Events and Programs
The Graduate Affairs team hosts a variety of events and programming for both prospective and current underrepresented graduate and professional students, working to connect students with each other and with various resources and opportunities at BU. Signature events are outlined below.
Annual Events and Programs
Receptions for Underrepresented Graduate and Professional Students
During both the fall and spring semesters, we host two receptions for underrepresented graduate and professional students. The receptions are an opportunity for students from across BU’s graduate schools and colleges to connect and build community. The reception locations alternate between BU’s Charles River and Medical campuses. Underrepresented graduate and professional students from both campuses are welcome to attend all receptions.
Building Community Among Underrepresented Early-Year PhD Students
Three times per year we provide an opportunity for underrepresented first and second year PhD students to meet each other, and connect with representatives from key student organizations. These informal gatherings enable PhD students across programs and campuses to socialize and to share successes and challenges as they transition to being in a PhD program and to life in the city of Boston.
McNair Program Campus Visit
At Boston University, we offer over 400 graduate programs. As a research 1 institution, Boston University is at the forefront of innovation and research. BU is in the heart of Boston, an area with industry leaders in biotechnology and medicine, information technology and data science, engineering, finance, and much more.
We pride ourselves on our commitment for equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), and we are eager to host McNair Scholar visits. If you are interested in having your institution’s McNair Scholars come to BU, please fill out the following survey here.
If you have any questions, please contact Emma Zheng, Assistant Director for Graduate Training and Programming (yzheng93@bu.edu).
Being U @ BU
Prospective PhD applicants can apply to our Being U @ BU program for a chance to visit Boston University to learn more about select PhD programs (3-4 programs that change every year). The Being U @ BU (pronounced “Being you at BU”) is a 2.5-day visit during the fall semester, where prospective participants can:
- Connect with key individuals from your PhD program of interest;
- Engage in a workshop on financial management for professional development;
- Showcase your research potential by participating in a session of lightning talks;
- and get a chance to explore the surrounding Boston community on your own.
For participating or interested PhD programs, you can access the Being U @ BU intranet page to view past cohorts.
We will provide housing, transportation, and meals for the duration of the visit. The application for, “Being U @ BU” for academic year 2024-2025 has passed. Please be sure to check out next year’s application when it opens in summer of 2025. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact yzheng93@bu.edu.