High School Honors: Information for International Students

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to study at a world-renowned university in the United States with students from around the globe? Do you want to engage in new academic challenges, and experience American culture in one of the most historic, exciting cities in the nation? Then come join us at Boston University!

As an international student, you must submit an International Student Data Form and copy of your current valid passport with your application.

We strongly encourage international students to bring a mobile phone that operates in the United States.

English proficiency

English is the language of instruction at Boston University, and a high degree of competency is assumed. International students need to submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the Duolingo English Test (DET). English proficiency exam scores are required for all international students unless English is your native language. You need to have a minimum English proficiency level equivalent to:

• 90–100 on the internet-based TOEFL (iBT) with a minimum of 20 in each section, which corresponds approximately to a 4.5–5 on the new scoring system effective January 2026.
• 7 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
• 125 on the Duolingo English Test (DET)

If you do not meet these requirements, you may want to consider the Gateway to the American University program, held at BU’s Center for English Language & Orientation Programs (CELOP). The program is designed for international students interested in applying to an American college or university. Find out more information on CELOP’s website.

Visa information for High School Honors students

The High School Honors program is a full-time academic summer program. International students (i.e., students who are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States) who are coming to the United States for the purpose of participating in the High School Honors program must come to the US in a status that permits full-time study. Boston University sponsors F-1 student status for students enrolled in this program. F-1 status requires enrollment in 8 credits of in-person coursework.

In order to apply for an F-1 visa, Boston University must issue you an I-20 Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status. Please follow the instructions below in order to request an I-20 and apply for an F-1 student visa. We encourage international High School Honors students to apply early to ensure timely processing of the visa documents.

Applying for your I-20: Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status

Applying for the I-20 is the first step to receiving an F-1 student visa. International students must be registered full-time (a minimum of eight credits in one summer session or 12 credits over both sessions) for summer study at BU in order to be issued an I-20.

If you are not currently in the United States or are in the United States on an immigration status other than F-1, you will need to submit the following documents as part of your High School Honors online application:

• International Student Data Form
• A bank statement or letter in English from your financial institution stating that you (or your sponsor) have sufficient funds to cover your summer expenses; please visit the Estimated Expenses page for the total estimated cost of attending High School Honors this summer. For information security purposes, when uploading your bank statement, be sure to black out your account number.
• Financial Sponsorship Certification (needs to accompany all other financial documents if you will be sponsored by a family member or other individual)
• Copy of current valid passport (including copy of data page and passport expiration date)
• If you are currently in the US (not on F-1 status), you may be asked to provide the following documents after you submit your online application:
  • Copy of your most recent I-94 record of admission
  • Copy of your most recent US visa and any other relevant immigration documents

If you are currently on an F-1 visa from a US high school, you will need to submit the following documents as part of your High School Honors online application:

• International Student Data Form
• Copy of current valid passport (including copy of data page and passport expiration date)
• If you are currently in the US (on F-1 status), you may be asked to provide the following documents after you submit your online application:
  • Copy of your F-1 student visa
  • Copy of your most recent I-94 record of admission
  • Copies of ALL of your I-20s

Note: All of the above documents need to be submitted with your online application unless otherwise noted. International students are not eligible for financial aid.

All international materials and forms must be submitted either through the online application of uploaded via the Applicant Portal for us to process an I-20. For admitted international students who will be sponsored by BU, an I-20 will be available for you to download from the ISSO Portal. Log-in instructions will be sent to you electronically to your BU email account along with further instructions on the visa application process approximately three weeks after you inform us that you will be attending the High School Honors program. Once you have received the I-20, you will need to pay the SEVIS fee and should immediately schedule a visa interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your country of citizenship to apply for the F-1 visa.

To ensure you receive your student visa well in advance of the start date of the High School Honors program, you should leave yourself plenty of time when applying to the program.

Applying for the F-1 student visa

Please read instructions from the BU International Students & Scholars Office for details on how to obtain the F-1 student visa once you have received your I-20.

Immunizations

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts requires all full- and part-time international students attending in-person classes to submit proof of immunization against: measles, mumps, rubella (MMR); tetanus (Tdap); hepatitis B; meningitis; varicella; and tuberculosis testing (based on country of origin). 

International students accepted into the program must submit their immunization record as part of the online Participation Agreement. Your doctor or healthcare provider must complete the Immunization Requirements Form. If that is not possible, they may instead provide equivalent signed documentation of your immunization record to show proof of all required immunizations and TB screening or TB test history. Students cannot attend the program without a valid MMR record showing two doses at least 28 days apart and after 12 months of age. 

Students not in compliance with BU immunization requirements upon arrival have 7 days to obtain required vaccinations or will be considered noncompliant. Vaccinations can be scheduled in advance at Student Health Services. 

Student Health Services

881 Commonwealth Avenue
Boston, MA 02215
Phone: 617-353-3575

Medical/health insurance

All residential students enrolled in the High School Honors program are required to have medical/health insurance. Since many US doctors and hospitals do not recognize out-of-country coverage, it is strongly recommended that international students participate in the Boston University Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP).

You are not automatically enrolled in SHIP upon registration and must enroll on your own. You may contact Student Financials at 617-353-2870 or email insmed@bu.edu in advance of your arrival for information on how to enroll in SHIP.

It is recommended that students seeking to enroll in SHIP send their request for SHIP coverage at least 3 weeks prior to their arrival.

To compare plan coverage, visit aetnastudenthealth.com/bu, select View your insurance plan details, then scroll down and review the 2025–2026 Plan Documents and Benefits. Summer 2026 is part of the 2025–26 Plan Year, which ends on August 14, 2026. (Students do NOT enroll themselves in SHIP at the Aetna student health’s website.)

Contact us

Please contact us if you have any questions about the process for obtaining the I-20 or student visa.