10 Summer Programs at Boston University for High Schoolers

Are you thinking of participating in a summer program? This extracurricular is a great way to explore a passion while building your resume for college.

Situated one of the best cities for college students in the United States, Boston University provides many summer opportunities for high school students. These 10 programs enable you to explore your interests across a range of niches.

Why Summer Programs Benefit High Schoolers

Summer programs offer a unique way for students to learn about college life will pursuing a passion and making friends. Colleges see them as valuable extracurriculars, because you’re demonstrating a commitment to learning. You may even earn college credit.

10 Boston University Summer Programs

1. Boston University High School Summer Honors Program

Get a head start on your college career by taking two credit-bearing college courses through this six-week program. Students may earn up to eight college credits, choosing from more than 80 courses across disciplines. The program offers guidance to help identify appropriate subject areas applicable to students’ prospective majors. A commuter option is available.

• Grades: 10th-11th
• Program Cost: $6,000
• Deadline: 5/31/19
• Essay Prompt: Submit a 500-750 word personal statement describing why you want to attend the High School Honors program.
• Application

2. Epiic Innovations Summer Institute | Social Impact Startups

In this two-week Epiic Solutions program, you’ll learn tools and strategies for bringing your social impact idea to life and making a difference in the world. Hosted at the BUild Lab, BU’s student innovation center, this program offers hands-on workshops and networking experiences with founders and companies in Boston. At the culmination of the program, students will present their ideas before a panel of judges.

• Area of Specialization: Entrepreneurship
• Grades: 9th-11th
• Program Cost: $1,400
• Deadline: 3/31/19
• Essay Prompt #1: What makes you epic?
• Essay Prompt #2: What prior experience do you have with any of the following topics? No judgment!
• Entrepreneurship, Design Thinking, Coding, Engineering, Graphic Design, Finance and/or Delivering Presentations
• Essay Prompt #3: What are your college/career aspirations?
• Application

3. Epiic Innovations Summer Institute | STEAM Startups

Focus on the huge growth in STEAM-related startups at this two-week Epiic Solutions program. Students will explore the intersection of technology, problem-solving, and entrepreneurship through activities, workshops, and meetings with entrepreneurs. At the culmination of the program, they will present their ideas before a panel of judges.

• Area of Specialization: Entrepreneurship
• Grades: 9th-11th
• Program Cost: $1,400
• Deadline: 3/31/19
• Essay Prompt #1: What makes you epic?
• Essay Prompt #2: What prior experience do you have with any of the following topics? No judgment!
• Entrepreneurship, Design Thinking, Coding, Engineering, Graphic Design, Finance and/or Delivering Presentations
• Essay Prompt #3: What are your college/career aspirations?
• Application

4. RISE Internship/Practicum

Learn about and conduct exciting laboratory research over the course of six weeks. Students participating in the internship will work on research projects under the mentorship of faculty, post-doctoral fellows, and graduate students. Practicum students will conduct group research in a university setting under the guidance of an instructor, focusing on computational neurobiology.

• Area of Specialization: General Science
• Grades: 11th
• Program Cost: $5,000
• Deadline: 2/14/19
• Essay Prompt: You will be required to submit three essays on the following topics: why you selected your field of interest and what you would like to research (300 words); your background (250 words); and why you want to attend the RISE program (200 words).
• Application

5. PROMYS – Program in Mathematics for Young Scientists

Through this six-week intensive, you’ll learn about the creative world of mathematics. Students will work with peers, counselors, research mathematicians, and visiting scientists,

• Area of Specialization: Math
• Grades: 9th-11th
• Program Cost: Not yet available
• Deadline: 3/31/19
• Application

6. Boston University Academic Immersion | Psychology

In this three-week program, you’ll receive a broad introduction to and discover the exciting world of psychology. Students will conduct observational and experimental research, learn about research design and data collection, meeting with students working in the psychological sciences, attend cutting-edge research presentations, and more.

• Area of Specialization: Psychology
• Grades: 10th-11th
• Program Cost: $6,300
• Deadline: NA
• Essay Prompt: You will be required to submit a 500-750 word personal statement describing why you want to attend the AIM program.
• Application

7. Boston University Academic Immersion | Medicine

Calling all future doctors! This three-week intensive will give you a broad introduction to the field of medicine. Students will explore career possibilities and participate in hands-on activities to learn about the medical student experience. The program focuses on Anatomy and Physiology, Infectious Diseases, and Contemporary Issues in Medicine.

• Area of Specialization: Medicine
• Grades: 10th-11th
• Program Cost: $6,300
• Deadline: NA
• Essay Prompt: You will be required to submit a 500-750 word personal statement describing why you want to attend the AIM program.
• Application

8. Boston University Academic Immersion | Creative Writing

This three-week intensive will help you develop formal technique and craft across multiple genres. The program focuses on a different genre each week, covering fiction, poetry, and screenplays. You’ll work on formal technique and participate in writing workshops, free-write sessions, field trips, and more. You’ll also have the opportunity to present your work.

• Area of Specialization: Writing
• Grades: 10th-11th
• Program Cost: $6,300
• Deadline: NA
• Essay Prompt: You will be required to submit a 500-750 word personal statement describing why you want to attend the AIM program.
• Essay Prompt #2: Creative Writing applicants will need to submit a short (< 500 words) sample of their original creative writing.
• Application

9. Boston University Summer Challenge

This two-week program allows you to explore your interests, discover new passions, and get a taste of the college experience. Students choose two seminars from a list of 21 and engage in lectures, discussions, group and individual work, projects, and fields trips. You’ll also have the chance to attend a college admissions workshop.

• Area of Specialization: General Academic
• Grades: 9th-11th
• Program Cost: $4,130
• Deadline: NA
• Essay Prompt: You will be required to submit a 500-700 word personal statement describing why you want to attend the Summer Challenge program.
• Application

10. The Pre-College Summer Journalism Institute

Future journalists have the opportunity to report on the news in real time during this two-week program. Presented by the New England Center for Investigative Reporting, the program gives students a taste of what working in the news field is really like through practical lessons and real reporting in Boston.

• Area of Specialization: Journalism
• Grades: 9th-11th
• Program Cost: $3,487
• Deadline: NA
• Application

For more summer programs, check out Your Ultimate Guide to Summer Programs for High Schoolers.

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