Though it may not have the same name brand as Harvard, Boston University, just across the Charles River, has an impressive roster of alumni: Howard Stern, Julianne Moore, Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez, Amy Poehler (who jokingly calls BU “the Harvard of Boston”), Andy Cohen, Marissa Tomei, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Dr. Martin Luther King got his PhD from Boston University, and Mel Robbins attended BU’s law school. 

If your child is hopeful about joining these distinguished names among the ranks of Boston University alumni, then you’re probably worried about whether or not their dreams can come true. Don’t worry: we at Ivy Coach are going to tell you all about the application process to BU and help you discern whether your kid has a shot at getting in. But first let’s learn what makes Boston University so special. 

About Boston University 

True to its name, Boston University is right smack in the middle of the city of Boston, with a campus that stretches along the Charles River and abuts some of the most important, exciting parts of the city. There are around 18,000 undergraduates at BU, making it one of the largest schools in the Boston area. There are 17 schools at BU, including the Arvind & Chandan Nandlal Kilachand Honors College, the College of Communication, the College of Engineering, the College of Fine Arts, the School of Hospitality Administration, and the Wheelock College of Education & Human Development. 

The acceptance rate to the Boston University Class of 2029 was 12.8%. In the late aughts, BU admitted well over half of its applicants. Now, BU is a highly competitive school that nearly rivals the Ivy League in its historically low acceptance rates. This shift, a trend that afflicts most elite schools nationwide, is making it more challenging than ever for ambitious students to get into the schools their parents could have gotten into with one eye closed. 

Boston University Admissions Requirements 

There’s not one single way to get into Boston University. BU admissions officers consider each applicant in his or her own unique context. But when they evaluate every applicant, they look foremost at academic performance, test scores, and extracurricular achievements. Let’s take a gander at what each of these components looks like for BU students. 

What Kind of GPA Is Necessary To Get Into Boston University?

The following is the GPA breakdown of the members of BU’s Class of 2028, as reported in BU’s 2024-25 Common Data Set (the most recently available data we have): 

GPA	Percentage of Boston University Class of 2028
4.0	41%
3.75-3.99	37%
3.5-3.74	22%
3.25-3.49	0%
3.0-3.24	0%
2.5-2.99	0%
2.0-2.49	0%
1.0-1.99	0%

So, 41% of students who enrolled in BU’s Class of 2028 boasted perfect GPAs. Most of the remaining students boasted GPAs in the 3.75-3.99 range. However, GPA is still not everything in BU’s holistic admissions process. It’s why we will not offer an answer when parents rattle off their child’s GPA during complimentary consultations with Ivy Coach and ask if they can get into Boston University. Without context, including the high school attended, the rigor of the student’s coursework, their extracurriculars, essays, letters of recommendation, and so much more, the answer would be meaningless.

What Kind of SAT or ACT Scores Are Needed To Get Into BU? 

The average SAT score for the BU Class of 2028 was 1470, and the average ACT score was 33. Though Boston University is test-optional, we at Ivy Coach know that not submitting test scores only ever hurts an applicant’s chances of getting in, even to supposedly test-optional schools. If you want to be a BU Terrier, our advice is to study, study, study and submit, submit, submit. 

What Classes Do Students Need to Take to Get Into Boston University?

BU lists the following as its minimum academic preparation to be considered for admission: 

• 4 years of English
• 3-4 years of mathematics (precalculus/calculus recommended)*
• 3-4 years of laboratory science
• 3-4 years of history and/or social science
• 2-4 years of a language

What Kinds of Extracurriculars Does BU Like To See?

Contrary to popular myth, colleges are not looking for well-rounded students. They’re looking for well-rounded student bodies. 

Let’s use Boston University alum and Academy Award-winning actress Julianne Moore as an example. Do you think Julianne Moore has won one Oscar and three Golden Globes by being a good actress, a good mathematician, a good painter, a good chef, a good linguist, a good historian, and a good soccer player? Obviously, the answer is no. Julianne Moore became Julianne Moore by focusing singularly on her craft and becoming a great actress. 

So, if you want your kid to get into BU, take a tip from Julianne’s book and have them focus on one thing and become great at it. No, have them become the best at it. 

Boston University Application Requirements

BU accepts The Common App. They ask for a letter of recommendation from a counselor. They ask for one 300-word supplemental essay and give two prompts to choose from: 

• Reflect on a social or community issue that deeply resonates with you. Why is it important to you, and how have you been involved in addressing or raising awareness about it?
• What about being a student at BU most excites you? How do you hope to contribute to our campus community?

Does Boston University Require An Interview? 

Boston University does not require an interview, but they do offer one. Pro tip: take them up on this offer. 

What Are Boston University’s Application Deadlines? 

Early Decision I applications to BU are due November 2nd. Early Decision II and Regular Decision applications are due January 5th. 

How Ivy Coach Helps Students Get Into Boston University 

If you’re interested in discerning if your child has a shot of getting into Boston University, we recommend setting up Ivy Coach’s Strategy Session. Not only will you find out if your child has a chance of getting into Boston University, but you’ll receive a game plan of how your child can optimize their admission to the best school possible.