Back to Nova Southeastern University
Welcome to Nova Southeastern University and congratulations on your acceptance into the Dr. Pallavi Patel School of Health Sciences within the Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine. In order to prepare for your new academic career ahead, we will be sending you updates periodically between now and your official programmatic orientation.
To ensure that your transition into the college is smooth, it is important that you work with your admissions counselor prior to orientation. Please see below for some easy steps to help get you started.
Need More Help? Attend a Pre-Orientation Session
Join us for one of our pre-orientation sessions to get ahead of the game. Session
times may range anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour depending on the topic. Each session
is intended to help guide students through the different processes in preparation
to start the program and will cover the same content, so students do not need to attend
more than one session.
Sessions cover the following topics:
- General Overview (SharkLink, registration, etc.)
- Background Investigation and Immunizations
- Castle Branch user guide
- Financial Aid
Obtain Your NSU Login ID and Email Account
Explore Your Housing Options
Please be sure to check with your program regarding on-campus requirements and official start dates. Explore housing options by using the links below.
Fort Lauderdale/Davie Undergraduate StudentsVisit the Undergraduate Housing website for information on main campus housing.
Fort Lauderdale/Davie and Regional Campuses Graduate Students
Visit the Online Apartment Finder website.
Complete Your Background Check
In the months leading up to orientation, you will receive an email from the Office of Student Affairs with a personal link to set up your account in CastleBranch. This will also be used for step four.
Accepted applicants and students are required to authorize the university to obtain background checks. Please note that incoming students must complete the online background check documentation prior to orientation.
A few weeks prior to your program orientation, information regarding the background
check procedure and immunization requirements will be sent via NSU student email,
so please set up your student email account as soon as possible (see step two above).
You will receive an instructional email closer to orientation, followed by the invitation
from CastleBranch customer service.
In the interim, please download the Physical Exam Form and the Immunization Form below
to begin the process.
Contact the Student Affairs Team with questions at shsstudentaffairs@nova.edu. If you have any difficulty setting up your account or logging in, contact CastleBranch at 888-723-4263.
Complete Your Immunizations and Physical Exam
All incoming students must have a thorough physical examination prior to the first day of classes*. Please review the Immunization Guidelines.
To complete this process,
- Have your physician fill out the immunization, physical and tuberculosis forms found here: Health Professions Immunization Form.
- Submit both of these forms by uploading them to CastleBranch at castlebranch.com. Remember, you must have an account set up with your background check (see step three above) to be able to upload your documents.
The immunizations listed above on the Immunization Form are required of all students in the School of Health Sciences based on the current Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations for healthcare personnel. Every student is required to have completed these immunizations listed above before matriculating into Nova Southeastern University*. Failure to comply with this policy may result in the student’s inability to satisfy the requirements for graduation from their academic program.
Please note: DO NOT SEND ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS. YOU MUST KEEP A COPY FOR YOUR RECORDS.
Ensure Your Insurance
NSU's School of Health Sciences is concerned for the health and welfare of its students. As a result, all full-time SHS students at Nova Southeastern University are required to carry adequate health insurance coverage.
If you carry your own insurance, you will need to complete the Student Health Insurance Waiver. If you fail to complete the online waiver, you will be automatically billed and enrolled in the plan endorsed by NSU. For detailed information on the plan, benefits, and cost, visit the Student Health Insurance web page. Please complete the waiver prior to orientation.
Complete Your Student Enrollment Agreement (SEA)
All students at Nova Southeastern University will be required to complete the new Student Enrollment Agreement (SEA). The SEA requires students to agree to NSU standards and policies regarding course registration and withdrawal, financial responsibility, a release of liability, and more.
To complete this requirement, log in to SharkLink and select My Academics on the left panel. Next, on the right side, under the I Would Like To section, select Registration - Add/Drop/SEA to read and complete the SEA form online. For questions about the Student Enrollment Agreement, visit nova.edu/registrar or call the Office of the University Registrar at 954-262-7200.
Pre-Orientation Information Sessions
Wednesday, March 18, 5:30 to 6 p.m. (Financial Aid—Undergraduate)
- Zoom Link: nova.zoom.us/j/84821424757
Wednesday, March 25, 5:30 to 6 p.m. (CastleBranch)
- Zoom Link: nova.zoom.us/j/81478886311
Wednesday, April 1, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. (Financial Aid—Graduate and CastleBranch)
- Zoom Link: nova.zoom.us/j/81983048158
Friday, April 10, noon to 1 p.m. (Financial Aid—Graduate and CastleBranch)
- Zoom Link: nova.zoom.us/j/83846562884
Wednesday, April 15, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. (Financial Aid—Graduate and CastleBranch)
- Zoom Link: nova.zoom.us/j/82358801732
Wednesday, May 6, 5:30 to 6 p.m. (CastleBranch)
- Zoom Link: nova.zoom.us/j/82794612925
Lab Coats
It is required that all School of Health Sciences students enrolled in on-campus programs
purchase at least one lab coat. Some programs, however, may require at least two based
on the degree of use. Please check with your individual program for more details.
