Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences

New Students

Students analyzing data

Welcome to GSBS!

We are excited you have chosen the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS) for your education and look forward to your arrival. The information on this page will help you prepare for matriculation. All of this information and more is also available on your application status page.

Orientation

Orientation for Basic Science PhD and Master’s students takes place at the beginning of September and consists of in-person and online activities. The in-person day typically takes place the day after Labor Day. Details will be emailed to you in August.

Immunology PhD students, Molecular Microbiology-MERGE PhD students, MD/PhD M1 students, and PREP scholars begin in July with a welcome lunch before attending Orientation in the fall. 

CTS students begin in July with an abridged Orientation program.

Official Transcripts

Incoming students must submit official transcripts from all of the colleges or universities from which they have received a degree. The official transcripts can submitted either on paper, or electronically. Official electronic transcripts may be sent to gsbs-registrar@tufts.edu via the National Student Clearinghouse, Parchment, Scrip-Safe, or other equivalent service. All official transcripts must be received before you will be permitted to matriculate.

Paper transcripts must be received in envelopes signed and sealed by the issuing institution. They should be mailed directly from the institution to:

Tufts GSBS Registrar    
Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences    
136 Harrison Ave, Suite 501    
Boston, MA 02111

Transcripts from schools outside the US and Canada must be formally evaluated through an NACES-approved credential evaluation service.

Tufts Student IDs

In order to get your Tufts student ID, students need to submit a passport quality photoat least 2 weeks before their program starts. Tufts does not take photos on site for student IDs.

If you encounter any issues uploading your photo, please contact tuftsid@tufts.edu or call 617-627-3692 between 8:00 am and 4 pm EDT Monday through Friday to receive assistance or make alternate arrangements.

After you’ve submitted your ID photo, you will need to make an appointment to pick up your ID once you arrive on campus at Tufts University Public Safety (TUPD) Desk at 136 Harrison Avenue.

Make your ID pick-up appointment here

For JAX students, the GSBS Dean’s Office will pick up your student ID and mail them to JAX in time for Orientation.

Canvas & the GSBS Student Portal

Canvas is Tufts’ learning management system that offers faculty and students a collaborative online learning environment. Incoming students will receive an email notification that they have been added to the GSBS Student Portal on Canvas. The Portal provides information about creating a SIS account and course registration, among many other things.

Course Registration

Summer registration opens June 15 and Fall registration opens August 15. Incoming students will be able to register once GSBS has received their final official transcripts and immunization clearance.

Stipends

Fully funded PhD students receive bi-monthly stipends. Stipends begin the first official day of the program and are paid on the 15th and 30th of each month. Program Coordinators will reach out to new students a couple weeks before their program starts with instructions on payroll paperwork and I-9 verification.

Billing

New students receive an e-mail explaining how to set up a Tufts eBill account. If you have questions about getting the eBill set up, or if you have a third party sponsor, please contact the Bursar’s Office directly.  

Information about billing, hours, and more detailed policies and procedures.

New students should also sign up with BankMobile because refunds are processed through BankMobile and it is the only way to receive a refund in the event of an overpayment or other issues that might arise.

Housing

For those of you who are relocating to Boston you should begin making arrangements for housing as early as possible since searching the local housing market can be challenging and time intensive.

We do not have a Health Science Campus housing office, but you can check this webpage for housing information. You can also explore the resources listed below.

  • Off-Campus Housing is a free service to the Tufts community, and covers topics including rental listings and Massachusetts tenant rights in addition to housing and roommate listings. You should log in with your Tufts credentials to get access to all features.
  • You may also find the information about moving on the City of Boston website to be helpful.
  • Hostelling International's Boston hostel is located less than 5 minutes away by foot from the Health Sciences campus if you need short-term housing. When making your online booking, enter the promo code, "Tufts" to receive a 10% discount.

Lab Rotations

All Basic Science PhD and Master’s students participate in laboratory rotations during their first year to learn skills, experience different lab environments, and help identify a thesis lab.

In August, students will work directly with their Program Directors to indicate their lab preference for their first rotation.

Health Insurance

Matriculated GSBS students are required by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and Tufts University to obtain health insurance. Students are required to waive or enroll in the school offered health insurance plan policy each year of enrollment. Tufts offers all students a comprehensive health insurance plan that meets the State and University requirements. Students who are not in compliance with the health insurance requirements will not be allowed to register or attend classes.

The Student Advisory and Health Administration (SAHA) office manages the student health insurance for all students on the Tufts Health Sciences Campus. Their website provides information about the student health insurance coverage, requirements to waive the insurance coverage, as well as an FAQ page.

Admitted students will be sent information regarding health insurance requirements, plan details, and the deadline date to enroll or waive the school plan.

Basic Science PhD students receive a scholarship to cover the cost for individual health insurance. Note that dental insurance is not included; students can elect to enroll and self-pay.

Immunizations

All students must provide documentation of immunization to comply with Commonwealth of Massachusetts and Tufts University requirements. Without proper documentation, students will not be able to register for classes. For questions about immunizations, contact the Student Advisory & Health Administration office.

Tufts Technology Basics

If you have more questions about the discounts, please contact Tufts IT.

Commuter Benefits

Full-time Boston-based Health Science School students are eligible to purchase a discounted MBTA pass through the SIS portal. This savings may be as much as $55 per month on monthly passes. 

Basic Science PhD students and PREP scholars that receive a full-time paycheck from Tufts University are eligible for the same commuter benefit as Tufts employees. Learn more about using this benefit for transit or parking costs at Access Tufts.

PREP Health Insurance and Other Benefits

Tufts University offers a variety of benefits to PREP scholars.

Learn about PREP Scholar benefits.

Accommodations

Tufts University provides reasonable accommodations to students with disabilities such as impaired hearing, speech, mobility, or vision and students with learning disabilities. We also provide assistance to students with serious medical and mental health conditions. If you would like more information or to request an accommodation, please contact GSBS Dean Mike Chin, MD, PhD.