Prospective undergraduate students seeking admission to Boston University must complete and submit the Common Application. The Board of Admissions evaluates each applicant through a rigorous and comprehensive holistic review process. To ensure this review is as thorough as possible, applicants must provide several specific credentials alongside their Common Application.

First-year applicants need to submit a complete set of supporting documents. Anyone with questions after reviewing the guidelines can contact the admissions office directly by email at admissions@bu.edu. Teachers and guidance counselors are responsible for submitting several specific credentials. Official copies of high school transcripts covering all completed grading periods up to the time of application are required. Students enrolled in international curricula that feature national exams must also submit those test results. Additionally, applicants must ensure the submission of the Guidance Counselor Recommendation and School Report Form, both of which are available directly through the Common Application website. A Teacher Evaluation form, also located on the Common Application platform, must be provided by an instructor who knows the student well.

Applicants who have completed college or university coursework as first-year candidates must submit official transcripts for those classes. Individuals enrolled at a college or university as degree candidates must apply as transfer students rather than first-year students. Anyone uncertain about their specific application status should reach out to the registrar’s office at the institution they attended. Senior year grades also carry significant weight in the evaluation process. Early Decision applicants must submit their first marking period grades—whether from the first quarter or first trimester—as soon as those grades become available. Guidance counselors should submit these updated transcripts or progress reports through approved electronic or physical channels. Early Decision 2 and Regular Decision applicants on a semester schedule must provide first marking period or first quarter grades if they are available, followed by full first semester grades as soon as they are finalized, using the Mid-Year Report Form on the Common Application. Students on a trimester schedule must submit their first trimester grades through the Mid-Year Report Form once released. High school graduates must submit final grades and official proof of graduation.

Documents supplied by teachers or guidance counselors can be delivered through electronic vendors such as the Common Application, Docufide, SCOIR, or Naviance. Alternatively, documents may be sent via email to schforms@bu.edu or delivered by postal mail to Boston University Admissions, 881 Commonwealth Avenue, 6th Floor, Boston, MA 02215. For those considering competitive admissions frameworks, mastering Ivy League strategies often helps applicants organize these complex credential timelines effectively.

Submitting SAT or ACT test scores remains optional for completing a Boston University application. While testing is not mandatory, scores may be included if applicants believe they accurately represent academic ability. Boston University accepts self-reported standardized test scores. Students may submit scores through the College Board or ACT websites or by utilizing the self-report form found on the MyBU Applicant Portal. Enrolling students must submit official score reports directly from the testing agency prior to matriculation. Any discrepancies found between self-reported figures and official scores could result in a rescinded admission offer. When sending official scores, the institutional codes for Boston University are 3087 for the SAT and 1794 for the ACT, noting that the writing section is optional.

Students applying through the Early Decision Program must officially select that option within the BU questions section of the Common Application. This selection signifies agreement with the binding nature of the program and requires signatures from the applicant, a parent or guardian, and a guidance counselor. Applicants targeting the College of Fine Arts must submit either a portfolio or complete an audition, with the exception of music non-performance programs, which do not require artistic submissions. Further details are available on the College of Fine Arts website.

Transfer applicants must fulfill a distinct set of credential requirements. School officials and instructors must submit official transcripts for all college or university coursework completed at the time of application. International transfer applicants must accompany any documents written in a world language with a notarized English translation, meaning both the original document and the English translation are mandatory. Transfer applicants from Chinese universities must request that the China Higher Education Student Information and Career Center (CHESICC) send verification reports of academic transcripts in English, along with official transcripts in both English and Chinese, directly to Boston University. These reports can be transmitted electronically by email or mailed directly to Undergraduate Admissions. Questions regarding this process should be directed to BU International Admissions at intadmis@bu.edu or by calling 617-353-4492.

A College Report, often referred to as the Transfer Report, must be completed by a dean, registrar, or other college official who has access to the applicant’s disciplinary record at each institution attended as a degree candidate. This form is available through the Common Application and must be submitted to schforms@bu.edu. To assist the university in conducting a credit evaluation, transfer applicants should submit course syllabi for every class taken. Syllabi should be uploaded as PDF files onto the MyBU Applicant Portal via the Application Status page, ensuring the applicant’s name and date of birth appear at the top of each page. Documents should be categorized under Admissions documents with Syllabi chosen from the dropdown menu.

All transfer applicants must also provide official copies of their secondary school transcripts to prove high school graduation. Individuals who entered a college degree program prior to finishing high school—through options like Early Admission, Dual Enrollment, or Running Start—must indicate that enrollment status on the Common Application. Proof of high school graduation showing satisfaction of all state requirements is mandatory. Applicants who did not graduate from a regionally accredited high school must submit General Education Development (GED) test results or an equivalent high school equivalency exam score. International transfer applicants must supply results from national exams alongside secondary school transcripts, consulting the Secondary School Credentials chart to determine the United States diploma equivalent for their country of study. College officials can submit these forms via vendors, email to schforms@bu.edu, or postal mail to the university’s admissions address.

Applicants whose native language or primary home language is not English must demonstrate language proficiency by taking the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the Duolingo English Test (DET). Competitive applicants generally achieve a composite score between 90 and 100, with minimum sectional scores of 20. The admissions board evaluates both overall scores and sectional consistency. For updated TOEFL iBT score reports introduced in January 2026, competitive applicants typically record a total or overall score of 5.0 or higher, with component consistency reviewed across subject areas. Applicants may request an English proficiency waiver, but waiver requests must arrive by the application deadline alongside a complete application. Granting a waiver remains entirely at the discretion of the Board of Admissions, and requests should be sent via email to intadmis@bu.edu.

International applicants follow the credential guidelines established for either first-year or transfer applicants while also fulfilling extra international requirements. Official secondary school academic records covering the final four years of study, plus copies of terminating or qualifying examination certificates, must be submitted. Applicants should review the Required Secondary School Credentials guidelines to identify country-specific rules. Non-English documents require notarized English translations alongside the originals. School officials can submit these records through accepted vendors, email at schforms@bu.edu, or postal mail.

Financial documentation is mandatory for international applicants to complete the admissions file and secure visa paperwork. Required items include a completed Confidential Statement for Financing Studies & Sponsorship Support Confirmation form and official documents verifying accessible funds to cover annual study expenses, such as official bank savings statements. For full details and policy documentation, check the official portal.

News is prepared from public university announcements for general guidance. Policies change frequently; confirm current details with each university admissions office.