Pre-College Programs

All students are required to complete a series of intake forms and upload required health documents. These items appear in the “Pre-Session Checklist Items” section of the BentleyConnect portal. Once a form or document has been submitted, allow 3-4 business days for the checklist item to show as received. 

Parents will have a separate parent portal to complete onboarding forms and waivers. See parent email for login information.

• Session B: June 24-28
• Session C: July 1-July 5
• Session D: July 8-12
• Session E: July 15-19
• Session F: July 22-26

Sunday 
12:00 to 4:00 p.m. - Shuttle pickup available from Logan airport for students flying to the Boston area.
2:00 to 4:00 p.m. - Registration, and check-in at Miller Hall
4:00 to 6:00 p.m. - Welcome picnic, campus tours, and admission presentations for residential students and families. Parents leave campus by 6:00 p.m.
6:00 to 8:00 p.m. - Residential Student Orientation

Monday-Thursday
7:00 to 8:00 a.m. - Breakfast
8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. -  Classroom content in Smith Hall
12:00 to 1:00 p.m. - Lunch
1:00 to 5:30 p.m. - Classroom content, guest speakers, and group work

5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Dinner
7:00 to 10:00 p.m. - Evening activities*
10:00 p.m. - Curfew

*Wednesday night field trip to Boston for residential students 

Friday
7:30 to 8:30 a.m. - Breakfast
8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. - Classroom content
12:00 to 1:00 p.m. - Lunch
1:00 to 4:00 p.m. - Group presentations. Students can invite parents and guests to attend virtually.
4:30 to 7:00 p.m. - Awards, dinner, and reception with parents
7:00 p.m. - Residential students may depart if using their own transportation. Students will complete a travel form to indicate their plans.
10:00 p.m. - Curfew

Saturday (for Saturday departure and for students taking back-to-back courses and staying on campus)
7:30 to 8:30 a.m. - Breakfast available
8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. - Shuttles to the airport available
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. - Field trip to Boston for students spending multiple weeks on campus
5:00 to 7:00 p.m. - Dinner on campus
7:00 to 10:00 p.m. - Laundry, movie night on campus

Sunday
8:00 to 9:00 a.m. - Breakfast available

Course Capacity
Each course has a cap of 30 students, and there will be multiple courses running during each session, for a maximum of 120 students. Students from all courses will mix for parts of the program, and commuter students will depart at 5:30 p.m. each evening. We anticipate 50-100 students in residence each session with the rest attending as commuters. 

Course Curriculum
Each instructor has autonomy in designing their course plan.  The faculty director provides guidance as needed. Course syllabi will be provided to enrolled students prior to the session start date. Let us know if you would like more details about a particular course in advance.

Health Requirements
All commuter and residential students must demonstrate proof of health insurance and vaccinations and provide a detailed health history including dietary requirements, allergies, and medications. This information is collected as part of the intake forms during the onboarding process and is referenced by program staff in preparing for students’ arrival as well as in responding to any health emergencies during the program.

If you do not have U.S. health insurance, you must acquire travel insurance. There are several providers available including: 

iNext - https://www.inext.com/ 

International Student Insurance - https://www.internationalstudentinsurance.com/  

Gateway - https://gatewayplans.mercer.com/health-insurance-for-us-visitors.html  

Physical Requirements
Students will spend most of the day (from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.) in academic classrooms and/or labs where they will be expected to sit for extended periods, possibly in front of a computer, with minimal breaks. They will be listening to lectures and speakers, working with computers, interacting with classmates, and giving presentations. The Bentley campus is hilly, and students are expected to traverse campus daily between the dorms or commuter drop-off/pick-up locations and the classroom and activity spaces. Residential and commuter students take part in a chaperoned off-site visit to Boston on one day of the week, which involves transportation on a charter bus, navigating a specific section of Boston on foot with their group, and sitting down for dinner at a restaurant. Meals, snacks, and breaks are offered at scheduled times, and students are expected to adhere to the daily schedule provided for their course. Students will share a bedroom with one other person in a separate bed and may be assigned to a 2-bedroom apartment with two other students (same-sex rooms on a single-sex floor); each dorm room has its own bathroom. The Accessibility Services form must be used to identify any concerns that may hinder a student’s ability to participate in these standard activities. Providing as much information as possible in advance of arrival will help us ensure a safe and pleasant experience for each student. 

