Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to Common Questions for International Applicants
Is the campus safe?
Boston Campus
While MCPHS Boston is an urban campus, it is located in the heart of the Longwood Medical and Academic Area, which is surrounded by other college/university campuses. Therefore, the majority of residents and visitors are medical personnel and students. This makes the area quite safe. MCPHS has its own public safety officers who patrol the campuses and surrounding areas. All residence halls are secure buildings that only residents can enter using their electronic door cards. MCPHS public safety officers also conduct crime prevention seminars, self-defense classes and general safety programs for students.
Read more about our Boston Campus Public Safety Office
Worcester Campus
The MCPHS Worcester campus is located in the second-largest city in all of New England. The city of Worcester is located just a 50-minute drive from Boston and is the home of fifteen higher-education institutions and more than 30,000 students. With two major hospitals, a medical school, a health sciences college, and dozens of clinics, health care organizations and biomedical research and manufacturing firms, Worcester is a health hub. MCPHS has its own police staff whose officers patrol the campus and surrounding areas. All residence halls are secure buildings that only residents can enter using their electronic door cards. MCPHS police officers also conduct crime prevention seminars, self-defense classes and general safety programs for students.
Read more about our Worcester Campus Public Safety Office
Manchester Campus
The Manchester campus is located at 1260 Elm Street in the largest city in Northern New England. The city of Manchester is located just 53 miles from Boston and is the home of nine higher-education institutions and more than 8,000 students. With its growing economy and laid-back lifestyle, Manchester has been named the #1 Small City in the East by Money magazine. MCPHS has its own public safety whose officers patrol the campuses and surrounding areas. MCPHS police officers also conduct crime prevention seminars, self-defense classes, and general safety programs for students.
Read more about our Manchester Campus Public Safety Office
Do students need to have a car? What is the best way to get around the city?
Boston
While students are permitted to own a car, it is not encouraged. Often, it is easier for students to walk or take public transportation (subway and buses are run by the MBTA), especially when they live on campus. There is no parking available to students at the Boston campus, and street parking is very limited or costly in the surrounding area. Students will find the Boston subway and bus system extensive. Maps, fare information and schedules can be found at www.mbta.com. MCPHS provides students with the opportunity to register to receive discounted subway and bus passes.
Worcester/Manchester
Clinical rotations may be scheduled at some distance from the campus. This is necessary to provide a range of diverse learning experiences and to ensure availability and quality of clinical rotation sites. Although public transportation is available within the city, students will need transportation to rotation and clinical sites.
What is my admission to the College based on?
Admission to MCPHS is selective and based on multiple criteria: How strong are the student's math and science grades? Has the student been able to successfully and consistently complete a full load of classes? Has the student sought out leadership roles and community service projects to supplement their academic learning? Is the student's interest in health care strong? Transfer admission is based on the preceding questions as well as the number of places available in the transfer class. Applicants are encouraged to have an above average academic record at least equivalent to a 3.0 average on a 4.0 scale or an 80 point average on a 100 point scale.
If I have completed an IB Diploma, will I have advanced standing in college?
No, MCPHS does not give advanced standing to students who complete an IB Diploma.
Are interviews required?
On-campus interviews are required for transfer applicants into our Doctor of Physical Therapy, Master of Physician Assistant Studies and Doctor of Pharmacy programs. Interviews are occassionally required of other programs on a case-by-case basis.
As a transfer student, will I receive transfer credit for the courses I already took at my previous university?
First, your application will be evaluated to determine if you meet the minimum entrance requirements. After that, it is evaluated to see if you have completed the required specific classes. Students should expect that not all transfer credits will match exactly with MCPHS courses. In fact, it is common that international students do not have sufficient equivalent courses to be eligible for second year consideration because various liberal arts/humanities/social science courses are not offered outside the U.S. Therefore, it is likely that an international student will start in the first year of a program and be required to join MCPHS courses that are similar to courses they have taken at previous universities. Your acceptance packet will include a Transfer Credit Evaluation and indicate which year of the program you will start.
What are the minimum scores MCPHS is looking for on Standardized Tests?
| |
UNDERGRADUATE |
GRADUATE |
| AP |
4 or 5 |
Not applicable |
| CLEP |
50 or higher |
50 or higher |
IB |
5 on advanced level exam |
Not applicable |
| TOEFL/IELTS |
See language proficiency |
See language proficiency |
SAT I Verbal (Critical Reading) |
450 |
Not required |
| GRE |
Not required |
Preference given to students with minimum 550 in each section, 3.5 Analytical Writing |
Only scores from tests taken within two years (five for GRE) prior to the time of enrollment are acceptable. Official scores must be sent from the testing agency. Certified true copies may be submitted for initial review.
