What is FYSOP? FYSOP, or the First-Year Student Outreach Project, is a community service program designed just for first-year BU students. Throughout the program, students will engage in a variety of education, service, and reflection activities pertaining that will help them get to know BU and the city of Boston.
When is FYSOP? This year FYSOP will take place Wednesday, August 28 through Friday, August 30.
Who is eligible to participate in FYSOP? All new Fall 2024 undergraduate students are eligible to participate. This includes freshmen students, transfer students, and international students. College of General Studies students who matriculated January 2024 are also eligible to participate. Incoming College of General Studies students who will matriculate in January 2025 will be able to participate in FYSOP 2025.
How much will FYSOP 2024 cost? The cost of FYSOP registration is $450. The registration fee will cover your food, transportation, swag, and other program supplies for the entire program.
Which Orientation session should I register for? We recommend that students sign up for Orientation Session 5 scheduled for August 26-27, if possible. However, if this session does not work for your family, that’s okay. Students who participate in Orientation Sessions 1-4 can also participate in FYSOP. If you have questions about Orientation or need to adjust your orientation registration, please contact the Orientation team here.
Where will I be staying during FYSOP? All first-year students will be living in their academic year housing assignments during FYSOP. First-year participants will move into their residence halls on Monday, August 26th, so they will not need to register for a move-in slot during regular academic year move-in. A more detailed move-in schedule will be released over the summer.
FYSOP Registration
Where do I register? Registration for FYSOP 2024 will open on May 1st.
Do I have to attend Orientation before I can register for FYSOP? No! You may register for FYSOP as early as you’d like.
How much will FYSOP 2024 cost? The cost of FYSOP registration is $450.
What if I can afford the program registration fee? Are scholarships available?Yes, need-based scholarships of up to $450 are available to students. When reviewing scholarship applications, we take into consideration a student’s un-met need, as determined by the Office of Financial Assistance, and extenuating circumstances that may impact a student’s ability to pay the program fee. Bottom line, if you want to participate in FYSOP, we do not want finances to be a barrier! Please don’t hesitate to email us directly at fysop@bu.edu if you have questions or concerns about scholarships or paying our program deposit.
I’m applying for a FYSOP scholarship. What do I need to do during registration?Scholarship applicants will need to pay a $150 deposit when they register. Students applying for a program scholarship should enter the promo code “Scholarship” at the at the top left corner of the registration page before proceeding to the check out page. During the checkout process, you will be prompted to answer a few short answer questions that will help us better understand your financial situation.
What if I cannot pay the deposit? Please email us at fysop@bu.edu and we will make financing work for you.
Are program fees refundable? After August 28, 2024, program fees are non-refundable.
Can I use my 529 education account to pay for FYSOP? Please seek advice from your tax/financial advisor on this matter.
Can I use grants or scholarships to pay for FYSOP? Boston University grants/scholarships or federal financial aid are not eligible for use as FYSOP payment. If you have an external scholarship, please consult the scholarship owner for eligibility.
Do I need to turn in a waiver if I am turning 18 before August 28? No, only students who are 17 or younger at the start of the program (August 28, 2024) must complete a waiver. The waiver is available within the application and will also be sent in the confirmation email.
I’ve submitted my application for FYSOP 2024. When will I hear back? We will notify students of their FYSOP acceptance on a rolling basis starting in early to mid-June. Typically, you will receive your acceptance within 1-2 weeks of registering for FYSOP. Once you are accepted, one of our FYSOP program managers will give you a call to verify your information and answer any questions you might have. If you are unavailable during this time, our program managers will follow up to work out an alternative communication plan.
The FYSOP Experience
Can parents/guardians attend any FYSOP programs? No, FYSOP programs are for registered first-year students only.
Will students have any free time during FYSOP? FYSOP is jam-packed, and students will be busy with service, activities, reflections, and education programs each day. However, students will have some down time each day to do whatever else they need, whether that’s rest or take care of other appointments on campus.
What is the specific daily schedule? We are still preparing this year’s schedule, but here is a brief overview of what to expect each day:
Wednesday, August 28: Group meet & greet, opening programs, education & community-building activities, social activities
Thursday, August 29: Service project, reflection activities, social activities
Friday, August 30 : Service-focused campus and community engagement fair, small group time, closing programming.
What’s the point? We know that FYSOP means something different to every student. We hope every participant gets a few things out of their FYSOP experience:
A diverse group of new friends and an upperclassmen student mentor.
The ability to have meaningful conversations with new people who may feel like instant best friends, or who have very different beliefs or experiences.
A better sense of the history and geography of Boston and its communities, and the risk and resilience factors these communities face each day.
An understanding of how college students can positively work in solidarity with their new community, and conversely, the ways in which we can cause harm.
The inspiration to learn more: about our city, about civic engagement, about social justice and change, about volunteering, or about cultures or experiences different than their own.
What if I cannot attend FYSOP, but I still want to get involved with service on-campus? Fortunately, there are lots of ways to get involved with community service on campus. Beyond FYSOP, the Community Service Center has programs like Days of Service, Alternative Service Breaks, Student Food Rescue that you can get involved with during the academic year. Additionally, there are also tons of service-focused student organizations that you can join on campus. Feel free to check out a full list of student organizations here.
What happens after FYSOP? We will be in touch throughout students’ first year on campus. The leaders that work with groups will arrange meetups, share events and programs, and serve as civic mentors. We will also help students connect the lessons they learned during FYSOP with academic coursework, clubs, and other activities. We encourage all students to further their service, engagement, and reflection through the Community Service Center’s other programs and events.
