New Student Checklists

Log into the Admissions Applicant Portal to check the status of your admission decision, review messages, update your contact information, submit your enrollment deposit, register for orientation, and manage outstanding action items like submission of transfer credit and transcripts. Check this portal frequently for outstanding action items. This is also where you will receive instructions about taking the math placement exam, writing survey, and completing course registration beginning in May. Also remember to watch your email closely for any time-sensitive messages.

Once you've been admitted and made your final decision to attend Suffolk, it's time to submit your enrollment deposit. You can do this via the admission applicant portal by May 1 for September 2023 fall start and January 1 for January 2024 spring start. The deposit is $800 for those planning to live in University housing and $500 for those planning to live off-campus/commute. New first-year and transfer students receive housing through a deposit process with Undergraduate Admission. After the first year, a room selection process is used for students who want to continue living in University housing.

All domestic students applying for aid who haven’t done so already need to fill out the FAFSA. Please see the Office of Student Financial Services website for instructions. Applications will be received and reviewed on an ongoing basis.

All new full-time degree-seeking undergraduate students must attend orientation before finalizing their course registration and starting at Suffolk University. Each student is also strongly encouraged to also have at least one family member attend family orientation at the same time. You can register for your required orientation session through a link in your admission applicant portal that will appear after you have submitted your enrollment deposit. You should register for your session early for the best choice of dates.

Deadline is June 1 for fall start.

Deadline is January 5 for spring start.

All new students are required to complete the Math Placement Exam & Writing Placement Survey before registering for courses and attending orientation. The exam and survey will open on May 9 for new fall 2023 students and November 20 for new spring 2024. You will find a link directing you to instructions in your admission applicant portal.

The exam is accessed via the Suffolk University Canvas by selecting 'Canvas' in the yellow menu bar. If a separate window does not open or you get an error message, make sure you are allowing pop-up windows. Under 'Courses' , you will see the Math Placement Exam & Writing Placement Survey. Read through the instructions that appear on the screen. When you are ready, follow the instructions to begin the timed 60-minute Math Placement Exam and the 30-minute Writing Placement Survey. You will find instructions on the portal as of May 9 for the fall start and November 20 for the spring start, if you have submitted your enrollment deposit.

Deadline: June 1 fall start

Deadline: January 8 spring start

You can register for your first-semester courses before arriving at orientation to build a schedule that accommodates your academic or personal interests. You'll meet with an academic advisor to finalize your course schedule. Register as early as possible for the best choice of courses. You can only register once you've made your enrollment deposit and taken the Math Placement Exam and Writing Placement Survey. If you miss the deadline, you may still register for courses, though your choices will be more limited.

You will find instructions on the portal as of May 10 for fall start and November 20 for spring start, if you have submitted your enrollment deposit.

Deadline: June 6 fall start.

Deadline: January 8 spring start.

If you haven't already taken care of these important action items, please remember these deadlines:

• Deadline for Immunization Records: September 1
• Deadline for Health Insurance Waiver: September 30

If you submitted your $800 deposit, you'll receive an email with more information from the Department of Residence Life & Housing. If you have any additional questions regarding University housing, please contact Residence Life & Housing.

Deadline to apply is May 1.

Notification of your bill will be sent to your Suffolk email address. To begin your tuition payment, login to your SU Pay account through MySuffolk. Information regarding SU Pay is available online and will be sent to your Suffolk email account. Once you have viewed your tuition bill (sent in early December), you can make a payment within your SU Pay account or make a wire transfer. For more information on tuition payments, please visit the Student Accounts website.

Deadline: August 1 fall start.

Deadline: January 3 spring start.

Suffolk University is dedicated to providing students with a living and learning environment that is safe, reflects the values of the Suffolk community, and supports the University’s commitment to developing the intellectual, social, and civic competencies of our students.

To achieve this goal, Suffolk University looks to students to be partners in this process with the hope of creating an environment that is respectful of the rights of all individuals within the community. Therefore, we expect that students become familiar with the expectations outlined in the Community Standards and Student Conduct Section of the Undergraduate Student Handbook and the Graduate Student Handbook, as they are the standards to which students will be held during their time here at the University.

Students will begin receiving access to their Suffolk email May 10. Once you have received notification that your Suffolk email account has been created, remember to log into it frequently for information related to starting at Suffolk.

If you are having any issues with your Suffolk credentials or need a password reset please reach out to ITS. You email the Service Desk or call them at 617-573-8000.

Orientation is mandatory for all new students. Students can anticipate receiving additional information about their Orientation closer to their registered session date.

