Interview mit der Boston University

COLLEGE CONTACT: Please tell us a little bit about Boston University – what kind of institution is it and what is its reputation within the US?

ALEXANDRA Z. ADAMS, PhD: Boston University is a large teaching and research university with an urban campus. It is the fourth largest university and has a strong reputation within the United States. BU consists of 17 different colleges and universities including the College of Arts & Sciences, School of Management, School of Medicine, School of Law, and College of Communication to name a few. This allows students to benefit from of all a large school can offer such as a strong faculty, cutting edge research, state of the art facilities, and numerous student activities, while at the same time have the sense that they are in their own small community within their major or college.


COLLEGE CONTACT: Why does a university like Boston University open its doors to high school students during the summer?

ALEXANDRA Z. ADAMS, PhD: As a university, we provide high school students the opportunity to get a preview of college life and explore all that Boston University has to offer them.


COLLEGE CONTACT: What kind of summer programs for high school students does BU offer and which of them are open to international students?

ALEXANDRA Z. ADAMS, PhD: BU offers programs that have an academic challenge, but also build a social community through fun activities. There are three programs for which international high school students are eligible. High School Honors is a program in which students take two BU undergraduate courses and earn college credit over six-weeks. We also offer two non-credit programs: Summer Challenge and Summer Preview. Summer Challenge is a two-week residential program in which students take two seminars and Summer Preview is a one-week day program in which students study one subject in-depth.


COLLEGE CONTACT: What are the differences between these programs?

ALEXANDRA Z. ADAMS, PhD: Summer Challenge and Summer Preview are similar in that they both allow students to explore a subject(s) they might want to study in college and that might not be offered at their high school without the concern of a grade. The difference between the two is that Summer Challenge is a two-week residential program and Summer Preview is a one-week day program. High School Honors is six-weeks long and students take two BU undergraduate courses earning up to eight college credits that is transferable when the student enters college.


COLLEGE CONTACT: What kind of high school students are you looking for? Do you have to be a ‘genius’ to apply?

ALEXANDRA Z. ADAMS, PhD: We look for strong students who are mature and responsible. Summer Challenge and Summer Preview are non-credit courses and we look for students who have a minimum high school gpa of 3.0 (American system). High School Honors students are take two college courses for credit alongside college students, and we look for a minimum gpa of 3.5.


COLLEGE CONTACT: How many international high school students typically participate in the BU Summer Term High School programs and where do they come from? How easy or difficult is it for international students to get in contact with local American students?

ALEXANDRA Z. ADAMS, PhD: Last summer, over 500 high school students came to BU from all over the United States and internationally. From year-to-year, about 10% of our students are international, coming mostly from Western Europe and Asia. International students are integrated entirely with the students from the United States - both in the dorm and classroom, providing contact with American students at meals, during social activities, and in classes.


COLLEGE CONTACT: Do you offer any social activities or excursions for BU Summer Term High School program participants?

ALEXANDRA Z. ADAMS, PhD: Our programs provide a combination of academic challenge and summer fun. We plan many social activities to help build community among our students and familiarize them with the Boston University campus and city of Boston. We coordinate either an afternoon or evening activity every day for Summer Challenge (e.g. a trip to Harvard Square or a Casino Night) and an afternoon activity every day for Summer Preview. Since students in High School Honors have different class schedules during the week, we offer activities only on the weekends.


COLLEGE CONTACT: Where can international students live while they participate in a BU Summer Term High School program?

ALEXANDRA Z. ADAMS, PhD: All of our high school students, including international students, live in Warren Towers - a dorm located centrally within the Boston University campus. Each student typically has one roommate and lives on a floor with other program participants and their Program Assistant, who is a Boston University college student, hired to guide and supervise them.


COLLEGE CONTACT: What is the campus like and where in Boston is it located?

ALEXANDRA Z. ADAMS, PhD: Boston University is a large urban campus on Commonwealth Avenue located near the Charles River, stores, and museums. The subway, which we call the T, runs along Commonwealth Avenue, providing students easy access to explore the city during their free time.


COLLEGE CONTACT: Are BU Summer Term High School program participants allowed to leave the BU campus by themselves? If yes, how can you make sure that everybody is safe and nobody gets lost?

ALEXANDRA Z. ADAMS, PhD: We plan activities that are mandatory for all students to attend, which helps build community and ensures that everyone gets to see the city of Boston. Students also have free time and are allowed to leave campus, however they are required to go with another program participant and must inform their Program Assistant that they are leaving campus. Students are also required to be back by curfew.


COLLEGE CONTACT: Finally - why would you recommend your programs to international students and what are the benefits?

ALEXANDRA Z. ADAMS, PhD: Our programs are beneficial to international students because they provide the opportunity to experience university life in the United States, strengthen English language skills, immerse oneself in the American culture, and enjoy summer in the wonderful city of Boston. In addition, the High School Honors Program provides transferable college credit. Students considering applying to an American college will have a transcript that demonstrates their ability to manage the challenging coursework of an American university.


COLLEGE CONTACT: Thank you for the interview, Mrs. Adams!