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    AIM: Creative Writing
    In-person Program

    AIM: Creative Writing

    by Boston University Pre-College Programs

    AIM: Creative Writing develops your voice through fiction, poetry, and screenplay workshops with experienced writers, constructive feedback, and a final writers showcase.

    Last verified: 9 Oct 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy

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    AIM Creative Writing at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Upcoming

    Eligibility

    Rising high school juniors and seniors

    Age range / Year group

    Ages 16-18

    Location / Region

    Boston, United States

    Cost

    $5,991; $7,875

    Duration

    3 weeks

    Format

    In-person

    Next deadline

    Not announced · Next cycle not announced

    Get next-cycle reminder
    Class size: Up to 50 students
    Accommodation: BU residence halls; 2-3 per room
    Meals: 19 meals/week residential; weekday lunch commuter
    Certificate / Outcome: Completion certificate and instructor evaluation
    Campus experience: Workshops, cultural visits, and social activities
    Tutors / faculty: BU MFA faculty and alumni collaboration
    Sessions / cadence: Weekdays: 9:30–11:30 am; 1–4:30 pm

    AIM Creative Writing summary

    AIM: Creative Writing combines formal technique seminars with practical work in fiction, poetry, and screenplays. Students learn from experienced writers and develop their own voice.

    Workshops, free-write exercises, guest speakers, and cultural visits provide different ways to find inspiration. The course finishes with a writers showcase for peers and the BU community.

    It suits writers who want to experiment across genres and become more comfortable receiving critique. The emphasis is on practice, feedback, and creative development.

    What is AIM: Creative Writing?

    AIM: Creative Writing is Boston University's intensive writing course within Academic Immersion. Offered in collaboration with faculty and alumni of BU's MFA Program in Creative Writing, it focuses on fiction, poetry, and screenplays. Morning seminars introduce formal techniques through instruction from experienced writers.

    Afternoons bring workshops, free-write sessions, guest speakers, and visits to Boston cultural institutions. Students practice their craft and build confidence through constructive critique. A final writers showcase gives each student an opportunity to share an original piece with peers and the BU community.

    Why Succeed highlights AIM Creative Writing

    • Moving between fiction, poetry, and screenplays lets students test different forms rather than commit immediately to one genre.

    • The collaboration with BU's MFA faculty and alumni connects creative practice with experienced writers.

    • Constructive critique gives students a practical way to refine their style and develop confidence.

    • The writers showcase provides a clear purpose for developing and sharing an original piece.

    • Campus and city-based writing activities offer inspiration beyond the classroom.

    Who is AIM Creative Writing for?

    Best for

    Writers who want structured practice across several genres and are willing to share work, receive critique, and try unfamiliar techniques.

    Not ideal if

    You primarily want transferable college credit or uninterrupted specialization in a single genre.

    Is AIM Creative Writing worth it?

    AIM: Creative Writing is worth considering if your goal is to improve through regular practice and constructive feedback. The combination of seminars, workshops, and a final showcase gives the experience a clear creative purpose. Its strongest value is the opportunity to develop your voice alongside other motivated writers.

    The main limitation is that rotating across genres leaves less time for sustained specialization in one form. AIM also awards no college credit and offers no financial aid. Families should weigh the learning experience and campus environment against the published fees rather than treat the certificate as an admissions advantage.

    A practical overview of cost, accommodation, meals, dates and provider details to review before deciding.

    Cost and what is included

    $5,991; $7,875; includes Tuition., Textbooks and other course materials., All program-sponsored activities., Residential option: housing and 19 meals per week., Commuter option: lunch Monday through Friday..

    Accommodation

    BU residence halls; 2-3 per room

    Meals

    19 meals/week residential; weekday lunch commuter

    Provider details

    Review the Boston University Pre-College Programs provider page and official sources before making a final decision.

    Dates and logistics

    3 weeks; Boston, United States.

    What to check before committing

    Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what is included with the provider.

    Compare this program with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.

    Compare with similar programs

    How much preparation does AIM Creative Writing need?

    Effort level

    High, with weekday seminars, afternoon activities, and writing practice.

    Best started

    Begin application preparation four to six weeks before the announced December application cycle.

    Main challenge

    Balancing experimentation, feedback, and the confidence to share your writing.

