Welcome!
Orientation aims to facilitate new students’ transition into Boston University School of Public Health and to enrich each individual’s unique educational experience. You’ll learn about life inside and outside the classroom, from academics to research, employment, and volunteer opportunities. Orientation is also an excellent opportunity to meet your peers, the faculty and staff, and deans of the School.
Orientation is designed to introduce new students to the school, acquaint them with resources and involvement opportunities, and officially welcome them to the “Terrier Family”. Through educational and social opportunities, both online and in-person, the newest members of our community can begin their next big adventure on the right path.
Fall 2024 Orientation
Tuesday, August 27 to Friday, August 30
We will post updates for the BUSPH 2024 Fall orientations on this page. Please check back later for details.
Register Here for Orientation!
Fall 2024 Orientation Schedule of Events
*Please note all sessions are in-person only.
Tuesday, August 27th
| Time and Location |
Description |
| 10:00am – 3:00 pm
Location: INS 110 (Morning Sessions) INS 405 (Afternoon Sessions) |
International Student Welcome Workshop
Mandatory Session for all International Students International students are required to attend our interactive workshop where they will meet other international students from SPH, learn about resources available, planned activities, and getting acquainted with the city, all while enjoying a delicious lunch. Representatives from the International Students and Scholars Office will offer an overview of important requirements and deadlines associated with being an international student. |
| 3:00-5:00pm
Location: Talbot 3rd Floor East |
Open House with Epidemiology and Biostatistics Departments
The departments of Epidemiology and Biostatistics would like to welcome their new students in the following degree programs: MPH – certificate students in Epidemiology and Biostatistics, MS in Public Health Research with an Epidemiology focus, MS in Biostatistics, PhD in Epidemiology and Biostatistics. Come meet faculty and staff serving these departments! |
Wednesday, August 28th
| Time and Location |
Description |
| 8:30 – 10:00 am, or by request
Location: Tent, Talbot Green (grounds outside the main entrance) |
Campus Tours
Take a tour of the School of Public Health and the Boston University Medical Campus. Note: additional tours available on Thursday morning or upon request.
|
| 10:00 –12:00 pm
Location: 670 Albany Auditorium |
Introduction Program
A welcome and introduction to the school from the deans. |
| 12:00 – 1:00 pm
Location: Tent, Talbot Green |
Lunch
Come dine with your SPH community. We encourage you to meet faculty, staff and alumni. This will also be a great chance to bond with your peers and make new friends. V* V/Vg/GF options available for students.
|
| 1:00 – 2:00 pm
Location: INS 405 |
The Art of Failure: Normalizing Rejections and Setbacks in Academia. With Dr. Sarah Lipson. This session will explore something that is universal yet rarely talked about — experiences of rejections. Background reading: https://www.bu.edu/sph/news/articles/2024/reflections-on-rejections-essays-from-the-sph-community-on-setbacks-in-academia/.
|
| 2:00 – 3:30 pm
Location: INS 405 |
What to Expect in Your First Semester of Classes.
Learn from Dr. Megan Healey, first semester advisor, the techniques for being successful in your Masters and Doctoral programs right from the start by putting into practice good habits. |
| 3:30 – 4:30 pm
Location: INS 405 |
Embracing Uncertainty in Your Future of Work.
Learn from Julia Lanham, Dean of Careers and Practicums, how the journey to find a practicum is usually less stressful than expected and often comes with unexpected gifts. |
| 5:00 – 6:30 pm
Location: Hiebert Lounge (INS 1407) |
Dinner with Alumni
Recent alumnae will host a dinner with a question and answer period. This Q&A will provide new students with tips from the “experts; those who have gone before them.” Come dine and network with your new colleagues. * V/Vg/GF options available for students. |
Thursday, August 29th
| Time and Location |
Description |
| 9:30 -10:30 am, or by request
Location: Tent, Talbot Green (grounds outside the main entrance) |
Campus Tours
Take a guided tour of the School of Public Health and the Boston University Medical Campus. Note: Additional tours by request. |
| 9:00-10:30am
Location: Talbot 219east |
Ask Me Anything: Academic Accommodations Office Hour with Kori MacInnis
Do you have specific questions about academic accommodations? Feel free to stop by the office of Kori MacInnis, Assistant Director for Student Engagement for a brief, one-on-one conversation on how to get started! |
| 9:30-10:30am
Location: INS 110 |
Student Financial Services Information Session – Required for all students receiving federal financial aid (International students need not attend)
Question and answer period, featuring financial officers.
|
| 10:30-11:30am
Location: 670 Albany Auditorium |
Why Public Health? With Dean Sandro Galea
This session will explore what matters most to public health and how that guides our scholarship and action.
