In the year 1839, Boston University was founded as a private institution. It is located in an urban area and has a campus size of approximately 150 acres. By fall 2020, it is set to house 16,872 undergraduate students.
It uses a semester-based academic calendar to determine the academic year. Boston University is ranked 22nd out of 422 in the 2022 edition of Best Colleges, compiled by College Factual. In September 2017, Boston University’s tuition and fees amounted to $59,000. There is no higher institution of higher learning in the country that is independent, nonprofit, and as large as Boston University.
Boston University Acceptance Rate
According to the Boston University website, it admits only 19% of applicants. To illustrate that, the average number of applicants is 60,000, and just under 1 in 5 of them are accepted for admission.
Applicants who exceed GPA and test score expectations still may not be accepted due to the rigorous admissions process. A high chance of acceptance is lost if other parts of the application are inadequate, such as the recommendation letters and personal statements.
The number of applicants at BU increased by 23.9%, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. The application process for the Class of 2025 attracted more than 75,000 students around the globe. There’s no wonder that more students are applying to BU than ever before because the school offers opportunities for study abroad, research prestige, and excellent academics. School admits only students likely to succeed in the rigorous curriculum and maximize the opportunities the university offers.
Boston University GPA Requirements
School applications usually require a minimum GPA, but this is rarely enough to get accepted without getting rejected immediately.
To have a real shot at getting into a certain institution, you must have a GPA of at least 3.00. To determine this, the school uses the average GPA of its students at the moment.
Boston University requires you to have at least a 3.71 GPA to be considered for admissions if you are in the top 30% of your high school class. To do well in this class, you need to have a mixture of A’s and B’s, but with a higher percentage of A’s than B’s. Enrolling in harder classes, like AP and IB, can compensate for a low GPA. It will show you have a wide range of academic abilities to handle more challenging academics than the average high school student.
When you are a junior or senior, it is hard to change your GPA in time for college applications. When your GPA is lower than the school average, your SAT or ACT scores must be higher. You will stand out from other applicants by having a high-grade point average.
Boston University SAT and ACT Requirements
Every school has a different method for requiring standardized tests. Many schools need students to take both the SAT and ACT and the SAT subject tests. There is no SAT/ACT policy explicitly listed at Boston University, but it appears to be test-flexible because they publish average scores.
Boston University still requires students to submit their SAT or ACT scores even despite this policy. Compared to other applicants, you will have one fewer dimension showing that you are worthy of admission. As a result, we suggest you take the SAT or ACT.
Boston University Admissions Requirements
You can help your child get into Boston University by understanding their admissions requirements. The BU admissions committee closely evaluates applicants’ academics, test scores, and extracurricular activities.
Academic Requirements
BU selects students based on their academic potential as one of the most competitive universities in the country. In high school, students taking Honors, AP, and IB courses take the most challenging courses. This prepares them for BU’s challenging curriculum and enhances BU’s reputation as a successful alumnus.
What is a good amount of challenging classes for your child to take at a given time? Ensure that they do not become overwhelmed to avoid becoming stressed and earning lower grades or simply giving up meaningful extracurricular activities. You want your child to stretch to their limit without overwhelming them.
Testing Requirements
Test scores are among many BU considers in its holistic review process for applicants for admission in Fall 2023 and beyond. Boston University accepts super-scores on the SAT and ACT, and students may submit multiple test sets.
The SAT and ACT scores of admitted students at Boston University are impressive, so students should retake the exams as often as possible and study hard. Take a test preparation class or get one-on-one tutoring so that you can improve your score and admissions chances.
Extracurricular Requirements
Strong academic skills are important, but test scores and GPA alone won’t offer any student. Students must make the most of what they learn outside the classroom, as well, as Boston University points out. At BU, students take calculated risks towards their passions while serving the community.
It would help if you realized Boston University is committed to pursuing knowledge and embracing possibilities. If your child has an extracurricular activity, consider how they can display these values. Your child can reach this goal by identifying their biggest interest areas and exploring them in depth.
Application Requirements
You might consider applying to Boston University if your child has the academic statistics and extracurricular history to build a strong application. You may retrieve the requirements for using Boston University here.
- Application for Common App, Coalition App, or Quest Bridge
- transcript of high school grades
- Grades from the first quarter of the senior year
- Report from a counselor
- One recommendation from a teacher
- Scores from the SAT or ACT (optional for 2022 admissions)
- The School of Theatre and the School of Visual Arts require auditions or portfolios.
- In addition to three Accelerated Program Student Evaluations, Accelerated Medical Program applicants must submit an Accelerated Program essay.
Tips For Applying to Boston University
In case you are thinking of applying to the 75,000+ BU hopefuls for the next admissions cycle, you must know the following information:
- As a high school student, Boston University looks for evidence that you have taken advanced courses. To achieve a high level of competence within your field of academic interest, you must take multiple advanced classes.
- You will not be offered interviews at BU, so you must impress the Admissions Committee with your Common Application and supplemental essay.
- BU requires supplemental essays that you dedicate sufficient time and effort to. Each applicant must address one prompt in the 2021-22 cycle, while applicants to the Kilachand Honors College need to address a separate set.
The Final Words
Is it your desire to attend Boston University or any other public university for that matter? A competitive edge requires more than just good test scores. Your extracurricular profile should be impressive, too. Attend the best summer courses and give yourself the best chance to get into Boston University by enrolling in the right programs.