<p>Is it competitive for admission? Has anybody done the program before? Was it a good experience? I’m very interested in applying and going this summer, before my senior year begins.</p>
<p>I did this program last summer and it wasn’t that competitive. In fact, most students who apply, do get in. I absolutely loved it and this program is one of the reasons why BU is now my top choice for college. Let me know if you have any more questions about it!</p>
<p>What is a typical day like at the program? Do you remember how expensive it was? Are kids easy to get along with and make friends? Id probably take a friend or two with me. Im glad its not competitive to get in, I really like BU. Thank you for the helpful response. Is there a lot of freedom for students or are they on a strict schedule and constantly monitored?</p>
<p>You have your morning class and afternoon class, each are two hours long, Monday through Friday. When you’re not in class, you either have a free or there are mandatory activities offered. There are options with the activities. Some are on campus and some are off campus. Examples include: trips to Faneuil Hall/Quincy Market, Harvard Square, Boston Commons, dodgeball at FitRec, movie on campus, etc. It’s definitely VERY busy. You’re always doing something. </p>
<p>Everyone who goes to this program is there for the same reason and they’re all looking to make new friends. So kids are definitely easy to get along with. I came out of the program with several people who I continue to talk to on a daily basis, and probably will for a long time. </p>
<p>Although there is a strict schedule, the students do have a lot of freedom. You can go off campus, as long as you let your RA know and with at least 1 other person. With mandatory activities, the RAs basically take you to wherever you are going and you can stay however long you want. When I went to the Boston Common for an activity (ultimate frisbee), my friends and I stayed for about an hour before we decided to go have dinner on Newbury Street. We just had to get back to our dorm by curfew. On Sunday-Thursday, curfew is 11pm, although you can wander around the dorms until about 1am. On Friday and Saturday, curfew is 12am, and in your dorms by 2am. </p>
<p>Things that I disliked: it was too short and the weather. It’s two weeks long and it definitely flies by. Also, I’m from the West Coast and had never been to the East Coast during the summer. It is HOT and HUMID, so if you end up going, bring a fan!!</p>
<p>Cost is definitely something to consider with this program because it is not cheap. I think it was around $3000. Have you checked out the website yet? It has a lot of information on classes offered, schedules, and tuition. Here’s the link: [Boston</a> Summer Challenge Program For High School Students | BU Summer Term](<a href=“http://www.bu.edu/summer/high-school-programs/summer-challenge/]Boston”>Summer Challenge | Boston University Summer Term)</p>
<p>One other thing to note: there is a personal statement (500-750 words) you have to write when you apply, describing why you want to attend Summer Challenge.</p>
<p>Thanks a lot jm good info!Anyone else have anything to add?</p>
<p>My son attended this last summer (July 2012) and had a good time. JM13029 summed it up well but I think two weeks was enough of a trial and my son was ready to leave. There are so many other things that high schools students could be doing during the summer because this is mostly a social scene to experience Boston and BU. Everyone was nice and open to socializing. </p>
<p>The classes don’t require much effort so don’t worry about too much homework. The instructors are nice and you’ll learn, but they are not hardcore about academics. The 500 word personal essay for admission is more of a chore than the classes. The instructors mail a letter of short feedback (a few sentences) about the student after the student returns home.</p>
<p>It’s easy to be accepted into the program. Kids with below 3.0 GPAs even get in. My son was surprised that most said they weren’t considering attending BU, so don’t think that you’ll get a good idea of BU students from this program.</p>
<p>They stay in Warren Towers (the freshman dorm - not very nice - hallways are dismal, but no reason to not attend this program) and there is NO AC in the rooms, nor will they allow portable AC units because they don’t allow the screens to be opened. There is AC in the study areas and TV area, and the dining hall. I would add to bring a GOOD fan, not just any fan. The Vornado with vortex technology (Bed,Bath, Beyond) worked really well. My son brought a basic fan from Target which was mediocre so I went to BBB in Boston (took the train there - it stops right in front of BBB at the Fenway Park stop but there is one transfer to get there - take the Green Line, D) and the Vornado’s technology with superior circulation worked excellent and was quiet: [Buy</a> Vornado® 5303 Compact Whole Room Table Air Circulator from Bed Bath & Beyond](<a href=“http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/1/1/134440-vornado-5303-compact-whole-room-table-air-circulator.html]Buy”>http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/1/1/134440-vornado-5303-compact-whole-room-table-air-circulator.html). He had it blowing on him all night long. He said others had a hard time sleeping because their fans were not as good. So if carrying a fan, mattress pad, sheets, pillow, lightweight blanket is too much, you can buy it all in Boston without too much effort. There also is no wastebasket but they can just use a brown bag. No need to bring a study lamp because there is enough light in the room, plus, it will be too hot to study in the room. </p>
<p>Curfew is 11:00 but most kids are still awake at Midnight.</p>
<p>Dorm food was only okay. Pizza was greasy. Breakfast had sausages but no bacon. </p>
<p>Misc: There is a CVS very near to Warren Towers and the university’s bookstore, which is across the street, also has fans and dorm items (although overpriced). There is also a Jamba Juice and Subway Sandwiches right next to the dorm and a burrito place nearby. There is a security guard so students have to zap their card when they enter the dorm. Bottles of water can be purchased at CVS. There is a vending machine of drinks on the bottom floor of the dorm. </p>
<p>For easy access to the train, stay at either Marriott Copley or Holiday Inn and ask for the BU rate. Holiday Inn is okay, but older and the employees are full of misinformation. However, the train stop is across the street, right outside the front doors, at the (Green C Line) St. Paul stop. Marriott, I think you have to walk through the mall to the station. I think their room rates are similar, and Marriott is deluxe. The stop in front of Warren Towers is the (Green B Line) BU East stop (above-the-ground stop). Green Line train map: [MBTA</a> Subway 'The ‘T’ > Green Line Subway Information, Schedules, Stops, and Maps](<a href=“Schedules & Maps | MBTA”>Green Line | Subway | MBTA)</p>
<p>Larger Train Map: [MBTA</a> Subway 'The ‘T’ > Maps, Schedules, and Fare Information for the Boston Area Subway System](<a href=“Subway | Schedules & Maps | MBTA”>Subway | Schedules & Maps | MBTA)</p>
<p>For the train/subway, instead of paying $2.50 cash each time, might want to put some money on a Charlie Card (which is a free card) and you put however much money on the card (never expires). Each ride is $2 on a Charlie Card. The card can be left inside the wallet and the student just holds the wallet in front of the zapper and it registers and tells how much money is left on the card. [The</a> Charlie Card Reusable Ticket System](<a href=“http://www.mbta.com/fares_and_passes/charlie/]The”>CharlieCard | Fares Overview | MBTA) Parents can add money to the card online.</p>
<p>For some great Italian food, ride the Green Line to the North Station and walk a couple of blocks. Yelp them. Mike’s pastries for dessert - the best!</p>
<p>How does BU Summer Challenge get viewed by College Admissions? Is it something considered “rigorous”? Also, does Summer Challenge improve your chances at BU?</p>