2020 Orientation

• Fall 2020 orientation will be held on Monday, August 31st  from 10:00am to 5:00pm EST over Zoom.
• Beginning at 10:00am, faculty, staff, and current students will deliver brief, informative presentations.
• A BU-wide Resource Fair to introduce you to the many services and student groups here in GMS, the MED campus as well as BU-Charles River Campus will take place from 2:00-3:00pm and 4:00-5:00pm EST.
• 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.

Main GMS Session Slides 

General GMS Orientation

Program-specific Orientations

Resource Fair

ALL STUDENTS are required complete the following by September 9, 2020: 

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.

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:”

• Academic Conduct Code and Disciplinary Procedures
• Appropriate Treatment in Graduate Education
• Fuller Gym Release Form
• Identifying and Avoiding Plagiarism Training
• 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 StudentLink Compliance page to find a link to your training
• Microagressions Training
• Photo Release Form
• Title IX Training

DOCTORAL STUDENTS should complete the following before orientation:

• 1. Please register online for an ORCID ID, unless you already have one.
  2. 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
  3. 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.

2. Lab Safety Training -(if applicable – see agenda for program specific requirements) 
3. Radiation Training-(if applicable – see agenda for program specific requirements) 

• 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 was conferred in May or will be conferred in September 2020, please submit all required documentation no later than October 1, 2020, 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 mailed (hard copy) in a sealed (official) envelope or sent electronically to Shuchita Rao (srao2019@bu.edu) by October 1, 2020.

• All students must obtain a BU student identification card (ID).
• To obtain your ID, please follow the instructions sent over email from GMS Student Affairs (gmssa@bu.edu).
• TransComm Information and semester pass deadline: August 10, 2020.

Check out where to get student discounts as well as some fun facts about BU here.

• Information to set up your BU email address and Kerberos password will be emailed to you by the GMS Registrar, Millie Agosto.
• 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 the GMS Registrar with any questions regarding setting up your BU email address and Kerberos password, which are needed to access the Student Link.

• 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.
  • NOTE:  As of March 2020,  Student Health Services has implemented a process that will grant students temporary medical compliance for those expressing difficulty meeting their immunization requirements due to COVID-19.  This temporary medical compliance will allow students to register for courses during their registration period.  The temporary waiver will be removed from the student’s account at a future date.   The information regarding this new process is available on our Immunization Compliance website in the “Can I submit a waiver?” section.
• **YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO REGISTER FOR CLASS UNTIL PROOF OF REQUIRED IMMUNIZATIONS ARE SUBMITTED TO STUDENT HEALTH SERVICES.

International students MUST attend ISSO Orientation. All incoming international students should have already been invited to participate in BU First Class.  This is an online pre-arrival orientation course required for all incoming international students.  It has essential sessions that are critical for academic success while also providing important visa and immigration information.  If you have not received the email invitation, please reach out Kamelia Turcotte at kameliat@bu.edu to be registered.

• SEVP FAQs for F-1 Students
• New Student FAQs and Travel Considerations During the COVID-19 Pandemic
• See ISSO Services During COVID 19
• Preliminary SEVP Guidance for F1  Students for Fall 2020
• 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.