Graduate Student Orientation
2023 GSAS Orientation Schedule
The schedule below is for incoming Graduate School of Arts and Sciences students. If you are an incoming School of Engineering graduate student, please visit the SOE Orientation webpage.
Additional events will be posted to this page so please check back for updates. If you have any questions, please reach out to us at gsas@tufts.edu.
Financial Aid 101 (Virtual)
Tuesday, May 16, 2023 | 12 pm (Eastern) and Monday, July 10, 2023 | 4 pm (Eastern)
Our Financial Aid Office is presenting Financial Aid 101, a general session about loan options and billing information at Tufts. This webinar is open to international and domestic master’s, PhD, and post-baccalaureate incoming GSAS students. We will talk about the three main loan options: federal unsubsidized loans, federal Grad PLUS loans, and private loans. We will then discuss how your financial aid is applied to your Tufts bill and the various payment options you have. Please attend for a general overview of financial aid and billing. We invite students to schedule individual follow-up meetings to talk through their own unique situation.
These sessions will be recorded.
Watch the Recording of the May 16th Session
Register for the July 10th Session
New Student Checklist Panel (Virtual)
Thursday, May 25, 2023 | 12 - 1 pm (Eastern) | Virtual
Join the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences for our New Student Checklist Panel, where we'll be reviewing the next steps to prepare for graduate school this fall. Register now to ask questions and learn more about registering for courses, the visa process, and more.
This will be a webinar-style session. The meeting will be recorded and will include closed captioning.
Watch the Recording of the New Student Checklist Panel
Health Insurance for Graduate Students (Virtual)
Tuesday, June 13, 2023 | 4 pm (Eastern)
Students attending universities in Massachusetts must have health insurance that meet MA State requirements. All full-time students are automatically enrolled in the student health insurance with United Healthcare Student Resources unless proof of comparable coverage is furnished.
Have questions about the health insurance policy for graduate students? Join Jennifer M. Berrios, Director of Administration and Operations for Health and Wellness for an hour-long webinar.
Welcome to Tufts Pre-Arrival Session for International Graduate and Professional Students (Virtual)
Wednesday, June 21, 2023 | 9 - 10 am (Eastern)
The International Center invites new international graduate and professional students to this pre-arrival session for the Fall 2023 semester. Learn more and register for the event here.
Beginning Your Partnership with Career Services
Wednesday, July 26, 2023 | 11 am - 12 pm
Career Services holds 1:1 advising for master’s and Ph.D. students and offers programming and workshops to all students within GSAS. In this session, you will learn how you can utilize Career Services and build a partnership with them throughout your time at Tufts.
GSAS Incoming Student Orientation (Virtual)
Wednesday, August 23, 2023 | 9:30 - 11 am (Eastern)
Join us for this opportunity to meet with some campus partners to help position yourself for the best start to your graduate career. Required for all new GSAS students. Save-the-Date! Registration link coming soon!
GSAS Teaching Assistant (TA) Orientation (Virtual)
Friday, August 25 and Monday, August 28, 2023 | 10 - 11:30 am (Eastern)
The GSAS TA Orientation sessions will take place on Friday, August 25th and Monday, August 28th. These will be two different sessions with important information and resources for teaching assistants. All incoming students who are holding a Teaching Assistantship, as well as returning students who are holding their first Teaching Assistantship and have not attended TA orientation in the past should attend. Save-the-Date! Registration link coming soon!
GSAS PhD Students Only
Monday, August 29 and Wednesday, August 31, 2023 | 11:30 am
These sessions are specifically for GSAS PhD students who are holding a TA or RA appointment during the 2023-2024 Academic Year and will provide an opportunity for you to learn more about your SEIU Graduate Student Union. Union stewards will be available to answer any questions you have about your role as a graduate assistant. Save-the-Date! Registration link coming soon!
GSAS Research Assistant (RA) Orientation (Virtual)
Wednesday, August 30, 2023 | 10 - 11:30 am (Eastern)
This orientation will include important information and resources for research assistants. All incoming students who are holding a Research Assistantship, as well as returning students who are holding their first Research Assistantship and have not attended RA orientation in the past should attend. Save-the-Date! Registration link coming soon!
Additional Resources
- If you haven’t done so already, review the New Graduate Student Checklist for GSAS students and explore the Admitted Students section of our website.
- Students are invited to our Canvas Page. You may access this page by using your Tufts UTLN to log in. This page includes the links to the previous Orientations, resources, discussion boards, and more.
- Watch this webinar to more about Residential Life and how they support graduate students.