Welcome! Congratulations on your acceptance, and welcome to the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Below you will find helpful information as you plan for your arrival at the School and in Boston. New Student Orientation For those students entering SMFA in the Fall of 2013, Orientation will be on September 1 + 2. For more information, please contact Student Affairs at 617-369-3803 or studentaffairs@smfa.edu.
Other questions? Contact the Admissions Office at 617-369-3626 or 1-800-643-6078 or email admissions@smfa.edu.
Advising + Registration As a new SMFA student, you will take part in a personal advising session with your assigned admissions representative or SMFA faculty member. When your enrollment deposit is received by the School, you will be contacted by your assigned admissions representative to schedule your advisement appointment. In this appointment, we will advise you on course selection and your general path of study, and we will register undergraduate students for your first semester of classes. Post-Baccalaureate and graduate students register via mySMFA. To download a course catalog or search individual courses, please visit mySMFA, the online registration site, and click on the 'Courses' tab.
Please note that if you have a Business Office hold or a registration hold from missing immunizations and transcripts, you will not be able to register.
Additionally, faculty mentors are assigned to new students for your first year of study at SMFA. You will meet your faculty mentor during orientation. Personal Account Information When your enrollment deposit is received by the school, you will receive a letter with your personal account information in the mail or via email. This will include your login information for your new SMFA email, as well as for your mySMFA account. Please make sure that the admissions office has your most updated mailing and personal email address. If you have already deposited and have not yet received this account information, please contact your assigned admissions representative or email admissions@smfa.edu.
SMFA uses the Google Apps for Education service @SMFA. @SMFA is completely compatible with both Macs and PCs, and provides a robust and innovative email system with perks such as calendaring, instant messaging and document storage. Once you deposit, you will receive your new SMFA email account information as part of your Welcome Packet. With your SMFA email account, you will regularly receive important information about courses, registration deadlines and other opportunities.
If you have any questions about your account, please email your Helpdesk team at helpdesk@smfa.edu.
Technology Recommendations
The computer platform of choice in art education is Apple and SMFA primarily uses this platform. For those looking to purchase a computer before classes start, our recommendation is to make your purchase through the Apple Store for Education. Over the summer months Apple usually offers the "Buy a Mac for college, and get a free iPod touch" promotion. Check their website in the spring for updates.
Our recommended hardware:
MacBook Pro 13 or 15-inch Laptop
4GB RAM or greater
at least 500 GB storage
2.5GHz processor or greater
Hi-Res Antiglare Widescreen Display
Apple Care Protection Plan
100+ GB external hard drive for backups and file transport
4 GB USB flash drive for transport of smaller projects and papers
Art Supplies
At the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, your individual path of study and the courses you choose will determine the art materials that you will need, so we cannot give you a fail-safe recommendation. Your instructors will inform you, on or by your first class, of the materials you will need.
Dining Food is available at the School's Cafe des Arts for purchase via cash or credit card. There are vending machines and water fountains throughout both SMFA buildings. Download our dining recommendations in close vicinity of both SMFA buildings.
A meal plan through Chartwells, the dining service for local Fenway colleges, is also available. You may sign up for a commuter meal plan, which gives you the option to add as little as $25. There are no limitations as to when you can use your dining points during the school year and how much you spend. Learn more about signing up and where you may use the Chartwells meal plan on the Chartwells website.
Transportation Discounted monthly student passes for the public transportation system in Boston (MBTA) may be purchased through the school. The MBTA, which Boston residents refer to as 'the T,' serves the greater Boston area with extensive bus, subway and trolley service. Many SMFA students utilize the MBTA system to explore the city of Boston and to travel to and from class. Information on lines and service is available at www.mbta.com.
2012 Information Sheet
Spring 2013 Order Form Please contact the Business Office at 617-369-3632 if you have further questions.
Before You Arrive Checklist
High School or Undergraduate Transcript
Before you arrive, you will need to submit a final official high school or undergraduate transcript to the Admissions office. Please contact your admissions representative with questions or call 617-369-3626. Immunization Form
In order to attend classes, you will need to submit an immunization form that verifies that you have been vaccinated against the following diseases: Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis, Hepatitis B, Varicella, Meningitis (for Residence Hall only). This verification must be completed by your health care provider and may be faxed to the Admissions Office at 617-369-4264. Special classroom or learning accommodations
If you require special classroom or learning accommodations, complete and return the confidential disabilities survey and accommodation request. Health Insurance
Students who do not have health insurance outside of the School must enroll in the SMFA plan. Students who do not purchase the health insurance plan at SMFA must provide us with proof of health insurance by completing the School's health insurance waiver.
For more information, to view your benefits brochure, find information regarding the Simmons Health Center for students and to waive the School's health insurance plan go to Consolidated Health Plans, Inc. Tuition
Make sure that you have paid your tuition bill or have arranged for a payment plan on your outstanding balance by July 15, 2013 or at the latest before you arrive. For further assistance, or if you have any questions, please contact the Business Office at 617-369-3632.