It is our goal to ensure your child safely and successfully completes their program. In the unlikely event of a serious incident, it is our expectation that the parent/guardian, or their emergency contact, is available at any time throughout the program to receive a call and, if necessary, to promptly retrieve their child or arrange for their departure. Any transportation costs associated with early departure are at your own expense. Before your child leaves home for their travel to Bentley, devise a contingency plan for providing their safe return home, or to a local friend or relative, should it become necessary.  

You and your emergency contact should add the following information to your mobile phone for easy reference: 

Bentley Pre-College Programs 
Phone: 781-981-2545 
SMS: 781-786-7694 
Email: precollege@bentley.edu 

Discipline 
If your child violates a program policy, we will evaluate to determine appropriate disciplinary action, which may include warning/probation or dismissal from the program. We may decide to give the participants a warning and place them on probation. You will be notified of any disciplinary actions imposed on your child. 

Healthcare 
You will be notified of any incident that prevents your child from participating in program activities.  

Campus Emergency 
Parents and emergency contacts are encouraged to subscribe to Bentley’s emergency alert system, RAVE, to receive automatic notifications of any emergency situations that occur on campus. These are infrequent and are typically related to severe weather conditions. Follow the instructions to subscribe.  

Opt-in: Text BentleyAlert to 226-787 to receive alerts from Bentley University. Message and data rates may apply. Text messages are sent on an as-needed basis. This service is provided per the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.  

Opt-out: At the conclusion of the program, text Stop BentleyAlert to 226-787 or HELP for tech support.   

Meals/Dining
Residential students are provided breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as midday snacks provided by Bentley’s dining partner, Sodexo. Residential students also enjoy late-night snacks. One night during each session, students will enjoy dinner at Fire & Ice in Boston.

Dietary Needs

With advance notice, we can accommodate most dietary needs. Students with dietary requirements must articulate their restrictions in the intake forms provided during the onboarding process. Students are welcome to bring their own snacks to supplement, but we ask that they avoid bringing personal snacks into shared spaces where food allergies may be present. If you have any concerns, please reach out to us to clarify.  

Housing
Residential students stay in our Miller Hall with traditional double occupancy room style. Each room features an air-conditioning unit, two beds and two dressers. There will be a maximum of 2 students per room with one student per bed. Bentley assigns students to same-sex rooms on a floor with separate restrooms and showers for each gender. There is a single gender shower restroom on the ground floor . If you identify as gender fluid or nonbinary, click here for more information. Linen service (pillows, sheets and towels) is included. A central laundry facility is located on the first floor. 

Weekend Stays
Students attending consecutive residential sessions may opt to remain in residence over the weekend at no additional cost. Meals and activities are provided during this time. Requests to check out from the program over the weekend, such as to visit friends or relatives in the area, must be submitted in advance following standard protocols for off-campus visits.

Residential Students

By Plane
Students traveling by plane should arrive at Boston Logan airport between 12:00 and 3:00 p.m. on Sunday (or as close to those times as possible) and depart from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday after their program. Most students arrive by plane and travel on their own.  Check with your preferred airline if you’d like to request additional services for an unaccompanied minor (usually offered to young adults for a fee). Our staff will greet students at the airport and take them to our private shuttle service. Our staff will return to the airport with them by shuttle and assist with check-in for flights home. 

