Graduate Student Orientation
2025 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.
Student ID Cards
Tufts University Identification Cards will be available for pick-up by appointment. If you haven’t already done so, log into the Tufts ID card photo upload site and submit your photo. Your appointment will be cancelled if your photo has not been submitted and approved in advance (within 24 hours). Please bring a government issued ID to your appointment. Pick-up will be in Suite 101D at 574 Boston Avenue.
Schedule a Tufts ID appointment
Insider Tour of Fenway Campus
Thursday, September 4, 2025 | 12:00 - 1:00 pm (Eastern) | In person | Meet in atrium of 230 Fenway, SMFA campus
Join this custom-designed tour of the Medford/Somerville campus for new graduate students. Learn about the SMFA campus, including specialty studios, MFA access, the art store, and the media stockroom. Tour guides are staff and experienced graduate students. Open to AS&E graduate students only, including those based at the Medford/Somerville campus. Those traveling from Medford/Somerville campus can take the SMFA shuttle for free or the MBTA green line. For new incoming graduate students only.
Student Life Orientation and Welcome
Thursday, September 4, 2025 | 4:00 - 5:30 pm (Eastern) | In person | Cohen Auditorium, Aidekman Arts Center, Talbot Avenue, Medford campus
Welcome to Tufts (not just your department)! All new graduate students in the School of Arts and Sciences, the SMFA at Tufts, and the School of Engineering are invited to jump into their life outside academics! Student Life Orientation will feature an opportunity to connect with graduate students outside your discipline plus fun mini sessions on all the things you want to know about life at Tufts outside your department. Where are the best places to get lunch or hang out? What are opportunities to get involved and meet people? Do graduate students go to the gym? What are fun things to do in the greater Boston area? What are ways to set yourself up for personal success as you begin your graduate studies? Whatever your previous chapters have been, Student Life is excited to welcome you to Tufts as you begin a new chapter! Join us for an interactive session plus snacks, refreshments, and prizes. For new incoming graduate students only.
Insider Tour of Medford/Somerville Campus
Thursday, September 4, 2025 | 5:30 - 6:30 pm (Eastern) | In person | Depart from Cohen Auditorium, Aidekman Arts Center, Medford campus
Join this custom-designed tour of the Medford/Somerville campus for new graduate students. Learn about campus traditions, get access to a graduate-student exclusive lounge, and check out options for workspace, social space, food, and fitness. Tour guides are staff and experienced graduate students. Open to AS&E graduate students only, including those based at the Fenway campus. Those traveling from Fenway campus can take the SMFA shuttle for free or the MBTA green line. For new incoming graduate students only.
Graduate Student Bingo Extravaganza!
Friday, September 5, 2025 | 7:00 pm (Eastern) | In person | Joyce Cummings Center (JCC) Ballrooms, Medford campus
Graduate students are welcome to a fun night of bingo with friends. Snacks and treats will be served. Come to win some great prizes! Open to all AS&E graduate students.
Tours of Tisch Library
Monday, September 8, 2025 | 12:00 - 12:30 pm (Eastern) - In person
Wednesday, September 10, 2025 | 2:00 - 2:30 pm (Eastern) - In person
Join Tisch Library staff for an introduction to their spaces and services and ask staff any questions you have about the library. Tours will leave from the Tisch Library lobby. Please arrive a few minutes before the departure time of the tour. Returning graduate students are also encouraged to join us for a tour. All graduate students are welcome.
Graduate Student Council (GSC) Student Organizations' Fair
Wednesday, September 10, 2025 | 4:00 - 6:00 pm (Eastern) | In person | Mayer Campus Center Upper Patio (Rain Location, Lobby), 44 Professors Row, Medford campus
Join representatives from the Graduate Student Council (GSC) to learn about the many different GSC student organizations and opportunities for involvement for graduate students. Open to all AS&E graduate students.
Graduate Student Interfaith Welcome Dinner
Wednesday, September 10, 2025 | 5:30-6:30 pm | In person | Goddard Chapel (front lawn), Medford campus
Join the University Chaplaincy for dinner (featuring samosas and dumplings!) and an introduction to our graduate student groups and programs. Chaplains and fellow grad students will also share about resources available from the University Chaplaincy and upcoming fall events. Open to all AS&E graduate students.
Resource Fair & Welcome Picnic
Thursday, September 11, 2025 | 4 - 6 pm | In person | Location: Aidekman Arts Center, Medford campus
Graduate students in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, SMFA, and School of Engineering are invited to a Resource Fair and Welcome Picnic on the Medford Campus. At this event, students will have the opportunity to engage with the many departments and offices across Tufts. Join us for swag, food, and so much more. No RSVP required.
