From Chemistry to Pottery, Summer Classes May Be Right for You
Deadline is approaching to register for Summer Term at BU
As students finish up the last of their finals, it’s likely that the last thing on their minds is more course work. But BU’s Summer Term offers flexible options for taking classes this summer that can make next year a lot easier.
Approximately a quarter of BU students attend Summer Term, which offers more than 600 classes, says Donna Shea, assistant dean and director of Summer Term. The popular program enrolls more than 7,000 students from BU, other colleges, and high schools, as well as those who just enjoy learning. Classes begin on May 20.
Summer Term classes are offered in two blocks: Summer 1 runs from May 20 to June 27, and Summer 2 runs from June 30 to August 8. Not all classes follow the same schedule, so be sure to double-check the course you are interested in taking.
There are lots of good reasons to attend Summer Term. You can enroll in classes you wouldn’t normally have time for during the academic year. In Photography I, for example, students with no experience in black-and-white photography practice developing film. In Archaeology of Colonial Boston, students learn about the lives of early Boston residents and visit archaeology labs to study centuries-old artifacts.
There are other benefits as well. Taking a class during the summer — when you don’t have as many commitments — can lighten your load next year and in turn may help improve your GPA. You can also spend more time focusing on that tough chemistry class you’ve been dreading. Science classes, particularly organic chemistry, tend to be among the most popular, Shea says.
Taking summer classes can also help you play catch-up if you are behind in your course work and may enable you to graduate as planned. And if you’re thinking about changing majors or picking up a minor, summer classes may help you decide.
Summer Term also offers specialized programs, such as Intensive Spanish Immersion, where students have the option to live in a Spanish-speaking residence and participate in social activities and events that increase their exposure to the language and culture. There’s also the Business for Non-Business Majors program, which has introductory courses in financial analysis and marketing.
Financial aid for Summer Term is limited to certain federal student loans, certain federal and private credit-based loans, and federal work-study. There are no summer grants or scholarships available from Boston University. For more information, visit the University’s financial aid Web site.
Employees who wish to take summer classes can take advantage of the tuition remission program. Sculpting and painting are popular options with employees, says Shea, and tuition remission can be used for these classes.
You don’t need to apply to take summer classes, but registration deadlines are approaching. Click here for registration details.
Amy Laskowski can be reached at amlaskow@bu.edu.
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