Is the Boston University Summer Challenge worth it?

AnalMom
Sat, 21 Jun 2014 19:53:23 +0000

My son attended July 2013. The classes are good but the program is mostly for students to experience Boston and college. The instructors are good so you will learn something, but they aren’t hardcore, so you won’t have much homework. Frankly, it’s more of a social experience.

My son decided he did not want to attend BU after attending this program. We realized the administration sux and doesn’t care about the kids much, and he decided he wanted a campus feel instead of an urban campus with subway running down the middle, plus he was accepted into a better program at another school. I’m not sure it’s representative of BU students, as most who he talked with were not considering attending BU.

If you want to attend a school in Boston, this would be a GREAT experience for you because it will help in your decision. The downside is that the freshman dorm, Warren Towers, is a 7-story building with no air conditioning in the rooms so you’ll have to sleep with the window open and fan blowing on you all night. Our fan was basic/lousy so I went by subway to the Bed, Bath, Beyond in Boston and bought a Vornado fan - highly recommend this fan for ultimate circulation. And you NEED a fan to survive. There is AC in the study rooms but not in the bedrooms. It was 85-95 degrees and HUMID. There is a CVS and Jamba Juice next to the dorm so you can buy drinks, and there is a drink vending machine on the ground level of the dorm. There are also basic dorm supplies at the bookstore, but overpriced. Buy a Charlie Card if you don’t want to have to pay cash each time you take the subway (you just swipe the card). The dorms aren’t super clean, the food is mediocre, it’s hot and humid. But in the end, the experience is worth the money to experience Boston. If your parents are willing to pay the high BU tuition, they should pay this lesser amount so you can be sure you like it prior to attending. Even better if they can take you a few days in advance to experience Boston. Brought my daughter when dropping off my son, and she decided she wants to go to NY instead of Boston. Again, the experience is well worth it and something you will always remember.