Graduation Checklist

If you will be graduating this semester, here are some things you probably need to do:

Beginning of semester that you plan to graduate:

• See your academic advisor for any paperwork you need to complete for your college, for the Graduate School, or to participate in the graduation ceremony.  Make sure you are meeting all the requirements for your degree and will really be ready to graduate at the end of the semester.
• If you would like to remain in the U.S. for one extra year to work, see an advisor in ISSS to apply for work permission.  J-1 students can do Academic Training.  F-1 students can do Optional Practical Training.  OPT applications can take around 4 months to be processed, so apply at the beginning of the semester if you want to begin work at the end of the semester.
• If you are interested in working in the U.S. after graduating, start visiting Career Services.  They have information about how to find jobs, and can guide you in finding companies that hire international students in the U.S. or abraod.
• If you plan to leave the US after graduating, make flight arrangements for your return home.
• If you will stay in the US because you plan to transfer or begin study at a different school, talk to an advisor in ISSS for information about your immigration status.

2-3 months before leaving the US or graduating and moving:

• Start packing non-essential items, such as summer or winter clothing, decorative items, etc.
• If family or friends will be visiting you for the graduation ceremony, begin work on finding places for them to stay (hotels can fill quickly).  If your friends or relatives will need tourist visas to enter the US, remind them to work on applying for the visas at the US embassy or consulate closest to them.

1 month before leaving the US or graduating and moving:

• Notify your landlord that you will be vacating your apartment.  Most leases require you to give at least 30-days written notice -- check your lease for details.
• Make sure your roommates are aware of your plans.
• Arrange for a check-out appointment with your landlord.  The two of you should walk through your apartment to inspect and note any damage.
• Review your lease to make sure you understand it before you have the walk-through inspection with your landlord.  This will help you understand what to expect during the inspection.  (Off-Campus Student Services has helpful information about leases.)
• Agree on a date to receive your security deposit refund from your landlord.  Ask to have the agreement in writing.
• Cancel all your utility accounts and newspaper subscriptions
  • Phone service: Qwest, 1-800-244-1111
  • Long distance service: contact whatever company you use
  • Cell phone service: contact whatever company you use
  • Electricity/gas service: Xcel Energy, 303-623-1234
  • Water service: City of Boulder, 303-441-3260
  • Renter's Insurance: contact whatever company you use
  • Cable TV: Comcast, 303-930-2000
  • Newspapers: Boulder Daily Camera, or any other newspapers you subscribe to
• Make arrangements with your bank to close your account(s).
• Contact health insurance, car insurance and life insurance companies to discuss coverage options and whether to close the account.
• Consider what to do with your vehicle if you have one.  You can sell it and use the funds for your trip home.  If you live in North or South America, you may be able to drive the car home.  If you live elsewhere you may consider shipping the car home, although this can be quite expensive.
• Leave a forwarding address at your local Post Office so they can send your mail to your new address.  The Boulder Main Post Office is located at 1905 15th Street.
• Notify credit card companies, magazines you subscribe to, and other home delivery services of your change of address.  Request final billing statements if canceling these services.
• Pay any fines you might have (library, Bursar's Office, parking fines, etc.).  If you owe any money to the University of Colorado at Boulder, you will not be able to get your diploma or transcripts until you pay the money!  Return any library books you might have.
• Contact shipping companies for best rates and make arrangements to ship your items home in a timely manner.
• Sell miscellaneous furniture, appliances, computers, automobiles, bikes, etc. by holding a garage sale or placing advertisements on bulletin boards or in the Classified Section of the local newspaper.  You can also advertise items for sale on the cu-foreignstudents list serve.  To post messages to this list serve, you must subscribe to it first.
  • Send a message to listproc@lists.colorado.edu
  • In the body of the mesage type "subscribe cu-foreignstudents firstname lastname"
  • Send the subscription request
  • To post messages to the list, write to cu-foreignstudents@colorado.edu.
• You can also give items away to local thrift shopts, such as the Salvation Army (1701 33rd Street) or Savers (695 S Broadway).
• Unsubscribe from email lists you will no longer need.