DeGroote School of Business
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Onboarding to the DeGroote MBA Program

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Getting started

As an MBA student at DeGroote, you will be the agent of transformation in the years ahead, disrupting how we do business and significantly expanding DeGroote’s contributions to Canadian society. With an emphasis on collaboration, experiential learning opportunities, and fostering a vibrant sense of community, the DeGroote School of Business will prepare you for a future in an ever evolving business landscape.

 

Welcome to the MBA program!

 

As an incoming student, there are several important steps to complete before you officially begin your journey in September. The checklist below outlines what you’ll need to do to ensure a smooth transition into the program. These steps apply to all incoming MBA students, regardless of your specialization.

You’ll also find helpful links and resources throughout this page—think of them as your one-stop-shop for the tools, deadlines, and supports you’ll need in the coming weeks.

Please note: At this stage, Fall 2025 dates are tentative and subject to change. Be sure to check this website regularly for the most up-to-date information.

Steps all incoming MBA students should follow:

  1. Activate your MacID if you haven’t already. This is essential for accessing university systems and resources.

  2. Pay your tuition deposit by the deadline listed in your offer letter if you haven’t done so yet.

  3. Activate your McMaster email address once you’ve been matriculated (usually in July). Important program communications will be sent there.

  4. Review the Academic Year  Dates and Deadlines to familiarize yourself with key milestones and requirements.

  5. Upload your photo for your student ID (MacCard) by August 1. This can only be done after matriculation. Visit the MacCard website to learn more about the services linked to your student ID.

  6. Register for SGS 101 and 201 by August 1. These are required courses and registration is only available after matriculation.

  7. Connect with Student Accessibility Services if you have a disability or accessibility needs for the Fall 2025 term. Use this form to request an online intake appointment.

  8. Join the Microsoft Teams (MS Teams) Channel set up specifically for new MBA students. This will be a key platform for onboarding information and support.

  9. Check out the Events Summary to see which orientation events are mandatory, recommended, or optional based on your program.

Program specific details are as follow:


Save the dates for the onboarding events listed below (Registration links are in the MS Team Upcoming Event document):

May

  • DeGroote Incoming MBA student Mixer (Virtual) – Meet MBA Ambassadors (Upper year students) and fellow incoming MBA students in this highly interactive virtual (Zoom) session. Audio/Video is required – Wednesday May 21 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. ET
  • MBA Specializations Webinar- with Academic Advisors (Mandatory) – Wednesday May 28 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. ET
  • DeGroote MBA – Clubs and Associations Webinar. Hear from representatives of DeGroote MBA clubs and associations and start to think about what you would like to join in the Fall!  (FT Accelerated Only) – Friday May 30, 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. ET 

June

  • Motionball Marathon of Sport Event – a day of athletic competition and celebration, where you’ll play a variety of sports alongside Special Olympics athletes, fellow motionball supporters, DeGroote students, and DeGroote alumni. It’s a fantastic way to meet new people, show your support, and learn more about Special Olympics! – June 1, more details on MS Team Upcoming Events Document.
  • June Newsletter Released – will contain MBA course registration guide – Wednesday, June 11, 2025
  • Ask Us Anything Accelerated Session with Live Q&A – Wednesday, June 18, 2025, 7:00-8:00 p.m. (ET)
  • Get ready for Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 course registration: check out the Accelerated Program Information webpage for further information on how to register for courses in Mosaic. The online registration period for Accelerated MBA students is from June 24 – August 1, 2025.
  • DeGroote Incoming MBA student Mixer (Virtual) – Meet MBA Ambassadors (Upper year students) and fellow incoming MBA students in this highly interactive virtual (Zoom) session. Audio/Video is required – Wednesday, June 25, 2025, 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. ET 

