Summer Journalism Academy

A student completes and submits an online form plus a non-refundable $60 fee. The form requires:

• Student information, such as full name, email and postal address, education level, and current school;
• Parent or guardian information;
• School information, including names and emails of a journalism adviser and guidance counselor, if applicable;
• Choice of on-campus or learn-from-home as well as session dates; and
• A letter by the student explaining the student’s interest in journalism, 500 words maximum.
• Recommendation letter by a teacher is required for all on-campus students and international students applying for our learn-from-home sessions.

   

After submission, we notify all applicants within one week. If you don’t receive the notification, please check your spam or junk mail. Once you’ve received notification of acceptance, a non-refundable deposit is due within two weeks to hold your place in the session.

The deadline for on-campus is April 18, 2025 by 11:59 pm ET. The deadline for learn-from-home sessions is May 9, 2025 by 11:59 pm ET. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Sessions can fill up, so we encourage you to start the application process early. 

We strongly encourage all accepted on-campus students to be fully vaccinated and stay up to date with CDC COVID-19 vaccination.

We ask that all students purchase and bring with them rapid tests from their local pharmacies. They may also purchase rapid tests while on campus at the University’s convenience stores.

For more information about COVID-19, visit Boston University Student Health Services’ website.

Summer Journalism Academy students attending our on-campus program will reside and dine in one of Boston University’s residential halls.  Security guard staff the residential halls 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Typically, students will share a dormitory-style room with another student; women and men occupy separate towers.

Although the rooms are not air conditioned, each room will have a fan to keep students cool.

While staying in the residential dorms, students will be supervised by Summer Journalism Academy program assistants. Our program assistants will also accompany students on evening activities and ensure that students abide by the residential dorms’ curfew. Sunday through Thursday nights, students must be on their floor at 11 p.m. ET., and midnight on Friday and Saturday. Boston University’s full-time professional police department is available to assist with any emergencies.

DINING:

All accepted students will receive a 19-meal dining plan (included in their tuition). This dining plan provides three meals a day, Monday through Friday and two meals on the weekends.

Before arriving to the program, our program manager will connect any student with food allergies and restrictions with one of Boston University Sargent Health dieticians. The dietician will provide students guidance on their specific allergies and restrictions and will be available to meet with students when they arrive on-campus.

If you have any questions about the residence halls, need special accommodations at the dorms or dining, please email us at busj@bu.edu

Yes, we offer limited financial aid and scholarships to students who live and attend schools in the United States and demonstrate a financial need. Students applying for financial aid or scholarship must email our office at busj@bu.edu and request a financial aid application.

Student will be required to submit the following on or before Friday, April 5, 2025 by 11:59 p.m. ET:

• Online BUSJ application for admissions
• BU Summer Journalism Academy Financial Aid/Scholarship Application and supporting documents

The Summer Journalism Academy is designed and operated directly by Boston University’s College of Communication, home to BU’s Department of Journalism. Many academy instructors — all working journalists — also teach at the college. The curriculum was created by BU lecturers and faculty. On-campus students attending the academy stay in BU residence halls and attend classroom sessions inside the College of Communication on BU’s main campus.

We strongly encourage students not to participate in another college-level program while they are attending our program. If you have any questions, feel free to contact our summer program manager at 617-353-5391 or email us at busj@bu.edu.

Yes, they can apply to our learn-from-home program, only. We ask that parents/guardians schedule a phone call with our summer program manager to ensure this is the right fit. Email the summer program manager at: busj@bu.edu.

Application fees are nonrefundable, as are any applicable tuition deposits. Refunds for tuition and other fees are refundable minus $700 (equal to the reservation deposit) until June 6, 2024. After that date, no refund or reduction in the total charge, tuition, or service fees will be made, including for students who arrive to the program late, leave the program early, or are dismissed from the program due to a violation of the program guidelines.

Cancellation requests for the Summer Journalism Academy at Boston University should be emailed to: busj@bu.edu.

Failure to attend the academy session will result in forfeiture of the full registration fee.

The College of Communication reserves the right to cancel or reschedule the workshop due to low enrollment or other unforeseen circumstances beyond the control of the College of Communication. In this case, applicants are entitled to a full refund of the application and registration fees.

The College of Communication will advise applicants at the earliest opportunity of changes to the scheduled workshop dates. The College of Communication is not responsible for travel fees, or any expenses incurred as a result of canceled programs.

TYPICAL DAY SCHEDULE:

• 12:30 pm Eastern / 9:30 am Pacific: Classroom: Instruction and activity focused on one skill.
• 1:30 pm / 10:30 am: Break
• 2 pm / 11 am: Newsroom: Story discussion and planning, followed by offline time for interviews, research and writing, as well as editing online with your in instructor.
• 5 pm / 2 pm: Guest Talks, when scheduled.

You can search for and read selected stories reported by previous Summer Journalism Academy students at The Terrier.

No, the Summer Journalism Academy does not provide college credits.