2024 Fall Orientation
Welcome to Graduate Medical Sciences (GMS) at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine!
Overview
All GMS programs have Orientation on August 30 with classes starting September 3, unless otherwise specified.
Program-specific orientations will be held according to the schedule below. These orientations may be either in-person or virtual. Please check with your program for details.
A BU-wide Resource Fair will take place on orientation day to introduce you to the many services, offices and student organizations here in GMS, the Medical Campus, as well as the Charles River Campus.
Schedule
The following is the schedule of all Orientation sessions and activities.
Main GMS Orientation Session
| August 30 | 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. | Check-in & Breakfast |
| August 30 | 8:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. | Main GMS Orientation Session (Required: all students) |
Additional Sessions & Activities
Date |
Time |
Session/Activity |
Type |
| July 30 | 12:00 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. | Student Health Insurance Info Session: Co-Sponsored w/ School of Public Health (open to all students)
Hear from a representative from the Aetna BU Student Health Plan during this virtual info session. They will discuss the difference between coverage options and how to use your new plan. Ask any questions you may have when deciding which plan is best for you. |
Virtual |
| August 19 (option 1) | 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Student Health Services Info Session (open to all students)
Join the SHS Office on what they offer students for medical services (including urgent & primary care), mental health services, benefits of the student health insurance plans, wellness programs. This session includes a Q & A section where you can ask questions and receive answers in real time. Register here |
Virtual |
| August 20 | 12:00 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. | Overview of PhD Stipends & Oath of the Scientist Info Session (open to only doctoral students)
Learn about how your doctoral student stipend process works, as well as how the Oath of the Scientist comes into play during your doctoral experience. Joining us will be the Associate Director of Finance Administration & Operations, the Assistant Director of Student Financial Services and the GMS Associate Provost & Dean. |
Virtual |
| August 30 | 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Resource Fair : Co-Sponsored w/ School of Public Health (open to all students)
This event provides a rare opportunity for new students to meet & chat with folks from many of the BU offices that you will frequent during your time in graduate school, learn about the important resources that could benefit you and how to get involved with any of our student organizations / other community groups. |
In-person |
| September 5 | 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. | Welcome BBQ: Co-Sponsored w/ School of Public Health (open to all students)
Join us for a new student BBQ on Talbot Green! Come with friends, or come to make new ones from our 30 programs within GMS. Enjoy some music, lawn games, and of course, great BBQ. |
In-person |
| September 6 (option 2) | 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Student Health Services Info Session (open to all students)
Join the SHS Office on what they offer students for medical services (including urgent & primary care), mental health services, benefits of the student health insurance plans, wellness programs. This session includes a Q & A section where you can ask questions and receive answers in real time. Register here |
Virtual |
| September 10 (in-person) &
September 11 (zoom) |
5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. |
Newbury Center First Generation Student Orientation (open to all first-gen students) | In-person |
| TBD | TBD | Professional Development & Postdoctoral Affairs Orientation (open to only doctoral students)
Additional information to be provided soon. |
TBD |
Program-Specific Orientation Sessions
Masters Programs |
|
| Anatomy & Neurobiology – Vesalius | August 30, 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Biomedical Forensic Sciences | August 30, 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. |
| Biomedical Research Technologies | September 5, 12 :00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. |
| Clinical Research | August 30, 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. |
| Forensic Anthropology | August 30, 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. |
| Genetic Counseling | August 30, 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. |
| Healthcare Emergency Management | August 30, 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. |
| Health Professions Education | August 30, 11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. |
| Medical Sciences | August 30, 11:45 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. |
| Mental Health Counseling & Behavioral Medicine | Part I: August 30, 12:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Part II: September 3, 1:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. |
| Nutrition & Metabolism | August 30, 12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. |
| Pathology Laboratory Sciences | August 30, 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. |
Doctoral Programs |
|
| Anatomy & Neurobiology | August 30, 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Behavioral Neuroscience | August 29, 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. |
| Graduate Program for Neuroscience (GPN) | August 29, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. |
| Program in Biomedical Sciences (PiBS) | August 30, 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. |
| Program in Pharmacology | August 30, 12:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. |
Required Documents / Trainings
ALL STUDENTS are required to complete the following by September 30, 2024:
All orientation required documents and trainings are located on Blackboard (with the exception of the Mandatory Student Training on Sexual Misconduct). Please see below for an overview of requirements.
- Academic Conduct Code and Disciplinary Procedures
- Appropriate Treatment in Graduate Education
- Fuller Gym Release Form
- Identifying and Avoiding Plagiarism Training
- Intellectual Property Agreement
- Mandatory Student Training on Sexual Misconduct
- You will receive a direct link to the training in emails from automated-message@everfi.net
- Starting in mid-September, you can go to the myBU compliance page to find a link to your training
- You will receive a direct link to the training in emails from automated-message@everfi.net
- Microaggressions Training
- Photo Release Form
NOTE: You will need your BUID to complete the following orientation required documents and trainings. 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:”
DOCTORAL STUDENTS should complete the following before orientation:
- 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. Section 2 will be completed with BU administration after arrival.
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 if required by their program. Confirm with your director/administrator if you are unsure if you need to complete these documents.
- Lab Safety Training – (if applicable)
- Radiation Training – (if applicable)
- RCR Training – (if applicable)
Student ID Card and Semester T Pass
Student ID Card
All students must obtain a BU student identification card (ID). To obtain your ID, please follow the instructions that will be sent over email from GMS Student Affairs (gmssa@bu.edu).
Semester MBTA Pass
Please visit the TransComm website for additional information. The deadline for the MBTA Student Fall Semester Pass is August 10.
International Students
Check out the BU International Graduate Student Guide here.
Please see the ISSO webpage for more information.
All students must complete BU First Class, ISSO’s online pre-arrival orientation course once they arrive in Boston.
Additionally, all students beginning new programs in Fall 2022 must complete the Initial ISSO Check-In remotely through myBUafter they arrive in the U.S.
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.
Contact Us
Questions? Email gmssa@bu.edu to connect with the Student Affairs Office.
If you decide to defer or withdraw, please email your program director and GMS Admissions at gmsadmsn@bu.edu prior to the first day of classes stating that you officially withdraw your application. For any technical questions regarding indicating your admission decision, please contact GMS Admissions (gmsadmsn@bu.edu).