Suffolk students are leaders. Carry on this great tradition by attending Ram Academy! It's a great way to meet new friends, learn about Suffolk’s leadership programs, and find out how to get involved on campus right away. You’ll be joined by Suffolk’s student leaders, staff, and your fellow first-year students. Registration opens in July and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. There's a limited number of scholarships for students who apply with demonstrated financial need.

Review your bill after your enrollment deposit is processed. The University Housing Portal will open on May 11, deposited students will be emailed instructions. Note that room and board charges are estimated and will be updated after you receive your room assignment. Watch your Suffolk email for room and roommate information. Read the "Guide for What to Bring" information on the Important Dates for Housing at Suffolk page and connect with your future roommates! If you have any additional questions regarding University housing, please contact Residence Life & Housing.

Suffolk University is dedicated to providing students with a living and learning environment that is safe and reflects the values of the Suffolk Community and supports the University’s commitment to developing the intellectual, social and civic competencies of our students. To achieve this goal, Suffolk University looks to students to be partners in this process with the hope of creating an environment that is respectful of the rights of all individuals within the community. Therefore, we expect that students become familiar with the expectations outlined in the Community Standards and Student Conduct Section of the Undergraduate Student Handbook and the Graduate Student Handbook, as they are the standards to which students will be held during their time here at the University.

If you haven't already taken care of these important action items, please remember these deadlines:

• Deadline for Immunization Records: September 1
• Deadline for Health Insurance Waiver: September 30

First-year and transfer students must complete AlcoholEdu & Haven, two separate, two-part online mandatory student affairs requirements provided by our partner EverFi. AlcoholEdu educates students about alcohol use on college campuses and ‘Haven–Understanding Sexual Assault’ addresses the critical issues of sexual assault, relationship violence, and stalking. Part I of both courses must be done pre-matriculation; in total it will take approximately 1.5–2 hours. As part of the University’s comprehensive alcohol prevention program, Suffolk requires all new students to complete the program before the end of their first week of fall classes. 

An instructional email on how to complete AlcoholEdu will be sent to students' Suffolk email during summer. Please call Counseling, Health & Wellness at 617-573-8226 with questions.

In accordance with the provisions of the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (Section 438 of the General Education Provisions Act, 20. USC 1232g, commonly referred to as the “Buckley Amendment” or “FERPA”) Suffolk University takes special care to protect the privacy rights of its students.

The Undergraduate Academic Advising Center comprises all advising resources for undergraduates in the College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) and the Sawyer Business School (SBS). It works with students to make sure they meet curriculum and graduation requirements. If you have questions about your academic schedule, need to make adjustments, or have other curriculum questions, please contact this center.

Student Financial Services and the Bursar’s Office assist students with college affordability planning, aid programs, and the collection of outstanding tuition and fees. Speak to these offices about any scholarship/aid questions, payment plans, and arrangements for outstanding bills. Notification of your bill will be sent to your Suffolk email address. To begin your tuition payment, login to your SU Pay account.

Deadline: August 1 fall start.

Deadline: January 3 spring start.

First-Year/Freshman Students: It is imperative that you request your final high school transcript to be sent to the Office of Undergraduate Admission at Suffolk University once you graduate. If you qualify for financial aid and we don't receive your final high school transcript before the start of your first semester at Suffolk, your awarded aid cannot be distributed.

Transfer Students: Transfer students should arrange to have final official transcripts, for all courses taken through the semester before you start at Suffolk University, submitted as soon as possible, if they haven't already. For any courses you are currently taking, transcripts should be sent as soon as they become available. Proof of high school graduation or equivalency also needs to be sent to the Office of Undergraduate Admission before the start of classes. If this is not received before the start of your incoming semester, financial aid cannot be distributed to you based on federal regulations.

All Suffolk students are required to complete E-Checkin annually. You will be prompted when you log into Webadvisor when it is time to do E-Checkin, or you will receive an email to your Suffolk email account with a link. You must provide:

• Your local contact information so we can alert you when there are weather closures or emergencies
• Contact information for your parent/guardian so they can be contacted in case of an emergency
• Your local address if you will be living off-campus

Suffolk University provides the latest version of Microsoft Office 365 ProPlus to every student free of charge. It is available for offline and online use to best prepare students for class. The software includes the latest full versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Publisher, and Access, and can be installed on up to five devices (PC, Mac, Android, iPhone, iPad). You can download Microsoft Office 365 ProPlus, contact the ITS office.

New Student Convocation marks the final step of orientation and is your official welcome to Suffolk University's academic community. This exciting ceremony bestows a sense of belonging as your class transitions to campus life.

All incoming Suffolk University first-year and transfer students are invited and expected to participate. We also cordially invite your family and friends to witness this distinguished University tradition.