    Typical preparation

    • Draft the 500–750-word personal statement around specific reasons for wanting to study writing.

    • Gather your transcript from Grade 9 onward, including the required fall grades.

    • Identify an academic teacher early and send the recommendation request promptly through the application.

    • Read examples of fiction, poetry, and screenplays, and practice writing short pieces in unfamiliar forms.

    Useful if

    You want to discover which writing forms suit your voice.

    What do students do on AIM Creative Writing?

    You move from learning formal writing techniques to trying them in workshops and free-write exercises. Feedback, guest speakers, and cultural visits help you develop an original piece to share at the final showcase.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Focus on one genre each week: fiction, poetry, and screenplays.

    2. 2

      Attend morning seminars led by experienced writers.

    3. 3

      Practice techniques in afternoon workshops and free-write sessions.

    4. 4

      Learn from guest speakers and seek inspiration at Boston cultural institutions.

    5. 5

      Use constructive critique to refine your style and build confidence.

    6. 6

      Share one original piece at the concluding writers showcase.

    AIM Creative Writing dates and deadlines

    Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.

    Applications open

    17 December

    AIM application opening announcement; Creative Writing course options are announced separately.

    Reference date

    Eligibility and requirements

    • Enter junior or senior year of high school in fall 2027.

    • International students may apply.

    • The prospective student must personally submit the application.

    • International applicants must provide a valid passport.

    • Non-native English international applicants must provide English proficiency scores.

    • Commuters must stay with family or an approved adult aged 18+.

    How much does AIM Creative Writing cost?

    Program fee

    $5,991; $7,875 — 2026 commuter and residential totals, respectively.

    Funding or discounts

    • Application fee: $75 — Paid by credit card when submitting the application.
    • Financial aid: None

    What's included

    Tuition., Textbooks and other course materials., All program-sponsored activities., Residential option: housing and 19 meals per week., Commuter option: lunch Monday through Friday.

    How to apply to AIM Creative Writing

    1. 1

      Use the official AIM admissions instructions to prepare your application.

    2. 2

      Gather your full transcript from Grade 9 onward, including fall 2026 grades.

    3. 3

      Write a 500–750-word personal statement explaining why you want to attend AIM.

    4. 4

      Create application credentials and request one recommendation from an academic teacher.

    5. 5

      Upload a valid passport and applicable English proficiency scores if applying internationally.

    6. 6

      Submit the application yourself and pay the nonrefundable $75 application fee.

    7. 7

      Track materials through the Applicant Portal and respond to any verification requests.

    8. 8

      After admission, complete the Participation Agreement and required enrollment steps.

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    What does AIM Creative Writing cover?

    The program covers the following focus areas.

    Fiction

    Learn formal fiction techniques and practice developing your writing style.

    Poetry

    Explore approaches to poetry through seminars, writing practice, and critique.

    Screenplays

    Study screenplay techniques and experiment with this form in writing activities.

    Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.

    What is a typical day on AIM Creative Writing?

    A typical day during the program.

    Morning seminar

    Study formal writing techniques with experienced instructors.

    Lunch

    Eat in a campus dining hall.

    Experiential learning

    Participate in workshops, free-write sessions, guest talks, or cultural visits.

    Evenings

    Spend time on social activities, homework, or free time before residential curfew.

    Who teaches on AIM Creative Writing?

    AIM: Creative Writing is offered in collaboration with faculty and alumni of BU's MFA Program in Creative Writing. Morning seminars are led by instructors who are experienced writers, while guest speakers contribute further perspectives on the craft.

    Each AIM course accommodates up to 50 students.

    Where do students stay on AIM Creative Writing?

    Residential plan

    • Residence halls: Live in BU residence halls with air-conditioned rooms and common areas.
    • Dining plan: Receive 19 meals per week with vegetarian, vegan, and dietary support options.
    • Residential supervision: 24-hour security, residential staff, and live-in program assistants support students.
    • Campus community: Join social outings and activities with other BU pre-college students.

    Non-residential plan

    • Commuter permission: Commuting requires approval and staying with family or an approved adult aged 18+.
    • Weekday lunch: Lunch Monday through Friday is provided in a campus dining hall.
    • Evening activities: Commuter students are invited to participate in evening activities.

    Rooms typically house two or three students with communal bathrooms; roommate requests are not accepted.

    What happens after AIM Creative Writing?

