AIM: Calendar & What to Expect
AIM is an intensive and rewarding three-week experience. Below, you will find useful information about all four courses of the program. Be sure to read through our check-in and departure sections for other key details.
2026 Program Calendar
Session 1 Courses:Experimental Psychology & Business |
|
|---|---|
| Residential begins | Sunday, June 28, 2026 |
| Residential ends | Friday, July 17, 2026 |
| Commuter begins | Monday, June 29, 2026 |
| Commuter ends | Friday, July 17, 2026 |
Session 2 Courses:Medicine, Business, & Creative Writing |
|
| Residential begins | Sunday, July 19, 2026 |
| Residential ends | Friday, August 7, 2026 |
| Commuter begins | Monday, July 20, 2026 |
| Commuter ends | Friday, August 7, 2026 |
Check-in, Orientation, & Departure Information
When making travel arrangements, please keep in mind the following check-in and departure information:
Check-in
Information about check-in locations will be made available at a later date. Program assistants will be available to provide support during the check-in process.
2026 Check-in Dates and Times |
|
| Session 1 Courses (residential): Experimental Psychology & Business |
June 28, 2–4 pm |
| Session 1 Courses (commuter): Experimental Psychology & Business |
June 29, 8 am |
| Session 2 Courses (residential): Medicine, Business, & Creative Writing |
July 19, 2–4 pm |
| Session 2 Courses (commuter): Medicine, Business, & Creative Writing |
July 20, 8 am |
Orientation
Residential students: You should arrive no later than 4 pm. If you’re not able to check in by 4 pm because of flight restrictions, you must contact the Summer Term Pre-College Programs office at least one week before the program begins so that arrangements can be made.
- Introduction to Experimental Psychology and Business
- The program begins promptly at 5:30 pm on June 28 with dinner with your program assistant. Meet in your floor’s common room.
- You must attend a program orientation at 8 am on Monday, June 29.
- Introduction to Medicine, Business, and Creative Writing
- The program begins promptly at 5:30 pm on July 19 with dinner with your program assistant. Meet in your floor’s common room.
- You must attend a program orientation at 8 am on Monday, July 20.
Commuter students:
- Introduction to Experimental Psychology and Business
- You must check in and attend a program orientation that starts promptly at 8 am on Monday, June 29.
- Introduction to Medicine, Business, and Creative Writing
- You must check in and attend a program orientation that starts promptly at 8 am on Monday, July 20.
Room assignments
You will receive your room assignment and room keys at check-in.
Please see What to Bring for information on what you need for your stay.
Departure
The Academic Immersion program will end after the midday reception on the last Friday of the program. You can leave immediately following the reception. Residential students may stay an extra night in the dorm if travel arrangements require it, but you must be fully vacated by 10 am Saturday (no exceptions). If you stay until the morning after the program concludes, you must continue to follow all program rules and guidelines.
The end time for each track:
2026 Departure Dates and Times |
|
| Session 1 Courses: Experimental Psychology & Business |
July 17, 1 pm |
| Session 2 Courses: Medicine, Business, & Creative Writing |
August 7, 1 pm |
Final reception
The final reception for each course occurs on the last Friday of the program at the times listed below. Family and friends are invited to attend. An email is sent out one week before with further details.
- Introduction to Experimental Psychology and Business: July 17, 12–1 pm
- Introduction to Medicine, Business, and Creative Writing: August 7, 11:30 am–1 pm
Certificates and evaluations
You will receive a certificate of completion and a letter of evaluation after the program concludes. If you are dismissed from the program or leave the program early, you will not receive the certificate.
Check-out procedures
The following must be completed when you move out of the residence hall:
- Return residence key, in person, to the Residence Life office and ask for a key receipt*
- Remove all personal belongings and trash from the room
- Close and lock all windows
- Leave the room in a clean, habitable condition
- Turn off the lights
- Lock the door
*If you do not return your residence key to the Residence Life office prior to leaving, you will be charged up to $120 for a lock change and replacement keys. We will not accept keys that are sent via mail.
A Day in the Life of a Residential AIM Student
Each weekday, you’ll attend classes in the morning and experiential learning activities in the afternoon. We also offer lots of fun group events, so you can get to know your fellow students and become familiar with Boston.
Weeknights are free for homework, impromptu activities, and time with your friends until curfew. You can also participate in additional social activities with other pre-college students. Take a look at our Schedule of Social Events below to see the kinds of activities we have planned in previous summers.
Meals are provided by one of the dining halls, with a range of cuisines available that include vegetarian and vegan options. The dining staff can also accommodate food allergies and other dietary restrictions.
The bottom line: there’s plenty of free time to do your homework, enjoy the campus, and explore this amazing city. You can purchase a short-term membership to Boston University’s Fitness & Recreation Center, study at one of BU’s libraries, or relax on the “BU Beach,” a popular student hangout with views of the Charles River.
The schedule below will give you a good idea of what your days will look like:
Schedule |
|
| Breakfast | 7–9 am |
| Morning Seminar | 9:30–11:30 am |
| Lunch | 11:30 am–12:30 pm |
| Experiential Learning Activity | 1–4:30 pm |
| Dinner | 5–7 pm |
| Evening Activities/Free Time | 7–9 pm |
| Curfew | 11 pm (Sunday–Thursday) 12 am (Friday & Saturday) |
A Day in the Life of a Commuting AIM Student
Each weekday, you’ll attend classes in the morning and experiential learning activities in the afternoon. We also offer lots of fun group events, so you can get to know your fellow students and become familiar with Boston.
In the evenings, you can also participate in additional social activities with other pre-college students. Take a look at our Schedule of Social Events below to see the kinds of activities we have planned in previous summers.
Lunch is provided by one of the dining halls, with a range of cuisines available that include vegetarian and vegan options. The dining staff can also accommodate food allergies and other dietary restrictions.
The bottom line: there’s plenty of free time to do your homework, enjoy the campus, and explore this amazing city. You can purchase a short-term membership to Boston University’s Fitness & Recreation Center, study at one of BU’s libraries, or relax on the “BU Beach,” a popular student hangout with views of the Charles River.
The schedule below will give you a good idea of what your days will look like:
Schedule |
|
| Morning Seminar | 9:30–11:30 am |
| Lunch | 11:30 am–12:30 pm |
| Experiential Learning Activity | 1–4:30 pm |
| Dinner | 5–7 pm (optional) |
| Evening Activities/Free Time | 7–9 pm |
Schedule of Social Events: Let the Fun Begin
There are so many great activities you can participate in as part of the AIM program: group outings to Faneuil Hall and Newbury Street, movie and game nights in the dorm, career workshops, basketball at FitRec, ultimate frisbee on the Boston Common, and more.
They’re all designed to help you get to know the city of Boston and your fellow students, and to build a strong sense of community. Also, they’re fun!
Take a look at the schedule of events from previous summers—it will give you an idea of how you can spend your time when you’re here. Optional and impromptu events planned by the program assistants and staff also take place throughout the summer.
AIM students join with Research in Science and Engineering (RISE) and High School Honors (HSH) students for most activities. Optional and impromptu events planned by the program assistants and staff also take place throughout the summer.
Sample schedule of AIM events
In past summers, students in AIM had the opportunity to participate in the following social activities. Please note that activities may be different in summer 2026.
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3