Do colleges require physicals for entry?

<p>I'm about to take D to the doctor for a sick visit and was thinking of scheduling a complete physical before she leaves for school. She will be living on campus. </p>

<p>If schools do require it, when does proof need to be shown- when the housing deposit is placed, or sometime over the summer before arriving on campus? </p>

<p>I'm a little particular about the scheduling because she may need a vaccine (meningitis?) and she has had issues before, so I'd rather she not receive it right before she moves in, in case there are complications. </p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

<p>Colleges require proof of updated vaccinations before students begin class or move into housing. Your D can probably get her vaccinations updates in the spring or summer before she leaves (it doesn’t have to be immediately before). If your D has traveled in certain places she’ll be required to get a TB test. The college health office sends a list of required documentation to the student in the spring before enrollment.</p>

<p>For my two boys, it was part of the paperwork we submitted in the summer before they started college. A physical was required at their two different colleges along with vaccination records. Great idea to get it a little ahead of time in case there are issues.</p>

<p>Yes, she will need a physical. Every college is different, but my daughter had to fill out a very long form online, as well as get several pages (including vaccine records) signed by her doctor. She also had to get the meningitis vaccine and have a TB test. </p>

<p>I was a bit annoyed because the college wanted the forms by July 1, which was impossible. In any case, about half the students hadn’t handed their stuff in by orientation, so I’m pretty sure the deadline is fluid.</p>

<p>If I were you, I’d book the physical now, but choose a date after the down payment is due so that you will have the forms you need and can bring them with you to the doctor. If you book the physical for say, late June, she should have access to the forms, and would have the chance to recover from any vaccines she might need.</p>

<p>As long as the physical was fairly recent, the doctor’s office will just fill out the forms and send them back to you. We just mail to them with an envelope to return them in and that works for us. The question is what specific vaccinations will they require and will they require a TB test. One of my kids had to have a TB test, for the other it was only required if she had travelled to certain countries. So that depends on the college.</p>

<p>Both of my kids’ colleges and my one kid’s grad school required a physical within one year of the actual start date of classes, and an up to date immunization record.</p>

<p>Are these college-required physicals any different than a physical for participation in school sports, or would that be sufficient?</p>

<p>At least for my boys and the schools they attend, the typical physical was acceptable.</p>

<p>You would have to check with your specific school, but it doesn’t hurt to get a physical anyway.</p>

<p>My university, umich, did not require a physical-- but it doesn’t require vaccinations either, which I gather is unusual. Rules about if/when you are required to show proof is going to vary depending on the school, you really need to check with D’s school specifically. I’d advise getting the physical, and the vaccination, either way.</p>

<p>Every school will require up to date immunizations (or appropriate waivers if your child has allergies to them or doesn’t get them due to religious reasons). Physicals? Ask the school. D1 didn’t need one until she started her nursing classes sophomore year.</p>