Important Dates
May 7 MSW New Student Reception
June 2 Registration for New Students begins at 9:00 am
June 27 Registration for New Students closes at 5:00 pm
August 27 MSW Three-Year Student Orientation (Chestnut Hill & Off-campus students)
September 2 MSW Full-time Student Orientation
September 3 Classes begin (Chestnut Hill)
September 8 Field Orientation: First Year Chestnut Hill Students
September 9 GSSW Afternoon of Service
September 9 Classes begin (Off-campus: Worcester, North Easton & Portland)
Additional information for Advanced Standing Students starting in June.
Welcome to the Boston College Graduate School of Social Work (GSSW). As you begin planning for next September we have tried to anticipate some of your New Student FAQ.
Need to pick up your Student ID and Parking Pass?
University Student Services has extended hours at the end of August and beginning of September so students can pick up their Eagle One ID cards and parking passes (See Parking information below.) Students must apply for parking permits on Agora.
Public Transportation
Boston College is loated on the Massachusetts Bay Transportation’s (MBTA’s) Green Line and can be reached via the B Line (Boston College stop), C Line (Resevoir stop) or D Line (Chestnut Hill stop). For more information on obtaining a discounted pass go to
Parking
Boston College student applications for parking permits will be accepted through Agora: agora.bc.edu
Graduate Student Permits
There are three types of permits available for graduate students. You can choose the permit that best suits the times you will be on campus.
1. May purchase a one-year S-GS permit for $220 which allows parking throughout the day from 6:00 a.m. until 2:00 a.m., daily.
2. May purchase a one-year S-E permit for $105 which allows parking from 3:00 p.m. until 2:00 a.m., Monday-Friday and 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.
3. May purchase a one-year POOL permit for $100 (divisible by carpool members) which allows parking from 6:00 a.m. until 2:00 a.m. in assigned carpool areas
The S-GS and S-E permits allow parking in non-restricted areas on the Lower and Newton campuses and in the Beacon Street and Commonwealth Avenue garages. The POOL permit is restricted to assigned carpool areas. www.bc.edu/offices/transportation/
Agora.bc.edu and Electronic Mail
Many transactions with Boston College, for example change of address, can be conducted on-line at agora.bc.edu. We encourage you to log on and become familiar with the services available at this site. To connect to this site you need a username and a password. You should expect to receive (if it hasn’t already arrived!) a letter from the university’s Office of Student Services that identifies your Boston College username, password and PIN (personal identification number). If you have not received this information, please contact Sally Berry at 617-552-4024 or berrysd@bc.edu.
As you begin using your Boston College e-mail address send a message to Liz Cinquino cinquino@bc.edu and Liz will add your name to the listserv for new students. Throughout the summer we will send electronic mail to your BC e-mail address with the latest information from the GSSW including announcements of upcoming events, course information, etc.
Immunization Requirements
All new students must provide written documentation that they have received one dose of meningococcal vaccine or have signed the waiver declining the vaccine. Please read the information from University Health Services and complete the forms entitled, Information about Meningococcal Disease and Vaccination and Waiver for Students at Residential Schools and Colleges and Boston College Pre-Entrance Immunization Form. You are required to submit the forms by August 15th to University Health Services. Failure to submit these forms by August 15 will result in a hold on your registration and a late fee of $60.
The forms can be found at www.bc.edu/offices/uhs/meta-elements/pdf/20062007ftgrad.pdf
Social Work Library
The library is open all summer; staff are ready to help with your questions about library services, resources, and technology. You are invited to come in to the library for a tour and personalized orientation. Email the library at swlib@bc.edu or call 617 552-3233. Summer library hours are Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Spend some time exploring the SW Library website at www.bc.edu/swlib — as soon as you receive your BC username and password, you can use all the library resources from your computer at home.
GSSW Resources
The GSSW searchable database with scholarship information for students in social work is available at socialwork.bc.edu/admission/msw-admission/msw-finaid/scholarships/ . Click on the words *on-line scholarship database* in the first sentence of text on the page.
The user name and password were included with your welcome packet; if you haven’t received it, please contact Liz Cinquino. The database is protected with a password to ensure that our efforts to collect this information benefits students in the GSSW first and foremost. We look forward to your comments and the good news that you were successful in obtaining a scholarship!
Financial Aid
The Student Services/Financial Aid Office can answer questions you might have regarding financial aid processes (when do the loans come in?, how would an assistantship effect my loan package?, loan interest rates, etc.). You can contact the office at 1-800-294-0294. In order to receive consideration by either the University and/or the Graduate School of Social Work, applicants must file Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and Boston College Graduate Financial Aid Application with the University Financial Aid Office. Students eligible for merit scholarships will be notified directly by the Graduate School of Social Work. No additional application is required.
Graduate Assistantships
Graduate Assistantships are available across the university. For the most up-to-date listing see the John Courtney Murray Graduate Student Center webpage at www.bc.edu/gsc. Important information on Graduate Fellowships is located at the website for the Office for Sponsored Programs www.bc.edu/research/oppsforstudents/graduate.html
Medical Insurance
Boston College students registered for 9 credit hours or more are required by state law to be covered under the Boston College plan, unless the student submits the required Waiver Information. You may file the waiver electronically on the agora website agora.bc.edu. You can also download the waiver as well as review the Boston College medical insurance plan at the Student Services website at www.bc.edu/offices/stserv/.
Orientation and Opening Week Events
Tuesday, September 2 Orientation for full-time Chestnut Hill students
Wednesday, August 27 Orientation for all students beginning the Three-Year Program (Chestnut Hill and Off-Campus).
Students at the Worcester, North Easton and Portland, ME sites will be notified about a “get to know the campus” tour at their respective campuses.
Classes will begin on September 5 at the Chestnut Hill campus and September 11 at off-campus sites.
Later in the summer we will send you information on social events sponsored by the GSSW student organization.
CHECKLIST: Before You Begin at Boston College
• Field Placement Form: Full-time students complete the Online Field Placement form.
• Immunization Form: Return both Immunization forms to Health Services.
• Medical Waiver Form: If you already have medical insurance for 2007-2008 and are declining the Boston College medical insurance, complete the waiver on the Agora website.
• Please review the medical insurance plan at the Student Services homepage at www.bc.edu/offices/stserv/financial/medinsurance.html
Questions?
No username and password: Sally Berry 617-552-4024 berrysd@bc.edu
Questions about financial aid/bill payment: 1-800-294-0294
Questions on transfer credit: Bill Howard 617-552-4025 howard@bc.edu
Questions about class scheduling: Regina O’Grady-LeShane 617-552-4762 ogrady@bc.edu or Liz Cinquino 617-552-4021 cinquino@bc.edu
Questions for Health Services: 617-552-3225
Questions about field placements: Anne Marie Dolan 617-552-4027 dolanab@bc.edu
Directions to Boston College www.bc.edu/about/maps/