By Car
Students traveling by car should arrive at the Bentley campus in Waltham between 2:00 and 4:00 p.m. on Sunday and depart by 8:00 p.m. on Friday. Residential students are not permitted to operate or park vehicles on campus and must make arrangements for transportation to/from Bentley. Arriving vehicles will be directed to drop-off locations for unloading, then families may park in designated locations if staying for the Welcome Reception.

International Students Entering the U.S.
International students traveling from another country to participate in our residential program must obtain a Visitor (typically B-2) visa for entry to the U.S. Bentley does not issue student (F or J) visas for its pre-college programs or provide any assistance in obtaining a visa.

Dress Code 
The academic rigor of Bentley's Pre-College Programs calls for appropriate attire but should not require a large investment on the part of the families. Offensive or inappropriate clothing is never permitted. Proper undergarments must be always worn. Practical and comfortable shoes are strongly encouraged, as some days may include a substantial amount of walking. We expect students to always demonstrate good judgment and discretion, and those not dressed in accordance with these standards may be asked to change clothes.  

Check online weather predictions for the city of Waltham before the program commences, and pack with layers in mind. While June temperatures are typically moderate in the Boston area, the weather is unpredictable and indoor facilities can feel chilly. Students are expected to follow the guidelines below for suggested attire based on activities for each day.  

Sunday – Travel Attire, casual and comfortable 

Monday–Thursday – Business Casual during the day; Casual for evening social events 

Friday – Business Proper; Semi-formal optional in the evening 

Saturday – Travel Attire, casual and comfortable 

Travel & Casual Attire:  

Casual attire may be worn on travel days, in the residence hall, or during any scheduled downtime. Athletic pants, jeans, shorts, t-shirts, athletic shoes, flip-flops, etc., are acceptable if they are neat in appearance. Students are encouraged to bring athletic clothing/footwear. 

Business Attire:  

Business Casual attire is suitable for most days. This includes medium-to-full-length dresses, skirts, or pants with collared shirts, polo shirts, blouses/tops, or plain t-shirts.  

Business Proper attire for presentations includes a pant/skirt suit, dress, or medium-length skirt or slacks with a coordinating shirt/top and blazer; ties are optional.

Articles that are not permitted include logo t-shirts, miniskirts (skirts more than 3 inches above the knee), denim, athletic pants, leather, strapless or halter tops, tops with plunging necklines, and midriff-baring styles. For personal safety as well as conformance with business attire, flip-flops, slides, and other shoes with no strap around the heel are not permitted. 

Semi-formal Attire (optional):  

Semi-formal attire is an optional alternative to business attire for the closing reception on the final night of the program. Semi-formal attire may include a dress, slacks with a shirt and tie, or a business suit. Dresses or skirts should not be shorter than 3 inches above the knee, nor should outfits have bare midriffs or plunging necklines. 

All students should bring:

• Headphones/earbuds 
• Spending money on souvenirs, extra snacks, and incidentals. Do not bring large amounts of cash or valuables to the program.  
• A compact umbrella. 
• A light jacket and/or sweater that can be easily layered over the clothing.  
• Comfortable walking shoes (the Bentley campus is hilly).  

Residential students should also bring:

• A watch or cell phone with an alarm—the program begins early each morning! 
• Travel adapter (for international students) - students traveling internationally should bring a 120V travel adapter suitable for U.S. power outlets. 
• Your personal necessities, including toiletries and medications (toothpaste/brush and deodorant are the most forgotten items.) Medications, both prescribed and over-the-counter, should also be documented in the Health History intake form.  
• Water bottle
• Sneakers and athletic wear 

Provided Items

At check-in, each student will receive a welcome kit with standard supplies including (but not limited to):

• Student ID badge and lanyard 
• Drawstring backpack 
• Student journal and pen 
• Bentley t-shirt 

Residential students will also have the following items available:

