Getting Started

Welcome to the Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics at the University of Delaware! We know you are looking forward to starting this new adventure and we’re looking forward to helping you along the way. Your decision to attend UD is an important one. It is important for you to know that UD is committed to providing you with the tools and resources needed to reach your goals. The staff in the Department of Finance is ready to provide you the assistance you need to be successful. The purpose of this message is to give you the information you need to prepare for your first semester of study.

Please read this entire document carefully before beginning the steps below! It contains important information about getting started as a University of Delaware student.

First Steps & Before Classes Begin

1. Course RegistrationYou will communicate with the MS Finance Program Director, Dr. Terry Campbell (campbelt@udel.edu), or the Graduate Coordinator, Vicki Rollo (vrollo@udel.edu), to determine appropriate courses for your semesters.  Ms. Rollo will register you for all approved courses.
2. Email & Internet Account Set-UpInstructions for setting up your UD account can be found here.  Please read and follow all instructions on this page.  It is imperative that you establish your UD email account as soon as possible.  Email is the primary method of communication that faculty and administration in the UD community will use to contact you.  Students are required to access their UD email accounts daily.  If you prefer, you will be able to forward your UD email account to another account (your work or personal account, for example) that you read every day.
3. Notify of Address and Phone Number ChangesPlease notify vrollo@udel.edu and gradoffice@udel.edu immediately of any phone number or address changes.
4. Obtain a Parking PermitAvoid parking hassles by parking legally.  Permits can be purchased at Public Safety at 413 Academy Street or online.
5. Obtain a Student IDObtain your UD Student Identification Card upon arrival at UD at the Student Services Building on Lovett Avenue between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday – call (302)831-2759 for assistance.   For more information about student identification card, please see here.
6. Check InUpon your arrival at UD you must check-in.  Domestic students should check in with the Graduate Coordinator at 306B Purnell Hall.  International students should report to the Office for International Students & Scholars (OISS) upon arrival on campus, and then to the Graduate Coordinator in 306B Purnell Hall.  OISS is located at 413 Academy Street.
7. Attend OrientationSave Thursday, August 23^rd  for Orientation.  At Orientation you will meet faculty and staff, hear from current graduate students with information and sage advice, and meet other new students before starting your first class.  We’ll cap off the evening with a welcome reception with food and refreshments in our lovely Center for the Arts Roselle Foyer.  See the summary schedule, below:

   8:00 a.m. to NOON – International Student Orientation begins – Lerner Hall Lobby

   1:15 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. –  Domestic Student and International Student ETC Overview – Exelon Trading Center

   3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. – MS Finance Orientation – Lerner Hall Room 230

   4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. – All Lerner College Grad Students convene – Smith Hall

   5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. – Welcome Reception with food and refreshments – Center for the Arts, Roselle Lobby

8. AssistantshipsA Graduate Assistantship (GA) is an opportunity to work for the University and receive a tuition scholarship, in addition to a living stipend, in return.  Assistantships are for a full-term, starting in the fall semester.  The Department of Finance has a very limited number of assistantships at this time.  Please see more information here.

   Additional Items:

• SEND YOUR IMMUNIZATION RECORDS.
• You should have received information regarding required immunization records with your admissions letter. The health of the entire student body, undergraduate and graduate alike, is important for everyone’s continued health and well-being. Please send the required information if you haven’t already. Failure to do so could jeopardize your course registration and continuation in the program. If you have questions, please contact Student Health directly at 302-831-2226.
• Full-time students should also become familiar with the Student Health Services website, where information regarding their services, immunization requirements, and medical insurance can be found.
• Please review your letter of admission to determine if you have requirements which need to be documented. In particular, you may need to provide the Graduate and Professional Education Office with an official transcript showing the conferral of your undergraduate degree. Please send or bring these items to the Graduate and Professional Education Office in 234 Hullihen Hall as soon as possible.
•  You will receive a billing statement for your first semester after you are registered for courses. All students must return the Fee Payment Form found at the bottom of the billing statement by the date given. (Note: International students will receive their billing statement upon arrival on campus.)
• Wireless connectivity is available in most University buildings. To learn about connecting your computer to the wireless network at UD, visit the IT webpage.
• Note that you will have to register your wireless connection in the same way you registered your computer in step 2 above. This can only be done while you are on-campus, wirelessly connected to the UD network.

What Else Should I Do Before Starting my Graduate Program?

We know you’re eager to get started! But please use these last few weeks of relative free time to catch up on non-academic reading, visiting friends and family, cleaning out the garage or any other activity that you’ve been meaning to get to. Once your classes begin, you will have a new set of priorities! Visit our FAQ Page for a complete listing. Below are some frequently-asked questions we get from new admits:

Q: When can I get my textbooks?
A: Unless your professor contacts you with specific assignments prior to class, you do not *need* your textbook prior to the first class meeting. Fall texts are stocked by the campus bookstores starting in August and Spring texts are generally available in January. Textbooks may be ordered online.

Q: Is there homework before classes start?
A: Rarely (if ever) do classes require homework prior to the first class meeting. Professors will contact you via your UDEL email account with any prior information you need to have, including readings or assignments.

Q: What kind of calculator do I need?
A: In general, UD Finance graduate students need fairly simple calculators. For Finance classes, you will want a financial calculator such as Texas Instruments’ BA II Plus or the HP 12C. These financial calculators can handle most of your calculating needs.

Q: Where can I find specific information about my Student Account, Academic Calendars, Tuition & Fees, Library Hours, Campus Buildings and the like?
A: The University of Delaware has a wonderful website! Below are some important bookmarks you may find handy during your stay here:

• UD Billing & Collection(tuition/fees, payment, contact info)
• Academic Calendars(dates for semester start, finish, and breaks)
• Library Hours & Services
• Campus Buildings(where’s Gore Hall?)
• GPA Calculator(just stay above a 3.0 and you’ll be fine)
• IT Help Center(for email set-up, laptop registration, etc.)
• Parking Services(there’s no such thing as free parking)
• Registrar’s Office(info that’s useful throughout your tenure here)
• UD Bookstore
• UD Catalog(look for courses offered in Business and all other Departments)
• Commencement Information, and yes, you’ll get there!