Boston University Research in Science & EngineeringRISE

RISE at a Glance

Host

Boston University Summer Term

Field

Two tracks: the Internship, an individual project under faculty mentorship in astronomy, biology, biomedical engineering, chemistry, computer science, electrical and computer engineering, mechanical engineering, medical laboratory research, neuroscience, physics, psychology or public health; and the Practicum, lectures plus group research, with 2027 subjects announced in December

Grades and age

High school juniors at the time of application, entering senior year after the program

Citizenship and residency

US citizens and legal permanent residents only; international students are not eligible. The program says competitive applicants have a cumulative unweighted GPA in the A– to A range.

Cost

Tuition-based. In 2026 the total charge was $10,735 for residential students (tuition, housing, 19 meals a week and all fees) and $6,415 for commuters; the $75 application fee is extra. Summer 2027 rates will be posted December 17. Limited need-based financial aid is available and must be requested with the application, not by email.

Dates and format

Six weeks. In 2027, residential students attend June 27 to August 6 and commuters June 28 to August 6 (pending approval and subject to change). Internship students spend about 40 hours a week on research; Practicum students have a two-hour lecture and four hours of group research each day. Both tracks attend weekly workshops and present at a closing poster symposium. Most students live in the dorms, and some commute from a relative's home. RISE is noncredit, with a certificate of completion.

Application dates

The 2027 application opens December 17, 2026 and closes at 11:59 pm Eastern on February 3, 2027; decisions arrive about 6 to 8 weeks after the deadline.

Application materials

A full high school transcript starting in 9th grade, including fall 2026 grades; three essays of up to 300, 250 and 200 words; one recommendation from a STEM teacher, counselor or research supervisor; and, for Internship applicants, three faculty members of interest. Standardized tests are optional for 2027. Families seeking aid submit the financial aid application at the same time.

Size and selectivity

The program says about 190 students attended in 2026 out of thousands of applicants; the exact number of applicants and the admission rate are not published.

Verified against official pages on 2026-10-06 · bu.edu/summer/high-school-programs/rise-internship-practicum

How to Apply to RISE

• Internship applicants list three faculty members of interest. Before the application opens in December, browse research in the relevant Boston University departments and pick projects that connect to your coursework or experience.
• The three essays are capped at 300, 250 and 200 words, and only one recommendation is required. Ask the teacher or research mentor who knows your science work best, and leave plenty of time before the February 3 deadline.
• Families who need aid must submit the aid application with the program application; email requests are not accepted. Once 2027 rates are posted on December 17, work out the total cost before committing.