Student Health Requirements

The health of an individual can affect the health of the campus community, and Whittier College is committed to protecting the well-being of all our students, faculty, and staff.

As a result, all full-time incoming students (first-year, transfer, international, and exchange) are required to meet certain health requirements to enroll at the College and participate in intercollegiate sports.

To submit medical documents or health-required forms to the Student Health & Wellness Center, sign into your Student Health Portal.

Please ensure all medical documents include your first name, last name, date of birth, and health clinic/provider information.

Required Health Forms on the Student Health Portal

Complete Physical Examination (CPE)

  • Must be within the past year.
  • Must include a vision and hearing screen.
  • Physical Examination Form and Immunization Record must be completed and signed off by a healthcare provider (MD, DO, PA, or NP). Physical exams by chiropractors or naturopathic doctors are not accepted.

Personal Data Form

  • Attach a copy of your health insurance identification card (front and back).
  • If you will be purchasing the Whittier College-sponsored health plan AETNA PPO, please indicate that on the Personal Data Form.

Health History Record (HHR)

  • Please make sure to answer and review every question before submitting the form.

Required Vaccinations

Hepatitis B

  • Three doses of the Hepatitis B vaccine series. 
  • A positive Hepatitis B titer will be accepted in lieu of this vaccination series if no records are available. 

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)

  • Two doses of Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) at least 28 days apart.
  •  Dose #1 must be given on or after 12 months of age. 
  • A positive MMR titer will be accepted in lieu of this vaccination series if no records are available. 

Tetanus, Diphtheria, Acellular Pertussis (Tdap)

  • One dose of Tetanus, Diphtheria, Acellular Pertussis (Tdap) within the last 10 years.

Meningococcal Vaccine (ACWY-135)

  • One dose of Menactra or Menveo at 16 years of age or later.

Varicella Vaccine

  • Two doses of the varicella vaccine called Varivax at least 28 days apart.
  • If a student has had chicken pox as a child, a positive Varicella titer must be submitted by presenting a copy of the actual lab report. 

Tuberculosis Screening

  • A tuberculosis screening within the past year. 
  • Mantoux – The TB skin test (PPD) must be read within 48-72 hours.
  • QuantiFERON –International and exchange students will be required to obtain a QuantiFERON Gold Test. The traditional Mantoux will NOT be accepted for these students.
  • If a student has a history of a positive TB Skin Test, then a chest X-ray within the past three years must be obtained. A copy of the actual x-ray report is needed.

Recommended Vaccinations

  • COVID-19 vaccinations and booster
  • Two doses of the Hepatitis A vaccine 6-12 months apart
  • Three doses of the Gardasil vaccine for women and men between 9-26 years of age
  • Serotype B Meningococcal Vaccine (Bexsero or Trumenba)
  • An annual flu vaccine in Fall of each year

New students will need to complete general health requirements prior to beginning their first year at Whittier College. Students must meet these requirements in order to enroll at the College and participate in intercollegiate sports.

Returning students (actively enrolled students who have not taken a leave of absence during any semester) do not need to complete the general health requirements if they have already completed 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 does not update their vaccine two weeks from the date of expiration, a hold will be placed on their student account along with a late fee of $100. The student will also not be allowed to register for the following semester until they complete their vaccination. Additionally, the student's name will be submitted to the Associate Dean of Students for further action.

New Student Athletes

All student-athletes will need to complete the general health requirements along with proof of sickle cell testing. If a student declines this screening, a waiver will need to be completed.

Sickle Cell Testing is offered at the Student Health & Wellness Center by appointment only. The price for a test is $25.05.

Returning Student Athletes

Returning athletes will need to submit a new physical examination annually in order to continue to participate in intercollegiate sports.

Leaving For Study Abroad

The Student Health & Wellness Center can complete the travel physicals needed for study abroad. Please call to schedule an appointment. Be sure to provide a copy of the travel forms needed.

Returning from Study Abroad

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 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:

  1. QuantiFERON TB Gold Test Plus
  2. T-SPOT

The QuantiFERON TB Gold Test is available through the Student Health & Wellness Center for $48.87 plus a $20 lab fee. The Student 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.

Students who do not complete the blood test requirement by the 10th week of their return from studying abroad will result in the following:

  • A hold on the student's account
  • A $100 late fee charged to the student's account
  • Referral to the Dean of Students for additional sanctions
  • Placement on interim suspension as outlined in the Student Code of Conduct

Part-Time Students 

Any commuter student who is enrolled in less than 12 units does not need to meet the general health requirements. A copy of the student's Degree works is required.

Graduate Students

Any admitted graduate student does not need to complete the general health requirements.

Withdrawal Students

Students who withdraw from the College for any reason and then return will be required to complete most of the same health requirements as new students. The only exception is the Complete Physical Exam which is valid for 3 years from the last one on file for students (1 year from the last on file for student-athletes). 

Leave of Absence Students

In addition, students 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 medical documentation from the treating provider regarding the reason(s) for the medical or psychological leave. The treating provider must also state in the medical documentation that the student is cleared to return to 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.

In addition, all requirements should be completed and updated as stated in the general health requirements.