in the department's student handbook.
    • Consult the Graduate School Manual. There, you will find answers to questions about enrollment, academic policies, funding and other topics pertaining to graduate studies at Binghamton University.

Please visit our Campus Resources webpage to learn about helpful services and offices.