Your Next Steps: Getting Started at Simmons!

1. Register for First Bite Orientation

First Bite Orientation is your formal introduction to the Simmons University community! During the program, you will have the opportunity to meet faculty, staff, student leaders, and future classmates.

June Orientation: Students are required to attend 1 session.

Session 1: Monday, June 16, 2025, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
or
Session 2: Tuesday June 17, 2025, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

If you live outside of the greater New England area and will be unable to attend in-person, please email [email protected].

Move-In Date & Fall Orientation: Friday, August 29-September 1.

No registration is needed as participation is expected.

2. Take the Required Placement Exams

All students must complete the Math Placement Exam. The Office of Undergraduate Advising will contact incoming students with further information about how to access and complete the Math Placement Exam in early May. The Spanish Language Exam is optional. Only students with an educational background in Spanish or those who are fluent in Spanish and want to continue their studies at Simmons should take the Spanish Language Exam.

Students can expect to receive an email from Undergraduate Advising regarding math placement in late April or early May.

3. Submit Your Student Major Interest Form

Please take a moment to fill out this brief form to indicate which major you are interested in pursuing at Simmons University. This form does not officially declare you in the major but will allow us to assign you to the appropriate academic advisor for your first-year at Simmons. If you plan to explore your academic options in your first-year, then please list "NA" or "exploring" in the "Intended Major 1" spot.

Deadline to complete: May 13, 2025

4. Complete Tasks in Workday

Log into your Student Workday Account to sign your Financial Agreement (FRA) and complete onboarding tasks. Please ensure your FRA is e-signed prior to Orientation for your Fall registration to be processed.

5. Fill Out The Housing Application

The "New to Simmons" Housing Application is available April 8 and closes on July 14. Login to the Housing Portal to apply for housing. All first-year students are required to reside in university housing. If you have extenuating circumstances and wish to be considered for exemption from the first-year residency requirement, please submit the First-Year Housing Exemption Request form. More information can also be found on the Residence Life website.

*In order to apply for housing, you must use your Simmons credentials. You will receive an email from Undergraduate Admission on setting up your Simmons email account.

6. Submit Your Health Records

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts requires by law that all full-time students (9 credits or more) under age 30, all international students, and all full- and part-time health science students submit documentation of immunizations to the University before starting classes.

• Health requirements for undergraduate and graduate students are detailed here.

New students will have access to the Portal to submit records beginning June 1. Instructions for using the Student Health Portal, including a how-to video, can be found here. If you have any questions about these health requirements or using the Student Health Portal, please call the Health Center at 617-521-1020.

Deadline to submit health records: August 1

7. Register with Accessibility Services (If Applicable)

The Office of Accessibility Services provides academic and residential accommodations to ensure equal access to students under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Students who are interested in receiving accommodations at the college level can register with the Office of Accessibility Services.

Deadline to submit residential accommodations: July 11, 2025

8. Submit Your Final Transcript

Please submit official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended to [email protected] or by mail at the following address:

Office of Undergraduate Admission, Simmons University
300 The Fenway
Boston, MA 02115

Final high school transcripts must be sent directly from your school in order to be considered official. Please submit all transcripts prior to June 30, 2025. If you have taken college courses or will be taking classes through the summer, please have your official college transcript(s) sent immediately after your course(s) are finished.

If you have any questions or concerns about your transcripts, please contact your admission counselor.

Obtaining your F-1 Student Visa

Once you have decided to commit to Simmons University, you need to submit a deposit to secure your space. Soon after submitting your deposit the International Student Supplement Form (ISSF) will appear in your Admissions portal , and you will receive an email with directions on how to complete the form and upload all required documents into the portal.

To complete your ISSF, you will need to submit official documentation including the following:

• Passport (Biographic Page) – expiration date on your passport should be at least 6 months from the date of your anticipated travel to the United States.
• Financial Documents – this must show how you will be supported during your studies at Simmons for the first academic year.
  • Cost of attendance is listed in the ISSF under "Estimated Expenses 2025-26."
  • All financial documentation must meet the following requirements:
    • Less than 6 months old
    • Written in English (or accompanied by official translation)
    • Funds must be immediately available (liquid assets)
    • If account is not in your name, please indicate who your Financial Sponsor in your ISSF in the "Sponsor Details"
    • Clearly state the account holder name, financial institution, currency, and account type.
  • Unacceptable sources of Income include: credit card statements, stocks, bond, investments, retirement funds, property, life insurance policies, unapproved loan documents, and salary verification letters

Once your ISSF has been completed, with the required documentation, the Center for Global Education will review the documents and begin to process your I-20 in SEVIS. If your financial support does not meet the required amount, you will be asked to find additional funding documentation to support the cost of your attendance.

It can take up to 1 week to receive your I-20 in your applicant portal. You will be notified of the documentation via email, from either [email protected] or [email protected].

Please review your I-20 for correct information (name, country of citizenship, program of study, etc. ), print it out, and then sign and date it with black ink. The form includes your SEVIS ID number, which is the number in the upper corner above the bar code, (usually starts with an N). This form allows you to apply for an F-1 visa at your local US Embassy or Consulate, enter and reenter the US, and remain in the US as a student at Simmons University. Your I-20 must be valid and up-to-date at all times.

Once you have your I-20, you will then pay the I-901 Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) Fee. You will need information from the Form I-20 to pay the fee. The I-901 SEVIS Fee is mandatory and must be paid before you enter the United States.

