2019 Orientation page
Welcome to Graduate Medical Sciences (GMS) at the Boston University School of Medicine.
2019 GMS Orientation Slides
BU Fun Facts and Student Discounts
2019 GMS Orientation Agenda
Orientation
- Fall 2019 orientation will be held on Friday, August 30th from 8:45 AM to 10:00 AM at 670 Albany Street auditorium on the Boston University Medical Campus.
- We will be using the app Whova and will send information about downloading it in August.
- Check-in will be held from 8:00 am – 8:45 am
- All GMS students will be in the lobby of 700 Albany Street.
- Following check-in, please feel free to enjoy a light continental breakfast out in the courtyard between buildings.
- Beginning at 8:45 AM, faculty, staff, and current students will deliver brief, informative presentations.
- Immediately following orientation there will be a BU-wide Resource Fair on the Talbot Green under the tent to introduce you to the many services and student groups here in GMS, the MED campus as well as BU-Charles River Campus.
- Program specific orientations will be held following the general orientation session. Please check with your program for details.
- Please refer to your individual programs for specific instructions for beginning your Fall Semester.
Required Documents / Trainings
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- Please pick up your BU ID card from the Medical Campus Identification Office on the ground floor of 710 Albany Street. The office is open Monday-Friday, 7am – 12pm; and 12:30pm – 3pm. You are welcome to pick up your BU ID either prior to Orientation or upon arrival to campus.
INCOMING STUDENTS should complete the following before Orientation:
NOTE: You will need your BUID to complete the forms below. To find your BUID, refer to the “Boston University Admission Decision” offer letter that you received via email OR download your CAS application and look for the eight character field starting with the alphabet “U” with the label “Alternate Id:”
- Complete the GMS Academic Conduct Code and Disciplinary Procedures. Please read, complete the quiz, sign and submit.
- Complete the GMS Photo Release Form
- Complete the Fuller Gym Release Form
- Take the time to learn about the Office of the Ombuds
- Complete the Title IX Video and quiz or Kaltura version of video
- Take the time to learn about Identifying and Avoiding Plagiarism
- Complete the Mandatory Student Training on Sexual Misconduct
- There are two parts to the course. Part 1 should take you 60-90 minutes. Part 2 becomes available automatically 45 days after students complete Part 1.
- To complete the training:
- You will receive a direct link to the training in emails from automated-message@everfi.net
- Starting in mid-September 2019, you can go to the StudentLink Compliance page to find a link to your training
DOCTORAL STUDENTS should complete the following before orientation
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- Please register online for an ORCID ID, unless you already have one.
- US Citizens:
- Complete the first section of the electronic Form I-9 BEFORE ORIENTATION to make arrangements for stipend payment.
- Bring acceptable documentation for completion of second section of Form I-9 to PhD session at 10:45 during orientation. Section 2 will be completed with BU administrator at that time.
- International Students:
- International students must follow the rules and procedures for employment established by Boston University, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, and their sponsoring agencies.
- International students are encouraged to seek additional assistance from the International Students and Scholars Office.
- Note that International students MUST contact the International Student and Scholars Office prior to filling out of Form I-9.
RESEARCH AND/OR CLINICAL PROGRAMS:
Students complete the following trainings as dictated by the Program.
- Lab Safety Training- Now offered online -(if applicable)
- Radiation Training-(if applicable)
http://www.bu.edu/researchsupport/compliance/radiation-safety/#training
International students MUST attend ISSO Orientation
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ORIENTATION Monday, September 2nd 2019 at 10:00 am or 12:00 pm or 2:00pm or Friday, September 6th, 201 at 2:00 pm or 4:00pm
These sessions are identical – please register for only one session
Alumni Auditorium, School of Law, 765 Commonwealth Ave (Directions) |
- During this orientation session, advising staff from the International Students & Scholars Office will provide an overview of topics including Cultural Adjustment, Immigration and Employment.
Final Transcripts and Degree Certificates
- All incoming students are required to submit a final transcript, degree certificate, or other official documents showing all previous degrees conferred. If you have not already submitted the required documents, please do so immediately. If your degree will be conferred in May or September 2019, please submit all required documentation no later than October 15, 2019, to the following address:
Graduate Medical Sciences, ATTN: Shuchita Rao
Boston University School of Medicine
72 East Concord Street, L-317
Boston, MA 02118, U.S.A.
- All required documents may also be submitted in a sealed (official) envelope to Shuchita Rao on the day of Orientation.
Student ID Card and Semester T Pass
- All students must obtain a BU student identification card (ID).
- You may obtain your ID card from the Medical Campus Identification Office at 710 Albany Street in Room 102 on weekdays between 7:00 AM and 9:00 AM and between 12:30 PM and 3:00 PM.
- TransComm Information and semester pass deadline: August 10, 2019.
