L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs

Program planning for career success

The Office of Graduate Student Services and Advising supports all Wilder School graduate students with program and thesis planning, financial support, career exploration and more.

Make an advising appointment

Email wsgradvise@vcu.edu or call 804-828-6837 to schedule a half hour or hour appointment, either in-person or virtual.

New graduate student checklist

• Accept your offer of admission from VCU’s Graduate School. Click the link on your decision notification email, click on the link to your applicant status page. Then complete the “graduate reply to offer of admission form” to accept your offer. 
• Obtain your VCU eID and set up your email account. All accepted students are assigned an eID for digital logins and accessing key resources. Email is the official means of communication with students and should be set up as soon as possible. VCU email accounts operate through Google Mail.
• To setup your first eID password, use the online eID Finder.
• Set up your VCU email account.
• Register for Wilder School New Graduate Student Orientation.
• Download a copy of the GSSA Office’s “Policies and Procedures Guide
• Register for classes on your own or work with the GSSA office on program planning. Visit Enrollment Services to:
  • Schedule an advising appointment
  • Register for classes through eServices
  • Review the academic calendar and note final add/drop and withdrawal deadlines and policies.
• Obtain your VCUCard in person or virtually
• Connect with your financial counselor at VCU’s Student Financial Management Center.
• Purchase a parking subscription and/or obtain campus housing. You can also search off-campus housing.