Welcome, CFA Class of 2028!
Welcome to the Boston University College of Fine Arts! We look forward to having you join us!
CFA Open House
Join us for CFA Open House on Friday, April 12, 2024!
A full day of programming is planned for our accepted students. Take a look at our agenda, below, and register for Open House here!
2024 CFA Open House Agenda
All CFA
| 9am |
Registration |
CFA Student Lounge, Room 102, 855 Commonwealth Ave. |
| 9:30am |
Student Services Presentation by Ruthie Jean, Associate Dean, Academic Programs and Enrollment, Brendan Hoey, Director of Undergraduate Student Services |
CFA Concert Hall, Room 175, 855 Commonwealth Ave. |
| 10am |
Break-off to schools |
Various locations |
| 1:15-1:45pm |
Dual Degree Information Session, Brendan Hoey, Director of Undergraduate Student Services |
CFA Student Lounge, Room 102, 855 Commonwealth Ave. |
School of Music
| 10:15am |
Meet & Greet with Current Students |
CFA Room 167, 855 Commonwealth Ave. |
| 10:30am |
Student Recital |
CFA Room 167, 855 Commonwealth Ave. |
| 11am |
Welcome by Gregory Melchor-Barz, Director, School of Music
Welcome by SOM Admissions
Greetings from SOM Faculty
Meet your Academic Advisor, Barb Raney |
CFA Room 167, 855 Commonwealth Ave. |
| 12pm |
Tour |
SOM, Various locations |
| 12:30pm |
Lunch |
West Campus Residence Hall, 275 Babcock St. |
| 1:15-1:45pm |
Observe a BUSO Rehearsal |
Location TBD |
School of Theatre
| 10am |
Welcome by Matthew Lupulio, Director of Admissions & Susan Mickey, Director of the School of Theatre |
Booth Theatre Lobby, 820 Commonwealth Ave. |
| 10:15am |
Student Performance with Q&A |
Booth Theatre Lobby, 820 Commonwealth Ave. |
| 10:30am |
Design, Production & Management Faculty Introductions with Q&A |
Scene Shop, 820 Commonwealth Ave. |
| 10:30am |
Performance/Theatre Arts Faculty Introductions with Q&A |
Booth Theatre Lobby, 820 Commonwealth Ave. |
| 11:15am |
Student Performance “Play Out” & Visit Lists Distributed |
Booth Theatre Lobby, 820 Commonwealth Ave. |
| 11:30am |
Lunch |
West Campus Residence Hall, 275 Babcock St. |
| 12:20pm |
Shadow Acting Class |
CFA Room 106, 855 Commonwealth Ave. |
| 12:20pm |
Acting Workshop |
CFA Room 356, 855 Commonwealth Ave. |
| 12:20pm |
Design, Production & Management Student Presentation |
CFA Room 354, 855 Commonwealth Ave. |
School of Visual Arts
| 10am |
Welcome by Dana Clancy, Director, School of Visual Arts |
Howard Thurman Center, Room 104, 808 Commonwealth Ave. |
| 10:15am |
Student Artist Talks and Q&A |
Howard Thurman Center, Room 104, 808 Commonwealth Ave. |
| 11:15am |
Interactive Student Tour |
SVA, Various locations |
| 12:30pm |
Lunch |
West Campus Residence Hall, 275 Babcock St. |
Pre-arrival Checklist
Enrolled as a first-year undergrad? Be sure to prepare for the start of the academic year by getting familiar with the following resources.
Set Up Your BU Email
Follow instructions through BU TechWeb to establish a BU email prior to attending Orientation.
BU TechWeb
MyBU Student Portal
The MyBU Student Portal is your personal and secure online tool to access a variety of important information. During your time at BU, you’ll use the Portal for a variety of essential tasks: to view and change your personal information, view your student financial account, check your grades, confirm classroom locations, and register for classes.
MyBU Student Portal
BU First Class for International Students
BU hosts this online noncredit pre-arrival course designed to prepare incoming international students for the transition to BU and the American classroom. First launched by Global Programs in 2016, BU First Class is delivered on the edX platform Edge and is comprised of short videos, polls, and self-checks designed to be completed from anywhere on any device.
