Your Next Steps: Getting Started at Simmons!
The New Student Checklist will help you through the tasks you need to complete to begin your journey at Simmons University.
First Things First
To setup your account, you will need your social security number or Simmons student ID number. Your ID number can be found in your "Next Steps" email from Undergraduate Admission.
Starting July 1, all email communications will be sent to your Simmons email account, so please plan to check it regularly throughout the summer.
You will need this card to gain access to University buildings, residence halls, dining halls, and for other services.
All billing statements are posted to the Online Student Account Center monthly during the semester. In order to allow a family member to become an authorized user to view bills and make payments, you must first grant them access by going to Workday.
Authorized users will receive an email from Student Financial Services ([email protected]) with a temporary password to login.
New Student Checklist
Register for First-Bite Orientation
First Bite Orientation serves as your official welcome to the Simmons University community. This program offers a chance to connect with faculty, staff, student leaders, and your future classmates.
Part 1: June Orientation: Students are required to attend one session.
- Register for Session 1: June 11, 2026
- Register Session 2: June 12, 2026
If you live outside the greater New England area and will be unable to attend in-person, please email [email protected].
Part 2: Fall Orientation
No registration is needed as participation is expected.
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.
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.
Fill Out The Housing Application
First-year students are required to live in university housing. To apply, the "New to Simmons" Housing Application is accessible on the Housing Portal from April 8 to July 21.
For details on the residency requirement and other housing information, please visit the Residence Life website. Students with extraordinary circumstances who wish to be excused from this requirement must submit the First-Year Housing Exemption Request form.
*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.
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. These requirements apply to students enrolled in any program that offers in-person courses.
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 3, 2026
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, 2026
Submit Your Final Transcript
Please ensure your high school advisor sends us your final transcript once your senior year marks are posted. 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, 2026.
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. 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
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 2026-27."
- 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 is 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.
Once the CGE has received all the required documents, you can expect that your I-20 will be processed in 1-2 weeks. You will be notified via email, from either [email protected] or [email protected] when your I-20 is available for download in the admissions portal. 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 strongly recommended that you apply for a visa in your home country as it can be very difficult to get your visa application approved in a country in which you are not a citizen or permanent resident.
- 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.
Register for First-Bite Orientation
First Bite Orientation serves as your official welcome to the Simmons University community. This program offers a chance to connect with faculty, staff, student leaders, and your future classmates.
Part 1: June Orientation: Students are required to attend one session.
- Register for Session 1: June 11, 2026
- Register Session 2: June 12, 2026
If you live outside the greater New England area and will be unable to attend in-person, please email [email protected].
Part 2: Fall Orientation
No registration is needed as participation is expected.
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. To apply, the "New to Simmons" Housing Application is accessible on the Housing Portal from April 8 to July 14.
For details on the residency requirement and other housing information, please visit the Residence Life website. Students with extraordinary circumstances who wish to be excused from this requirement must submit the First-Year Housing Exemption Request form.
*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.
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.
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.
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, 2026
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, 2026
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, 2026. 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.
Register for Orientation
Prior to the start of the upcoming semester, all Dix Scholars will be invited to participate in orientation.
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.
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.
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.
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, 2026
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, 2026
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, 2026. 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.
Parents and Families
We're so excited you and your student are joining our family! Consider this your home base for useful information, upcoming and annual events information, and important announcements throughout the year.
Academic Calendar
The Simmons Academic Calendar applies to all undergraduate and graduate students unless otherwise indicated.
