{"id":107906,"date":"2026-07-06T18:02:49","date_gmt":"2026-07-06T22:02:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/?page_id=107906"},"modified":"2026-07-29T12:14:55","modified_gmt":"2026-07-29T16:14:55","slug":"2026-fall-orientation","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/2026-fall-orientation\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 Fall Orientation"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

Welcome to Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine!<\/h3>\n

Overview<\/h4>
<\/p>\n

All masters and Phd programs have the Main GMS <\/strong>Orientation on Monday, August 31<\/strong> with classes starting Wednesday, September 2<\/strong> (unless otherwise specified). The in-person Main GMS Orientation Session is required for all students starting in September.<\/p>\n

Program-specific orientation sessions will be held after the Main GMS Orientation Session and according to the schedule below. These orientations may be either in-person or virtual. Please check with your individual program for details.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

Schedule<\/h4>
<\/p>\n

The following is the schedule of all Orientation sessions and activities.<\/p>\n

Main GMS Orientation Session<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n\n
Date<\/strong><\/td>\nTime<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Monday, August 31<\/td>\n7:30 a.m. –\u00a0 8:30 a.m.<\/p>\n

8:30 a.m.\u00a0 – 11:00 a.m.<\/td>\n

Check-in & Breakfast<\/p>\n

Main GMS Orientation Session
\n(Required: all students<\/span>)<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/h4>\n

Additional Sessions & Activities<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n
Date<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/td>\n
\n
Time<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/td>\n
\n
Session\/Activity<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/td>\n
\n
Format<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tuesday, July 28<\/td>\n9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.<\/td>\nStudent Health Insurance Info Session: Co-Sponsored w\/ School of Public Health\u00a0<\/strong>(open to all students)<\/p>\n

Speak with a representative from the Aetna BU Student Health Plan during this virtual info session.\u00a0<\/em> They will discuss the difference between coverage options, how to use your new plan and answer <\/em>questions you may have when deciding which plan is best for you.<\/em><\/td>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Virtual<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tuesday, August 11<\/td>\n12:00 p.m. – 12:45 p.m.<\/td>\nMandatory Stipend Meeting <\/strong>(open to phd students & attendance is<\/span> required<\/span>)<\/p>\n

Learn about how your doctoral student stipend process works, how best to budget as a doctoral student, as well as how the Oath of the Scientist <\/em>comes into play during your doctoral experience. Joining\u00a0<\/em>us will be the Associate Director of Finance <\/em>Administration & Operations, the Assistant Director of Student\u00a0<\/em>Financial Support and the Associate <\/em>Dean for Graduate Medical Sciences.<\/em><\/td>\n

Virtual<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Thursday, September 24<\/td>\n3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.<\/td>\nStudent Experience Fair : Co-Sponsored w\/ School of Public Health <\/strong>(open to all students)<\/p>\n

This event provides a rare opportunity for students to meet with folks from many of <\/em>the BU offices that you will frequent during your time in graduate school, learn about the important <\/em>resources that could benefit you and how to get involved with any of our student organizations \/ other <\/em>community groups.<\/em><\/td>\n

In-person<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Program-Specific Orientation Sessions for Master’s Students<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Program<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\nDate & Time<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Anatomy & Neurobiology – Vesalius<\/td>\nAugust 31, 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Biomedical Forensic Sciences<\/span><\/td>\nAugust 31, 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Biomedical Research Technologies<\/span><\/td>\nAugust 31, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Clinical Research<\/span><\/td>\nAugust 31, 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Forensic Anthropology<\/span><\/td>\nAugust 31, 12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Genetic Counseling<\/span><\/td>\nAugust 31, TBD<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Healthcare Emergency Management <\/span><\/td>\nAugust 31, 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Medical Sciences<\/span><\/td>\nAugust 31, 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mental Health Counseling & Behavioral Medicine<\/span><\/td>\nAugust 31, 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nutrition & Metabolism<\/span><\/td>\nAugust 31, 12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Oral Health Sciences<\/span><\/td>\nJuly 30<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Pathology Laboratory Sciences<\/span><\/td>\nAugust 31, TBD<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Pharmacology<\/span><\/td>\nAugust 31, 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Physician Assistant<\/span><\/td>\nAugust 3 – 7<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

*The following programs will not be hosting a program-specific orientation session: Biophysics, Health Professions Education, Physiology.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Program-Specific Orientation Sessions for PhD Students<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Program<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\nDate & Time<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Anatomy & Neurobiology<\/span><\/td>\nAugust 31, 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Neuroscience (GPN)<\/span><\/td>\nAugust 31, 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Program in Biomedical Sciences (PiBS)<\/span><\/td>\nAugust 31, 12:00 p.m.. – 2:00 p.m.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Program in Biomolecular Pharmacology<\/span><\/td>\nAugust 31, 12:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

