Frequently Asked Questions

Please follow the instructions listed on our Apply page to submit your online application, headshot, resume, and personal essay & statement of intent (written or video). In addition, you must also submit a letter of recommendation and an application fee to our office.

International students may apply to the program following the instructions on our Apply page.  However, because we do not accept online payments, please email busti@bu.edu to discuss Application Fee submissions.  In previous summers, BUSTI has welcomed students from over 17 different countries, including Belgium, Canada, Costa Rica, Colombia, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Japan, Jordan, Lebanon, Qatar, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey, and Venezuela.

Boston University does not require international students to provide any special paperwork or documentation to apply to the program; international students are also no longer required to complete an I-20 form.  For travel and identification purposes, international students should carry both their passport and visa with them while traveling and during their stay in Boston.

Yes, Financial Aid for BUSTI is available on an as-needed basis and subject to availability. Find more information here Requests for financial aid will not affect a student’s acceptance into the program.

The BUSTI program is a full, 4-week commitment.  Missing any time puts a student significantly behind in studio training and rehearsals.  The BUSTI faculty requests that all applicants be prepared to fully commit to the duration of the program.  This includes attendance at all classes, rehearsals, and required core curriculum events that take place on weekends.

Yes, the BUSTI program is repeatable in subsequent years and provides a continued introduction to theatrical training through a new yet familiar curriculum.

BUSTI accepts applications from rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors in high school only; students are typically age 15-18. We are unable to accept applications from students who will have graduated from high school prior to attending the program.

BUSTI enjoys a very small teacher to student ratio; most classes will have 1 Instructor, 1-2 Teaching Assistants, and 8-18 Students.

Similar to the BFA undergraduate program at Boston University’s School of Theatre, BUSTI focuses on developing and crafting the skills of a multi-disciplinary theatre artist. While these skills include singing, dancing, and movement, musical theatre is not the primary focus of BUSTI.

Yes.  Upon successful completion of BUSTI, students are awarded 4.0 college credits, for use at Boston University or transferred to another institution. Please reach out to the BU registrar for your record.

No. There are separate towers for male and female identified students.

We deeply value comfort for all; transgender, genderqueer, and/or non-binary students are encouraged to reach out to us to discuss the housing options that will make them most safe and comfortable.

All BUSTI students live in double-occupancy rooms.  Roommates are assigned by the Office of Housing.  In the event of an uneven number of students, some students may not have a roommate assigned to them.

Given the demanding 9:00 am to 10:00 pm daily schedule, students who live in the Boston area are strongly encouraged to reside on campus during the program.  However, if you would like to explore the day student/non-residential student option with our staff, please email the BUSTI Program Heads at busti@bu.edu, or contact the School of Theatre Office at (617) 353-3390.

Non-resident students are only allowed access to the dining facilities on campus if they choose to purchase meal plans or individual entry into the halls.

There are Security Guards in the dorms 24/7.  After curfew, a combination of BUSTI Teaching Assistants and Residence Life Staff also staff the dorms.  The students are chaperoned in all classes, rehearsals, and group activities on the weekend.  As BUSTI students are treated like college students, they are on their own during meal times and travel time to and from the dorms.

While BUSTI’s rigorous curriculum leaves little free time, the staff tries to provide students with opportunities to explore and experience the city. During BUSTI orientation, our staff discusses safety and city life with all students. We make every effort to encourage students to make safe and smart decisions, such as traveling in groups, never carrying large amounts of cash or valuables, and navigating in a city.

Yes, all BUSTI students are required to enroll in a meal plan.

Additionally, there is a Chipotle, Starbucks, CVS, Taco Bell, Sunset Cantina, Life Alive Organic Café, and OTTO Pizza across the street from the College of Fine Arts.

Students should indicate their specific dietary restrictions on the forms provided in the BUSTI Acceptance Packet.  Students will also be responsible for responding to emails from both BUSTI Staff and Dining Hall staff in order for us to provide those dietary resources. 

We will send a suggested packing list to students upon admission to the program.  On move-in day, students should have proper identification with them.  Students will receive a Terrier ID Card, which provides access to the dining halls and serves as identification throughout the program.

