The BU Student Link is your personal and secure online tool to access a variety of important information. During your time at BU, you’ll use the Student Link for a variety of essential tasks: to view and change your personal information, view your student financial account, check your grades, confirm classroom locations, and register for classes. Bookmark the Student Link and use it often!
BU hosts this online noncredit pre-arrival course designed to prepare incoming international students for the transition to BU and the American classroom. First launched by Global Programs in 2016, BU First Class is delivered on the edX platform Edge and is comprised of short videos, polls, and self-checks designed to be completed from anywhere on any device.
CFA Requirements and Policies The Boston University College of Fine Arts (CFA) unites the School of Music, the School of Theatre, and the School of Visual Arts into an intense, dynamic arts community where students combine professional, individualized training in their field with collaborative work that increasingly crosses departments and schools. Please visit the CFA Academic Bulletin to seek out specific program requirements and policies related to your degree program and the College at large.
BU Academic and Non-academic Policies Get to know Boston University a little better. For everything from registration and full-time enrollment to academic conduct, intra-University transfer, and more, review BU Academic Policies. For non-academic policies related to student life and campus regulations, explore the Dean of Students’ Lifebook.
BU Academic Conduct Code Boston University’s Academic Conduct Code is designed to assist in the development of a supportive and productive learning environment. It is both a description of the University’s ethical expectations of students as well as a guarantee of students’ rights and responsibilities as members of a learning community. The Code provides clarity related to policy and procedure regarding academic conduct. Please review this code prior to classes starting.
BU College of Fine Arts For questions about CFA enrollment, add/drop, and student support.
Undergraduates – brendan2@bu.edu | Graduate arts@bu.edu 617-353-3350
Housing For questions about where to live/move-in/assignment process. housing@bu.edu 617-353-3511
Back2BU For questions regarding campus life during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Upload vaccination documentation to the Patient Connect portal.
617-353-0550
International Admissions For questions about Visas/I20s/processing of foreign standardized test credit/other foreign documents. intadmis@bu.edu 617-353-4492
Orientation will align with Boston University’s policies around COVID-19. Please review Back2BU for the most up-to-date information regarding University standards. Do not hesitate to contact us with any questions ahead of time!
COVID-19 Vaccine/Booster Requirement
In order to be eligible to register for Orientation, you must be compliant with Boston University’s COVID-19 vaccine/booster requirements (booster requirement based off of when you completed your vaccination). Once you have created your BU email accounts, you should immediately upload your compliance documentation to Patient Connect. After receiving confirmation of compliance with the COVID-19 vaccine/booster requirements, please allow three business days for access to be granted before attempting to register for Orientation.
Orientation
Boston University expects all new students to attend an Orientation, in its entirety, prior to their first class. CFA is holding multiple sessions this summer:
From wind ensemble rehearsal to kinetic sculptures to the light & sound lab at Booth Theatre, there is always something amazing happening within the walls of CFA. Take a peek behind-the-scenes of some of our favorite spaces and check out a typical day at the College of Fine Arts!
Explore campus online by using our interactive Virtual Tour.
Fall Semester Registration
All entering CFA students will enroll in CFA FA 100 (2.0 credits), Doing, Making & Knowing: The CFA Experience. This course meets on Thursdays, 9-10:45am, and is required for all CFA first years.
Don’t worry – any concerns or issues will be sorted out this summer with your professional School Advisor.
Freshman Writing Requirement
Your school advisor will pre-select a Writing course and section that fits into your schedule and add you to it. If you would like to change the topic or section of your Writing course, you will have an opportunity to do so.
Writing Requirement All native English speakers will register for CAS WR 120 their first semester. All non-native speakers will register for writing after taking the Writing Placement Exam online in June. You will receive instructions if you need to take the exam. There is no Advanced Placement credit or International Baccalaureate credit that fulfills the writing requirement. CAS WR 120 is topic-based. Please see the list of topics in the writing program curriculum catalog
More Information on Writing for Non-Native English Speakers All CFA students are required to satisfy the writing requirement by completing CAS WR 120 and CAS WR 15X.
The Writing Program is committed to ensuring that all students receive appropriate instruction and support. Students whose primary language is English register for WR 120.
WR 111* Academic Writing for ESL Students 1 (non-native English speakers only)
WR 112* Academic Writing for ESL Students 2 (non-native English speakers only)
WR 120 First-Year Writing Seminar
WR 15X Writing, Research, and Inquiry
*Students who were required to submit TOEFL scores or other proof of English language proficiency as part of their application for admission will be placed into WR 111, WR 112, or WR 120 based on their performance on the Writing Placement Exam, taken during Orientation.
Students who take WR 111 in their first semester are required to complete WR 112 before advancing to the WR 120/15X sequence.
Course Planning & Registration
Plan your Schedule During your time at Boston University you will register for courses through the Student Link.
Again, professional advisors in each school will register you for first semester CFA courses and Writing section.
The Planner – an online tool that allows you to create and modify your schedule before registering for the courses – enables to add classes to a draft schedule before registration opens. To access the planner, go to the Student Link, click “Registration” > “Reg Options” > “Plan”. You can then search for, and add courses to your Planner.
Registration Procedure:
Select the ACADEMICS tab and then select REGISTRATION.
Enter your BU Login in the “User Name” box and your Kerberos password in the “Password” box. (Don’t know/remember this? Contact IT Help Center at ithelp@bu.edu or 617-353-4357)
Click Login. (Problems? Contact IT Help Center at ithelp@bu.edu or 617-353-4357)
Click REG OPTIONS under Fall 2020. (Problems? Have you selected the correct semester? You must select Fall 2020.)
Select PLAN to make your course schedule.
Select ADD for the classes you would like to add. Continue for all classes.
You may need to click “Continue Search From” at the bottom of the page as some courses will have sections listed on additional pages.
Freshman Foundation/Core Courses
FIRST YEAR CORE (to be registered by your professional advisor):
Music To review the Music Core requirements, and if you have any questions regarding your fall 2022 course schedule, please contact Barbara Raney.
Visual Arts The Visual Arts Foundation requirements.
Please contact Beth Zerega with any questions regarding your fall 2022 course schedule.
Questions
Please feel free to contact Brendan Hoey, Director of Undergraduate Student Services. The CFA Student Services team, along with your School academic advisors, will connect with you soon and all of your lingering questions will be answered!
Feel free to contact Brendan (brendan2@bu.edu) by email, or phone at 617-353-3350.
