New students must submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination in order to register for classes.
Learn more about Whittier's vaccination policy
As a result, all full time incoming students (new, transfer, international and exchange) are required to meet certain health requirements in order to enroll at the College and participate in intercollegiate sports.
All new Fall 2022 students must present proof of COVID-19 vaccination primary series and booster dose by the following dates:
Full details about this vaccine requirement are available on the College's COVID-19 webpage.
All new full-time undergraduate (commuters and residents), transfer, international, exchange students and (part-time students that will be residents) must meet the listed health requirements by the following deadlines:
Students entering in Fall semester: August 1 Students entering in Spring semester: February 1
With the exception of the COVID-19 vaccine, the vaccines listed above are available at the Whittier College Student Health and Wellness Center for a fee. The vaccines may also be available at your doctor's office, local pharmacy, or urgent care facility.
Uploading the records does not make you compliant. Once you have uploaded all the health records, a staff member will review the uploaded documents and you will receive an email informing you if you are compliant or missing any items.
If you have any questions about the student portal, please call the Student Health & Wellness Center at 562.464.4548.
Athletes must complete all the items listed above for non-athletes and complete page 5 of the Health History specific to athletes
The physical examination must be performed by an MD, DO, PA or NP. Physical exams completed by chiropractors and naturopathic doctors will NOT be accepted
Students will need to upload proof of their physical examination, vaccinations, and other forms in the Medicat Student Health Portal. Students should make a copy of the completed Physical Examination Form and Health History Record as they will need to provide proof of these documents on the day the student checks in for their sport
Sickle cell testing is optional. A waiver must be completed if a student declines this screening. This form will be provided to the student by the Athletics Department.
Returning athletes will need a new physical examination annually so long as they continue to participate in intercollegiate sports
All students who participate in a travel abroad program at Whittier College will be required to obtain a blood test 8-10 weeks upon their return in order to rule out potential tuberculosis exposure during their travels. Traditional tuberculosis skin testing (Mantoux) is no longer accepted.
Students must obtain one of two types of Interferon Gamma Release Assay (IGRA) blood test:
The QuantiFERON TB Gold Test is available through the Student Health & Wellness Center at a cost of $48.87 plus a $20 lab fee. The Health & Wellness Center can bill the student's insurance carrier for the test but cannot guarantee that the carrier will pay for the entire cost. Students may also choose to complete the blood test through their own provider and submit their results to the Student Health & Wellness Center. If the result is positive, the student will be asked to obtain a chest x-ray.
Failure to complete the blood test requirement by the 10th week of their return from studying abroad will result in the following:
Returning students (actively enrolled students who have not taken a leave of absence during any semester) do not need to meet the above requirements as they have met them already their first year at Whittier College. However, if a particular vaccine is no longer valid, the student will be asked to update that vaccine. If the student fails to do so two weeks from the date of expiration, a hold will be placed on their student account along with a late fee of $100.00 and they will not be allowed to register for the following semester until they are in compliance in addition your name will also be submitted to the Associate Dean of Students where further action will be taken.
If a student withdraws from the College for any reason and then returns, they will be required to meet most of the same health requirements as new students with the exception of the Complete Physical Exam which is valid for 3 years from the last one on file. For athletes, the Complete Physical Exam is valid for one year from the last one on file.
In addition, any student taking a leave of absence for medical reasons will also be required to meet with the director of the Student Health and Wellness Center for medical conditions, or the director of the Counseling Center for psychological conditions. The director of either department will require the student to provide medical documentation from his or her treating provider regarding the reason(s) for the medical or psychological leave. The treating provider must state within the medical documentation that the student is cleared to return to the College. If the student requires a physical examination, the physical exam must be completed by the treating physician familiar with the reason behind the leave of absence.
Any student who is enrolled in less than 12 units (commuters only) do not need to meet the readmission requirements as listed in items 1 - 9. A copy of the student's Degree Works is required.
The Student Health and Wellness Center defines a late admission as any student depositing to Whittier College two weeks after the health clearance deadline. Late admits will be charged $100 late fee if not cleared by September 15 for fall semester or March 15 for spring semester. The late fee will continue to be assessed monthly until the student completes all requirements.
Maintaining the privacy and confidentiality of your medical records is a priority. Given that email is not a secure form of communication, we now offer a patient portal that allows you to