Arts & Sciences | Engineering
Graduate Admissions

Graduate Student Orientation

2024 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, April 9, 2024 | 10 am (Eastern) | Register

Tuesday, May 14, 2024 | 10 am (Eastern) | Register

Our Financial Aid Office is presenting Financial Aid 101, which are general sessions about loan options and billing information at Tufts. The webinars are open to international and domestic master’s, PhD, and post-baccalaureate incoming GSAS students. During the session, the following will be reviewed: federal unsubsidized loans, federal Grad PLUS loans, and private loans. Then the discussion will include 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. After the session/s, you are invited to schedule individual follow-up meetings to talk through their own unique situation. 

An additional session will be held specifically for GSAS students on July 9, 2024 from 12:00-1:00 pm. More information will be shared as the date approaches.  

New Student Checklist Panel (Virtual)

Thursday, May 23, 2024 | 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.

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.

View Slides 

Have questions about the health insurance policy for graduate students? Email Jennifer Berrios or Angela Hrad.

GSAS Incoming Student Orientation (Virtual)

TBA

Join us for this opportunity to meet with some campus partners to help position yourself for the best start to your graduate career. All new GSAS students are encouraged to attend. 

GSAS Teaching Assistant (TA) Orientation (Virtual)

Friday, August 23 and Monday, August 26, 2024 | 10 - 11:30 am (Eastern)

The GSAS TA Orientation sessions will take place on Friday, August 23rd and Monday, August 26th. 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. Registration information coming soon.

GSAS PhD Students Only

Monday, August 24 and Wednesday, August 28, 2024 | 11:30 am 

These sessions are specifically for GSAS PhD students who are holding a TA or RA appointment during the 2024-2025 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. This meeting will be held on Zoom, no registration necessary.

GSAS Research Assistant (RA) Orientation (Virtual)

Wednesday, August 28, 2024 | 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. Registration information coming soon.

Tours of Tisch Library

September 9-13, 2024, 12:00 & 12:30 pm each day

Join Tisch Library staff for an introduction to our spaces and services, and an opportunity to ask any questions you have about the library. Tours will leave from the Tisch Library lobby each day at 12:00 and 12:30pm and will last for 30 minutes. Returning graduate students are also encouraged to join us for a tour. 

Resource Fair & Welcome Picnic

Thursday, September 12, 2024 | 4 - 6 pm | Location: Aidekman Arts Center

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. 

Additional Resources