Boston University Admission
Boston University Undergraduate Program
Boston University Application

The Facts

BU is one of the four largest private institutions of higher education in the Unites States, with distinguished alumni like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and amazing faculty like Nobel Peace Prize winner and author Elie Weisel. It has come a long way since it was founded in 1839 as a Methodist seminary; its first admitted class only had 22 students, and it now has around 16,000 undergraduates! Even though it is a large school, it is actually made up of 17 smaller academic communities divided into schools and colleges. Eighty percent of the classes have fewer than 30 students, which is rare for a university of BU’s size.

BU has over 250 major and minor concentrations, most focusing on the liberal arts. Some of the most popular areas of study include communication/journalism, business administration and management, engineering, psychology and health and rehabilitation services.

Admission is competitive, with the average SAT scores of admitted students ranging from 1250-1400, and ACT scores ranging from 27-31. In the Class of 2005, 65% were ranked in the top 10% of their high school graduating class, with an average GPA of 3.5. Even though these statistics may seem intimidating, BU admissions officers make a point to consider both academics and personality when reading through the 30,000 applications they receive each year.

Student Life

The campus is located in the heart of Boston; however, there is plenty of nature around with access to parks and waterfronts. There is an extensive residential housing system, with housing guaranteed for all students during all four years. The campus is also extremely secure; BU received the “Jeanne Cleary National Safe Campus Award” recently. Most students say they never feel nervous when walking around campus. On that note, the campus is very walkable, with no real need for a car. Additionally, the "T" subway train runs above ground in the area BU is situated in; it has three stops along BU's campus and runs very regularly. BU's website also has a “walking chart” that shows average walking times from various campus sites.

Of course, Boston is known as the ultimate college town, as it houses dozens of other colleges and universities, so social life and activities abound. Greek life at the university is governed by the Interfraternity Sorority Council which oversees all the houses throughout the city, and often links them together for events and community service projects. However, most of the social life centers at the many bars and clubs right next to campus and throughout the city. Usually, students choose to venture outside of frats and dorms for parties. Drinking is a popular activity, but some students assert that it is not as prevalent as other state schools in more rural settings, as Boston has many distractions such as theaters, museums and restaurants. Also, the school has a strict school policy on drug use, so it is less of a problem than it has been in the past.

The students are 60% female and 40% male, so guys--it looks like this might just be the school for you!

What's Good

“You meet people from every corner of the globe—it’s like the UN.”

“The city of Boston is the best place I can imagine for a college student. There’s always something happening to distract you from academics…”

“There’s literally a major for every area of interest. I’m sure you could find underwater basket weaving somewhere.”

What's Bad

“Friends of mine don’t have nearly as much work as I do! The course load can be really overwhelming.”

“It’s easy to feel like a number in the vast sea of other students. It’s impossible to speak with a human being from the administration.”

“On the weekends, all people do is study—there’s no real partying.”

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