Undergraduate Admissions

Boston University seeks a highly qualified student body that represents diverse backgrounds. Each year, students from all 50 states and approximately 135 foreign countries enroll at the University. A strong commitment to multicultural recruitment, equality of the sexes, and opportunities for disabled persons ensures this diversity. The University is proud of its long history of providing opportunities for talented students from across the United States and around the world.

Students may apply through Admissions, Boston University, 121 Bay State Road, Boston, MA 02215. A nonrefundable fee of $75 for an electronic application is required with the application for admission.

Admission of Freshmen


The Board of Admissions places primary emphasis on the strength of a student’s secondary school record. Required test scores such as the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) or American College Test (ACT), essays, teacher recommendations, and other personal qualifications, as demonstrated by extracurricular activities, are also carefully evaluated. Secondary school graduation or an equivalency diploma is required. For students whose native language is not English, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is also required. Boston University supports the regional accreditation efforts of secondary school officials and governing bodies.

Many of the schools, colleges, and degree-granting programs within the University require additional admissions materials, such as SAT Subject Test scores, writing samples, or portfolios. For additional requirements, see the special programs information below or refer to the section on a particular program in this website.

Although no cutoff date for applications is routinely imposed, students are strongly encouraged to apply by January 15. Space and enrollments are limited in most programs. The Accelerated Medical and Dental programs have December 15 deadlines.

For those applying by January 15, offers of admission are made beginning in mid-March, with notification on completed applications mailed by April 15. To accept an admissions offer, the student must submit a declaration of intent to register by May 1 and must enclose a nonrefundable deposit of $650 with the declaration of intent. This deposit is credited toward the student’s University charges.

Early Decision


Students who select Boston University as their first choice may apply for an early decision on their applications. The application deadline is November 1. Decisions are made by December 15. The Board of Admissions must base its early decisions on only three years of a secondary school record, so the quality of that record must be exceptionally strong. Students who are not accepted for Early Decision will usually be considered for regular admission after submitting mid-year grades. The Early Decision Program is an option exclusively for high school seniors applying for September admission; some programs do not offer an early decision option. Consult the Admissions office at 617-353-2300 for further details.

Early decision candidates seeking financial aid must submit a CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE, which must be received by the College Board by November 1. Students must also submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible after January 1.

To accept an offer of admission through the Early Decision Program, students must submit a nonrefundable enrollment deposit of $650 by January 15. Students are also required to withdraw applications to all other colleges and universities.

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Early Admission


Early Admission provides an opportunity for exceptional students to enter undergraduate programs before graduating from high school. Applicants must have completed three years of secondary school and may apply only for September admission. Early admission candidates must be strongly endorsed by their principals and counselors, present an academic record of notable achievement and superior test scores, and demonstrate exceptional maturity. All students who enroll early must satisfy the University’s requirement of a high school diploma or its equivalent prior to the fall semester of their sophomore year. Some programs do not have an early admission option.

January Admission


Freshmen may apply for January admission to all schools and colleges except the schools of Theatre Arts and Visual Arts of the College of Fine Arts, the Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy programs at the College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent College, the Accelerated Medical and Dental Programs, the New Jersey Medical Program, and the College of General Studies.

Transfer students may apply for entrance in January to all programs that admit upper division students except the schools of Theatre Arts and Visual Arts of the College of Fine Arts, and the Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy programs at the College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent College.

International Students


Boston University defines an international student as any citizen of a country other than the United States who has or will need a nonimmigrant visa to study at Boston University. Permanent residents of the United States, immigrant visa (“green card”) holders, and refugees are treated as U.S. citizens in the admission process and should follow the application procedure outlined for U.S. citizens.

International students wanting to apply to Boston University should request the International Viewbook and Application for Admission and complete the application, including all supporting documentation. International student applications must be postmarked by November 1 for students applying for the spring semester and by January 1 for students applying for the fall semester.

In addition to the academic record and test scores required of all students, international students who do not speak English as a native language must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Information about this test may be obtained from United States embassies and consulates, United States Information Service Offices, and many American and international secondary schools throughout the world. In addition, students may contact TOEFL directly at CN 6151, Princeton, NJ 08541-6151; 609-771-7100 or 1-800-529-3590 within the United States, Puerto Rico, and U.S. territories.

International students must demonstrate proficiency in the English language in order to benefit fully from their academic programs. On the basis of a writing assessment examination administered on the University campus, newly admitted international students may either be (1) assigned to a regularly required English course as part of their academic program, or (2) assigned to a special, noncredit English course and a reduced number of credit courses in their program of study.

Financial aid is not available to international students. International students must submit evidence of financial support for their educational and living expenses while at Boston University. The required documents are described in the International Viewbook and Application for Admission.

