Here’s your chance to do a deep dive into a subject that fascinates you. Picture this: three stimulating weeks on campus engaging in intensive study, with classmates who feel just as passionate about a single academic topic as you do.
If you’re an engaged, motivated high school student who wants to focus intensively on a specific subject for three weeks, AIM is for you. All AIM tracks combine classroom work and theoretical studies with practical applications and experiential activities including field trips, guest speakers, and group projects. In addition to experiencing college life, you’ll gain invaluable insight into potential career paths.
The AIM tracks are offered for residential or commuter students and open to rising high school juniors and seniors.
Location(s)
- Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
Schedule
- Start date varies depending on the individual track
- Start dates range from late June to mid-July, 2025
Cost/Compensation
- Residential Tuition: $6,925
- Commuter Tuition: $5,462.50
Eligibility Requirements
- Rising high school juniors or seniors
Deadline
- Rolling, until each track is full
Application or Entry Requirements
- Complete the online application.
- Personal statement: You will be required to submit a personal statement of 500–750 words describing why you want to attend the Academic Immersion (AIM) program.
- One recommendation: You will also be required to enter the email address for a teacher who will submit a recommendation on your behalf. Experimental Psychology and Medicine applicants should request a recommendation from a science teacher, while Creative Writing applicants should request a recommendation from a humanities teacher. Once you submit your online application, instructions for submitting a recommendation will be emailed automatically to your recommender.
- Upload supplemental materials (you will receive an upload link via email).
- High school transcript: Your full high school transcript must include your fall 2024 grades (in a quarter system, this includes first and second quarter grades).
- Writing sample: Creative Writing applicants will need to submit a short (< 500 words) sample of their original creative writing.
International documents: International students must upload an additional form and a copy of your passport with the application. We also require proof of English language proficiency, such as scores from the TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo.
Notifications of Decisions
- Only complete applications are reviewed. Once we receive your complete application, we will email you to confirm its receipt. Within one month of confirming our receipt of your completed application, an admissions decision will be emailed to you.
Financial Aid Details
- There is no financial aid for the AIM program.
Other Dates to Keep in Mind
- Applications open December 15, 2025
Have other questions?
Boston University (BU) is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. It was founded in 1839 and is one of the largest universities in the city, with over 33,000 undergraduate and graduate students. BU offers over 300 programs and is home to 12 schools and colleges: College of Arts & Sciences, College of Communication, College of Engineering, College of Fine Arts, College of General Studies, College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent College, Faculty of Computing & Data Sciences, Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies, Arvind and Chandan Nandlal Kilachand Honors College, Questrom School of Business, School of Hospitality Administration, and Wheelock College of Education & Human Development. BU is also home to several research centers, including the National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories (NEIDL), which conducts research on diseases such as Ebola and the Zika virus. The university places a strong emphasis on international education, offering over 90 study abroad programs in 30 countries.
