Summer Challenge Online
Learn where you are.
Are you looking for an academic challenge that you can take on from home this summer? Explore your interests and discover new ones with Summer Challenge Online.
As a rising sophomore, junior, or senior, you will expand your academic horizons through a pair of two seminars–from anywhere in the world. This program is an excellent option for students who cannot travel to campus but who still want to engage in an exciting academic opportunity.
Seminars
Boston University’s Summer Challenge Online seminars allow you to engage in a high level of learning—without focusing on grades. Small class sizes ensure ample attention from experienced college instructors as you meet the challenges of college-level study. Seminars will take place synchronously, so you can participate in lectures, discussions, individual and group work, and project-based assignments alongside other high school students.
Students choose between two pre-determined remote seminar pairings, which are well-suited to a remote learning experience.
Each seminar culminates in a final class presentation, which family and friends are invited to attend. Following the conclusion of your Summer Challenge session(s), a certificate of completion and letters of evaluation from both seminar instructors will be provided to you.
Seminar Pairings
Abnormal Psychology
Investigate the experience and expression of psychological disorders—what it means to be “abnormal” and its effect on people’s lives. Students are encouraged to think analytically and challenge their beliefs regarding abnormal behavior and personality. Through dynamic group exercises and discussions, students gain a working knowledge of psychological disorders and an appreciation for the challenges of experiencing mental illness.
Paired with: Mass Communication
Business: From the Ground Up
Explore fundamental business principles and how they are applied in today’s marketplace. Learn what a business plan is and the importance of developing one to effectively market and finance any new venture. Students work in groups to develop product ideas.
Paired with: Economics
Economics
This seminar examines the principles of economic behavior of individuals and firms. Through class experiments, you will become familiar with the theory of consumer choice as well as the strategic behavior of individuals and firms. By the end of the seminar, you will be able to use game theory to create a model of strategic decision making and find the predicted outcome of a game.
Paired with: Business: From the Ground Up
Mass Communication
Learn about advertising, public relations, journalism, film, and television. Classes focus on the history, current trends, and future of these media in America. You will work in groups on communication-related projects such as the advertising pitch, film analysis, news reporting, and television and print advertising.
Paired with: Abnormal Psychology
Calendar & What to Expect
Summer 2023 |
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| Summer Challenge Online Begins | Monday, July 10, 2023 |
| Summer Challenge Online Ends | Friday, July 21, 2023 |
Orientation
Participants in Summer Challenge Online will complete their orientation virtually before the program begins.
Final Class Presentations
Final class presentations occur on the last day of each session. Family and friends are invited to attend.
Certificates and Evaluations
You will receive a certificate of completion, as well as letters of evaluation from your seminar instructors, 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.
A Day in the Life of a Summer Challenge Online Student
As a Summer Challenge Online student, you will synchronously attend your seminars in the morning and the afternoon. In order to participate in Summer Challenge Online seminars, you must have access to a laptop or desktop computer, microphone, webcam/camera, and a reliable internet connection. Some days, you will participate in a workshop so you can learn more about conquering test anxiety, choosing your college major, or taking on the college admissions process.
The schedule below will give you a good idea of what your days will look like.
Schedule |
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| Morning Seminar | 9:30–11:30am EDT |
| Afternoon Seminar | 1–3pm EDT |
| Afternoon Workshop | 3–5pm EDT |
Note: All seminars and workshops are held synchronously and students will participate together, live, according to Boston local time (EDT).
Tuition & Payment
Application Fee (nonrefundable): $50
Total Charge: $3,454
The total charge for Summer Challenge includes tuition, class materials, and workshops. A $500 nonrefundable deposit (applied to tuition) is required once you commit to attending Summer Challenge in order to secure your place in the program. The application fee is not included in the total charge.
There is no financial aid available for the Summer Challenge program.
Note: Application fees and tuition deposits are nonrefundable. No refund or reduction in the total charge will be made for a student who joins the program late, leaves the program early, or is dismissed from the program due to a violation of the program guidelines.
Payment Deadline
The payment deadline is June 1, 2023, unless otherwise indicated in your offer of admission. Full payment not received by the deadline may result in the cancellation of your registration and the forfeit of your selected seminars. Students accepted into Summer Challenge after the payment deadline must submit payment in full within one week of receiving payment instructions through our enrollment portal.
How to Pay
Boston University accepts payment for Summer Challenge by credit card, check, or international wire transfer. You will need your BU ID number to submit payment.
Specific information for making payment, along with your BU ID number, is provided through our online enrollment portal. After completing your Participation Agreement form and paying your nonrefundable deposit, you will receive an email with information about accessing the portal.
For more information about enrollment procedures, please click here.
Information for International Students
International students are welcome to join Summer Challenge Online. If you are joining from another time zone, please keep in mind that Summer Challenge Online seminars run synchronously, and all times are listed in local Boston time (EDT).
English Proficiency
English is the language of instruction at BU and a high degree of competency is assumed. If English is not the primary language of instruction at your high school, you may be asked to provide proof of English proficiency. Our program expects students to have English proficiency levels equivalent to:
- 84–90 on the internet-based TOEFL (iBT)
- 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 test score this year. Summer Challenge students are expected to score above 105 on the Duolingo test.
If you do not meet these requirements, you may want to consider the three-week EducationUSA Academy 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.
How to Apply
If you are academically motivated and entering your sophomore, junior, or senior year of high school in fall 2023, we invite you to apply. Admission decisions take into consideration your high school grades, previous courses, and personal statement. Find application instructions and the online application here.
FAQ
What year do I need to be entering in fall 2023 to participate in Summer Challenge Online?
You need to be entering your sophomore, junior, or senior year of high school in fall 2023.
Can I earn college credit by participating in Summer Challenge Online?
No. Summer Challenge is noncredit. Students will receive a certificate of completion and evaluations from their instructors during the month of September after the program concludes.
How do I apply for Summer Challenge?
You can find application instructions and a link to the online application on the How to Apply page.
What are the admissions criteria?
We are looking for motivated high school students who are taking a college preparatory curriculum. Your high school transcript and personal statement are both taken into account when admission decisions are made.
Is financial aid available?
There is no financial aid for the Summer Challenge program.
How long after I send in my application should I expect a response?
You will receive an email confirmation once your application is complete. Within three weeks of our receipt of your completed application, we will send an admission decision via email.
What are the technology requirements if I choose to participate in Summer Challenge remotely?
You must have access to a laptop or desktop computer, microphone, webcam/camera, and a reliable internet connection. Please contact us with further questions or concerns about meeting these requirements.
If I choose to participate in Summer Challenge remotely, will I be required to attend remote seminars synchronously?
Yes, all students must attend their programs synchronously (live, in real time, during the time the seminars or workshops are scheduled) according to Boston’s local time zone (EDT). Students should not assume that material will be available for viewing at a later time. Students must attend all seminars.
Who can I contact at Boston University if I have more questions?
We are happy to help you. You can find all of our information on the Contact Us page.
