High School Honors: How to Apply

Admissions

If you are academically motivated and entering your junior or senior year of high school in fall 2023, we invite you to apply. Qualified juniors need to be in Honors and/or AP courses.

Admission decisions take into consideration your high school grades, rigor of courses taken, standardized test scores (optional for summer 2023), personal statement, and two letters of recommendation.

English is the language of instruction at BU and a high degree of competency is assumed. International students need to submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or an equivalent exam. Our program requires students to have minimum English proficiency levels equivalent to:

• 90–100 on the internet-based TOEFL (iBT) with a minimum of 20 in each section
• 7 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

If you are not able to obtain a TOEFL or IELTS score, you may submit a Duolingo score this year. High School Honors students are expected to score above a 120 on the Duolingo test.

Application instructions

1. 1. Complete the online application. The following items are required to complete the online application. Please use the below information to prepare your application ahead of time if necessary, as applications cannot be saved and finished later.
      • Personal statement: You will be required to submit a personal statement of 500–750 words describing why you want to attend the High School Honors program.
      • Two recommendations: You will also be required to enter the email addresses for two people who will submit a recommendation on your behalf. One recommendation should be from an academic teacher, and the other recommendation should be from a counselor, advisor, or teacher who knows you well. Once you submit your online application, instructions for submitting a recommendation will be emailed automatically to your recommenders.
      • Application fee: A $50 nonrefundable application fee, paid by credit card, is required at the time of submission of the online application form.

Honors Application

2. Upload supplemental materials (you will receive an upload link via email).
   • High school transcript: Your full high school transcript must include your fall 2022 grades (in a quarter system, this includes first and second quarter grades).
   • Standardized test scores: We have adopted a standardized test-optional policy for summer 2023 applicants. Should you choose to submit a SAT, ACT, PSAT, or PreACT as part of your application, please upload an unofficial copy of the score along with your other supplemental materials (a screenshot is fine). We will not receive them if you send them through the testing agency. In order to be accepted, your full name must be visible on the score report. Note that this test-optional policy does not apply to English language proficiency exams, which are still required for international applicants.
   • International documents: International students must upload additional forms with their application in order to obtain an F-1 student visa. We also require proof of English language proficiency, such as scores from the TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, or an equivalent exam.
3. Fax or mail financial documents (financial aid applicants only).
   • Financial aid documents: If applying for financial aid, relevant supplemental materials must be faxed or sent by post (fax preferred). Do not email or upload these materials. For more information, please visit our Tuition, Aid, & Payment page. The deadline to apply for financial aid is April 14, 2023. Please note that students enrolled in only one course (commuter or online) and international students are not eligible for financial aid.

Applications are only reviewed after all of the materials listed above are received.

Note: Email is the primary form of communication during the admissions process. Please be aware that parents or guardians are copied on all correspondence from our office. Therefore, you should ensure that both parent or guardian and student email addresses are entered correctly on the application, and inform our office immediately if there is a change in either email address.

Email: summerhs@bu.edu
Fax: 617-358-0646

Mailing Address:
Boston University Summer Term
High School Honors Program
200 Riverway, Suite B14
Boston, MA 02215

Application deadline

If you are applying for financial aid, applications are not considered complete until financial aid documents have been received. Admission decisions are made without regard to financial aid requests.

The final application deadline for domestic applicants to the High School Honors program is May 26, 2023 at 5pm EDT (April 14, 2023 at 5pm EDT, for financial aid applicants and international students). All supplemental materials and recommendation letters must also be received by this date. We encourage you to apply early, as courses may fill up.

Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis and only applications with all of the required materials are reviewed. We will email you once we have received your completed application. We begin reviewing applications at the beginning of January. Please allow three weeks after we have received your completed application for a decision to be made and emailed to you.

Contact us

If you have any additional questions or comments, please contact us.