Boston University: Summer Journalism Academy

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Boston University presents a once-in-a-lifetime experience for high school students interested in journalism, photography or writing to expand their news reporting skills, experience college, and build their résumé: the Boston University Summer Journalism Academy.

Learn journalism from working reporters this summer — on campus or from home.

Boston University presents a hands-on experience for high school students interested in journalism, writing or photography.

The Summer Journalism Academy at Boston University gives high school students the opportunity to expand their skills and prepare for college, either through a residential experience on campus or through remote instruction from home.

Each academy instructor is also a working journalist, so what’s taught is grounded in real-life experience. Each lesson is tied to its practical application, by giving students actual reporting assignments. Each day is a sample of life as a news reporter.

WHAT TO EXPECT: ON-CAMPUS

Three weeks designed for rising juniors and seniors with journalism experience.

Classroom starts each day with a review of journalism fundamentals in a collegiate format. A university-level journalism textbook provides daily readings and writing assignments. Instructors cover: story ideas; sources and research; interviewing; writing leads; story structure; writing for broadcast and web; accuracy; libel; ethics; and more. 

Newsroom, scheduled before lunch, provides time for students to apply what they learn in the Classroom to hands-on journalism assignments. Instructors — now serving as editors — divide students into small reporter teams, make assignments, and provide strategies for interviews and story angles. Over the rest of their day, students fan out around campus or in the city of Boston to conduct interviews and gather information. Typically, they report on city council proceedings, political races, human interest features, sports, and more, producing original stories over the three-week session for their personal portfolios. Stories are also shared on the academy’s news website, The Terrier.

Guest Talks offer students advice and insight from journalism experts in topics such as radio reporting, media law and studying journalism in college. Students also visit city newsrooms to hear from reporters where they work, such as WBUR public radio and the NBC Boston. Sessions feature three Guest Talks during each three-week session.

Activities unrelated to journalism are part of the on-campus Summer Journalism Academy experience. Students visit Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts and take a fan tour of historic Fenway Park, home to the Boston Red Sox. At their option, they can stroll the short distance to shop and eat on the city’s famed Newbury Street or walk the historic Freedom Trail downtown. Some students make time before or after their session to schedule college tours of BU and one of the many colleges in or near Boston.

Residence Hall: Most On-Campus students live and dine at the Warren Towers residence hall, next to the College of Communication building on Commonwealth Avenue. However, students living nearby may choose a “commuter” option and still participate in every Classroom, Newsroom, Guest Talk and Activity.

WHAT TO EXPECT: LEARN-FROM-HOME

Two weeks of instruction and hands-on reporting

This two-week online program is designed for high school students attending grades 10, 11 or 12 in the fall, as well as students who graduate in the spring. Previous experience in journalism is useful but not required.

Classroom starts each day with a review of journalism fundamentals in a collegiate format. A university-level journalism textbook provides daily readings and writing assignments. Instructors cover: story ideas; sources and research; interviewing; writing leads; story structure; writing for broadcast and web; accuracy; libel; ethics; and more.

Note: Curriculum for students opting for the photojournalism track will share some topics but will focus more on the operation and use of the camera and the editing of their photos.

Newsroom divides students into reporter teams, each led by a professional journalist serving as their editor, to apply what they learn in the Classroom by reporting real news events near them. Students conduct interviews by phone, email and video to cover a wide range of stories, such as local city council proceedings, political races, sporting events, human interest features and environmental issues in their community. With guidance from their editor, students write three to four original stories over the two-week session for their personal portfolios. Stories are also shared on the academy’s news website, The Terrier.

Guest Talks offer students advice and insight from experts in specific topics, such as radio reporting, media law and studying journalism in college. Sessions feature three to four Guest Talks during each two-week session.

APPLY TODAY

Admission to Boston University's Summer Journalism Academy is competitive and based on demonstrated need and merit. Seats are limited per session. Applicants ages 15 to 18 are eligible (including graduating seniors), and are notified of acceptance within two weeks. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

• On-Campus applications due in April
• Learn-from-Home applications due in May

REQUIRED MATERIALS

Computer, with a broadband internet connection, audio and camera for video-conference meetings.

Phone, to conduct interviews with sources and story subjects.