Required Documents & Trainings for Compliance<\/h4>
<\/p>\n

All Students<\/strong><\/h4>\n

You will need your BU ID number to complete these requirements. To find your BU ID number, 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:”<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Compliance item<\/strong><\/td>\nRequirement from<\/strong><\/td>\nPlatform<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1. Academic Conduct Code & Disciplinary Procedures<\/td>\nChobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine<\/td>\nBlackboard orientation course<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2. Appropriate Treatment in Graduation Education<\/td>\nChobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine<\/td>\nBlackboard orientation course<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
3. Fuller Gym Release Form<\/td>\nChobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine<\/td>\nBlackboard orientation course<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
4. Identifying & Avoiding Plagiarism Training<\/td>\nChobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine<\/td>\nBlackboard orientation course<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
5. Intellectual Property Agreement<\/td>\nChobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine<\/td>\nBlackboard orientation course<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
6. Microaggressions Training<\/td>\nChobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine<\/td>\nBlackboard orientation course<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
7. Photo Release Form<\/td>\nChobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine<\/td>\nBlackboard orientation course<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
8. Sexual Misconduct Prevention Training<\/p>\n

In mid-September, <\/em>you will be emailed a direct link to the training from automated-message@everfi.net<\/a> and can complete this requirement via the compliance page on the myBU portal.<\/em><\/td>\n

Boston University Student Health Services and Equal Opportunity Office<\/td>\nmyBU portal\/Everfi<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
9. Final official transcripts, degree certificates, or other official documents indicating previously conferred degrees<\/p>\n

Official transcripts must be sent directly from the degree-granting institution to GMS either via email to GMScrpt@bu.edu or via regular mail\/carrier in a sealed envelope to:<\/em><\/p>\n

Attn: GMS Admissions<\/em><\/p>\n

Graduate Medical Sciences<\/em><\/p>\n

Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine<\/em><\/p>\n

72 East Concord Street, L-317<\/em><\/p>\n

Boston, MA 02118, U.S.A.<\/em><\/td>\n

Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine<\/td>\nN\/A, sent directly by degree-granting institution<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
10. Medical History & Physical Report Form<\/p>\n

Complete the form<\/a> and upload it to your Patient Connect Portal<\/a>.<\/em><\/td>\n

Boston University Student Health Services<\/td>\nPatient Connect Portal<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Additional Requirements for All PhD Students<\/h4>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Compliance Item<\/strong><\/td>\nRequirement from<\/strong><\/td>\nPlatform<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
11. ORCID<\/td>\nChobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine<\/td>\nBlackboard orientation course<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
12. eRA Commons<\/td>\nChobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine<\/td>\nBlackboard orientation course<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
13. RCR Training<\/td>\nChobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine<\/td>\nBlackboard orientation course<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Additional Trainings for Specific Research & Clinical Programs<\/h4>\n

Students in certain master’s and doctoral programs are required to complete the below trainings. Please review to confirm if your program requires any of these requirements. These can all be found on the Blackboard orientation course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Program<\/strong><\/td>\nAdditional Required Training<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Anatomy & Neurobiology (MS)<\/td>\nLab safety<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Anatomy &\u00a0 Neurobiology (PhD)<\/td>\nLab safety<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Biomedical Forensic Sciences (MS)<\/td>\nLab safety<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Biomedical Research Technologies (MS)<\/td>\nLab safety<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Forensic Anthropology (MS)<\/td>\nLab safety<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nutrition & Metabolism (MS)<\/td>\nLab safety, RCR training<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Pathology Laboratory Sciences (MS)<\/td>\nLab safety, Radiation training, RCR training<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Program in Biomedical Sciences (PiBS) (PhD)<\/td>\nLab safety<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Program in Biomolecular Pharmacology (PhD)<\/td>\nLab safety<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

Student ID Card and Semester MBTA Pass<\/h4>
<\/p>\n

Student ID Card<\/strong><\/p>\n

All students must have a BU student identification card (ID). To obtain your ID, please follow the instructions that will be sent via email from GMS Student Affairs (gmssa@bu.edu<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Semester MBTA Pass<\/strong><\/p>\n

Please visit the TransComm website<\/a> to determine if a semester pass is right for you.\u00a0 The deadline for the MBTA Student Fall Semester Pass is August 10.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

International Students<\/h4>
<\/p>\n

Check out the BU International Graduate Student Guide here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Please see the ISSO webpage<\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n

All students must complete BU First Class<\/a>, ISSO’s online pre-arrival orientation course\u00a0once they arrive in Boston. <\/span><\/p>\n

Additionally, all students beginning new programs in Fall 2026 must complete the Initial ISSO Check-In<\/a>\u00a0remotely through\u00a0myBU<\/a> after they arrive in the U.S.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n