8 Boston University Summer Programs

Boston University offers a variety of summer programs designed for high school students looking to enhance their academic skills and explore new interests. These 8 summer programs, held on Boston University’s dynamic campus, provide a unique opportunity for students to experience college life and academics. Students can choose from a range of subjects, including science, engineering, writing, and more. The programs are taught by Boston University faculty and industry professionals, ensuring a high-quality educational experience.

In this post, we’ll take a look at the 8 summer programs Boston University has to offer. If you’re interested in getting a head start on college or just exploring new areas of interest during the summer, Boston University’s programs might be the perfect fit for you.

1. High School Honors Program

• Location: Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts.
• Cost: $6,360 ($50 application fee)
• Program Dates: Residential: June 30- August 9, 2024; Commuter: July 1- August 9, 2024
• Application Deadline: May 24, 2024
• Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors.

Boston University’s High School Honors Program offers high school students a chance to experience college life and academics for six weeks. Participants can choose two undergraduate courses from over 80 options, attend classes with college students, and earn up to 8 college credits. They also get to interact with Boston University’s faculty and use the university’s resources. Students have the option to live in a dorm or commute, and there are online courses available too.

This program is designed to be challenging and inspiring, giving students a real taste of university life while still in high school. It’s not just about academics; students will make new friends and connections that could last a lifetime. This is a great opportunity for those looking to get a head start on their college experience.

2. Program In Mathematics For Young Scientists (Promys)

• Location: Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts.
• Cost: $6,100 (Free for domestic students whose families make under $80,000 per year)
• Program Dates: June 30 – August 10, 2024
• Application Deadline: March 1, 2024
• Eligibility: Students ages 14-18, who have completed 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grade by June 2024.

PROMYS is a six-week summer math program at Boston University for high school students. It focuses on challenging math problems, particularly in Number Theory. Students work on these problems, develop their own ideas, and learn how to prove their theories. They receive guidance from experienced students and professional mathematicians.

The program encourages students to ask deep questions, work hard, and enjoy the process of learning math. It’s designed to push students beyond their comfort zone in mathematics. Living together in dorms, students form a supportive community where they can share and grow their math skills together.

3. Boston University Tanglewood Institute

• Location: Lenox, Massachusetts.
• Cost: $2,055-$4,935
• Program Dates: Two-Week Workshops: June 23 – July 6, 2024; The Young Artists Program: July 7 – August 17, 2024
• Application Deadline: January 26, 2024
• Eligibility: Students ages 14 and 20.

The Boston University Tanglewood Institute (BUTI) is a summer music program for young musicians, established in 1966. It’s a collaboration between Boston University and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. The program offers students training and mentorship from top musicians and access to excellent resources. BUTI aims to help students grow in both their musical skills and personal development, preparing them for careers in music.

At BUTI, students learn from experienced faculty and can choose from a variety of musical programs and instruments. The curriculum is designed to challenge students, encouraging them to explore new music styles and refine their techniques. Students also learn important skills like discipline and teamwork. BUTI is not just a summer program, but a chance for young musicians to significantly advance their abilities and prepare for a future in music.

4. Summer Preview

• Location: Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts.
• Cost: $1,725 ($50 application fee)
• Program Dates: Residential: July 21- July 26, 2024; Commuter: July 22- July 26, 2024
• Application Deadline: Rolling admission
• Eligibility: Students entering 8th, 9th, or 10th grade.

The Summer Preview program at Boston University gives rising eighth, ninth, and tenth graders a one-week experience of college life in Boston. You can choose from different week-long, noncredit seminars to explore an academic interest or learn something new. The program blends learning with fun, letting you attend lectures with other motivated students and dive into a specific study area.

Besides academics, the program is a chance to experience what college is like and make friends from around the world. You’ll participate in group activities to explore BU and Boston. Plus, there’s a college admissions workshop to help you prepare for college applications, making the most of your high school years.

