The Office of Graduate Student Life has created a checklist to help you manage all of the important matters we think you should attend to as you prepare for arrival in Boston and at Boston College, and begin to make your new life here. Feel free to contact us with any questions you have as you gear up for this next phase of your academic and life journey: gsc@bc.edu; 617-552-1855.
New Graduate Student Checklist
- Locate Housing
- Find Assistantships, Internships and Part-Time Work
- Visit Your Agora Account: Agora is BC's online data system - you'll probably use it a lot during your time here (though hopefully not to pay parking tickets!) You can log on to Agora to confirm your student account information, including contact information, financial aid, registration, email, etc. Your username and password will be sent to you over the summer. Please contact your individual school if you do not receive this information over the summer.
- Be Sure You Are Aware of Important Deadlines: Be sure you know when your tuition payments, financial aid documents, and medical insurance waivers are due. Also check out the BC Academic Calendar for important information about when classes begin, breaks, exams, etc.
- Find Your Way to Campus (a.k.a. Directions!)
- Obtain Your Eagle-One Card: Your Eagle One card is your BC identification card. You will need this card for on-campus printing and you can also put funds on the card for on-campus dining. Not a bad idea for a busy grad student! A few dollars on your card can mean a convenient dinner when it's 8am, you have work and two classes later that evening, and milk and a lime is all you see in your fridge. Furthermore, you'll need your BC ID card for admittance to some BC events, as a quick reference for your Eagle ID number, and for various student discount programs offered in the area. You can pick up your ID in Lyons Hall.
- Apply for Your BC Parking Permit
- Check in with Your Department/School
- Visit Your Graduate Student Center
- Order Textbooks
- Purchase a Computer
- Purchase Athletic Tickets
- Join the Plex (a.k.a. BC's Gym)
- Get to Know Your Graduate Student Association
- Get to Know Boston College: You'll find an Overview, Quick Facts, and History of BC on the University's website.
- Get to Know Boston
- More resources for international graduate students...