High school students who want to study abroad in the United States tend to choose New York City over any other option. However, according to TopUniversities, in recent years we have seen Boston start to move up the rankings, and many international students are now wondering how to study there. This city offers the opportunity to experience the cultural richness, diversity and excitement in a more welcoming and moderate pace. 

Boston is a must if you plan to spend a summer, a semester or even a year in the United States. Read on to find out more about visa requirements, admission procedures, available scholarships and costs. 

Why Choose Boston as an International Student? 

As a high school student, you have an amazing opportunity to spend time abroad. While this experience can be challenging, it’s full of benefits, including the chance to immerse yourself in a new culture, learn a new language, make new friends, become more independent, and access unique programmes and research opportunities.

As you scroll through the options, it’s worth considering Boston. This city is considered the educational epicentre of the United States. Home to Harvard, MIT, Cambridge, Tufts and more, it’s full of young people studying and preparing for the world of work. This makes it easy for you to meet new people, make new friends and have fun.

At the same time, the city is full of historical monuments, museums and restaurants, cafes and great places to sit down and study. Boston is home to Fenway Park, the oldest baseball park in the United States, where you can watch the Red Sox play in the major leagues and enjoy great concerts. 

In other words, this city has it all: culture, sports, history and time to have fun with new friends.

Visa Requirements 

To study at an accredited college, university or high school in the United States, you must apply for an F-1 student visa. Remember that to start the process, you must first be accepted by an educational institution and receive a Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20) from them. Once you have your I-20, and no more than 120 days before the start of your study programme, you can begin the visa application process at your nearest embassy or consulate. 

We strongly recommend that you visit the embassy or consulate website. They may have specific requirements and procedures, but they will all require a personal interview with you and take your fingerprints. 

To prepare for this interview, we strongly recommend that you practise questions and answers in English. They are usually about your future studies, your family, your income, your funding and your plans to return home after completing your programme. You will also need to submit the following documents:

  • DS-160 form
  • Application fee receipt 
  • One photograph
  • Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your expected arrival date
  • Documented proof that your parents have sufficient funds to cover your tuition and living expenses.

The length of your visa will depend on the length of the programme you are enrolled in, but the Department of State has the final say. The approval process can take some time, so be patient. Once approved, you can confirm your plans and schedule your arrival before the start of your studies. This will give you time to find accommodation, settle in and familiarise yourself with the city.

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Admissions Process

The admissions process for summer programmes, universities and colleges varies. However, they will usually ask you for:

  • A completed application form 
  • An application fee, which varies from campus to campus 
  • Official high school transcripts, diplomas and/or exit exam results 
  • Secondary school records and final year grades 
  • Academic recommendation letters from a school counsellor and/or teacher 
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores 
  • Proof of financial support 
  • A copy of the data page of the applicant’s passport.

We encourage you to check the website of the institution of your choice. They usually have a special page or section dedicated to international student admissions. There you will find all the details on documentation, dates and requirements.

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Scholarships that Are Offered

While studying abroad is an enriching experience, it is important to remember that it can be financially challenging. There are the costs of your studies, living expenses, transport, accommodation and even travel. To help ease the burden on your family finances, here’s a list of different scholarships you may be eligible for.

It’s important to remember that studying in the United States can be expensive, so it’s rare to find a full scholarship that also covers housing and other expenses. However, many colleges and universities offer partial scholarships for international students. It’s worth checking their websites and asking around to find out more. 

Immerse Essay Competition Scholarship

At Immerse Education, we run an essay competition for high school students who want to improve their skills and win scholarships for their future studies, including summer school in Tokyo. 

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To enter you must be between the ages of 13 and 18. If you are, you’ll need to submit an essay answering a question of your choice on a topic that interests you – there are over twenty questions to choose from, which can be found in our full Essay Competition Guide. 10 winners will receive a 100% scholarship to study at a world-leading university of their choice. Outstanding runners-up will receive partial scholarships. 

MPOWER Women in STEM Scholarship

These scholarships are awarded annually to female international/DACA students who are currently enrolled or accepted for full-time study in a STEM degree programme at a MPOWER-supported programme in the United States or Canada. Awards may be in the amount of $3,000, $1,000 or $500. To be eligible, you must be an international student legally authorised to study in the United States and be ready to embark on one of the following fields of study:

Biology/Life Sciences, Computer & Information Systems, Engineering, Health Professions, Mathematics, Psychology, Aviation, Nursing, Dentistry/Orthodontics, Chemistry, Applied Science, Game Design & Development, Computer Animation, Criminal & Forensic Science, Geology, Medicine, Nutrition, Physics, and Science. 

Study a Bachelor’s in the USA Scholarship 

educations.com is now offering a scholarship for international students interested in studying a Bachelor’s degree in the United States. They are offering up to $5,000 to help you cover your tuition fees and make your dream come true. It will be awarded to students starting their studies in the autumn semester of 2025. 

To apply, you must:

  • Have applied (or will apply) to a college or university in the USA.
  • Have applied (or will apply) for an undergraduate degree starting in the autumn of 2025.
  • The programme must be studied either on campus or online at a US-based institution.
  • You must meet the college or university’s admission requirements, including
  • Possessing a valid high school (or equivalent) transcript
  • Meeting any language requirements for the programme
  • You must hold or be eligible to apply for an appropriate study visa (if applicable).
  • You cannot be a US citizen or resident unless you are currently studying abroad.

Check out the Bachelor’s in the USA Scholarship website.

Course Fees 

As mentioned above, studying in the United States can be quite expensive and Boston is no exception, with tuition fees ranging from GBP 15,000 to GBP 38,000 per year. However, this city does have one advantage. The cost of living, housing and transport tends to be lower than in cities like New York, especially if you choose to live in university accommodation.

Accommodation usually costs around GBP 1,150 per month. These costs, plus food, utilities, entertainment and transportation, can add up to GBP 2,150 per month. It’s not a cheap experience, but you’ll be living in one of the oldest cities in the United States, full of history, culture and entertainment. 

Conclusion

In short, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Spending some time abroad in Boston has a cost that you need to consider, but there are ways to partially fund your studies, so don’t let the numbers we’ve shared here scare you off or prevent you from considering this as your go to option. 

Boston hosts approximately 66,200 international students each year. They all have different reasons for moving here, but they all enjoy the sights, food, cafes and nature of this incredible city. Are you next?

At Immerse Education we make it even easier for you. Our Boston Summer School programme gives you the opportunity to attend a summer camp in the city of Boston. If you’re a high school or middle school student, it’s the perfect time to expand your global network and make lifelong connections with peers from around the world.