5. Research in Science & Engineering (RISE)

• Location: Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts.
• Cost: $5,350 ($50 application fee)
• Program Dates: June 30 – August 9, 2024
• Application Deadline: February 14, 2024
• Eligibility: Students entering 12th grade in fall 2024.

High school juniors passionate about sciences can apply for the Research in Science & Engineering (RISE) program at Boston University. This six-week program allows students to do lab research alongside top scientists, enhancing their STEM knowledge. RISE offers two tracks: Internship and Practicum, available for both commuter and residential students. In the Internship track, students work on research projects in areas like astronomy, biology, engineering, and more, under the guidance of expert faculty and researchers.

The Practicum track is ideal for those interested in neuroscience and computational models of the brain. Students in this track attend in-depth lectures in computational neurobiology and work on group research projects. These projects focus on lab experiments and procedures common in neurobiology research, giving hands-on experience in computational modeling of neural systems.

6. Summer Challenge Program

• Location: Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts.
• Cost: $4,700 ($50 application fee)
• Program Dates: Session 1: June 16– June 28, 2024; Session 2: July 7– July 19, 2024; Session 3: July 21– August 2, 2024
• Application Deadline: Rolling Admissions
• Eligibility: Students 10th, 11th, or 12th grade.

In the Summer Challenge program, high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors like you can experience college life and tackle new academic challenges. This two-week, non-credit program lets you choose two seminars from over 20 options. You’ll live on campus in dorms, giving you a real taste of university life. The seminars cover various subjects and involve lectures, discussions, and projects, providing a dynamic learning experience.

Besides academics, the program includes social activities to help you meet students from different places, expanding your social and cultural understanding. There’s also a college admissions workshop to help you with your future college applications. Seminar topics range from Abnormal Psychology to Visual Arts in the morning, and in the afternoon, you can choose from subjects like Computer Science, Law, and Photography. Each seminar is designed to broaden your knowledge and give you hands-on experience in different fields.

7. Academic Immersion (AIM) Program

• Location: Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts.
• Cost: $5,212 ($50 application fee)
• Program Dates: Introduction to Experimental Psychology: June 30 – July 19, 2024; Business: June 30 – July 19, 2024; Introduction to Medicine: July 21 – August 9, 2024; Creative Writing: July 21 – August 9, 2024
• Application Deadline: No deadline
• Eligibility: Students entering 11th or 12th grade.

The Academic Immersion Program (AIM) is for 11th and 12th graders to study one subject in depth for three weeks during the summer. In 2024, the subjects are Psychology, Medicine, Creative Writing, and Business. You’ll do both classroom learning and projects. The program also includes fun activities with other students from many places. AIM is open to students who want to stay on campus or commute.

AIM is a good way to focus on a subject you’re interested in before college. It gives you hands-on experience, and you get to learn from experts. Plus, you’ll make new friends who have similar interests. Whether you like science, writing, or business, AIM helps you learn more about these areas.

8. Boston University Summer Theatre Institute

• Location: College of Fine Arts, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts.
• Cost: $6,370 ($ 75 application fee)
• Program Dates: June 30-July 27, 2024
• Application Deadline: March 29, 2024
• Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors in high school (typically 15-18 year olds).

The Boston University Summer Theatre Institute (BUSTI) is a four-week theater program for high school students. It’s like the first year at the Boston University School of Theatre, with professional training in acting, design, improvisation, and more. Students work on an original play and learn about different theater subjects.

In BUSTI, you’ll also meet people from Boston’s theater world, which helps improve your acting and storytelling skills. When you finish, you get 4.0 college credits that can be used at Boston University or transferred to another school. The program is great for building practical theater skills, learning to work with others, and growing creatively.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, Boston University’s 8 Summer Programs offer high school students a unique chance to gain valuable experience in a variety of fields. Whether you’re interested in theater, science, business, or creative writing, these programs provide hands-on learning, expert guidance, and a preview of college life. By participating, you’ll not only enhance your academic skills but also make connections with students from diverse backgrounds. These programs are a great step towards preparing for your future college and career goals.