Arriving on Campus
We look forward to seeing you on campus this summer!
Boston University is located in the heart of Boston and is easily accessible by public transportation or car. Boston’s subway system, known as the “T,” provides service to the BU campus via the B branch of the Green Line. There are several subway stops along BU’s campus. More information about getting to campus can be found at Directions to Campus.
Things to do before you arrive to campus:
Set up your BU login account
A BU login name and Kerberos password are necessary to access BU resources, including the wireless network, the MyBU Student Portal, and course sites such as Blackboard Learn. Once we have registered you for your summer courses, we will provide you with information on how to create a BU login account.
Upload your photo for your student ID (Terrier Card)
All BU students are assigned a nine-character, computer-generated ID number. This ID number is used for all University records, including registration, course adjustments, and student accounting. This number will be included in your registration confirmation email.
Students can create their Terrier Card ID by uploading a photo through the “Terrier Card Center” in the MyBU Student Portal. Please follow these guidelines. You can pick up your Terrier Card once you arrive to campus.
Please email tco@bu.edu with any questions.
Things to do after you arrive to campus:
Pay your bill
Payment is due by the first day of the summer session. Payment options are below.
Paying by credit card
Payment may be made through the MyBU Student Portal by selecting “My Bill & Aid,” “Student Account Balance Due,” then “Nelnet Payment & Payment Plans.” From Nelnet’s main page, select “Make a Payment” from the left navigation menu. You will need to have an active BU login name and Kerberos password to access the MyBU Student Portal.
If you do not have access to the MyBU Student Portal, please submit your credit card payment at bu.edu/payment.
International payment
Boston University offers two options for international payments: Flywire and Convera. Both of these vendors provide a tailored interface for international payments to BU. Since the information collected through these vendors, including the student’s BU ID number, is transmitted electronically to BU along with payment, use of either of these vendors will allow for efficient crediting of payments to the correct student account.
For more information about these vendors, please click on the links below.
Paying in person
Payment may be made in person at the Student Accounting Services office, which is open Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm.
25 Buick Street, Suite 130
Boston, MA 02215
Phone: 617-353-2264
studenta@bu.edu
Pick up your student ID (Terrier Card)
Once your uploaded materials for your student ID have been approved (see section above “Upload your photo for your student ID”), your Terrier Card will be available for pick up on campus. Students staying in University residences can pick up their Terrier Cards at their assigned residence hall while checking in. Students who are not staying in residence halls will receive an email with information on where and when they can pick up their cards.
Please email tco@bu.edu or call 617-353-9966 with any questions.
Check in with the International Students & Scholars Office (ISSO)
All visiting international students attending on-campus Summer Term courses and programs are required to check in with the International Students & Scholars Office (ISSO) after arriving on campus, regardless of US immigration status. You will need to complete Initial ISSO Check-in by answering a few questions and uploading copies of your immigration documents to the ISSO Portal, which can be accessed through the ISSOPortal option under the Quick Links section of the MyBU Student Portal.
It is the responsibility of the ISSO to keep complete and accurate records on every international student and to provide them to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) upon request. It is critical that all on-campus students check in with the ISSO at the beginning of Summer Term to ensure accurate reporting.
888 Commonwealth Avenue, Second Floor
Boston, MA 02215
Phone: 617-353-3565
isso@bu.edu
Attend international student orientation
All visiting international summer students should attend orientation. In addition to receiving important information about your academic studies, you will learn about University resources, find out about summer activities, and have the opportunity to meet other international students.
Summer Term will offer Orientation for international students during the first week of each summer session. Orientation dates and times will be posted in the spring.
If you cannot attend our orientation due to class or another reason, please email STpartnr@bu.edu for details about check-in requirements.
Check your schedule and locate your classes
Prior to the start of the session, you will receive an email confirmation of your course schedule and classroom locations. You can also view your schedule under “My Academics” on the MyBU Student Portal.
Please use the following links to match your building code with the appropriate location to find your class.
Familiarize yourself with your course sites (Blackboard Learn)
A course site is a web-based system for managing course materials. Your instructor can make announcements, share course materials, and enhance discussion, all in one easily accessible location. Blackboard Learn is the most common location for course sites used at BU.
Blackboard Learn is available to anyone with a BU login name and Kerberos password. Visit this page for more information. In addition, you can access Blackboard Learn through your course listings on the MyBU Student Portal.
Not every course at BU will have a course site, so be sure to check with your instructor if you do not see your course site listed in the “MyCourses” section of Blackboard Learn. Once your instructor creates a course site, all students on the official roster will be given access.
If you are unable to access your course site, please contact your instructor for access or information on availability.
Buy or rent course materials
Update your health immunizations
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts requires all full-time and part-time international students who study on campus to submit proof of immunization against the following communicable diseases: measles, mumps, rubella (MMR); tetanus (must be Tdap vaccine); hepatitis B; (bacterial) meningitis; varicella; and tuberculosis (depending on country of origin).
Please work with your medical provider to complete the Summer Immunization Requirements Form. Once complete, please upload the form to BU’s Patient Connect Portal. To do so, visit https://patientconnect.bu.edu/, choose the Medical Clearances tab from the menu, and click on “Update” beside the option “Immunization Record.” Note, you must have an active BU login name and Kerberos password to access the portal.
If you are not in compliance with all BU immunization requirements when you arrive on the BU campus, you will have seven days to obtain the necessary vaccination(s) or you will be considered non-compliant. You may obtain vaccinations (by scheduling an appointment in advance) at:
881 Commonwealth Avenue
Boston, MA 02215
Phone: 617-353-3575
Learn about additional campus resources
As a BU summer student, you have many resources available to you on and around campus. You can find out more at Campus Resources.
Boston in the summer
With its history, waterfront location, and diverse community, Boston is one of the most exciting destinations in the United States. During the summer, you can take advantage of the city’s wide variety of outdoor activities, cultural attractions, neighborhood events, and nightlife. Here’s a list of fun things to do.
Additionally, the Summer Term office will organize activities throughout the summer. And you’ll have plenty of opportunities to travel on your own or with new friends.