You will be given a chance to meet with bookstore personnel to try on sample lab coats during the orientation process. The lab coats cost $39.98, and payment will be due when you place your order. Any questions regarding the ordering process can be directed to the NSU Bookstore, 954-262-4750. Visit the NSU Bookstore Lab Coat Order website.
Important: Please be sure to select the appropriate patch for the campus and program that you are enrolled in!
Student Services and Resources
We invite you to take advantage of all the student engagement and support services NSU has to offer.
Parking Permit Application
All students, faculty, and staff at Nova Southeastern University's Davie Campus are required to obtain a parking permit. Please go to the NSU Public Safety website and print, fill out, and return the Parking Permit Application. You will need a copy of your vehicle registration and your SharkCard when you come to the One-Stop Shop in the Terry Building to get your parking permit. This should be done within the first week of the semester.
Students located on a Regional Campus should follow guidance from their specific campus.
NSU SharkCard
The NSU SharkCard is the official Nova Southeastern University identification card. All students, faculty, and staff are required to carry the SharkCard for identification purposes. In addition, the card can be used as a library card, for vending machine and copy machine purchases, for meal plans, and for building and parking access on campus. Visit the link below to apply for your SharkCard. Log into the application with your SharkLink username and password. Once you have completed your online application, your SharkCard will be mailed to the address listed on your application in 3–5 business days.
Travel Accommodations
The university offers discounts at several local hotels. For details, visit the NSU Travel Office.
Professionalism
As an NSU Dr. Pallavi Patel School of Health Sciences emerging professional, I understand that professionalism engenders the following principles:
Excellence
I am committed to becoming a respected, knowledgeable, and skillful professional. Therefore, I will approach all academic and professional endeavors with my best effort in pursuit of a higher purpose.
Community
I understand that I have been given the opportunity for education in order to serve others. I will strive to make a positive contribution in my local community and my chosen profession.
Integrity
I believe that trust is important and will strive to uphold the highest degree of honesty, accountability, and character. I understand that these qualities stand above all others.
Diversity
I believe that diverse perspectives, experiences, knowledge, and skills are valuable. I will respect the contributions and approaches of my faculty, peers, and patients and seek to learn from them.
Innovation
I believe in standing above the rest by finding unique ways to address unmet needs. I will seek innovative knowledge, skills, ideas, and approaches that will improve my academic endeavors, professional capacity, and college experience.
Leadership
As I demonstrate these qualities, I will serve as a role model in my academic program, profession, and community.
As an NSU Dr. Pallavi Patel School of Health Sciences student and emerging healthcare professional, I understand that daily adherence to these attributes will earn me the respect of my patients as well as my peers and will help assure the continued high regard of my new profession. Today, I embark on a path that will change my life and the lives of others.
Admissions or Financial Aid Questions
For Fort Lauderdale-based programs: Contact Financial Aid & Academic Records (FAAR) at 1-800-356-0026, Ext. 21101
For Regional Campus-based programs:
- Fort Myers: Dagme Aguayo, da1276@nova.edu, (239) 274-1072
- Jacksonville: Daniel Venti, dventi@nova.edu, (904) 245-8924
- Orlando: Charlie Phan, cphan@nova.edu, (407) 264-5608
- Tampa: Angie Mateu, mmateu@nova.edu, (813) 574-5287 or Carmen Montel, cmontel@nova.edu, (305) 275-2607
Castle Branch, Immunizations and Background Check Questions
Contact Student Affairs at shsstudentaffairs@nova.edu.
Orientation Dates for 2026
Anesthesiologist Assistant
- Denver: Friday, January 2
- Fort Lauderdale: Monday, May 18
- Jacksonville: Thursday, May 21
- Orlando: Wednesday, May 20
- Tampa Bay: Tuesday, May 19
Physician Assistant
- Fort Lauderdale: Monday, May 18
- Fort Myers: Monday and Tuesday, May 18–19
- Jacksonville: Monday–Thursday, May 18–21
- Orlando: Wednesday and Thursday, May 20–21
Respiratory Therapy
- Palm Beach: August 2026
Sonography
- Fort Lauderdale (Medical Sonography): Monday, May 4
- Tampa Bay (Cardiovascular Sonography): Monday, May 4