July

  • Register for SGS 101 and 201 by August 1.
  • Save the date for Accelerated Onboarding Weekend – Saturday, July 12 – Sunday, July 13, 2025 (Mandatory).
  • Quant Refresher Course: *NEW FORMAT*The MBA Quantitative Skills Refresher will now be a virtual four-week, fully asynchronous pre-program designed to help incoming students strengthen foundational skills in math, statistics, and Excel. The program requires approximately 2-3 hours of engagement per week and is mandatory for students who received a GMAT waiver, but highly recommended for everyone else! Instructions on how to access the course will be provided in the July newsletter – August 1, 2025 (Optional)
  • Opting out of the GSA health insurance plan must be done during the Change-of-Coverage period. The change-of-coverage period is in September, and 2025 dates will be announced in the coming weeks.
  • Classes Begin September 8, 2025 (Your Full-Time Program commitment may begin sooner)

Full-time Accelerated:

  • Save the dates for the MBA Career Launch Course (optional). Instructions on how to access the course will be provided in the July newsletter.
  • Scholarships and Awards – Thursday, July 31, 2025, 10:00-11:00 a.m. (ET)
  • Save the date for the On-campus Recruitment Webinar (2025 date coming soon).
  • Full-time students have access to Wellness Services via our partners at Private Matters Psychotherapy.

Part-time Accelerated:

Save the dates for the onboarding webinars listed below:

  • Preparing for Graduate Study & Program Overview – Tuesday, May 27, 2025, from 7:00-8:00 p.m. (ET)
  • Intro to Course registration, Tuition, Program Requirements, and Career Development – Tuesday, June 10, 2025, from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. (ET)
  • Introduction to BLPT Course Technologies – Friday, August 15, 2025, from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. (ET)

Save the date for BLPT Onboarding Weekend – Saturday, July 12 – Sunday, July 13, 2025

  • Attending Onboarding Weekend is important for your success in this program.

Quant Refresher Course:

  • The MBA Quantitative Skills Refresher is a four-week, fully asynchronous pre-program designed to help incoming students strengthen foundational skills in math, statistics, and Excel. The program requires approximately 2-3 hours of engagement per week and is mandatory for students who received a GMAT waiver, but highly recommended for everyone else! Instructions on how to access the course will be provided in the July newsletter – August 1, 2025 (Optional)

BLPT students are registered in all courses by the program officer. They can access the syllabi in A2L beginning August 15.

Classes Begin September 2, 2025 (Your Program commitment may begin sooner)

All Blended Learning students are automatically eligible for Private Matters Psychotherapy services.

All first-year students starting in Fall, are registered in their courses by the Student Experience Office. Please only register in SGS 101 and SGS 201.

Fill in the Mandatory Incoming MBA Student Check-in Form which will be shared with you in the July Onboarding newsletter.

Save the dates for the onboarding events listed below (Registration links are in the MS Team Upcoming Event document):

May

  • Living in HamiltonWhat’s it like to live in Hamilton? Join this session to Learn about Hamilton/Toronto culture, local transportation, local winters and more! Registration deadline 30 mins prior to start of webinar. Domestic students new to Hamilton can also attend – Tuesday, May 20, 2025, 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. ET.
  • DeGroote Incoming MBA student Mixer (Virtual) – Meet MBA Ambassadors (Upper year students) and fellow incoming MBA students in this highly interactive virtual (Zoom) session. Audio/Video is required – Wednesday, May 21, 2025, 9:00 a.m. ET
  • DeGroote MBA: Clubs and Associations Webinar. Hear from representatives of DeGroote MBA clubs and associations and start to think about what you would like to join in September!  – Friday, May 30, 2025, 9:30 a.m. ET

