Congratulations on making the decision to join the Suffolk community. We are here to help you make your first year in college a success!
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Freshmen (First-Year) Students
First-year students will participate in orientation as part of the onboarding process. While orientation is mandatory for all new students, we highly encourage family members to attend our separate Family Orientation. You’ll be able to register your family members when you register yourself.
The deadline to register for orientation is June 1.
*Students with an F1 or J-1 visa please refer to the International Students section for orientation information.
Orientation Details
Orientation Program (Required)
All full-time degree-seeking undergraduate students must participate in orientation before starting at Suffolk. Once you have paid your enrollment deposit, you may register for orientation. Students with possible schedule conflicts should contact Orientation & New Student Programs.
The cost of the orientation program is included in the new student fee on your tuition bill.
Orientation serves many purposes for our incoming students. We seek to help you understand Suffolk University's academic environment and expectations, become familiar with utilizing academic resources, develop a sense of comfort within the Suffolk community, gain knowledge about co-curricular opportunities, and become familiar with Suffolk's global culture and the institution's appreciation for diversity. We are looking forward to meeting you at orientation!
Family Orientation Program (Encouraged)
Starting college is an exciting adventure, not only for students, but for the entire family. While it is not mandatory for family members to attend Orientation, it is strongly encouraged. Family orientation run concurrently with, but separately from, student orientation. For family members, orientation offers an exciting opportunity to interact with skilled faculty and staff members who are committed to excellence on campus.
Orientation will provide an opportunity for family members to learn about your student's academic program and requirements, get answers to financial questions, policies, and deadlines, understand academic and co-curricular resources, gain details about health, wellness, and safety, and more. We hope to see you there!
Your student can register you for Family Orientation through their applicant portal when they complete their own orientation registration.
Action Items
Congratulations again on your acceptance to Suffolk University! To help you make your way to our amazing community in downtown Boston, we’ve created a list of action items.
Step 1: Register for Orientation
Orientation registration opens on March 5.
Students who have paid their enrollment deposit will be able to register for Orientation, along with up to two family members. Attending Orientation is a mandatory part of becoming a Suffolk Ram, so make sure to reserve your spot for orientation!
Register for orientation in your applicant portal
Check the map to see which orientation best fits your needs.
Summer Orientation Sessions
Gold Region: Students living inside the gold region on the map must attend the June orientation session. Due to space limitations the orientation dates in August are reserved for students traveling from further away. If you have concerns about date conflicts or other extenuating circumstances, please email us for assistance.
Blue Region: Students living inside the blue region on the map (or in other countries**) can choose to attend orientation either in June or August. If you have concerns about date conflicts or other extenuating circumstances, please email us for assistance.
**Students with an F1 or J-1 visa please refer to the International Students section for orientation information.
| Session Type | Session Date(s) | Early Arrival Option* (Optional) |
|---|---|---|
| Freshmen Session 1 |
June 9-10 Overnight housing stay required for all new students |
June 8 arrival |
| Freshmen Session 2 |
June 11-12 Overnight housing stay required for all new students |
June 10 arrival |
| Freshmen Session 3 |
June 17-18 Overnight housing stay required for all new students |
June 16 arrival |
| Freshmen Session: Out-of-Region |
August 29-30 Dates available via the orientation registration system only for out-of-region (blue areas on map) and international students |
No Early Arrival |
*Through the Early Arrival Program, new students can come to campus the evening before their orientation. This unique initiative—facilitated by our highly trained and friendly Orientation Leaders—aims to introduce students to Boston and our campus, and help them connect with their peers. Get excited for get-to-know-you activities, a private Boston Duck Tour, and dinner. This opportunity is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. You’ll be able to register for an Early Arrival Program when you register for orientation in your applicant portal.
Early Arrival Program registration fee: $40 (nonrefundable)
Fall Orientation
| Session Type | Session Dates |
|---|---|
| Freshmen Session | September 1 |
Step 2: Set Up Your Suffolk Student Email
On May 7, students will receive information on accessing their Suffolk University email account. Keep an eye on your personal inbox for more information on how to set up your Suffolk email.
Starting in beginning of May, the University will send you information exclusively via your Suffolk email account. Checking it often is the best way to get important updates.
Tip: Download the free Microsoft Outlook app to your web-enabled device!
If you have any questions, reach out to the Information Technology Help Desk via email or phone at 617-557-2000.
Step 3: Schedule an Appointment with the Undergraduate Academic Advising Center and Create a Saved Schedule
Starting on May 7, students will be able to make an academic advising appointment to finalize their course schedules. Click on the “Schedule Academic Advising Appointment” button in your applicant portal. You’ll only be able to do this after you’ve set up your Suffolk University email. It’s important to book your appointment by June 1 to ensure you get to meet with Academic Advising before the semester starts.
To help your appointment run smoothly:
- Take the required math and writing placement exams as soon as possible/before your academic advising appointment to determine the best courses for you. Instructions on how to complete the placement tests can be found in your applicant portal
Please note that scores can take up to 3 business days from the time of completion to be posted and can be found in Workday Student - Build a saved schedule (essentially a first draft of your course schedule) before your appointment. There’s more information about your academic program and step-by-step instructions on how to create a saved schedule in your applicant portal
If you have any questions, reach out to Undergraduate Academic Advising via email or phone at 617-573-8034.
Step 4: Complete Your Housing Portal Questionnaire (Residential Students)
Starting in late May, students who have made their deposit to live in University-sponsored housing will receive an email detailing how to log into the housing portal to complete the Housing Portal Questionnaire. This questionnaire must be completed as soon as possible.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Residence Life and Housing via email or phone at 617-305-2500.
Step 5: Submit Your Photo for Your Student ID
The RAM Card is essential and required on campus. Students must submit a photo ahead of time to make sure that this student ID will be ready when they arrive at Suffolk.
You will receive an email with instructions on how to submit your ID photo on July 1. The submission deadline is August 1.
If you are a residential student, you’ll receive your RAM Card at move-in.
If you are a commuter student, you’ll receive your RAM Card at orientation.
If you have any questions, reach out to Ram Card Services via email or phone at 617-570-4882.
Step 6: Complete Your Online Modules
We’ve designed online modules to help you prepare to join the Suffolk community. You must complete them before the start of the semester. On July 1, we’ll email you access to:
- Get to Know Your College (College of Arts & Sciences and Sawyer Business School)
- AlcoholEdu for College
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion for Students
- Sexual Assault Prevention for Undergraduates
- Suffolk University Community Standards Training
You must set up your Suffolk email account so we can send you instructions on completing this task.
If you have any questions, reach out to the Information Technology Help Desk via email or phone at 617-557-2000.
Step 7: Submit Proof of Immunizations and Your Health Insurance Waiver
Ensure a smooth start by submitting your immunization documentation, completing your health insurance waiver, and setting up your communication preferences in the MyHealth Portal. This is a crucial step in maintaining a healthy and secure environment for all students. Failure to do so will cause delays in other key action items.
- Using your Suffolk credentials, log into your MyHealth Portal
- Update your local contact information, emergency contact details, and profile. The information entered in the portal is for use by CHW only. You can also enable text reminders
- Upload your immunization documentation to “Forms and Requirements”
- Upload your insurance information under “Insurance Card”
- If you will be under 18 years old at the start of the semester, upload the Consent to Treat Minor form under “Forms and Requirements”
The deadline to upload your health information is September 1.
If you have any questions, reach out to Counseling, Health & Wellness via email or phone at 617-573-8226.