    After completing this program, participants often pursue:

    Develop formal techniques in fiction, poetry, and screenplays.

    Refine your writing style through practice and constructive critique.

    Share an original piece at the writers showcase.

    Receive a certificate of completion.

    Receive a written evaluation from your instructor.

    AIM is noncredit.

    Where does AIM Creative Writing take place?

    The program takes place at Boston University, with writing activities both on campus and around Boston. Visits to cultural institutions connect the city's creative history with students' own writing practice.

    Students leaving campus during free time must follow program boundaries and inform a program assistant.

    AIM Creative Writing FAQs

    The course focuses on fiction, poetry, and screenplays, with one genre studied each week. Morning seminars introduce formal techniques, followed by practical writing activities.

    AIM is noncredit. Students receive a certificate of completion and a letter of evaluation from their instructor after the program.

    Yes, subject to Summer Term Office approval. Commuters must stay with a family member or approved adult aged 18 or older and complete the Commuter Permission Form and Dining Plan Agreement.

    Residential students receive 19 meals per week. Commuter students receive lunch Monday through Friday.

    Residence halls have 24-hour security, full-time BU residential staff, and live-in program assistants. Residential curfew is 11 pm Sunday through Thursday and midnight Friday and Saturday.

    Roommate requests are not accepted. Rooms typically accommodate two or three students, and bathrooms are shared with students on the floor.

    Yes. International applicants need a valid passport and English proficiency scores unless English is their native language; AIM does not qualify for F-1 student sponsorship.

    Classroom, testing, housing, and dining accommodations can be requested through BU Disability & Access Services. Students should begin the process early after receiving their BU ID.

    Alternatives to AIM Creative Writing

    Compare these options if you want individual research mentorship, journalism, or a different approach to storytelling.

    Alternatives to AIM Creative Writing

    Journalism Summer Program

    In-person journalism study in Cambridge

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    From £7400
    14-18
    Cambridge
    In-person

    Best for

    Writers interested in journalism

    View details
    Storytelling in the Digital Age
    Upcoming

    Digital storytelling with media studies and photography subjects

    Media Studies
    08 May 2026
    From $7401
    15-18
    Los Angeles
    In-person

    Best for

    Students interested in storytelling through media

    View details

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    Ben Stacy

    Content reviewed by

    Ben Stacy

    Co-founder, Succeed | Former secondary teacher and educational leader

    Ben works at the intersection of education, technology and school adoption, with expertise in how secondary schools evaluate data-driven tools and how education technology is used in practice.

    View author page

    Sources & verification

    Source types reviewed

    • Enrollment Procedures | Boston University Summer Term
    • Student Conduct | Boston University Summer Term
    • Information for Parents & Guardians | Boston University Summer Term
    • AIM: Information for International Students | Boston University Summer Term
    • AIM: Housing & Dining | Boston University Summer Term
    • Academic Immersion (AIM) High School Program | Boston University Summer Term
    • AIM: Calendar & What to Expect | Boston University Summer Term
    • Creative Writing | Boston University
    • AIM: Frequently Asked Questions | Boston University Summer Term
    • AIM: How to Apply | Boston University Summer Term
    • AIM: Tuition & Payment | Boston University Summer Term
    • Contact Summer Term | Boston University Summer Term
    • Summer Term Forms | Boston University Summer Term
    • Course Additions, Drops & Withdrawals | Boston University Summer Term
    • Summer Term Course Codes & Numbers | Boston University Summer Term
    • Adults & Professionals Summer Courses | Boston University Summer Term
    • High School Student Application Information | Boston University Summer Term
    • Visiting International Student Registration | Boston University Summer Term
    • Visiting US Student Registration | Boston University Summer Term
    • Current BU Student Registration | Boston University Summer Term
    • BU Summer Term Registration | Boston University Summer Term
    • Frequently Asked Questions | Boston University Summer Term
    • Summer Session Tuition & Fees | Boston University Summer Term
    • AIM: Creative Writing | Boston University Summer Term

    Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.

    What we verified (on 9 Oct 2026)

    • Official program page reviewed

    • Eligibility and requirements reviewed

    • Application materials checked

    • Historical fee totals identified

    • Housing and meals reviewed

    • Credit and certificate checked

    • International guidance reviewed

    How Succeed uses this information

    We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.