June

  • Motionball Marathon of Sport Event – a day of athletic competition and celebration, where you’ll play a variety of sports alongside Special Olympics athletes, fellow motionball supporters, DeGroote students, and DeGroote alumni. It’s a fantastic way to meet new people, show your support, and learn more about Special Olympics! – June 1, 2025 more details on MS Team Upcoming Events Document
  • Meet the Career team Webinar – Hear more details about how the Career Team can help you! 
    • Wednesday June 11, 2025, 9:00 a.m. ET 
    • Thursday, June 12, 2025, 7:30 p.m. ET
  • Health Insurance (UHIP) and Canadian Healthcare System What happens if you’re injured, require medicine or need to see a doctor? Join the International and Exchange Student Experience team, in collaboration with the Student Wellness Centre, to learn about the University Insurance Health Plan (UHIP), your supplementary health plans and how the medical system works in Ontario (Hosted be IESE) – Thursday, June 12, 2025, 9:00 a.m.
  • DeGroote Incoming MBA Student mixer – Meet MBA Ambassadors (Upper year students) and fellow incoming MBA students in this highly interactive virtual (Zoom) session. Audio/Video is required. Wednesday, June 25, 2025, 9:00 a.m. ET 

July

  • Save the dates for the MBA Career Launch Course. Instructions on how to access the course will be provided in the July newsletter.
  • Learn more about your MBA program at Your Academic Launch: Team, Tools & Timeline for MBA Success on Thursday, July 3, 2025 with sessions offered at 9:30 a.m. ET and 7:30 p.m. ET
  • In-Person Incoming MBA Student Mixer and Ice Cream Social (MORE INFO TO COME SOON) – Saturday, July 12, 2025 (3:00 – 5:00 p.m.) 
  • Summer Internship & Winter Co-op Early Application Webinar on Wednesday July 30th, 9:00 a.m. ET with sessions offered at 9:00 a.m. ET and 5:30 p.m. ET
  • Scholarships and Awards – Thursday, July 31, 2025, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. (ET)
  • Register for SGS 101 and 201 by August 1.

August

  • Quant Refresher Course: *NEW FORMAT* The MBA Quantitative Skills Refresher will now be a four-week, fully asynchronous pre-program designed to help incoming students strengthen foundational skills in math, statistics, and Excel. The program requires approximately 2-3 hours of engagement per week and is mandatory for students who received a GMAT waiver, but highly recommended for everyone else! Instructions on how to access the course will be provided in the July newsletter – August 1, 2025 
  • Mandatory for all international and highly recommended for Permanent Resident MBA students, International Welcome Week runs August 26–28, 2025, and supports your transition to Canada, McMaster, and the MBA community. It covers cultural, academic, immigration, health, and career prep; full details will be in the Onboarding Newsletter.
  • Save the date for DeGroote MBA Welcome Dinner. Join your fellow MBA students, faculty, and staff for an evening of connection, community, and celebration at the DeGroote MBA Welcome Dinner. This is a signature event of your onboarding and provides a chance to build meaningful connections across cohorts and programs before classes begin. Business casual attire encouraged – Thursday, August 28, 2025, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
  • Onboarding Week – In-person Onboarding Week, full of inspiring speakers, interactive sessions and fun break-out activities to get to know your peers and the DeGroote Community – September 2 to September 5.
  • Opting out of the GSA health insurance plan must be done during the Change-of-Coverage The change-of-coverage period is in September, and 2025 dates will be announced in the coming weeks.
  • Set up your TopHat account by Tuesday, September 2, 2025.
  • Classes Begin September 8, 2025 (Your Full-Time Program commitment may begin sooner)

Student Experience: your support team

 

The Student Experience team is composed of both Academic and Career & Professional Development (CPD) staff, working collaboratively to provide students with exceptional support, resources, and an engaging overall experience throughout their MBA journey.

Questions? Connect with us by emailing mba.studentexperience@mcmaster.ca. Please also add this email address to your address book so you receive all the communications going forward.

MBA student bulletin

Helpful links

Post acceptance steps

General information about the steps to take after accepting your offer.

 

 

Connect with your cohort

Take a great first step in becoming an integral part of the DeGroote community.

 

 

DeGroote Leaders

DeGroote Leaders are volunteers here to help you.

 

 

MBA news

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Contact us

Need assistance with registration or other academic issues? Get in touch with a member of our team.

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