• Linens (sheets, pillow, light blanket, bath towel, hand towel, face towel) provided to each student at check-in 
• Travel shower kit (shampoo, conditioner, bath bar, shower gel, body lotion)
• Toilet paper  
• Tissues
• Paper towels
• Laundry detergent 
• Trash bin

• If you are making your own way to campus, refer to campus directions and map on the Bentley website; note that the Waverly Express shuttle does not operate in the summer. This site also includes an alphabetic list of local hotels for families staying in the area. Once on campus, follow the directions below for navigating through campus to program checkpoints. Please use this map for a detailed view of parking, pick-up and drop-off locations.  
• Sunday Arrival by car 
• Once you arrive at the Forest Street entrance, refer to the campus map to make your way to either the move-in checkpoint (Lot L11: Miller) for residential students or to event parking (Lot L11: Miller 1) for commuters. No permit is necessary to park in the designated lot on this day. Commuters will proceed to event check-in (B57: Smith Academic Technology Center) where they will receive their ID badge and welcome kit. 
• Residential Arrival by Bentley shuttle via plane/train/bus 
• A Bentley University greeter will meet you in the baggage claim area of your arriving terminal. The greeter will be wearing a Bentley t-shirt and badge and holding a sign with your first name on it. Even if you are not checking bags, you must proceed to the baggage claim area to meet the greeter. The greeter will escort you to the shuttle service where you may be accompanied by additional participants and/or Bentley staff to campus. Once the shuttle leaves the airport/station grounds, it’s typically a 35-45 minute ride to campus, depending on traffic. 
• Residential Move-in 
• At the move-in checkpoint (Lot L11: Miller), you will unload your things at a drop location and complete the sign-in process. At sign-in, you will receive your room assignment with access code and linens, along with your ID badge and welcome kit. You will then carry your belongings to your room. Note that rooms are located on floors 1 through 4, and there is no elevator; pack only what you can carry up or down stairs. Cars should be moved to event parking (Lot L11: Miller 1) while you unpack. You will then proceed to the welcome event (B57: Smith Academic Technology Center) with your ID badge. 
• Residential Move-out 
• All students must be packed and out of their rooms (including disposal of trash/unwanted items) by 11:00 a.m. on Saturday. Those departing by car will load in the same location as move-in (Lot L11: Miller). Those with later departure times may wait in the Student Center. Students taking the Bentley shuttle to Logan Airport or South Station should expect to leave campus at least 2 hours prior to their scheduled departure time. Students using the Bentley shuttle service will be escorted to their terminal by a Bentley representative who will assist with the check-in process and ensure the student passes through airport security. Bentley will not pay baggage fees, so be sure your student is prepared to pay any checked bag fees that may be required by the airline. 

Connecting with Students 

Students are expected to avoid any disruptions during class times. Refer to the Program Schedule for anticipated breaks and downtime when personal calls and emails may be feasible. We recommend 10:00 to 11:00 p.m. or 7:00 to 8:00 a.m. as the best times for students to connect with family and friends. Students will always have Wi-fi access to the Bentley network on campus, so a messaging app is often the best way to stay connected.

Connecting with Staff 

The Pre-College Office is available by phone, text or email. The phone line is monitored 24 hours a day during the program in case of emergencies; please be respectful of staff sleep schedules and refrain from non-emergency calls between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight time. 

Phone: +1 781-891-2545 
Email: precollege@bentley.edu 
Text: +1 781-786-7694 

Mail Services

Due to the short duration of our program, sending parcels to students is not recommended as items often arrive well after the student has left campus. All mail and campus deliveries are made to our central mail services and picked up by Pre-College staff daily Monday through Friday for delivery to students. Letters and packages may be addressed to: 

Student Name 
Pre-College Programs
175 Forest St 
Waltham, MA 02452  

Our staff are focused on ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all students and are unable to assist with delivery tracking for missing shipments. Any items not retrieved by students before they leave campus are returned to the sender. We are not responsible for mail or shipments to and from Bentley University via USPS or courier service.