For classes, students will need to wear movement clothing (think yoga or workout attire) and supportive athletic shoes.  Hydration is vital in the summer months.  Students also carry journals, printed copies of the core texts, pens, and pencils with them to all classes.

For the dormitory, students will need to bring their own towels, linens, blankets, pillows, and fans.  There is no air conditioning in the dorms, and we strongly recommend at least two fans.  Students may bring laptops, cameras, cell phones, etc. to the program at their discretion.  BUSTI is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged belongings.  We highly recommend that students lock their valuables in a personal safe in their dorm room and remember to lock their door.

BUSTI is a rigorous and physical program, so many students find that they stay fit simply by participating in the training.  If you would like to work out during your stay, purchasing a membership to the BU Fitness and Recreation Center (FitRec) will gain you access to fitness and weight training equipment, swimming facilities, indoor basketball courts, indoor racquetball and squash courts, and locker room facilities.  Students may pick up paperwork to purchase a FitRec membership on BUSTI move-in day.

While BUSTI students spend most days in class, there is built-in time to explore the city of Boston.  Required and optional events are included, such as visiting local arts and cultural sights – museums, theatre, historical sights, fun neighborhoods, and more!  Students also typically have Sundays free, except in the case of a required curricular event.

BUSTI’s initial deposit allows Boston University to open a Student Account for your child.  The deposit fee is payable by bank, personal or cashier’s check, or by money order.  To pay your BUSTI deposit, please mail the check or money order along with your signed Letter of Agreement to:

BU Summer Theatre Institute
Boston University College of Fine Arts
855 Commonwealth Avenue, 4th Floor
Boston, MA 02215

Please note that your deposit check may not be cashed immediately.  We cannot cash deposit checks until the University creates your child’s student account so that the money can be properly credited toward the cost of attending BUSTI.

Once a student account is established, and BU posts the program tuition, housing, and board charges, you will receive information on how to pay your student’s account balance via money transfer, check, or credit card.  Usually this will not happen until late June.  Payments can generally not be processed prior to receiving that bill.

For payment options, please visit: bu.edu/studentaccountingservices.

If you have any questions regarding payment methods or would like to speak with a representative from the Office of Student Accounts, please call them directly at (617) 353 2264.

All payments after the initial deposit should be sent directly to the Office of Student Accounts once the bill has been received. BUSTI must return any payments sent to the Summer Theatre Institute office after the original deposit is processed.

While BUSTI has never used 529 plans for payment of the program, other BU high school programs have.  The BU Office of Student Accounts (the office from which you will receive billing statements) recommends that parents contact their individual 529 plan organizations.  Some may not allow use of the 529 plan for high school college credit programs.

Parents may request to excuse their BUSTI student, provided that they contact the BUSTI office with at least 48 hours notice.  We ask that families both email their requests to busti@bu.edu AND call (617) 353-3390.  A member of the BUSTI staff will verify the parent/guardian request.  If we do not receive the request at least 48 hours in advance, we will not allow the student to miss curfew.  As with all safety issues, we always err on the side of caution.

BUSTI students should be prepared to maintain and self-administer all regular medication they take.  Neither BUSTI staff nor residence life staff are able to store or administer medication for students.  We cannot guarantee our ability to confirm students are regularly taking medication and require BUSTI students take responsibility for their needs in this area.

• Hotel Commonwealth • Closest to the main BU campus, located in Kenmore Square
• Brookline Inn • A few blocks away in the neighboring town of Brookline
• Hyatt Regency Boston / Cambridge • Close to the College of Fine Arts across the Charles River in Cambridge
• Courtyard Marriott Boston/Cambridge • Across the Charles River in Cambridge
• Double Tree Guest Suites Boston/Cambridge • Along the Charles River and a few blocks from the Marriott

Each year, we have a number of students who arrive to our program through air and bus travel.  We understand your concern as a parent/guardian in wanting to find secure transportation for your child. Unfortunately, because of the high volume of travelers and the limited numbers of BUSTI staff members, we cannot provide transportation from the airport/bus station to campus.  Fortunately, Logan Airport is traveler-friendly, as are the Back Bay and South Station bus terminals. Hailing a cab or calling an Uber/Lyft/etc is convenient and reasonable in cost.