RISE: Calendar & What to Expect
The RISE application deadline has passed and applications are now closed.
RISE is a six-week program like no other. Below, you will find useful information about the program, whether you enroll in the Practicum or Internship track. Be sure to read through our check-in and departure sections for other key details.
Program Calendar
Summer 2026 |
|
| Program start | Sunday, June 28, 2026 |
| Residential & commuter orientation & RISE Intern orientation | Monday, June 29, 2026 |
| Poster Symposium & end of program | Friday, August 7, 2026 |
Dates and times for weekly meetings with the RISE Program Manager will be announced in your program schedule.
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 |
|
| RISE (residential) | June 28, 1–2:30 pm |
| RISE (commuter) | June 29, 9:30 am |
Orientation
Residential students: You should plan to arrive on campus no later than 4 pm on Sunday, June 28. If you are 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.
- 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 9:30 am on Monday, June 29.
Commuter students: Commuter students are required to check in and attend an orientation at 9:30 am on Monday, June 29. This is a good opportunity for you to meet your program assistant and learn the program policies.
Room assignments
If you are moving into the residence, 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
RISE ends at 3 pm on Friday, August 7, after the Poster Symposium, which all students must attend. Residential students may stay an extra night in the dorm if travel arrangements require it, but all students must be fully vacated by 10 am on Saturday, August 8 (no exceptions). If you are staying on campus until the morning after the program concludes, you must continue to follow all program rules and guidelines.
The end time of the program:
2026 departure dates and times |
|
| RISE | August 7, 3 pm |
Poster symposium
The RISE Poster Symposium event occurs on Friday, August 7, 2025, from 1 to 3 pm, and students must attend the full Poster Symposium. You will receive your certificate of completion at the Poster Symposium. If you depart prior to the symposium or are dismissed from the program due to a violation of the program guidelines, you will not receive your 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 RISE Internship Student
As a student in the RISE Internship track, you will be fully immersed in laboratory activities and research from approximately 9 am to 5 pm each day of the week. In addition, you will attend weekly workshops to supplement your lab education, discuss your research, and learn about aspects of a scientific career outside the laboratory.
For residential students, 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. To-go meals are available upon request for students who cannot travel to and from their laboratory during dining hours.
For commuter students, BU does not provide a meal plan; however, you may choose to dine with friends in one of the dining halls, with a range of cuisines available that include vegetarian and vegan options or at campus dining locations (hours vary by individual restaurant). The dining staff can also accommodate food allergies or other dietary restrictions.
Commuter students will have access to the BU’s residence hall during designated hours.
While at BU, you will share dorm life and social activities with students from the High School Honors (HSH ) and Academic Immersion (AIM) programs. To help you get to know your fellow students, and become familiar with the BU campus, and Boston, we plan a variety of fun group events during the first week. After that, we offer a variety of optional activities on weekdays and weekends. Commuter students will be expected to take part in a select number of social events. Weeknights are free for reading scientific articles, joining impromptu activities, or spending time with friends until curfew. Take a look at our Program Activities list below to see the types of exciting activities we plan.
You will also have plenty of free time to enjoy the BU campus and all that Boston has to offer. In addition, you can purchase a short-term membership to BU’s Fitness & Recreation Center, study at one of BU’s libraries, relax on the “BU Beach” (a popular student hangout with views of the Charles River), or visit Boston’s diverse neighborhoods.
A Day in the Life of a RISE Practicum Student
As a student in the RISE Practicum track, you will meet with the lecture instructor each morning and conduct laboratory activities each afternoon. In addition, you will attend weekly workshops to supplement your lab education, discuss your research, and learn about aspects of a scientific career outside the laboratory. You will also participate in weekly site visits to explore Boston’s biotech industry.
For residential students, 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.
For commuter students, BU does not provide a meal plan; however, you may choose to dine with friends in one of the dining halls, with a range of cuisines available that include vegetarian and vegan options or at campus dining locations (hours vary by individual restaurant). The dining staff can also accommodate food allergies or other dietary restrictions.
Commuter students will have access to the BU’s residence hall during designated hours.
While at Boston University, you will share dorm life and social activities with students from the High School Honors (HSH) and Academic Immersion (AIM) programs. To help you get to know your fellow students, and become familiar with the BU campus, and Boston, we plan a variety of fun group events during the first week. After that, we offer a variety of optional activities on weekdays and weekends. Commuter students will be expected to take part in a select number of social events. Weeknights are free for reading scientific articles, joining impromptu activities, or spending time with friends until curfew. Take a look at our Program Activities list below to see the types of exciting activities we plan.
You will also have plenty of free time to enjoy the BU campus and all that Boston has to offer. In addition, you can purchase a short-term membership to BU’s Fitness & Recreation Center, study at one of BU’s libraries, relax on the “BU Beach” (a popular student hangout with views of the Charles River), or visit Boston’s diverse neighborhoods.
Program Activities: Let the Fun Begin
There are so many great activities you can participate in as part of the RISE 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 program activities offered in past summers for an idea of how you can spend your time here.
RISE students will join with High School Honors (HSH) and Academic Immersion (AIM) students for most activities. Optional and impromptu events planned by the program assistants and staff also take place throughout the summer.
Sample RISE program activities
In past summers, students had the opportunity to participate in the following academic, social, and service activities. Please note that activities may be different in summer 2026.
Academic activities
- Weekly RISE workshops
- College essay writing workshop
- Study tips and note-taking workshop
- Networking workshop
- Mindfulness and meditation workshop
- College admissions presentation from BU Admissions
- Panels with BU students who majored in the following areas:
- Sciences
- Business & humanities
Social activities
- Welcome Night Activities
- 4th of July BBQ
- Visit to Newbury Street
- Boston Duck Tour
- Visit to Faneuil Hall
- Visit to the Museum of Fine Arts
- Boston Harbor Sunset Cruise
- Visit to Harvard Square
- Visit to North End
- Trip to a local beach
- Visit to the Institute of Contemporary Art
- Red Sox game
- Movie night
- Visit to the New England Aquarium
- Farewell dance
Community service activities
- Cards for Children’s Hospital
- Esplanade Clean-up
