Congratulations on making the decision to transfer to Suffolk University! Orientation is a great way to learn how to make your transition as seamless as possible.
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Transfer Students
Transfer students will participate in orientation as part of the onboarding process. 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.
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.
*Students with an F1 or J-1 visa please refer to the International Students section for orientation information.
Transfer Student Orientation Details
Transfer Student 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!
Transfer Student Family Orientation Program (Encouraged)
Transferring to a new institution is an exciting adventure, not only for students but for the entire family. While it is not mandatory for family members to attend transfer orientation, it is strongly encouraged.
Family Orientation program runs 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 provides 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 Summer 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
Mark your calendars!
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!
If you have any questions, reach out to Orientation, New Student & Family Programs via email or phone at 617-573-8321.
Step 2: Set Up Your Suffolk Student Email
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.
Step 3: Schedule an Appointment with the Undergraduate Academic Advising Center and Create a Saved Schedule
Starting in mid-November, 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 January 3 to ensure you get to meet with an Academic Advising before the semester starts.
To help your appointment run smoothly:
- If you have already taken a math or writing class before enrolling at Suffolk, hold off on taking either or both of the placement exams until you speak to an academic advisor
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 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.
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 in late November. To complete this task, you must have set up your Suffolk email. 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 can pick up 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. Sometime in December, 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 8.
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 February 1.
If you have any questions, reach out to Counseling, Health & Wellness via email or phone at 617-573-8226.