What is the school code for submitting SAT, AP, CLEP, GRE, TOEFL scores?
3512
What scholarships are available and how do I apply for them?
First-Year Applicants
MCPHS offers a very limited number of merit-based scholarships on an individual basis. It is not necessary to submit a separate application for consideration.
Transfer Applicants
Transfer students are NOT eligible for scholarships.
Graduate Applicants
Graduate assistantships are very limited. There is no separate application. Admitted students will be automatically considered.
Who is qualified for government need-based financial aid (through FAFSA form)?
International students are not eligible for U. S. government need-based financial aid unless they have Permanent Residency (Green Card) or U.S. Citizenship.
Does MCPHS accept government or outside scholarships?
Yes, students who will be sponsored by their government or another type of scholarship must submit a letter of financial guarantee specifically detailing the extent of their scholarship at the time of application.
Is on-campus housing available?
Boston
Yes, College-sponsored housing is available to first-year applicants only. Visit the Boston Campus Housing page for more information.
Worcester
Yes, College-sponsored housing is available. Visit the Worcester Campus Housing page for more information.
Manchester
While College-sponsored housing is NOT available on the Manchester campus, the city is populated with a variety of accommodations from single rooms in private homes to luxury apartment/condominium units. Visit the Manchester Campus Housing page for more information.
Are students required to live on campus?
No, students are not required to live on campus. However, students who have the opportunity to live on campus will experience more of what the College has to offer. Resident students get to know more people from different backgrounds, become more involved in campus programs, and are more satisfied with their college experience. Living on campus is convenient and every resource you need is nearby.
How do we find off-campus housing?
Many of our international students do choose to live off-campus. For more information, please contact our Residence Life Office and view the housing resources in Campuses.
Do I need to have health insurance while I attend school in the U.S.?
According to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and MCPHS policy, all students (regardless of enrollment) must be covered by a comprehensive health insurance program. The College makes available a general health insurance program, which meets these standards. This policy is provided by an independent insurance carrier beginning September 1 and continuing for 12 months.
How do I purchase health insurance?
Students will be automatically enrolled in this plan unless a waiver is completed and received by Student Financial Services by August 1. Students registering late must submit the waiver at that time. The waiver stipulates that personal coverage will be maintained during the enrollment period. Please note that waivers must be renewed annually.
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 College's health insurance waiver requirements or 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 College student health insurance plan.
International students who do not fall under conditions 1 or 2 above MUST purchase the College's student health insurance plan and therefore are not eligible for a waiver.
When will I register for classes?
MCPHS automatically registers all new students and access to your schedule will be mailed to you in early July. During orientation, you will have the opportunity to meet with an Academic Advisor to understand your study plan requirements and to add or drop elective courses. Most MCPHS programs are lock-step, which means that students do not have the flexibility to deviate from the curriculum as it is laid out in the college catalog and therefore do not graduate faster or slower than other students in their program.
Do I need to attend orientation? When is orientation?
First-Year Students
There is a general orientation for all incoming first-year students in mid-July. It is not required for international students. However, if you don't attend the summer orientation, you will be required to attend the fall orientation that is usually scheduled for the week before fall classes start.
Boston Transfer and Graduate Students
You are required to attend the fall orientation that is usually scheduled for the week before classes start.
Worcester and Manchester Students
You are required to attend the fall orientation that is usually scheduled for the week before classes start.
What flight arrangements should I make?
Logan International Airport (BOS) is about 7 miles away (15 minutes) from the MCPHS Boston campus and 45 to 55 miles (1 hour) from the Worcester and Manchester campuses. While Logan will be your final destination when traveling to MCPHS, your initial port of entry may be another major hub such as New York (JFK), Newark (EWR), Los Angeles (LAX), Chicago (ORD), or Minneapolis (MSP). Be sure that your ticket includes a connecting flight to Boston from the port of entry.
Distance Between Major Cities and Boston
New York City: 1 hour flight; about 4 hours by car
Washington, D.C.: 2 hour flight; about 8 hours by car
Chicago: 3 hour flight; about 16 hours by car
Who should I contact about my I-20 and visa and how to maintain proper immigration status?
The International Programs Office will be your resource for all of these types of questions.