Accepted Students

We are pleased that you have selected Boston University for your master’s degree or Ph.D.! If you have decided to accept your offer of admission to Boston University, the following checklist outlines the required actions you must take prior to matriculating:

1. Accept Offer: Accept your offer of admission by the date specified in your acceptance letter  (link provided) and submit your deposit online. *Should you require a decision deadline extension during these uncertain times, please contact your program director.
2. Compliance:  Meet University Compliance Requirements via the StudentLink. These include:
   • Health Insurance: Health Insurance. Massachusetts law requires all students who are enrolled in at least 75 percent of the full-time curriculum ( 9 credits) to carry health insurance. The Boston University Student Medical Insurance Plan is administered by Aetna Student Health.  Boston University automatically enrolls students in our Aetna health insurance plan;  if you already have comparable coverage you may waive the medical insurance via the Student Accounting Services website.  NOTE:  PhD students are automatically enrolled in the BU PLUS health insurance plan.
   • BU Alert Phone Number: Boston University requires all students studying on Massachusetts campuses must provide a BU Alert phone number, which is used to notify you of a University-wide emergency. View and update your BU Alert phone number on the Student Link, Personal Tab, Address and Phone Option.
   • Settle Student Account:  All students must settle their students account by the deadline each semester.
   • Immunizations: Massachusetts law requires that all full-time and many part-time students be immunized. 
   • Sexual Misconduct Prevention: Students must complete the Graduate Sexual Misconduct Prevention Training.  Students will be notified by email in mid-August.  
   • Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Law Requirements:  Out-of-state students  read and acknowledge on student link. sign an acknowledgment.
   • Update Current Address:
   • Other Onboarding Material: Available on Blackboard in August
3. Official Transcript: If you have not already done so, submit a final transcript, degree certificate, or other official documents showing all previous degrees conferred to GMS Admissions.  Alternatively, you may submit all documentation in a sealed (official) envelope to  GMS Team during Orientation, or no later than October 1, 2021 to the following address:
   • ATTN: Jorge Fortin
     Graduate Medical Sciences Admissions
     Boston University School of Medicine
     72 East Concord Street, L-317
     Boston, MA 02118
4. Housing: Search for on or off-campus housing. Please visit the GMS Housing page  as well as the BMC Office of Housing Resources  for information regarding housing, and direct specific questions to ohr@bu.edu
5. Handbook:  Review the Student Handbook (coming soon)  This comprehensive document covers basic GMS information, Policies and Procedures, Academic Conduct Code and Disciplinary Procedures.
6. Student ID:  Get your Terrier Card (BU student ID). Terrier Cards for new students are issued at the start of the student’s first semester.  This process will updated and posted in the near future.  More information will be coming soon.
7. Social Media: Like us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to stay up to date with GMS news and events!

If you decide to withdraw, please email your program director and copy Shuchita Rao, (srao2019@bu.edu) stating that you officially withdraw your application.

For any technical questions regarding indicating your admission decision, please contact Shuchita Rao (srao2019@bu.edu).

Q: Am I required to submit official transcripts to Boston University?

Yes. While unofficial transcripts may be accepted at time of consideration for admission, once you accept the admission offer, you are required to submit official transcripts no later than Oct 1, 2021 to the GMS Admissions office.

Q: What is an official transcript?

An official transcript shows the seal of the registrar of university, the graduating degree title and the year degree was conferred on, along with grades for all the courses taken over the course of study. International students should arrange for degrees from foreign institutions to be translated and certified by evaluation services such as WES (www.wes.org).

Q: Do I need to submit transcripts listing coursework and grades taken at multiple colleges?

Yes. Official transcripts from ALL the institutions where you studied and obtained undergraduate/graduate degrees will need to be sent directly from the institution where you graduated from. A copy of official transcript issued to you is not accepted.

Note: Students who have received undergraduate & graduate degrees from Boston University will only need to request only one transcript, since both degrees will be listed on one transcript.

Q:Where should my official transcripts be delivered?

Official transcripts can either be:

1. Delivered electronically to GMS (fortin@bu.edu)
2. Handed in by student at GMS office in a sealed envelope with a signature across the seal
3. Received by courier/snail mail at GMS L317 suite

Graduate Medical Sciences
Attn: Admissions
72 E. Concord St, Suite L-317
Boston, MA 02118

Q: What happens if I am unable to submit official transcripts by October 1, 2021?

You will not be allowed to register for Spring semester courses at GMS.

Setup BU Email: 

• 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/July (May for OHS students).
• Create a BU login name and Kerberos password to be able to access BU’s webmail and other internet services.
• Once you create your account, please remember to check your BU email regularly as this will be your primary email account for the University.
• 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.

Registration: 

• Most incoming students will be pre-registered for the fall core curriculum, but adjustments may be made during Orientation. Registration information will be posted here when available.

• 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.
• Any questions should be directed to Student Health Services at 617-353-3575.

• • Financial Aid
    • Matriculating students who wish to apply for financial assistance must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid ( FAFSA) website to access the application. For assistance in navigating the FAFSA process, watch the Financial Aid FAFSA Tutorial playlist.
    • Once your FAFSA is filed, please complete the 2021-2022 Graduate Medical Sciences Financial Application (not available). Many full-time degree candidates will need to find an alternative loan program to supplement the Federal Direct Loan program. Please review the resources for Graduate PLUS Loans, Private Credit-Based Loans and scholarships. The ELM Select portal allows you to compare private student loan options.
    • The 2021/2022 Graduate PLUS Loan application will be available later in the Spring semester here.
    • Student Financial Services (SFS) starts releasing financial aid awards approximately 60 days before the start of the Fall 2021 semester.
    • Financial aid notifications will be emailed to you via BU’s DataMotion Secure Email.
    • Please direct your financial aid questions to Student Financial Services, by email to osfs-gms@bu.edu or visit their virtual office hours for GMS Graduate on Tuesdays 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and Wednesdays 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. The Student Financial Services (SFS) Office is located on the 4th floor of the Robinson building (72 E. Concord Rd, B401).
  • Tuition
    • Visit the Medical Campus Student Financial Services for up to date information
      • Rates for 2021-2022 will be posted when available
      • Academic year is September 2, 2021 – May 13, 2022
      • Many programs also attend the two summer programs (especially if one year program)
    • Cost of Attendance can be found here
    • Form more information on important dates and deadline check the academic calendar
    • • Please update your mailing address with Student Link to ensure your bill is sent to the correct address.

• • Please see the ISSO webpage for more information

• • Should you have any problems or questions regarding your visa status, please contact the International Students and Scholars Office at 888 Commonwealth Avenue, 2^nd 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.
  • Speak to an Advisor on call on Zoom here Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 10am-4pm and Wednesday 1-4pm. (phone 1-301-715-8592  Zoom ID 474 879 2442)

• All GMS Programs have Orientation on August 31st unless otherwise specified:
  • Oral Health Sciences Orientation, Thursday July 29th (classes start August 2nd)
  • Graduate Program for Neuroscience Orientation, Wednesday June 16th
• Check back soon for our Orientation webpage for more information (TBA)

• GMS website 
• GMS Coronavirus Information webpage
• BU’s Back2BU site for Graduate Students
• Boston University Medical Campus’ Covid19 webpage