|
| 11:30am-12:15pm
Location: Tent, Talbot Green |
Lunch with Friends and Family
Come dine with your SPH community. We encourage you to meet faculty, staff and alumni. Feel free to bring any family and friends you have with you in Boston to show them your new school! This will also be a great chance to bond with your peers and make new friends. * V/Vg/GF options available for students |
| 12:30-2:00pm
Location: 670 Albany Auditorium |
Understanding Our Mission: For The Health of All, with Dean Cozier
The School’s mission is to improve the health of local, national and international populations, particularly the disadvantaged, underserved and vulnerable, through excellence and innovation in education, research, and service. This conversation will consider who is the public in public health and focus on the importance of inclusion. How to Change the World, with Dean Andrade In this session students will have a chance to consider what brought them to BUSPH, what public health practice means to them, and what they hope to accomplish with their degree.
|
| 2:00-2:45pm
Location: 670 Albany Auditorium |
Manage Your Time and Productivity
Managing our time effectively is a cornerstone of success. Learn key principles of time management, compare the advantages of different types of time management systems, and explore specific tools to help you consistently plan your time and execute that plan. Discover productivity strategies to help you get the best results from your planning. |
| 2:45-3:15pm
Location: 670 Albany Auditorium |
Introduction to Alumni Medical Library Resources
Meet Kristen Sheridan, library liaison to SPH, and learn more about the resources available to you through Alumni Medical Library. The library offers a wide variety of resources, materials and diverse collections that will help you with your coursework and research during your time at BU. Kristen will share these resources and show some tips and tricks for using the library to its fullest potential. |
| 3:30pm
Location: Meet at the Tent, Talbot Green |
Terrier Pursuit: A Boston Scavenger Hunt
Are you an expert on the sites and landmarks in Boston, or want to learn more about them? Dive into the city we call home by participating in Student Wellbeing’s Terrier Pursuit: A Boston Scavenger Hunt. |
Friday, August 30th
| Time and Location |
Description |
| 11am-1pm
Location Tent, Talbot Green |
SPH/GMS Resource Fair
The Resource Fair introduces new students to the resources you will utilize during your time at BU. Meet representatives from Public Safety, The Ombuds office, Student Health Services and so much more. This will be your one stop to take care of business and get information regarding the resources and services available at SPH and the BU community. This event is in collaboration with Graduate Medical Science program students. |
*If you miss the Fall 2024 in-person orientation, contact Graduate Student Life at sphgsl@bu.edu.
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**Any IDs printed at Charles River Campus will not work at the Med Campus. All IDs will be prepared by the Medical Campus ID Office**
Terrier Card ID Photo Upload Guidelines for Incoming Students
Terrier Card ID Photo Upload Deadline is Monday, August 12th
Featured Story
BUSPH Beyond the Classroom: A Q&A with Graduate Student Life
Orientation FAQs
Is Orientation Mandatory? and why?
Yes! All of orientation is mandatory.
Why is orientation mandatory? We’re partnering with offices and organizations all over campus to help provide information to ease your transition into graduate school, introduce you to campus services and opportunities to get involved, and help you get connected with graduate student communities.
While Boston University views Orientation as the foundational experience for a successful start both academically and socially, we understand that there are some circumstances that could prevent a student from being able to participate. If for any reason you are unable to participate in an orientation session, you may access this page to review recordings after orientation.
BUSPH Fall 2024 Orientation is in person.
Will Attendance be Taken?
We keep an accurate account of students for orientation events via registration. We also provide a variety ways to access orientation, so it’s hard to miss it. While Boston University views Orientation as the foundational experience for a successful start both academically and socially, we understand that there are some circumstances that could prevent a student from being able to participate. If for any reason you are unable to participate in an orientation session, you may access recordings after orientation on this page.
When can I pick up my BU ID?
**SPH Students that have uploaded a photo by August 12th will be able to pick up their ID at Orientation on August 27th. IDs can be picked up at the Talbot Reception Desk beginning Monday, September 2nd on Mondays-Fridays from 8:30am-5:00pm located at 715 Albany Street, Boston, MA 02118.
Terrier Card ID Photo Upload Guidelines for Incoming Students
Incoming students also have the option to update their Terrier Card display name. For more information, please visit the website here.
How can I update my directory list?
Students can utilize the Directory Listing Update form to update their Display Name in the directory listing.
Who do I contact for Aetna Health Plan Assistance?
For more information about the Student Health Plan, watch the Aetna Student Health Plan Recording.
Contacts for Assistance
Aetna Student Health
Customer Service: (800) 966-7772
Aetna Pharmacy Management: (888) 792-3862
For assistance with waivers and enrollment:
Boston University Student Accounting Services
Phone: (617) 353-2264
Email: studenta@bu.edu
Connect with us
Find Graduate Student Life on social media @thegradlife_busph
If you have questions contact Graduate Student Life at sphgsl@bu.edu.