General Next Steps for Deposited Students

Our Orientation program, MCPHS Connect, provides incoming students the opportunity to engage with their peers and learn about all the resources MCPHS has to offer. MCPHS Connect is a required, hybrid program that includes a self-paced online module and in-person session.

The online module will launch on July 10, 2024, and you will receive further instructions in your MCPHS email as the date approaches.

Orientation will be held in person on separate days for our Worcester campus schools:

• Wednesday, August 28: Nursing, Pharmacy, Occupational Therapy, and Physical Therapy
• Thursday, August 29: NESA, SMIT, Dental Hygiene, and Optometry

Learn more about orientation.

If you are an international student, you must also complete an international orientation designed for you, in addition to the general orientation asked of all students.

Questions about Orientation may be directed to mcphs.orientationWor-Man@mcphs.edu.

Note: This information is for students starting in the Fall 2024 semester. Spring in-person Orientation will occur on Friday, January 10, 2025.

A few months prior to the start of your term, you will receive an email with your MCPHS login credentials (username and password). This will give you access to our current student portal, as well as your MCPHS email account.

Please check your MCPHS email regularly. Important communications are sent to that address by MCPHS as you approach your start term that could impact your attendance at MCPHS if not seen.

We recommend setting a weekly calendar reminder to ensure you see all communications to your MCPHS email.

To secure a spot in University-sponsored housing, please see the Worcester Housing Next Steps page.

MCPHS parking is available to residential and commuter students.

Parking is limited and assigned on a first come, first serve basis. The parking application deadline is August 1 for fall starts and December 1 for spring starts.

To reserve parking, please complete the parking reservation form:

• Fall 2024 Worcester parking form
• Spring 2025 Worcester parking form

Incoming students who have paid for a parking pass will receive their assignments at orientation.

For questions on parking options in the area or any questions related to parking, please contact the Office of Operations at 508.373.5754 or via email.

Tuition Payment

Once your first semester tuition bill has been posted, you will receive an email to your MCPHS email account. To access your student payment account, or to submit your payment, visit the MCPHS payment gateway.

Payment is due by August 1 for fall enrollment and December 1 for spring enrollment and May 1 for summer enrollment.

Apply for Financial Aid

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now available for students beginning their program in fall 2024 or spring 2025.To indicate that you are applying for financial aid at MCPHS, use the FAFSA college code 002165.

You will receive your financial aid package via e-mail approximately 2-3 weeks after your FAFSA has been completed and received by MCPHS.

Please note: Your social security number (SSN) must be on file with the Admission Office in order for Student Financial Services to review your FAFSA application for federal aid. If you have not provided your SSN to the Admission Office, please call 508.373.5607 and speak with a counselor.

If you have questions about financing your education or the aid application process, please contact the Student Financial Services Office for assistance.

Nathan Foor
Senior Associate Director
508.373.5648
nathan.foor@mcphs.edu
Programs: Acupuncture, MSOT, PharmD

Lynn D. Berry Jr.
Associate Director
508.373.5633
lynn.berry@mcphs.edu
Programs: Dental Hygiene, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Nursing, Optometry, Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant Studies

Affordability Appointments 

Let us help create a financial plan that works for you and your family. In a one-on-one phone conversation, a knowledgeable Student Financial Services counselor will break down the numbers for you, show you all of your available options, and give you a clear picture of how to make your education happen. Recommended for students who have already received their financial aid package from us.

Register for an Appointment (Acupuncture, Occupational Therapy, PharmD)

Register for an Appointment (All Other Programs)

MCPHS requires an official transcript showing all final grades from all colleges/universities you attended in order to complete your admission record.

You must send in final transcripts by the below deadline in order to begin your time at MCPHS. If transcripts are not received by these dates, a hold will be placed on your account that will prevent class registration.

• Fall Enrollment: August 1
• Spring Enrollment: December 15

Please note that failure to successfully complete coursework with a C or higher (C+ or higher for nursing) may result in a change in your starting academic year or rescinding our offer of admission.

If you are enrolled in late prerequisites, proof of registration in these courses must be sent in by the below deadline.

• Fall Enrollment: July 1 (for summer prerequisites)
• Spring Enrollment: November 15 (for fall prerequisites)

Final transcripts should be mailed directly from your institution in a sealed, signed envelope to:

MCPHS Worcester
Admission Office
19 Foster Street
Worcester, MA 01608

You may also email your transcript to admissions.worcester@mcphs.edu.

Before you arrive on campus you must demonstrate compliance with the MCPHS Immunization Policy by uploading records of all required immunizations to CastleBranch.

To ensure your own health and safety, as well as the health and safety of those around you, your required immunizations and titers, including the COVID-19 vaccine, must be completed prior to your first academic term.

To track your immunization records and compliance, the University works with CastleBranch, a confidential health information service. MCPHS will send you an email with instructions on how to set up an account with CastleBranch. Once you successfully create your profile, you will be prompted to upload the completed form.

Please be aware of the following:

• You will pay a one-time fee to CastleBranch to create your CastleBranch account. Instructions about payment will be provided on the payment step of the online order process. You will have direct access to your account to monitor your own personal immunization compliance in conjunction with the company's tracking.
• It is strongly recommended that you save a copy of your completed immunization form and your immunization records. Should any compliance questions arise, it is important to have your records immediately accessible to you.
• Students who are not compliant with University immunization requirements may be subject to administrative withdrawal from MCPHS.
• Authorized officials at MCPHS have access to student immunization records in order to monitor compliance.

