New Student Welcome

Congratulations and welcome to the UVA School of Medicine Public Health Sciences MPH & MS Clinical Research Programs.

We are excited to have you join our community. Our students come from a wide range of academic backgrounds, professional experiences, and life paths. This diversity is one of the greatest strengths of our program.

This page includes important information, deadlines, and next steps to help you transition into graduate school. Please bookmark this page and check back regularly for updates.

You will need to activate your email account, Office 365 account, UVA Zoom account and navigate other items on the UVA Student IT Checklist. If you have IT-specific questions, the IT Help contact information is posted on the New to UVA IT Checklist Page. Note: Although you are affiliated with the UVA Health System, please do not follow any of the instructions for HS employees for passwords and other IT setup.

Your UVA computing ID is a random alpha-numeric designation that has already been assigned to be used as your email “name”. You can (and many students do) create an alias that allows recipients to identify you more readily (e.g., firstname.lastname@virginia.edu).

The University Academic ID is a mobile ID and will be used for access to academic buildings on grounds.

All members of the UVA Health System (including SOM students) are required to wear a “physical” Health System ID badge when in the buildings. As a graduate student in the School of Medicine, your ID badge provides access to Health System buildings for your PHS classes (this HS ID badge will be given to you at orientation).

Steps to secure your ID (after activating your UVA email account):

• Pull your 9-digit University ID from SIS
• Follow the detailed instructions for creating and then uploading your PASSPORT-STYLE photo to the Academic ID Card Office
• Be sure to click “Submit” to complete the submission process

NOTE: If you are a current student that already has a UVA ID badge – either Academic or Heath System, you will need to surrender your current ID to be replaced by a new version as a PHS student. You have the option to swap your current ID photo for an update (see directions above).  If you are a current UVA or UVA Health employee, you WILL NOT need a new ID badge.

For some incoming students, the final piece to complete your matriculation into the UVA PHS programs is the submission of your official undergraduate transcript. Once you’ve completed your undergraduate degree requirements, please request an official copy of your transcript – it must include all final semester courses, the degree you were awarded, and the date on which your degree was conferred. Please have the transcripts sent or transmitted electronically to your application portal on SOPHAS.org.  The best time to submit the updated official transcript is June 20^th – July 31^st when they will be reviewed and re-verified.

The UVA Student Information System (SIS) contains your official University student record. Students use SIS for course registration, checking student financial charges and awards, tracking academic progress, and more.

Importantly, once you have signed a lease for housing in Charlottesville, please update your local address in SIS. While most communications from PHS and UVA will be via email, it is important your student profile is current and accurate. Please also update your address and other contact information if/when it changes as you matriculate.

UVA requires students to have direct deposits to receive checks and reimbursements. You must enroll in direct deposit via the Student Information System (SIS).

• Once in SIS, select Financials in the left menu, and then Finance Center.
• Click Sign Up for Direct Deposit.

*Please note: All School of Medicine students (including PHS) are required to be vaccinated for COVID-19. Please find additional information at the links below.*

All new UVA students are required to submit a Pre-Entrance Health Form when they first begin as a student at the University of Virginia.

• All new PHS students must complete the School of Medicine (MD, BIMS, PHS) and School of Nursing (undergraduate, graduate) students: PEHF (2024-2025).
• Please complete the School of Medicine PEHF accurately and upload it to the HealthyHoos patient portal no later than August 1, 2026. NOTE: If your form is not received by the due date, you will be subject to a late fee of $100, for which you will be personally responsible.
• The PEHF must be completed and signed by a health care provider. Completing this form with your doctor before you arrive in Charlottesville is strongly encouraged.
• Questions? Contact Student Health Medical Records at sth-mr@virginia.edu or 434-924-1525.

Incoming PHS students may request academic and/or housing accommodations based on a disability or medical condition by registering with the Student Disability Access Center (SDAC). Students requesting academic accommodation are encouraged to do so well before the start of the fall semester.

To register, visit the SDAC website, select Apply for Services, and complete the online form.

Questions? Contact the Student Disability Access Center at 434.243.5180 or SDAC@virginia.edu.

Online Requirements for New and Returning Students

“As part of preparing for a new semester, both new and returning students must complete one or more items related to community policies and standards. If you go to your Dashboard in the Student Information System (SIS), you will see the items you need to complete under your To Do List or Tasks. These items will also appear as “Mandatory Training” on the Courses page of your UVACanvas account.”
– UVA Office of Student Affairs

Immediate Tasks

1. Complete all immigration documents for your I-20.
2. Complete the checklist on the International Studies Office Newly Admitted Students webpage.
3. Complete International Student Online Orientation.
4. Complete all items on the To Do list above by the stated deadlines.

Upon Arrival in Charlottesville

Check in with the International Studies Office (ISO) and attend ISO Orientation.

Tax issues
International student wages (bi-weekly through UVA Payroll) and stipends (monthly through Student Financial Services) may be taxable. It is important to know that taxable status and the tax rate is based on the pay type and treaties specific to your home country. Please reach out to your PHS Administrator to be connected with the UVA Compliance Analyst responsible for international tax issues before fall semester.

UVA Graduate Guide

The Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs is the central administrative unit responsible for creating a University-wide focus on graduate education and postdoctoral training. They have posted a collection of additional resources, pulling from areas across Grounds as well as Charlottesville and the surrounding area.

Charlottesville and Surrounding

Additional resources for the Charlottesville area:

• Charlottesville Guide
• Visit Charlottesville
• Jefferson School African American Heritage Center
• Albemarle County: New Resident Guide
• Shenandoah National Park
• Virginia Wine Country
• Welcome to Virginia