International Students Orientation

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Congratulations on making the decision to come to Suffolk University! Orientation for international students provides an opportunity to learn all about your new home away from home.

International students will participate in a two-day, one-night summer orientation. While orientation is mandatory for 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.

International students are also required to participate in a one-day fall orientation before the new semester starts. Both summer and fall orientations are required; plan accordingly. Once you register for summer orientation, you will automatically be enrolled for fall orientation.

The deadline to register for orientation is January 3.

The orientation details and deadlines below are for students and their families who are starting at Suffolk University in January of 2025. Information for students starting at Suffolk University in September 2025 will be updated in late January.

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.

Orientation registration opens on October 23.

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 the January 12 orientation!

Register for orientation in your applicant portal

If you have any questions, reach out to Orientation, New Student & Family Programs via email or phone at 617-573-8321.

Beginning in late November, 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 January, 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.

Starting on late November, students can book a 30-minute appointment with an academic advisor via Zoom. It is important to book your appointment by January 3 to ensure you get to meet with Academic Advising before the semester starts.

Please note: You cannot book your advising appointment until your Suffolk email is set up.

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.

Suffolk’s International Student Services Office (ISSO) works with international students who need immigration documents to apply for their student visas. To begin the process, submit a completed Certificate of Finances form, a bank statement, and a copy of your passport ID page to the Office of Undergraduate Admission.

Once we have received these documents, you will be issued an I-20 or DS-2019 form for your visa application. You may schedule an interview at the nearest U.S. consulate after you receive your immigration documents from us.

Please note: The U.S. consulate will issue visas up to 120 days before the start of your program; it is important to begin the process as soon as possible.

You are allowed to enter the U.S. on your new visa no more than 30 days before the start of your program, so please be careful when scheduling your travel plans.

If you are already in the United States in F-1 or J-1 status, please submit a copy of your current I-20 or DS-2019, a copy of your current visa, and the Suffolk transfer release form to the international advisor at your current school so that your SEVIS record can be released to our office. Once we receive your completed transfer release form, as well as your other required documents, we will create your Suffolk I-20 or DS-2019.

Look out for more information about virtual receptions especially designed for you and your fellow international students.

International students must plan their travels to be able to participate in the mandatory new international student orientation and immigration check-in on January 11.

Visit our International Students Services Office (ISSO) or email the ISSO for more information and the answers to any questions.

Starting in early December, 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, but no later than January 3.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Residence Life and Housing via email or phone at 617-305-2500.

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 in late November. The submission deadline is January 3.

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.

We’ve designed online modules to help you prepare to join the Suffolk community. You must complete them before the start of the semester. Sometime in June, 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. The deadline to complete your online modules is January 3.

If you have any questions, reach out to the Information Technology Help Desk via email or phone at 617-557-2000.

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.

  1. Using your Suffolk credentials, log into your MyHealth Portal
  2. 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
  3. Upload your immunization documentation to “Forms and Requirements”
  4. Upload your insurance information under “Insurance Card”
  5. 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 February 1.

If you have any questions, reach out to Counseling, Health & Wellness via email or phone at 617-573-8226.