{"id":2290,"date":"2013-05-10T18:51:31","date_gmt":"2013-05-10T22:51:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/sph\/student-services\/incoming-students\/international-students\/"},"modified":"2022-08-09T15:50:00","modified_gmt":"2022-08-09T19:50:00","slug":"international-students","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/students\/getting-started-at-busph\/international-students\/","title":{"rendered":"International Students"},"content":{"rendered":"

Preparing to join SPH and moving to Boston<\/strong><\/h2>\n

After you have completed the immigration process and obtained your F-1 visa, you are ready to plan your arrival to Boston for graduate school. Below are the steps you will need to take before your arrival, as well as some resources to help you through the process.<\/p>\n

Phase 1<\/h3>\n
    \n
  1. \n
    Make it official.<\/h5>\n

    Once you’ve gotten your BU ID number from SPH Admissions, Boston University Information Services will email you and ask you to set up your<\/span> BU account information<\/a>, including your BU email, which will be your primary means of receiving School and University communications. In addition, your account login gives you access to registration, grades and finances — it’s essential.<\/span><\/li>\n

  2. \n
    Money matters.
    \n<\/strong><\/h5>\n

    Finalize funding and other options to plan on paying for tuition and living expenses.\u00a0Contact SFS<\/a>\u00a0with any questions.<\/li>\n

  3. \n
    Find a place to live.<\/h5>\n

    Start your\u00a0housing search<\/a>. SPH does not guarantee you housing once you arrive on campus; all housing arrangements must be made by the student. Connect with other students and find roommates on the Fall 2022 Accepted Students Facebook page<\/a> and learn about Boston\u2019s neighborhoods, work with\u00a0BUMC\u2019s Housing Resources office<\/a>.<\/li>\n

  4. \n
    Become familiar with\u00a0student life<\/a>\u00a0on campus.
    \n<\/strong><\/h5>\n

    Keep an eye out for emails from Graduate Student Life.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Phase 2<\/h3>\n
      \n
    1. \n
      Put Orientation on your calendar \u2014 SPH Fall 2022 Orientation<\/a> Dates: Tuesday, August 30th- Friday, September 2, 2022 ! Contact Sphgsl@bu.edu<\/a> with any questions.<\/h5>\n

      Meet peers, faculty and staff, and the deans of the School during this multi-day interactive and engaging introduction to academic and campus life at SPH. Graduate Student Life\u00a0will email you with the agenda and details.<\/li>\n

    2. \n
      Complete the health requirements.
      \n<\/strong><\/h5>\n

      Complete your health history<\/a> before arriving on campus and provide your immunization records. Failure to submit the required immunization records<\/a> will result in a registration hold on your Student Account.<\/li>\n

    3. \n
      Choose health insurance.
      \n<\/strong><\/h5>\n

      Decide on a Student Health Insurance plan.\u00a0Health insurance is required for all students, and more information can be found through the ISSO<\/a>.<\/li>\n

    4. \n
      Let us know if you need educational or physical accommodations.<\/h5>\n

      You can contact\u00a0Mary Murphy-Phillips<\/a>, Assistant Dean of Students, as soon as possible so she can work with you.<\/li>\n

    5. \n
      Decide what type of transportation you will need.<\/h5>\n

      Get familiar with\u00a0Boston public transportation<\/a>\u00a0and\/or parking services on campus. Apply for a parking pass, if needed. Save 11% on public transportation with a\u00a0discounted semester-long MBTA pass through\u00a0BU TranSComm.\u00a0More info on the TranSComm website.<\/a>\u00a0Most students take public transportation to campus.<\/li>\n

    6. \n
      Check your compliance status to begin the program.
      \n<\/strong><\/h5>\n

      On the\u00a0Student Link<\/a>\u00a0under the \u201cPersonal\u201d tab, you can check your compliance status. Compliance is critical; without it, students are blocked from University functions.<\/li>\n

    7. \n
      Buy books, course readers, and a computer or tablet.<\/h5>\n

      Textbooks can be purchased or rented through the <\/span>BU Bookstore<\/a>! Information about course readers and textbooks will become available in each semester’s course reader and book document at the bottom of the <\/span>Courses webpage<\/a>. Also, be sure to assess your tech needs. If you need an upgrade or a new computer, discounts are available if you <\/span>buy software or a computer through BU<\/a>.<\/span><\/li>\n

    8. \n
      Transfer credits and course waivers.<\/h5>\n

      If you have any transfer credits or course waivers, submit them\u00a0to the Registrar<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      International Students & Scholars Office (ISSO)<\/h3>\n

      The International Students & Scholars Office (ISSO)<\/a> provides essential services to ensure student, scholar, and institutional compliance with federal regulations.\u00a0 Within this office, students can access professional expertise on immigration and employment issues. ISSO<\/a> also promotes the academic, professional, and personal growth of this diverse community while cultivating an appreciation of its many contributions to the BU campus.<\/p>\n

      As you prepare to enter the U.S. and begin your studies at SPH, the ISSO<\/a> will be a resource to you for the following:<\/p>\n

      Visa and Immigration Services<\/b><\/p>\n