High School Honors: How to Apply
High School Honors is now closed and we are no longer accepting new applications for summer 2024.
Admissions
If you are academically motivated and entering your junior or senior year of high school in fall 2024, we invite you to apply. Qualified juniors need to be in Honors and/or AP courses.
Admission decisions take into consideration your high school grades, rigor of courses taken, standardized test scores (optional for summer 2024), personal statement, and two letters of recommendation.
The application must be completed by the prospective student, not by a parent, guardian, counselor, agent, or other party. Please use the information below to prepare your application ahead of time, as applications cannot be saved and finished later.
Application instructions
- Complete the online application. The following items are required to complete the online application.
- Personal statement: You will be required to submit a personal statement of 500–750 words describing why you want to attend the High School Honors program.
- Two recommendations: You will also be required to enter the email addresses for two people who will submit a recommendation on your behalf. One recommendation should be from an academic teacher, and the other recommendation should be from a counselor, advisor, or teacher who knows you well. Once you submit your online application, instructions for submitting a recommendation will be emailed automatically to your recommenders.
- Application fee: A $50 nonrefundable application fee, paid by credit card, is required at the time of submission of the online application form.
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- Upload supplemental materials. You will receive an upload link via email upon successful submission of your application.
- High school transcript: Your full high school transcript must include your fall 2023 grades (in a quarter system, this includes first and second quarter grades). Transcripts do not need to be official; we will accept screenshots of an academic portal as long as the student’s name is visible.
- Standardized test scores: We have adopted a standardized test-optional policy for summer 2024 applicants. Should you choose to submit a SAT, ACT, PSAT, or PreACT as part of your application, please upload an unofficial copy of the score along with your other supplemental materials (a screenshot is fine). We will not receive them if you send them through the testing agency. In order to be accepted, your full name must be visible on the score report. Note that this test-optional policy does not apply to English language proficiency exams, which are still required for international applicants.
- International documents: International students must upload additional forms with their application in order to obtain an F-1 student visa. We also require proof of English language proficiency, such as scores from the TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo, if English is not the primary language of instruction at your high school. For English proficiency test score requirements, please see Information for International Students.
- Financial documents (financial aid applicants only): If applying for financial aid, please visit our Tuition, Aid, & Payment page for information on required documents. Do not email these materials. The deadline to apply for financial aid is April 12, 2024. Please note that students enrolled in only one course (commuter or online) and international students are not eligible for financial aid.
Applications are only reviewed after all of the materials listed above are received.
Note: Email is the primary form of communication during the admissions process. Please be aware that parents or guardians are copied on all correspondence from our office. Therefore, you should ensure that both parent or guardian and student email addresses are entered correctly on the application, and inform our office immediately if there is a change in either email address.
Email: summerhs@bu.edu
Fax: 617-358-0646
Mailing Address:
Boston University Summer Term
High School Honors Program
200 Riverway, Suite B14
Boston, MA 02215
Application deadline
High School Honors is now closed and we are no longer accepting new applications for summer 2024.
The final application deadline for domestic applicants to the High School Honors program is May 24, 2024 at 5pm EDT (April 12, 2024 at 5pm EDT, for financial aid applicants and international students). All supplemental materials and recommendation letters must also be received by this date. We encourage you to apply early, as courses may fill up.
If you are applying for financial aid, applications are not considered complete until financial aid documents have been received. Admission decisions are made without regard to financial aid requests.
Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis and only applications with all of the required materials are reviewed. We will email you once we have received your completed application. We begin reviewing applications at the beginning of January. Please allow three weeks after we have received your completed application for a decision to be made and emailed to you.
Contact us
If you have any additional questions or comments, please contact us.