In order to pay the I-901 SEVIS fee, you will need to provide your:

• Name, address, date of birth and email address
• Country of birth and country of citizenship
• School Code as listed on the Form I-20
• SEVIS Identification Number as listed on the Form I-20

After you have received your I-20 and paid the SEVIS fee, you will begin the visa application process in your home country. You must make an appointment at your closest U. S. embassy or consulate. It is generally recommended that you apply for a visa in your home country rather than a third country if possible.

• Find the nearest U. S. Consulate or Embassy.
• Find the visa appointment wait times at your local consulate.

More information about this process can be found on the CGE webpage: New Students.

Questions? Contact the Center for Global Education at their email: [email protected]

Advising and Course Selection for Transfer Students

A professional advisor from the Office of Undergraduate Advising will contact you via email to schedule a meeting to discuss your desired major, review your transfer credit evaluation (TCE), answer your remaining academic related questions, and assist you with course selection for the upcoming semester. New transfer students may need to complete a math competency exam required for graduation. The professional advisor will inform you if you need to complete this exam prior to starting at Simmons.

1. Register for First Bite Orientation

First Bite Orientation is your formal introduction to the Simmons University community! During the program, you will have the opportunity to meet faculty, staff, student leaders, and future classmates.

September Orientation Dates: August 29 – September 1.

2. Complete Tasks in Workday

Log into your Student Workday Account to sign your Financial Agreement (FRA) and complete onboarding tasks. Please ensure your FRA is e-signed prior to meeting with your advisor for your Fall registration to be processed.

3. Fill Out The Housing Application

While housing is not guaranteed, we do reserve a limited number of spots for transfer students and priority will go by application submission date. The "New to Simmons" Housing Application is available April 8 and closes on July 14. Login to the Housing Portal to apply for housing.

*In order to apply for housing, you must use your Simmons credentials. You will receive an email from Undergraduate Admission on setting up your Simmons email account.

4. Submit your Health Records

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts requires by law that all full-time students (9 credits or more) under age 30, all international students, and all full- and part-time health science students submit documentation of immunizations to the University before starting classes.

• Health requirements for undergraduate and graduate students are detailed here.

New students will have access to the Portal to submit records beginning June 1. Instructions for using the Student Health Portal, including a how-to video, can be found here.

If you have any questions about these health requirements or using the Student Health Portal, please call the Health Center at 617-521-1020.

Deadline to submit health records: August 1

5. Register with Accessibility Services

The Office of Accessibility Services provides academic and residential accommodations to ensure equal access to students under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Students who are interested in receiving accommodations at the college level can register with the Office of Accessibility Services.

Deadline to submit residential accommodations: July 11, 2025

6. Submit your Final Transcript

Please submit official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended to [email protected] or by mail at the following address:

Office of Undergraduate Admission, Simmons University
300 The Fenway
Boston, MA 02115

Final high school transcripts must be sent directly from your school in order to be considered official. Please submit all transcripts prior to June 30, 2025. If you have taken college courses or will be taking classes through the summer, please have your official college transcript(s) sent immediately after your course(s) are finished. If you have any questions or concerns about your transcripts, please contact your admission counselor.

Advising and Course Selection for Adult Students (Dix Scholars)

A professional advisor from the Office of Undergraduate Advising will contact you via email to schedule a meeting to discuss your desired major, review your transfer credit evaluation (TCE), answer your remaining academic related questions, and assist you with course selection for the upcoming semester. New students may need to complete a math competency exam required for graduation. The professional advisor will inform you if you need to complete this exam prior to starting at Simmons.

1. Register for Orientation

Prior to the start of the upcoming semester, all Dix Scholars will be invited to participate in orientation. Dix Scholars starting in Fall 2025 will have orientation on Wednesday, August 27, 2025. Registration for the Dix Orientation will be sent out by the Office of Undergraduate Advising by the end of June. Dix Scholars should not participate in the June orientation that is designed for first-year students and transfers.

If a student is a nursing student, they may be invited to a special orientation by the Nursing Department that touches upon clinicals, scrubs, program policies, and more.

2. Complete Tasks in Workday

Log into your Student Workday Account to sign your Financial Agreement (FRA) and complete onboarding tasks. Please ensure your FRA is e-signed prior to Orientation for your Fall registration to be processed.

3. Submit Your Health Records

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts requires by law that all full-time students (9 credits or more) under age 30, all international students, and all full- and part-time health science students submit documentation of immunizations to the University before starting classes.

• Health requirements for undergraduate and graduate students are detailed here.

New students will have access to the Portal to submit records beginning June 1. Instructions for using the Student Health Portal, including a how-to video, can be found here. If you have any questions about these health requirements or using the Student Health Portal, please call the Health Center at 617-521-1020.

Deadline to submit health records: August 1

4. Register with Accessibility Services (If Applicable)

The Office of Accessibility Services provides academic and residential accommodations to ensure equal access to students under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Students who are interested in receiving accommodations at the college level can register with the Office of Accessibility Services.

5. Submit your Final Transcript

Please submit official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended to [email protected] or by mail at the following address:

Office of Undergraduate Admission, Simmons University
300 The Fenway
Boston, MA 02115

Official transcripts must be sent directly from your previous institution's Registrar's Office to us in order to be considered official. If you are a nursing major or if you have not completed an Associate degree, please send an official high school transcript to us along with your college transcripts.

Please submit all transcripts prior to June 30, 2025 to ensure your credits are evaluated and are posted to your Simmons account before the start of classes this fall. If you will be taking classes through the summer, please submit your completed transcript(s) immediately after your course(s) are finished. If you have any questions or concerns about your transcripts, please contact your admission counselor.