Welcome to the College of Communication

We can't wait for you to join us here in Boston, College of Communication!

Over the coming months, this personal page will be continuously populated with new, relevant information that you'll need as the fall semester approaches.

We are here to help so please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

Below you will find a checklist related to your enrollment at BU. You'll see this checklist will expand to include more items to be completed over the summer months.

Reminders will be sent via email. Welcome to COM!

2025

Enrolled Student Checklist

This checklist will be updated periodically as details and dates are released. Please check back throughout the spring and summer.

Engage with BU & the COMmunity

Chat with College of Communication Students and Staff: Ambassadors are available on chat from Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET.
Join the COM Unibuddy Community to connect with fellow students about life in Boston, roommates and housing, and academics!
Read BU Today for the latest updates on university news.
Reach out to faculty with any questions you may have about your program. They are excited to hear from you!
Check out the university-wide graduate site for current students.
Watch recordings from our virtual speaker series, COMTalk.
Follow @COMatBU on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to learn more about what's happening at COM daily!
Follow the COM Graduate Student Council @bucomgrad on Instagram.
COM Student Mentor Program: To support your transition, you can be matched with a second-year COM grad student during your first semester to ask questions, hear about their experiences, and learn about resources and opportunities at COM and BU. If you are interested in joining us as a peer mentee in Fall 2025, please submit your mentee application. The application deadline is August 1.

Explore Campus

While we hope you're able to visit us in Boston, we know many accepted students live far away; these student-created videos give you a quick overview of COM student services, clubs and activities, and our academic departments:
Attend Admitted Student Events Or Watch Recordings
Explore the "Admitted Student Events" tab to register for all the exciting virtual and in-person events we’ve lined up. Meet faculty, chat with current students, connect with alumni, and hear from staff—all here to help you get a feel for life at BU and COM. After the dates have passed, recordings will be posted for students to refer back to.

Next Steps: Financial Aid & Tuition Information

Financial Aid: Understand the total cost of your program.
Schedule an optional financial aid appointment with Jackie Cummings, COM’s Assistant Director of Financial Aid, to discuss your financial aid and plan to finance your education. Consider the length of your program (three semesters or four semesters).
You can find the cost breakdown by semester and for one 2025/2026 academic year (two semesters: fall and spring semesters) in Boston here. Students with a third or fourth semester of enrollment will have an additional semester of tuition and fees.

Next Steps: BU Email Address, Academic Advising, Transcripts, and Academic Integrity

Create your BU email address and access your MyBU Student Portal.
Academic Advising: For questions about class registration, the curriculum, and graduate student life at BU, please reach out to:
- Lu He, Assistant Director of Academic Advising and Graduate Student Support – helu@bu.edu
- Kayla Ring, Director of Graduate Affairs – kbring10@bu.edu
You can schedule an academic advising Zoom meeting via Calendly:
- Schedule with Lu He
- Schedule with Kayla Ring

Class Registration: Class registration will not begin for Fall 2025 students until late May 2025. All full-time students will for a minimum of 4 classes. Part-time students register for 1 or 2 classes.
Final Transcript: Ask your school to send COM a final transcript showing proof of graduation. All final transcripts must be in a sealed envelope (or sent electronically from your university), include final grades and graduation certification, and should be sent as soon as possible. Official digital transcripts are preferred and should be sent to comgrad@bu.edu. Mailed transcripts must be sent to Att: Graduate Affairs, College of Communication 640 Commonwealth Avenue Boston, MA 02215
Academic Integrity Online Workshop: Assistant Director of Academic Advising and Graduate Student Support, Lu He, will share instructions at the beginning of August. All students are required to complete the online workshop module by September 30 in Fall 2025.

Next Steps: Life in Boston

BU Student ID (Terrier Card): Upload a photo for your BU ID Card. The instructions for ID pick up will be shared.
Review transportation options (parking, biking, and subway (T)). Discounted Fall MBTA Semester Passes can be purchased until the final summer deadline: August 10, 2025.
Housing: Begin looking for an off-campus apartment/housing in the Boston area for the 2025/2026 academic year. Students begin to sign leases in the spring/summer for a September 1, 2025 lease start. Tip: Use the Housing tab above for tips and suggestions.
Health Requirements: Submit your Immunization and Incoming Health History forms. This includes vaccine requirements.
Health Insurance: The university automatically enrolls all students who are legally required to have health insurance in the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). This includes all full-time, three-quarter-time, and international students. If you already have health insurance, you may request a waiver to opt out of SHIP. For full details, visit the health insurance information page here.

Summer Zoom Meetings

Throughout the summer, the COM Graduate Affairs Team hosts a series of Zoom meetings to answer your questions about the upcoming fall semester. Below you'll find the first two meeting recordings and the slide decks.

Recording: Welcome to COM! Summer Q&A Session for New Graduate Students: Class Registration & More! - Slide Deck

Recording: Finding Housing in Boston: Student Q&A Session - Slide Deck

Recording: International Students Pre-departure Orientation with ISSO and COM Grad Affairs - Slide Deck

Recording: Understanding Your Bill and Financial Aid - Information for Incoming COM Graduate Students - Slide Deck

Orientation August 28th & Fall Dates

Attend COM’s orientation on August 28 at 9:45 AM! We know many of you will be moving into your Boston apartments on September 1, just one day before classes begin. To help make your transition smoother, the College of Communication will hold Graduate Orientation online via Zoom. The first session will take place on Thursday, August 28, followed by in-person social events starting after classes begin on September 2. Register to Attend! Media Ventures students will attend their program session on August 26.
Attend the first day of class on September 2nd. Save the fall semester academic calendar for future reference.

International Students

We encourage students to review this site regarding the international student experience at BU.
International Graduate Students Guide: This helpful student-created handbook shares essential tips for navigating Boston, the university, housing, health care, and more as an international graduate student.
I-20 Form and Visa: Prepare documents for the I-20/visa process and schedule an appointment with the US embassy. You can find the requirements needed for the I-20 here: www.bu.edu/isso/getting-started/documents-procedures.
Complete BU First Class, our optional online pre-arrival course.

Stay in touch with any questions!

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BU College of Communication

College of Communication, your future at COM awaits!