PhD &MD/PhD Fall 2015 Registration

Please visit the ISSO site for additional information

All students in graduate study in the Division of Graduate Medical Sciences must register for two consecutive semesters prior to completion of their degree.  All final documents, including the dissertation (if applicable), must be submitted during the last registered semester according to the deadlines on the graduation calendar, and will not be accepted unless all other coursework and requirements of the specific degree have been completed.

Continuing Students with Courses: Students continuing in a program but who are not registered for a full-time course load due to the completion of other degree requirements, such as research, must follow the registration guidelines above and meet with their advisor/program director to discuss course selection and for on-line registration.  A Certified Full-Time (CFT) Form must be submitted if registering for less than twelve credits of coursework.  This form must be signed by the student’s advisor and submitted as a hard copy to the GMS office Registrar.  Students should indicate the type of independent work to be completed during the semester and the number of hours dedicated to that work.  Please note that specific details of objectives are required or the request may be denied.  Visa regulations require that most International students maintain full-time status either by course registration or by certification.

Continuing Students without Courses: All students who are no longer taking coursework and are working on their dissertation, or other degree requirements, must register as a continuing student. Any student registered for continuing study full-time status (GMS MS 985) must submit the Certified Full Time (CFT) Form only for registration. No additional registration forms are required. Students should indicate the type of independent work to be completed during the semester. Students should indicate the type of independent work to be completed during the semester. Please note that specific details of objectives are required including hours per week or the request may be denied. Continuing student fees will apply. This form must be signed by the student’s advisor and submitted as a hard copy to the GMS office Registrar.

Continuing Students Part-Time without Courses: All part-time continuing students may register on-line for the course  GMS MS 983 A1.

The Class Adjustment Form should be used to add or drop a class. Please pay close attention to the add/drop deadlines.

Adding a Course:

• Students may add a course via on-line registration or with the Class Adjustment Form through September 16 , 2015. Some GMS courses are restricted from on-line registration. For these courses, students must submit a Registration Form or a Class Adjustment Form with instructor and advisor signature.

Dropping a Course(s):

• Adjustment to course loads may increase or decrease the tuition due for the semester.  Please contact the GMS Registrar regarding tuition changes.
• For Financial Aid adjustment student must notify Ms. Sherill Ashe, Financial Aid Administrator (617-638-5216) in the GMS office, L309
• Students may drop a course via on-line registration following the approval of their advisor without academic penalty or a “W” grade for standard courses through October 7, 2015.
• Dropping all classes constitutes withdrawing from the University. A LOA/Withdrawal form must be submitted.
• Students who choose to drop a course after the designated date October 7, 2015 must obtain both the instructor and advisor signature and complete the Class Adjustment Form .  Students will receive a “W” grade on their transcript.  After November 6, 2015 students may not drop a standard course.
• To add or drop a non‐standard course, students should use Student Link to view pertinent add/drop deadlines because non‐standard classes have a customized drop schedule.

Stipend Checks: All PhD students who are currently in the research years need to register by April 30, 2015 to ensure that a June stipend check is issued on time.  You should also check with your departmental administrator to make sure the necessary paperwork is in order.

Financial Aid Vouchers, Fellowships, Scholarships and Deadlines:  If you have been awarded a scholarship or a fellowship, please contact

Ms. Sherill Ashe (L-309) as soon as possible to establish your financial aid awards, prior to the payment deadlines.

Payment & Payment Deadlines : Payments are made to Boston University, Student Accounting Services, 881 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215. Payment options for degree candidates are listed on the Student Accounting Services web site . Continuing students are expected to use the Student Account Inquiry function on Student Link to check the balance due on their student account.

Email Communications:  Please be reminded that all important GMS communications are e-mailed to your BU e-mail account.  It is important that you check your BU e-mail regularly.  For those of you who wish to have your e-mail forwarded from your BU account to a different account, please be sure your e-mail forwarding is functioning.

Address Changes: Update change of address on BU Student Link.

Withdrawing means to officially drop ALL courses.  MD/PhD students, please see Dr. John Schwartz in the GMS office L 317.  All Ph.D. Students should discuss their situation with their Department Chair/ Program Director and advisor.  Submit the Withdrawal/Leave of Absence Form to the GMS Registrar.  Students must return within one year of requesting a LOA to be reinstated without reapplying.  In Addition all PhD students requesting a LOA and /or withdrawal from GMS should meet with the Associate Provost, Dr. Linda Hyman.  Appointments can be arranged by contacting Danielle Simeone or calling 617-638-5138.  Additional expansion of the rules governing leave of absences and withdrawal can be found here.  Please follow the refund calendar for key dates.