Any questions about immunization records or requirements should be directed to CastleBranch at customerservice@castlebranch.com or 888.723.4263. All immunization records must be received by CastleBranch, a confidential health information service before the student begins moves into University housing or begins classes.

For more detailed information please see the Student Immunization Compliance page. If you have any questions about this process, please email immunization@mcphs.edu. 

Please note: Students who are not in compliance with the MCPHS and state immunization requirements before the start of classes may not be allowed to move into MCPHS-sponsored housing. Additionally, failure to comply may result in a delay in your beginning classes and a hold being placed on your student account.

According to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and MCPHS policy, all students (regardless of enrollment) must be covered by a comprehensive health insurance program. The University makes available a general policy, provided by an independent insurance carrier, which meets these standards. Students will be automatically enrolled in this plan unless a waiver (which must be renewed annually) is completed and received by Student Financial Services.

Students can fill out the waiver at University Health Plans. If you need assistance, please call 1.800.437.6448.

All international students must enroll in the plan with the exception of:

• Those international students whose sponsoring institutions have a signed agreement with MCPHS that complies with the University’s health insurance waiver requirements.
• International students with a plan for which their health insurance company’s primary home office is based in the United States AND the policy provides comparable coverage to the University's student health insurance plan.

International students who do not fall under either of the above conditions MUST purchase the University’s student health insurance plan and therefore are not eligible for a waiver.

Once you receive your MCPHS email credentials, watch for an email from the Help Desk titled "MCPHS ID Photo Submission." Your MCPHS ID badge image can only be submitted using the link from the email.

Please follow the guidelines to ensure your ID photo is approved:

• The photo should be in color and within the last year
• The photo should be in front of a plain background
• You must be the only person in the picture
• The photo must be clear, have a front view, and a full headshot
• No sunglasses, hat, or facemasks

Terms of Services

I verify that the attached uploaded picture to be used on my official MCPHS identification card accurately depicts my image.

MCPHS has a vibrant international student community of more than 1000 international students from 100+ countries around the world. We’re confident that as an international MCPHS student, you’ll find a welcoming, dynamic environment in which to make your health science career goals a reality.

Submit Your I-20 Application Materials

After MCPHS receives your enrollment deposit, you will receive an email with important information regarding the process for obtaining an I-20. MCPHS will ship your I-20 Form to you once it is issued and provide you with further instructions based upon your particular circumstances. If you have any questions regarding your immigration paperwork, please contact 617.732.2195 or international.admission@mcphs.edu. Your Form I-20 certifies that:

• You have met all requirements of admission to MCPHS.
• You intend to matriculate in a full-time program of study at MCPHS.
• You possess adequate English proficiency to live and study in the U.S.
• You possess adequate financial support for tuition, fees, and living expenses for the duration of your stay in the U.S.
• You may apply for admission to the U.S. in F-1 status.

All incoming international students who are applying for a Form I-20 have to submit certain documentation. To learn more about the Form I-20 and the documents that you must submit, please thoroughly read the I-20 Information packet [PDF].

For an I-20 to be issued, all students need to show proof of funds for one academic year. This is called the Total Estimated Annual Budget. See your program’s Total Estimated Annual Budget [PDF].

If a sponsor is funding your education, they will need to complete the Financial Sponsorship Certification form [PDF] to accompany your proof of funds.

If you are currently studying in the United States as an F-1 and have an active SEVIS record, please work with your current institution’s International Office to have your SEVIS record transferred [PDF] to MCPHS.

After You Arrive in the U.S. as an F-1 Student

All incoming F-1 students are required to complete SEVIS check-in with Immigration Services. You are required to bring the following documents:

• Passport
• F-1 Visa (not applicable to Canadian citizens)
• I-94
• Your local address and phone number in the U.S.
• MCPHS I-20

Please monitor your MCPHS email closely for information regarding SEVIS check-in and other important information from Immigration and International Support Services. You can contact Immigration & International Support Services with any questions at internationalservices@mcphs.edu.

The Office of Student Access and Accommodations (OSAA) is a part of the Division of Student Affairs and provides services and accommodations to students across our three campuses (Manchester, Boston & Worcester). In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 2008 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, individuals are eligible to receive reasonable accommodations on the basis of disability if they have a physical or mental impairment that limits a major life activity.

You can reach OSAA at OSAA@mcphs.edu or at 617.879.5995.

Students are encouraged to meet with OSAA in advance of the start of classes and/or the housing deadline to discuss reasonable accommodations.

Requesting Services

Deposited students who have received their MCPHS student ID and email address can complete the OSAA Student Request for Services Form (SRS) online and upload supporting documentation directly into the SRS. For assistance with this form, please contact OSAA via phone or email.

Students with an MCPHS ID and email address can access information about OSAA, documentation guidelines, and important timelines by visiting our OSAA student website.

After the SRS and documentation is received, students will be contacted via the MCPHS email to share availability for an intake appointment to discuss the request. If the student is determined eligible, OSAA will provide information on next steps and student responsibilities.

If you have not yet received your MCPHS student ID and email, you can visit our website for more information about OSAA and to submit the SRS.

MCPHS University ensures FERPA compliance and therefore all information submitted OSAA will remain confidential.

View the most recent Academic Calendar.

Professional appearance is an essential component of the professional degree programs. Appropriate professional attire fosters a sense of professionalism and civility within the University community and assists with creating an optimal learning environment for the diverse student populations of the Worcester and Manchester campuses. Please take a few moments to review the Standards of Professional Dress for Professional Degree Programs [PDF].