Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Is this a commuter or residential program?

    Students can either commute or stay on campus as part of the Research Internship Program.

  2. Can international students participate?

    The Research Internship is not open to international students.

  3. What year do I need to be entering in 2009 to participate in Research Internship?

    You need to be entering your senior year in fall 2009.

  4. Where can I get an application for the Research Internship Program?

    Applications are available on the How to Apply page.

  5. How many students attend Research Internship?

    Approximately 35 students attend the Research Internship Program. Students live and participate in social activities with the High School Honors students which combined totals approximately 100 students.

  6. How competitive is the Research Internship Program? About how many students are accepted?

    The Research Internship in Science & Engineering is a highly competitive program. We usually receive over 100 applications for about 30-40 spots.

  7. Do you have a specific format for the teachers' recommendation letters?

    Yes, we do. You can find the Teacher Recommendation Form on our website.

  8. What if I have not yet taken the PSAT, SAT, or ACT?

    A PSAT, SAT, or ACT score is required for admission. If something has prevented you from taking one of the tests, please indicate why in your application materials.

  9. Can I check and see if my application is complete?

    Yes, we encourage you to ensure that all your materials have arrived at our office. Please call our office at 617-353-1378 or email us at buhssumr@bu.edu to check on your application status.

  10. How long after I send in my application should I expect a response?

    Research Internship applications that are sent in starting on December 15, 2009 will have decision letters sent out on a rolling basis beginning in mid-March.

  11. Once accepted into Research Internship, am I required to go to the program? Is acceptance binding?

    Acceptance is not binding. You can either accept or decline our offer of admission. If you are admitted and want to attend the program, you need to inform our office of your intention to attend three weeks from receipt of our decisions.

  12. What is the cost of the Research Internship Program?

    Please see the Tuition and Fees page for a detailed description of the cost of attending the Research Internship Program.

  13. Is there financial aid available?

    Yes, there is limited financial aid available. We base awards on a combination of merit and need. View our Tuition and Fees page to learn how to apply for financial aid.

  14. What are some past projects that research interns have worked on?

    View some examples of past projects.

  15. Will I know my research project before I accept my spot in the Research Internship Program?

    You will learn about your lab placement before you accept your spot, but not your project. You will learn about your project once you begin in the lab.

  16. Do you offer any SAT preparation courses during the summer?

    No, we do not offer SAT preparation courses.

  17. Do you take students to visit other colleges?

    No, we do not go as a group to visit area colleges, but you may arrange your own visits during your free time. We do offer a college workshop offered by our Admissions office and a pre-health professional workshop by our pre-health professional office.

  18. Is there a curfew?

    Yes. The curfew is 11 p.m. during the week and midnight on weekends.

  19. Are students free to leave campus?

    All planned activities are mandatory. However, during free time students can leave campus as long as they have at least one other student with them and they let a program assistant know they are leaving.

  20. What is the schedule of activities for Research Internship?

    You can see a sample schedule of activities on the Schedule of Events page.

  21. Who can I contact at Boston University if I have more questions?

    Any of our staff would be happy to help you. You can find all of our information on the Contact Us page.