School of Medicine
Biomedical Graduate Education
Biomedical Graduate Education

New Students

Welcome to Biomedical Graduate Education! We’re excited to help you get started in your academic program and on our campus.

There are many steps to take as a new student. Follow the New Student Checklist to establish your accounts and registrations. You’ll also attend New Student Orientation to familiarize yourself with our processes and resources.

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New Student Checklist

Deadline: Found in your admissions letter

Follow the instructions in your official admissions letter to confirm your enrollment through the online application portal. Submit the Enrollment Confirmation Form and corresponding deposit to hold your place in the program until you matriculate. Georgetown accepts Visa and Mastercard for the enrollment deposit.

If you have received a Admissions Letter with Transcript Conditions, please read through the steps to meet the outstanding conditions of admissions.

If you have received a merit-based aid award letter, please submit the paperwork as indicated on the letter to the Office of Student Services (bgestudentservices@georgetown.edu ).

In your admissions letter, you have received your University NetID with your temporary password. Set up your University NetID password here. NetIDs are automatically assigned, unique electronic identifiers for each authorized user at Georgetown. If you have further questions or need assistance regarding the set-up or reactivation of your NetID or password, contact the University Services Student Help Desk at 202-687-4949 or help@georgetown.edu or by submitting a ticket through help.georgetown.edu.

Visit our Housing & Transportation page for information and listings.

You may also wish to consider a campus meal plan.

Students should navigate to Georgetown Google Apps to open GUMail, enroll in Duo (two-factor authentication) and create a Zoom account. Visit Georgetown’s New Student Technology Resources website for more — including services for Georgetown University Medical Center (GUMC) students.

GU Experience (formerly MyAccess) is the one-stop student portal that includes registration, student accounts and student services. For more information on GU Experience, visit the GU Experience Guides and GU Experience FAQ.

Please ensure that your local address is in GU Experience to avoid registration holds.

Note: Students who have recently paid the commitment deposit will need to wait 24-48 hours after the payment is processed in order to log in to GU Experience.

Please review your program’s curriculum and/or speak with your program director and coordinator about your first-semester curriculum prior to registering for classes.

Review the registration dates for “new BGE admits” (search this term on the registration dates site) and follow the directions in the GU Experience Guides carefully to register for your classes!

For more information on GU Experience, visit the GU Experience FAQ.

If you encounter a course that requires departmental approval, please fill out the Add/Drop form including signatures and email it to Holly Sanders for processing. 

Deadline: Check the Billing Calendar posted on the Revenue and Receivables website for the exact date (on the left under “important dates”).

Log in to GU Experience (formerly MyAccess) to view billing statements. See the instructions for viewing your bill.

Deadline: After your confirmation of enrollment and deposit

If you have applied for financial aid, please stay in touch with the Office of Student Financial Aid at osfsgradfinaid@georgetown.edu. To check/accept your financial aid award letter, please log in to GU Experience and follow the next steps after receiving your financial aid.

Pre-arrival deadline: After your confirmation of enrollment and deposit
Arrival: Once you arrive to the United States

Visit the Office of Global Services (OGS) New Students page for your pre-arrival checklist. You may also wish to review the resources and information on our BGE International Students page.

Newly admitted international students should contact newinternational@georgetown.edu with any inquiries or requests. Please also see the I-20 or DS-2019 process.

Newly admitted international students must attend the International Student Orientation and Mandatory Immigration Session in order to activate your Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVIS) record. More information is on the OGS new student webpage and BGE Orientation section below.

Current students should contact internationalservices@georgetown.edu.

Activate or waive the Georgetown University student health insurance. If you already have adequate health insurance, you must log in to waive the Georgetown student insurance.

You may also choose to enroll in Georgetown’s Voluntary Dental Plan for dental insurance.

Deadline: Biomedical Graduate Education students must submit their Immunization Requirements before the deadlines listed by Student Health Services: July 1st for Fall enrollment, December 1st for Spring enrollment, or May 1st for Summer enrollment.

Please submit your required immunizations via the Georgetown Student Immunization Portal  (access using your GU Net ID and password). For more information on the requirements, the deadlines, and any assistance, please visit the Student Health Center’s Immunization Page .

Biomedical Graduate Education New Student Orientation is mandatory for all incoming students.

GOCard is the official student ID card at Georgetown University, and can be used for on-campus purchases and much more.

BGE students receive a physical GOCard. To get your card, upload an ID photo, then visit the GOCard Office.

Honor Council Tutorial

Completion of the Honor Council Tutorial is required of our first-year master’s students. You will receive an email with the link to the tutorial and the deadline to complete it. Please complete the Honor Council Tutorial to avoid registration holds.

Sexual Assault Prevention for Graduates (SAPG) Training

Completion is required of all first-year graduate students, including master’s and doctoral students. Students will receive a message from EVERFI, the third-party provider the University partners with to deliver this training. Please complete the SAPG training to avoid registration holds.

Code of Student Conduct

You may refer to the Georgetown University Code of Student Conduct as needed for information about prohibited conduct and disciplinary processes. Visit the Office of Student Conduct website for more information, or contact studentconduct@georgetown.edu.

Research Integrity & Misconduct

Refer to Georgetown Research Services’ Research Integrity & Misconduct page for policies and reporting processes for research misconduct.

Sign up to take the Environmental Health & Safety training. You may be required to take some or all of the training courses, depending on your area of research. Check with your program about training requirements.

Sign up for a one-on-one career advising appointment to connect with BGE’s career development team and start planning the next phase of your career.

