Summer Preview: Calendar & What to Expect

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.

Orientation

Residential students: Residential students should arrive no later than 4 pm on Sunday. If you are not able to check in by 4 pm because of flight restrictions, you must contact the Summer Term High School Programs office at least one week before the program begins so that arrangements can be made.

The program begins promptly at 5:30 pm with dinner with your program assistant. A mandatory program orientation for Summer Preview will be held at 8 am on Monday, June 16. Program assistants will escort you to the orientation that morning.

Commuter students: Commuter students must arrive at 7:30 am on Monday, June 16 for check-in, followed by a mandatory orientation. Program assistants will escort you to the orientation that morning.

After the first day and for the remainder of the program, commuter students should be dropped off at 9 am. Program assistants will be on hand to meet you and chaperone you throughout the program.

Unless staying for the evening activities (which you are welcome to attend), commuter students can be picked up each day at 5 pm.

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

The program ends at 5 pm on Friday, June 20. Residential students may stay an extra night in the dorms if travel arrangements require it, but all students must be fully vacated by 10 am Saturday, June 21 (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 of the program:

Certificates and evaluations

You will receive a certificate of completion and a letter of evaluation from your seminar instructor after the program concludes. If you are dismissed from the program or leave the program early, you will not receive your certificate or evaluation letter.

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 Preview student, you will attend the seminar of your choice in the mornings and afternoons. After classes, you will participate in fun, organized afternoon activities that give you a chance to socialize with 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.

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.

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

Students must be 14 years of age or older by the start of the program to live on campus. All rising eighth graders, regardless of age, must commute to Summer Preview.

As a Summer Preview student, you will attend the seminar of your choice in the mornings and afternoons. After classes, you will participate in fun, organized afternoon activities that give you a chance to socialize with new friends and peers while introducing you to Boston and to BU. See the Schedule of Social Events below for an idea of the exciting activities we plan.

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.

Commuter students are also invited to attend evening activities. If you choose to stay for an evening activity, dinner will be provided.

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

*Note: On your very first day, you will arrive promptly at 7:30 am for check-in, followed by a student orientation. All other days, you should arrive at 9 am.

Group outings to Faneuil Hall and Newbury Street, movie and game nights in the dorm, basketball at FitRec, or ultimate frisbee on the Boston Common—and so much more. Social events help orient you to the city of Boston and help you get to know the other students in the program, building a strong community. Also, they’re fun! Take a look at the schedule of events from a recent summer—it will give you an idea of how you will spend your time when you’re here.

In addition, we offer a workshop with BU Admissions. This workshop will focus on helping you prepare for the college admission process and provide strategies for how to succeed when you get to college.

Sample schedule of Summer Preview Events

This is a sample schedule from recent summers; activities may be different in summer 2025.

Afternoon activities (mandatory for residential and commuter students)

There are different activities every day from 3 to 5 pm.

• Monday—Tour of campus
• Tuesday—New England Aquarium visit
• Wednesday—BU Beach
• Thursday—Photo shoot
• Friday—College admissions workshop

Evening activities (mandatory for residential students; optional for commuter students)

• Monday—Welcome Night Activities
• Tuesday—Trip to Harvard Square
• Wednesday—Trivia night
• Thursday—Movie night