Grad Student Pub Night
Thursday, September 11, 2025 | 6:00 - 9:00 pm (Eastern) | In person | Hotung Cafe, Mayer Campus Center, 44 Professors Row, Medford campus
Join your fellow graduate students for an evening of conversation and fun at the first pub night of the year. Cash bar and snacks available. Open to all AS&E graduate students.
Tufts Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO) Mandatory Training
Complete by Monday, August 18, 2025
MANDATORY - Tufts Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO) provides a 5-module asynchronous training about the University’s Non-Discrimination Policy, Sexual Misconduct Policy, affirmative consent, affirmative consent, reporting, and resources & support for all students. Students are required to complete all 5 modules by Monday, August 18, 2025. Students who do not complete this mandatory training in full will have a hold on their record in SIS which will prevent course registration (adds and drops).
A Canvas course invitation was sent to your Tufts email beginning July 7th. You may log into the Canvas Learning system here.
Your Enrolling Checklist will be updated 1-2 days after completing the Canvas course. Questions should be directed to OEOtraining@tufts.edu.
Previous sessions:
New Student Checklist Panel (Virtual)
The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences hosted a New Student Checklist Panel in April. At this session, the panelists presented and answered questions to prepare incoming students for graduate school this fall. If you missed the session, the meeting was recorded and the recording and slides are available in Box. (You will need to login with your Tufts username and password.) Questions? Email gsas@tufts.edu.
Health Insurance for Graduate Students
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? Email studenthealthinsurance@tufts.edu.
View Slides View Recording of Session on Health Insurance
Financial Aid 101
The Financial Aid Office is hosted Financial Aid 101 sessions to provide an overview of loan options and billing at Tufts. These webinars were open to international and domestic Master's, PhD, and Post-Baccalaureate incoming GSAS students. The session covered Federal Unsubsidized loans, Federal Grad PLUS loans, and private loans.
The slides from the session are available here.
You will be able to schedule a follow-up meeting with our Graduate Financial Aid Counselor afterward to discuss your specific situation.
Beginning Your Partnership with Career Services
Career Services holds 1:1 advising for master’s and PhD 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. The recording and slides are available here.
GSAS Incoming Student Orientation (Virtual)
This orientation was held on August 20, 2025 and was an opportunity to hear from campus partners to help position yourself for the best start to your graduate career. The recording, slides, and agenda with helpful web links can be accessed via this Box folder.
Access recording, slides, and agenda with helpful web links
GSAS Teaching Assistant (TA) Orientation (Virtual)
The GSAS TA Orientation sessions was held on Friday, August 22nd and Monday, August 25th. These were 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 have attended.
GSAS Research Assistant (RA) Orientation (Virtual)
The GSAS RA Orientation was held on Wednesday, August 27, 2025. 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 have attended.
Introduction to the GSAS Grad Worker Union - PhD Students Only
These sessions were held on Monday, August 25, 2025 and Wednesday, August 27, 2025. They were specifically for GSAS PhD students who are holding a TA or RA appointment during the 2025-2026 Academic Year and provided an opportunity for you to learn more about your SEIU Graduate Student Union. Union stewards were available to answer any questions you have about your role as a graduate assistant.
International Graduate Student Orientation
Thursday, August 28, 2025 | 8:30 am - 1:45 pm (Eastern) - In person
The International Graduate Student Orientation was held on Thursday, August 28, 2025. This was an opportunity to be introduced to Tufts International Center staff, learn about your student visa and how to maintain your immigration status while studying at Tufts, and explore campus resources. If you missed this orientation or need to reach the Tufts International Center, please email internationalcenter@tufts.edu.
SMFA New Student Required Orientation
Friday, August 29, 2025 | 8:30 am | Mission Hill Studios at 160 St. Alphonsus St., Boston, SMFA Campus
The SMFA New Student Orientation was held on Friday, August 29, 2025. This orientation was for newly enrolling MFA and Post-Baccalaureate students.
What grad students wish they knew about the library sooner: a Tisch Library Information Session
Friday, August 29, 2025 | 10:00 - 10:30 am (Eastern) | Virtual
Held on Friday, August 29, 2025, this session was an introduction to library services and how you can work together with staff at the Tisch Library during your time at Tufts. The recording can be accessed here.
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.
- If you have additional questions, please reach out to gsas@tufts.edu.