There are other special requirements and deadlines for international students outlined in the International Viewbook and Application for Admission. For a copy of this publication, please contact the International Admissions office at 617-353-4492.

Transfer Students


Students may be able to enter the University with credit earned at other colleges. General information about transfer credit is stated below, but entering students should see information on the particular program to which they are applying as deadlines and some requirements may vary.

Undergraduate transfer students are encouraged to file an application at least 60 days before the beginning of the semester of enrollment to ensure adequate time for all necessary records to be received and evaluated.

• Offers of admission to transfer students are made starting in early April for September admission.

  Each applicant must present the following:

  1. Official transcripts from all colleges attended
  2. Official secondary school transcript, including proof of graduation or equivalent and SAT or ACT scores

Additional material may be required for a particular program of study.

To be considered for admission as a transfer student, the student must be in good standing at his or her current college. All candidates are encouraged to offer a broad liberal arts curriculum for transfer admission. A tentative evaluation of transfer credit is forwarded to accepted candidates. The University does not grant transfer credit for courses in which the candidate has received grades lower than C.

Transfer candidates are not eligible to apply to the College of General Studies, the Seven-Year Medical or Dental program, or the New Jersey Medical Program. Transfer to the Sargent College Physical Therapy program is available to a limited number of students after two years of study in prerequisite classes.

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College of General Studies


The Board of Admissions may accept students to the College of General Studies (CGS) instead of the College of Communication based on a student’s secondary school record, required test scores, and other personal qualifications. The College of General Studies is a two-year, team-taught general liberal arts core curriculum program that fulfills the University’s liberal arts requirements.

College of General Studies students who have earned at least a 2.3 cumulative grade point average and have taken COM CO 201 and received a grade of C+ or better may continue their junior and senior years in the College of Communication. COM welcomes a large number of CGS continuing students each fall.

Intra-University Transfer Candidates


Students in good standing may transfer within the University from one school or college to another. Check the transfer information of a particular school or college, as policies may vary. Students should apply directly to the new school or college. The College of Communication requires a 3.0 cumulative grade point average for transfer and that intra-University transfer students will have taken at least one writing course, including COM CO 201, receiving a B grade or higher. In addition, all applicants must earn a B average or better in all writing and communication courses. Applications to the IUT program are invited no earlier than the first semester of sophomore year and no later than the beginning of the first semester of junior year. All accepted students are expected to be in residence on campus during their first full semester in COM.

Applications, available in the Student Services office, Room 123, should be submitted early in the semester before transfer. Applications may be submitted up to and including the beginning of the first semester of the student’s junior year by the appropriate deadline.

Detailed information on the intra-University transfer procedure can be obtained by appointment from the academic advisors in the COM Student Services office, Room 123.

Deferred Admission


Accepted students may postpone entering the University for up to one year, providing they do not enroll as degree candidates at any other collegiate institutions during the interim. Students should write to the Admissions office to request that their admission be deferred to January or September of the following calendar year. A $650 enrollment deposit is required to reserve deferred placement in the class.

Advanced Placement and Credit by Examination


Students entering Boston University who have achieved satisfactory scores on SAT Subject Tests may qualify for advanced standing in certain academic areas. Students with test scores of 3, 4, or 5 on certain College Board Advanced Placement tests may receive college credit, as well as advanced standing, depending on the student’s program of study. Some University programs do not grant advanced placement or college credit.

International Baccalaureate


Boston University awards freshmen-level credit for most Higher Level Examinations passed with a score of 5 or better. Credit can be applied toward most degree programs. Consult the International Admissions office at 617-353-4492 for further details.

Campus Visits


Students are invited to visit the campus to gain a more comprehensive view of the nature of the University, its people, and its facilities. You may wish to attend one of the regularly scheduled “Meet Boston University” sessions that describe academic programs, extracurricular activities, residence life, admission, and financial aid procedures. These are held weekdays, except holidays, during the fall and spring terms at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and on Saturday mornings at 10 a.m., 11:15 a.m., and 12:15 p.m. Sessions are also scheduled weekdays (except Saturdays) during the summer.

Personal interviews with undergraduate students or staff may be arranged by calling the Admissions office at 617-353-2318. Opportunities to meet with faculty members of the individual schools and colleges and to tour the various facilities are also available. Contact the Admissions office for a schedule of University activities, and phone the College of Communication for specific information.

Each weekday during the fall and spring terms (except for exam and vacation periods), tours are conducted by student hosts, on the hour, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. from the Admissions Reception Center at 121 Bay State Road. Saturday tours start at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., and 12 noon. Tours are scheduled on weekdays during the summer at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. No appointments are necessary, but it is advisable to call ahead to check a particular day’s tour status.

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Published by Trustees of Boston University
One Silber Way
Boston, MA 02215

10 December 2009
Boston University
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