Boston University
617-353-2696
Founded in 1839, Boston University is an independent teaching and
research university located near the Charles River in Boston.
Recognized for leading faculty and programs in health care, science,
engineering, communications, management, education, and the fine
arts, the university offers graduate programs through its Graduate
School, 12 specialty school and colleges, and the University
Professors program.
Nearly 2,000 students are registered in the Graduate School,
which offers almost 40 programs in the arts, humanities, and
sciences.Approximately 8,000 graduates are enrolled in the specialty
schools, such as the College of Engineering, the School of
Management and the School of Law. These schools are smaller academic
communities that provide resources for intensive work in particular
fields.
The University Professors program is a degree-granting program
with intensive studies and requires separate application. It is
designed for exceptionally well-qualified students who want to
pursue several disciplines developed around a central theme.
About 80 research centers and institutes are operated throughout
the university, examining topics from African-American studies to
mass communications. The Boston University Medical Center, which is
affiliated with more than 20 New England health institutes,
consolidates the resources and activities of the school of medicine,
the Goldman School of Graduate Dentistry and University Hospital.
Boston University has one of the largest on-campus residence
systems in the United States, with halls ranging from brownstones to
the 18-story Warren Towers Complex.Overview
Type of school:
Private institution
Year founded:
1839
Affiliation:
None
Academic calendar:
Semester
Undergraduate student body:
18,521
Environment:
Urban
Endowment:
$946,377,284
Admissions
Address
1 Sherborn Street
Boston, MA 02215
Website
http://www.bu.edu
Admissions E-mail
admissions@bu.edu
QuickFacts
Selectivity:
More Selective
Average high school GPA:
3.5
Send application by:
January 1
Admissions Contact Information
Admissions director:
Kelly Walter
Admissions office telephone:
(617) 353-2300
Fall 2008 Admissions Deadlines
Regular decision
Send application by:
January 1
Decision sent by:
April 1
Accept offer by:
May 1
Early decision
Send application by:
November 1
Decision sent by:
December 15
Early action
Not offered
Application fee:
$75
Is the fee refundable?
No
Can fee be waived for students with financial need?
Yes
Does school have a waiting list?
Yes
Can admission be deferred?
Yes
Accepted application formats:
Applications on floppy disks:
No
Applications via E-mail:
No
Electronic application:
http://www.bu.edu/admissions/apply/
Tuition deposit:
$650 (Refundable by May 1)
Room deposit:
N/A (Refundable)
Admissions Requirements
High school completion requirement:
High school diploma is required and GED is accepted
General college-preparatory program:
Required
Distribution of high school units required and/or recommended*
| |
Units Required |
Units Recommended |
| English |
4 |
4 |
| Mathematics |
3 |
4 |
| Science |
3 |
4 |
| Lab |
3 |
4 |
| Foreign language |
2 |
4 |
| Social studies |
3 |
4 |
| History |
3 |
4 |
| Academic electives |
0 |
0 |
| Total academic units |
15 |
20 |
*One unit equals one year of study or its equivalent.
Campus visit:
Recommended
Admissions interview:
Neither required nor recommended
Off-campus interview:
May be arranged
Does the college use SAT or ACT scores in admissions
decisions for first-time, first-year applicants?
Yes
SAT/ACT requirements:
Either SAT or ACT required.
SAT/ACT scores must be received by:
January 1
Tests accepted for Fall 2008 entering class:
ACT with writing
SAT Subject Test scores must be received by:
January 1
Open admission policy?
No
What is the relative importance of specific academic factors in
admission decisions?
Rigor of secondary school record:
Very important
Class rank:
Important
Academic GPA:
Important
Standardized test scores:
Important
Application essay:
Important
Recommendation:
Important
What is the relative importance of specific nonacademic factors
in admission decisions?
Interview:
Considered
Extracurricular activities:
Considered
Talent/ability:
Not considered
Character/personal qualities:
Considered
First generation:
Considered
Alumni/ae relation:
Considered
Geographical residence:
Considered
State residency:
Considered
Religious affiliation/commitment:
Not considered
Racial/ethnic status:
Considered
Volunteer work:
Considered
Work experience:
Considered
Level of applicant's interest:
Considered
2006-2007 Admissions Statistics
Selectivity:
More Selective
Overall acceptance rate:
58%
Early-decision acceptance rate:
40%
Early-action acceptance rate:
N/A
Acceptance rate (excluding early-action and early-decision
students):
59%
Total applicants:
31,851
Total acceptances:
18,578
Total freshman enrollment:
4,124
Proportion of freshman enrolled from early action and early
decision:
N/A
| Proportion of freshman enrolled
from early action and early decision is not available for
graphing.
|
Male applicants:
12,987
Male acceptances:
7,304
Male freshman enrollment:
1,549
Female applicants:
18,864
Female acceptances:
11,274
Female freshman enrollment:
2,575
Out-of-state freshmen:
81%
Qualified applicants offered a place on waiting list:
2,960
Applicants accepting a place on waiting list:
1,464
Students enrolled from waiting list:
521
2006-2007 Freshman Class Profile
Top 10 percent of high school class:
53%
Top 25 percent of high school class:
87%
Top 50 percent of high school class:
99%
First-year students submitting high school class standing:
49%
Average high school GPA:
3.5
First-year students submitting GPA:
100%
First-year students submitting SAT scores:
92%
SAT scores (25/75 percentile):
Critical Reading:
580 – 680
Math:
600 – 690
Combined:
1180 – 1370
Percent of first-time, first-year students enrolled in Fall 2006 with
scores in each range:
| |
SAT Critical Reading |
SAT Math |
| 700-800 |
16.0% |
22.0% |
| 600-699 |
52.0% |
54.0% |
| 500-599 |
29.0% |
23.0% |
| 400-499 |
3.0% |
1.0% |
| 300-399 |
0.0% |
0.0% |
| 200-299 |
0.0% |
0.0% |
First-year students submitting ACT scores:
28%
ACT scores (25/75 percentile):
English:
25 – 31
Math:
25 – 29
Composite:
25 – 29
Percent of first-time, first-year students enrolled in Fall 2006 with
scores in each range:
| |
ACT Composite |
ACT English |
ACT Math |
| 30-36 |
24.0% |
36.0% |
25.0% |
| 24-29 |
67.0% |
50.0% |
61.0% |
| 18-23 |
9.0% |
13.0% |
14.0% |
| 12-17 |
0.0% |
1.0% |
0.0% |
| 6-11 |
0.0% |
0.0% |
0.0% |
| Below 6 |
0.0% |
0.0% |
0.0% |
|