Boston University Email Account and Registration
- Information to set up your BU email address and Kerberos password will be emailed to you by the GMS Registrar, Ms. Millie Agosto.
- (millie@bu.edu) in June 2019.
- Please review your pre-registered courses via the Student Link. Please note that pre-registered courses are tentative and you will be able to finalize your courses during orientation after meeting with your advisor.
- Please contact Ms. Agosto at millie@bu.edu with any questions regarding setting up your BU email address and Kerberos password, which are needed to access the Student Link.
Medical Insurance / Immunizations
- BUSM/GMS requires a Medical History and Physical Report Form and proof of immunizations for all new students.
- NOTE: Students in clinical programs (Clinical Research, Bioimaging, Genetic Counseling, Physician Assistant, and Mental Health Counseling and Behavioral Medicine) should complete the Medical, Dental, or Clinical Medical Sciences Student form.
- All other graduate programs should complete the Graduate or Transfer Student form.
- Completed forms can be uploaded to the Patient Connect Portal.
- Any questions should be directed to Student Health Services at 617-353-3575.
- **YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO REGISTER FOR CLASS UNTIL PROOF OF REQUIRED IMMUNIZATIONS ARE SUBMITTED TO STUDENT HEALTH SERVICES.
Academic Calendar
- Please refer to the GMS 2019-2020 Academic Calendar page for important dates.
Financial Aid
- Tuition
- Please see our website for Tuition and Fees for the 2019-2020 academic year. (Federal Direct Loan Request Form)
- Information on withdrawal and tuition refunds for Fall 2019 can also be found on the BU Registrar website. This information is pertinent if you find that you are unable to attend classes, but have already registered.
- Please contact the GMS Financial Aid Coordinator, Dennis Murphy at gmsloans@bu.edu if you have not received your Spring 2020 tuition bill. You can also view your bill through the Student Link.
- Please update your mailing address with Student Link to ensure your bill is sent to the correct address.
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- Should you have any problems or questions regarding your visa status, please contact the International Students and Scholars Office at 888 Commonwealth Avenue, 2nd floor, (617-353-3565 or isso@bu.edu). You will not be allowed to register for classes until the International Students and Scholars Office has cleared you for admission.
- ISSO Admitted Students page
- ISSO Admitted Students tips
Financial Aid/Student Loans
- Boston University participates in the Federal Direct Loan Program. The GMS Financial Aid website outlines all federal loan applications (Federal Direct Loan Program and Graduate Federal PLUS Loan Program) and other financing options available to graduate students.
- Matriculating students who wish to apply for financial assistance must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for any federal aid, including the Federal Direct Loan and the Federal Graduate PLUS Loan Programs, the Federal Work-Study Program, and the low-interest rate Federal Perkins Loan Program. FAFSA forms can be filed on the official FAFSA website. Students should list BU’s Title IV code (002130) on the FAFSA application so the information can be sent electronically to BU once it has been processed.
- Many full-time degree candidates will need to find an alternative loan program to supplement the Federal Direct Loan program. There are several popular credit-based loan programs BU graduate students can apply for in order to meet their financial obligations while attending BU. Information on these programs can be found on the Financial Assistance website on the All Other Graduate Student Loans page. We strongly suggest students choose and apply to only one credit-based loan program to supplement the Federal Direct Loan program. Each of these credit-based loan programs offers a variety of competitive rates and repayment options. Keep in mind that these loan programs are options for consideration and are not mandatory.
- Please note that applications for financial aid will not be processed until the student has officially registered for classes (usually in late June), but students may begin to process and consult their options.
- Please direct your tuition and financial aid questions GMS Financial Aid Coordinator, Dennis Murphy at gmsloans@bu.edu
- Withdrawal form – please send to Shuchita Rao at srao2019@bu.edu
- See a list of Financial Aid Tips
Housing
- Once you have created your BU Email and password, please visit the GMS Housing page. This page will direct you to other options such as the BU Off-Campus Services to investigate listings for off-campus apartments in the Greater Boston area.
- BU Real Estate offers BU apartments to graduate students, faculty and staff. For information regarding available apartments on the Charles River Campus, please call BU Real Estate at (617) 353-4101. All information can be found on our website.
- See our 2019 Housing Flyer
International Students
Additional Resources
Find your way around campus via the campus map
- Learn more about campus safety from the Boston University Police Department and BUMC Public Safety
- Explore driving and parking options through the Office of Parking Services
- Discover your new favorite study space at one of the 27 BU libraries and the BU Alumni Medical Library
- Consult the Office of Information Technology for general-access computing and communications support across the entire Boston University campus
- Finally, check here for information regarding Boston’s rapid transit system, the MBTA
2019 Orientation Program
If you have made alternative plans and will not be attending Boston University this Fall, please email Shuchita Rao srao2019@bu.edu as soon as possible, but no later than August 30th, 2019, to avoid tuition charges.