Frequently Asked Questions

You can register for orientation through your online applicant portal. When you do, you can also register family members. Follow these instructions on how to complete your registration.

First, make sure Suffolk has received your admission deposit; you can’t register for orientation until you've made this deposit. If you’ve recently made your payment, please note that it takes 3 to 5 business days to process your deposit and set you up in our system.

If you continue to have issues registering for orientation, please contact us via email or phone 617-573-8321.

If you are having issues with your Suffolk login credentials, please contact the Information Technology Help Desk via email or phone at 617-557-2000.

Once you’ve registered for orientation, we’ll send a confirmation email to both your Suffolk and personal accounts. This email will include information on check-in times and locations, and other helpful details. If you’re having issues finding your confirmation email, please call us at 617-573-8321.

To help you prepare for this exciting event, a detailed orientation schedule will be emailed to registered students and families three (3) business days before your orientation.

We highly encourage both your family and you to bring a notebook and pen to take notes throughout orientation. We also recommend bringing:

• Linens (sheets, pillows, and essential toiletries)
• Water bottle
• Light jacket
• Small bag or tote (for essential items like medications, chargers, notepad, etc.)

Please note, we do not recommend bringing a computer with you.

Orientation is mandatory for all new first-year and transfer students. This is your only opportunity to attend Orientation and confirm your registration for the upcoming semester's classes. If you cannot attend, please contact us to discuss alternate arrangements.

Yes! We ask that you schedule a virtual one-on-one meeting with an advisor before orientation. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet with an academic advisor while you’re on campus for orientation.

Yes! We proudly offer a separate orientation that features sessions specifically geared for family members, who play an invaluable role in supporting our students. Please note that Family Orientation runs concurrently with New Student Orientation. Your family members can register for orientation through your applicant portal.

No. Guests who are not pre-registered are not permitted. This doesn’t apply to family members, who are invited to participate in Family Orientation.

If you participate in orientation in June, you’ll move into your University-sponsored housing assignment on Sunday, August 31. 

If you participate in orientation at the end of August, you’ll move into your University-sponsored housing assignment on Friday, August 29.

Students will receive more detailed move-in information in midsummer.

If you have questions or would like more information about University housing, please contact Residence Life & Housing via email or phone at 617-305-2500.

Only new students with a confirmed housing assignment for the upcoming semester who attend the last orientation in August will be able to move into their residence hall before their orientation session begins.

If you have questions or would like more information about University housing, please contact Residence Life & Housing via email or phone at 617-305-2500.

All first-year students must take a math and writing exam to be placed in the correct courses. This helps ensure that you’ll have a positive classroom experience. Both of these exams must be completed before you register for courses and attend orientation.

You can find steps on where and how to take the exams.

Transfer students: If you have earned math or writing credits from prior enrollment(s), please do not take these placement exams until after you speak with an academic advisor.

Suffolk awards credit for AP, IB, and other comparable examinations. Official results must be sent to the Office of Undergraduate Admission. If you have taken courses through a dual enrollment program, please have the college or university send your official transcript directly to Suffolk. Upon receiving your official results or transcripts, admission staff will review them and notify you of credits awarded. If your results are not received before Orientation, please bring a copy of the exams and/or courses you have taken with you.

Before orientation, you must submit all transcripts and other records for previous credits earned at all previous institutions. This may include AP courses taken in high school, courses taken at the college level at any institution, and courses in which you are currently enrolled. If you have questions about transcripts, please contact Undergraduate Admission by email or 617-573-8460.

If you plan to attend Suffolk, you must submit your admission deposit before registering for or attending orientation. You can make this payment online. If you still have questions about your deposit, tuition, or bill, please contact Student Account Services.

• Tuition for the Fall semester is due August 1
• Tuition for the Spring semester is due January 3

The sooner, the better! While most loans are processed fairly quickly, it can take some time during peak processing periods. It’s wise to begin applying for your loan(s) as soon as you know you will have to borrow.

You'll be mailed an information packet containing details on finding a job, required paperwork and forms, how you'll be paid, a listing of all campus departments hiring student workers, and more. Students are typically hired during the first three weeks of each semester. You can also reach out to departments individually and ask whether they are hiring for positions if you have a particular place you would like to work.

You can register for Orientation through your online applicant portal. There, you can check out our instructions for completing your registration.

Incoming International students starting Suffolk in the fall will participate in Orientation in August.

All students are required to participate in and complete Orientation.

Starting at a new institution in a new country is an exciting adventure, not only for you, the student, but for your entire family! While it is not mandatory for family members to attend orientation, it is strongly encouraged. Orientation provides an opportunity for family members to learn about your academic program and requirements, get answers to financial questions, policies, and deadlines, understand academic and co-curricular resources, gain details about health, wellness, and safety, and more. We hope to see you there!

Suffolk's international family orientation program runs at the same time as, but separately from student orientation. For family members, orientation offers an exciting opportunity to interact with skilled faculty and staff members who are committed to achieving excellence on campus.

Your student can register you to attend Orientation through their applicant portal when they register themselves. If your student has already registered for Orientation and would like to add you as a guest, they can contact us to update their registration.

Registration for the first family member is free! Additional family members cost $20 each to register.

Summer Orientation in June is two days for family members of incoming first year students and one day for families of incoming transfer students. It is required that students participate in the full program and will not be permitted to leave the program early.

Freshman (First Year) Students

Summer Orientation will take place over two days. Family and student orientation programs run concurrently but separately from each other. Families will check into orientation with their student (check-in information and information about hotels can be found in the confirmation email). Family members and students will be apart for most of the program.

Please note, there is an optional Sunset Reception for families on Day One.

Transfer Students

Summer Orientation will take place over one day. Family and student orientation programs run concurrently but separately from each other. Families will check into orientation with their student on day one (check-in information can be found in the confirmation email). Family members and students will be apart for most of the program.

Please contact Orientation & New Student Programs if you've already registered but cannot attend. You can also make changes to your registration up to 48 hours before your session by returning to the registration form or contacting us.

For Orientation we encourage you to have a note pad and a pen handy.

Please see your orientation registration confirmation email for details about your session.

The Suffolk Family Hub is your go-to source for parent and family resources and tips for how to best support your Suffolk student.