Summer Challenge: Calendar & What to Expect

When making travel arrangements, please keep the following check-in and departure information in mind.

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.

Residential students: You should arrive no later than 4 pm. 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 Sunday with dinner with your program assistant. Meet in your floor’s common room for introductions and to travel to the dining hall as a group.

Commuter students: You must check-in between 7:30-8 am. The program orientation will begin promptly at 8am.

Orientation

A mandatory program orientation for all Summer Challenge students will be held at the times listed below. Program assistants will escort students to the orientation that morning.

• Session 1: June 15, 8 am
• Session 2: July 6, 8 am
• Session 3: July 20, 8 am

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

Summer Challenge sessions end at the times listed below—after the final presentations. You can leave after your afternoon seminar final presentations conclude. Residential students may stay an extra night in the dorms if travel arrangements require it, but you must be fully vacated by 10 am on the Saturday morning following the program’s end time (no exceptions). If you stay until the morning after the program concludes, you must continue to follow all program rules and guidelines.

The end times of each program:

Final presentations

Final presentations occur on the last day of each session. Family and friends are invited to attend. An email is sent out one week before the final presentations with further details, including locations. Light snacks and refreshments will be available during the intermission between your morning and afternoon seminar final presentations.

• Morning Seminars Final Presentations: 9:30-11 am
• Intermission: 11 am-12 pm
• Afternoon Seminars Final Presentations: 12-1:30 pm

Certificates and evaluations

You will receive a certificate of completion and letters of evaluation from your seminar instructors by the end of September after the program concludes. If you are dismissed from the program or leave the program early, you will not receive your certificate or evaluation letters.

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.

As a Summer Challenge student, your day-to-day schedule will include structured time in and out of class.

Each weekday, you will attend seminars in the morning and afternoon. 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 or other dietary restrictions.

After class, you will participate in fun, organized social activities during the afternoon or evenings and on weekends. These events will give you a chance to socialize with your new friends and peers while introducing you to Boston and to Boston University. See the Schedule of Social Events below for an idea of the exciting activities we plan. In addition, you can purchase a short-term membership to BU’s Fitness & Recreation Center (FitRec), 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.

There will be plenty of free time to do your homework, enjoy the campus, and explore the city.

The schedule below will give you a good idea of what your days will look like:

*Organized social activities, some of which are mandatory, are held every weekday—either in the afternoon or evening time block.

As a Summer Challenge student, your day-to-day schedule will include structured time in and out of class.

Each weekday, you will attend seminars in the morning and afternoon. 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 or other dietary restrictions.

After class, you can participate in fun, organized social activities during the afternoon or evenings and on weekends. These events will give you a chance to socialize with your new friends and peers while introducing you to Boston and to Boston University. See the Schedule of Social Events below for an idea of the exciting activities we plan. In addition, you can purchase a short-term membership to BU’s Fitness & Recreation Center (FitRec), 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.

There will be plenty of free time to do your homework, enjoy the campus, and explore the city.

The schedule below will give you a good idea of what your days will look like:

*Organized social activities are held every weekday—either in the afternoon or evening time block.

You are a hardworking, highly motivated student. But you’re also excited about exploring Boston and college life at BU.

We’ve got you covered. How does this sound? Group outings to Faneuil Hall and Newbury Street, movie and game nights in the dorm, basketball at FitRec, ultimate frisbee on the Boston Common—and so much more.

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 are here. Optional and impromptu events planned by the program assistants and staff also take place throughout the summer.

In addition, we offer a number of academic workshops designed to get you ready for college. One such workshop, offered in partnership with BU Admissions, focuses on helping you prepare for the college admission process and provides strategies for how to succeed when you get to college.

Note: We aim to build a close-knit community among Summer Challenge students, and as a result, participation is mandatory for many of our planned events. During scheduled free time, students will have an opportunity to participate in other activities—such as visiting museums, playing sports at FitRec, or exploring Boston’s neighborhoods.

Sample schedule of Summer Challenge events

This is a sample schedule from recent summers; activities may be different in summer 2026. Each day of the program includes time to work on seminar assignments and enjoy free time with friends around campus.

Sunday

• Residential check-in
• Dinner and floor meeting with your program assistant (PA)

Monday

• Commuter check-in
• Program orientation
• Public safety talk
• Community kickoff

Tuesday

• Floor event: your PA plans a bonding activity for you and the rest of your floor

Wednesday

• Showcase your vocals at Karaoke Night, visit the Museum of Fine Arts, or take a trip to Harvard Square

Thursday

• See the Institute of Contemporary Art, visit Boston’s historic Faneuil Hall, or attend a panel on academic majors

Friday

• Summer Term photo shoot
• Team up with your friends and test your knowledge at Trivia Night

Saturday

• Trip to Hampton Beach or Wrentham Premium Outlets

Sunday

• Free time: use your “What to do for free in Boston” handout to find fun, no-cost activities around the city

Monday

• Visit Newbury Street, take a trip to Boston Common, or relax with canvas painting on BU Beach

Tuesday

• Participate in a college admissions workshop with BU Admissions

Wednesday

• Decompress with Yoga at FitRec, see a movie, or explore Boston’s North End

Thursday

• Farewell dance

Friday

• Final presentations