BU First Class
Academic Expectations and Misconduct
CFA Requirements and Policies
The Boston University College of Fine Arts (CFA) unites the School of Music, the School of Theatre, and the School of Visual Arts into an intense, dynamic arts community where students combine professional, individualized training in their field with collaborative work that increasingly crosses departments and schools. Please visit the CFA Academic Bulletin to seek out specific program requirements and policies related to your degree program and the College at large.
CFA Bulletin
BU Academic and Non-academic Policies
Get to know Boston University a little better. For everything from registration and full-time enrollment to academic conduct, intra-University transfer, and more, review BU Academic Policies. For non-academic policies related to student life and campus regulations, explore the Dean of Students’ Lifebook.
BU Academic Policies
BU Lifebook
BU Academic Conduct Code
Boston University’s Academic Conduct Code is designed to assist in the development of a supportive and productive learning environment. It is both a description of the University’s ethical expectations of students as well as a guarantee of students’ rights and responsibilities as members of a learning community. The Code provides clarity related to policy and procedure regarding academic conduct. Please review this code prior to classes starting.
BU Academic Conduct Code
Essential Campus Resources
Orientation
Boston University expects all new students to attend an Orientation, in its entirety, prior to their first class. CFA is holding multiple sessions this summer:
Orientation Registration Information
Take a Virtual Tour of CFA
From wind ensemble rehearsal to kinetic sculptures to the light & sound lab at Booth Theatre, there is always something amazing happening within the walls of CFA. Take a peek behind-the-scenes of some of our favorite spaces and check out a typical day at the College of Fine Arts!
Explore campus online by using our interactive Virtual Tour.
Fall 2024 Registration
All entering CFA undergraduate students will enroll in CFA FA 100 (2.0 credits), Doing, Making & Knowing: The CFA Experience. This course meets on Thursdays, 9-10:45am, and is required for all CFA first years.
Don’t worry – any concerns or issues will be sorted out this summer with your professional School Advisor.
Freshman Writing Requirement
Your school advisor will pre-select a Writing course and section that works for you and add it to your Schedule Builder in the MyBU Student Portal. If you would like to change the topic or section of your Writing course, you will have an opportunity to do so.
Writing Requirement
All native English speakers will register for CAS WR 120 their first semester. All non-native speakers will register for writing after taking the Writing Placement Exam online in June. You will receive instructions if you need to take the exam. There is no Advanced Placement credit or International Baccalaureate credit that fulfills the writing requirement. CAS WR 120 is topic-based. Please see the list of topics in the writing program curriculum catalog
More Information on Writing for Non-Native English Speakers
All CFA students are required to satisfy the writing requirement by completing CAS WR 120 and CAS WR 15X.
The Writing Program is committed to ensuring that all students receive appropriate instruction and support. Students whose primary language is English register for WR 120.
WR 111* Academic Writing for ESL Students 1 (non-native English speakers only)
WR 112* Academic Writing for ESL Students 2 (non-native English speakers only)
WR 120 First-Year Writing Seminar
WR 15X Writing, Research, and Inquiry
*Students who were required to submit TOEFL scores or other proof of English language proficiency as part of their application for admission will be placed into WR 111, WR 112, or WR 120 based on their performance on the Writing Placement Exam, taken during Orientation.
Students who take WR 111 in their first semester are required to complete WR 112 before advancing to the WR 120/15X sequence.
Course Planning & Registration
Fall 2024 Registration Planning
During your time at Boston University you will register for courses through the MyBU Student Portal.
Again, professional advisors in each school will guide you through the registration procedure and help you to enroll in your first semester CFA courses and a required Writing section.
Freshman Foundation/Core Courses
Questions
Please feel free to contact Brendan Hoey, Director of Undergraduate Student Services. The CFA Student Services team, along with your School academic advisors, will connect with you soon and all of your lingering questions will be answered!
Feel free to contact Brendan (brendan2@bu.edu) by email, or phone at 617-353-3350.