Fill out the Individual Development Plan form, provided by the BGE Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Training & Development. The IDP helps you to set academic and professional goals, in conversation with your faculty and career advisors.

We recommend these BGE career courses to help you plan and prepare for your professional journey:

  • Take the online, self-paced EPIC Career Strategy Course to map out each stage of your career search process: Explore, Prepare, Interview, and Choose.
  • Register for BGE’s Academy for Transferable Management Skills to gain experience in planning and running a research project. The course is intended to support you in your student research and serve as a resume item.
  • Look at the professional memberships available to you as a BGE student. Professional organizations provide networking opportunities, webinars and workshops, and other resources for career advancement.

Visit our Community page to get resources on our community! Join the Medical Center Graduate Student Organization (MCGSO), a student-run organization that includes all BGE students, and like BGE on Facebook to stay updated about resources and events.

Visit our Health & Wellness for support in taking care of your physical and mental health as a grad student.

New Student Orientation

Biomedical Graduate Education hosts orientations for incoming students in Fall, Spring and Summer. Orientation provides important information about registration, student organizations, student financial services, academic integrity, library facilities and computer resources.

Summer/Fall 2026 Biomedical Orientation for New Ph.D. Students

Thursday, July 16, 2026 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Medical and Dental Building, Room SW107
3900 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, D.C.

The Biomedical Summer/Fall Orientation is mandatory for all incoming biomedical Ph.D. students starting in Summer or Fall, and M.D./Ph.D. students who are officially starting their Ph.D. studies in Spring 2027. You may find the Medical and Dental Building on the campus map and review transportation options for getting to campus in advance.

Please consult your program about the required Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) training.

If you have questions about New Student Orientation, please email BGE Academic Specialist Holly Sanders.

New international students: Please visit the Office of Global Services website for the official OGS Orientation and Immigration Document Review.

The online Biomedical Fall Orientation is mandatory for all incoming biomedical master’s and certificate students. In early August, incoming students will receive an email to complete the Fall Orientation.

All new graduate students: Please visit the Graduate Student Welcome Week website to find the Graduate Student Induction Ceremony program and other events.

If you have questions about New Student Orientation, please email BGE Academic Specialist Holly Sanders.

SMP students: You will not receive the BGE online Fall orientation; instead, you will participate in the SMP Orientation.

New international students: Please visit the Office of Global Services website for the official OGS Orientation and Immigration Document Review.

  • February 2 – International Student Portal opens for fall admits. All students newly admitted or returning from leave with an active learner record can submit their Form I-20/DS-2019 request through the International Student Portal. Current processing times.
  • February 11-August 7 – Series of pre-arrival events and programming. Webinar topics include off-campus housing, student health immunizations and insurance, pre-arrival preparation and additional international student portal webinars.
    • International Student Portal Support webinars at 9:30am EST – Offered every two to three weeks. We take students through required documents and how to submit their Form I-20/Form DS-2019 request.
    • OGS Incoming Student Town Hall at 9:30am EST – Offered monthly April through July. We discuss visa application process and immigration regulations impacting incoming students.
    • Additional webinar topics include – Off-Campus Housing, Student Health Immunizations & Insurance, and Pre-Arrival Preparation.
  • July 18 – Final deadline to upload all required documentation to receive Form I-20 or DS-2019 for August 26 start of classes. Early start programs have earlier deadlines.
  • August 17 – Deadline to enter the U.S. for Fall admits.
  • August 17 & 25 – Mandatory In-Person Immigration Sessions for Fall start students. Students will need to register for one of the sessions. F-1 & J-1 Graduate students may attend either the Main Campus or Capitol Campus session; the Main Campus session is recommended for all students who will be attending classes on GUMC or Main Campus. (Note: The Campus Tour does not include the Medical Center.)
    • Monday, August 17 – Main Campus, 2pm – 3:30pm. Location TBA
    • Tuesday, August 25 – Capitol Campus, 2pm – 3:30pm. Location TBA
  • August 18 – International graduate students welcome event, 5-7 p.m., Hilltop Campus
  • August 26 – Fall classes begin.

The online Spring Biomedical Orientation is mandatory for all incoming biomedical students. In early January, incoming students will receive an email to complete the Spring Orientation.

If you have questions about New Student Orientation, please email BGE Academic Specialist Holly Sanders.

New international students: Please visit the Office of Global Services website for the official OGS Orientation and Immigration Document Review.

October 1 – International Student Portal opened. All admitted and returning from leave students with an active learner record can submit their Form I-20/DS-2019 request through the International Student Portal. New international students must submit visa documents through OGS 30 days before their program start date(s).

October 2 – December 12 – Series of pre-arrival programming and events. Webinar topics include off-campus housing, student health immunizations and insurance, pre-arrival preparation and additional international student portal webinars.

December 7 – Final deadline to upload all required documentation to receive Form I-20 or DS-2019 for January 7 start of classes.

January 6 – Deadline to enter U.S. for spring 2026 admits.

January 6 – Mandatory In-Person Immigration Sessions for spring start students.

  • Graduate Students – Main Campus, International Graduate Student Orientation 11:30 am – 1 pm. (Note: The orientation does not include a campus tour of the Medical Center.)

January 7 – Spring classes begin.

Reminders

  • Pre-Arrival Support – Admitted and incoming new international students with questions and concerns may connect with OGS by email at newinternational@georgetown.edu.
  • The average immigration document processing time during our high season is three (3) weeks. New students may connect with and schedule appointments with their designated international student advisor after classes begin.

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