Registration for the 2025 Fall Black Scholars Initiative Pre-Orientation opens on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. Incoming students interested in participating should register before the deadline on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. The BSI Pre-Orientation program kicks off each fall before Berklee’s college-wide orientation. Offering sessions on social and cultural topics, performance, and community building, the program fosters connection and belonging while highlighting the contributions of the African diaspora to Berklee and the arts.
Black Scholars Initiative Pre-Orientation
The 2025 BSI Pre-Orientation program is scheduled to begin on Saturday, August 16, 2025, and will continue throughout the 2025 Fall Orientation.
The BSI Pre-Orientation is a free weeklong program held every August prior to the campus-wide fall orientation for entering first-year students. Rooted in uplifting students and cultivating community, the program also equips them with strategies for navigating academic and cocurricular experiences, along with essential skills for success at Berklee and beyond.
How to Register
How to Register
Students entering their first semester at Berklee College of Music and Boston Conservatory at Berklee every fall are invited to join the Black Scholars Initiative and will receive an email invitation on May 13, 2025, to participate in the program. Students can register via our registration link.
Registration for the BSI Pre-Orientation opens on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, and closes on Wednesday, June 18, 2025.
The Black Scholars Initiative Pre-Orientation is a not-for-credit program, and currently there are no prerequisites prior to the start of the program.
BSI Pre-Orientation Activities
Black Scholars Initiative Pre-Orientation Activities
The 2025 BSI Pre-Orientation program schedule is currently under development and will be provided to registered program participants before the start of the program through the Cadence Orientation App, which will house the full pre-orientation schedule, a live feed for you to introduce yourself to other new Berklee students, campus resources, competitions, and more!
Sessions during the pre-orientation program include, but are not limited to:
- Academic preparation: develop an understanding of core concepts in music, dance, and theater
- History and musical tradition: develop an understanding of African diasporic historical tradition
- Community integration: develop strategies to navigate academic and extracurricular experiences
Housing and Accommodations
Housing and Accommodations
All meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) and housing during the Black Scholars Initiative Pre-Orientation program will be provided. Confirmed program participants will move into the residence halls on Saturday, August 16, 2025. There are no alternative move-in dates for registered program participants.
Participants with on-campus housing for the academic year (confirmed by the Housing Office): You will move into the room assigned by the Housing Office for the academic year.
Participants who do not have on-campus housing for the academic year: You will be permitted to live in the residence halls for the duration of the program; however, you must move out of the residence halls on Saturday, August 23, 2025, by 9:00 a.m. There will be no exceptions.
Accommodations: Students who require accommodations based on a disability to participate in the BSI pre-orientation can request accommodations after being accepted into the program. Please email Accessibility Resources for Students at accessibilityresources@berklee.edu with your request. In the subject line of your email, please write “Black Scholars Initiative Pre-Orientation Program.”
Information for Families
Information for Families
Families are invited to attend the BSI Family Welcome Reception on Saturday, August 16, 2025. This reception will not cover information shared during the college-wide Fall Family Orientation, so we highly encourage families to be aware of this when planning their travel to Boston.
At the end of the BSI Pre-Orientation week, families will have the opportunity to attend the BSI Ensemble Showcase on Friday, August 22, 2025.
Plan Ahead for Fall Semester Check-In
Plan Ahead for Fall Check-In
BSI Pre-Orientation participants should be prepared to check in for the fall semester by August 11, 2025. We encourage you to review any check-in restrictions you may have and contact the appropriate offices for assistance before arriving on campus so you can fully engage in BSI’s Pre-Orientation Program.
Where to get assistance:
Students can visit the BSI Leadership Team page to learn more about the team planning your onboarding experience prior to Fall Orientation.
