Boston University offers comprehensive guidance for prospective undergraduate students seeking admission as first-year applicants. The admissions office evaluates every submission through a holistic review process. This detailed assessment weighs academic accomplishments, extracurricular involvement, personal background, and individual life experiences within the specific context of each applicant’s secondary school environment. The university aims to assemble a vibrant, intellectually curious, and diverse community of learners who will actively contribute to campus life.

For individuals planning their undergraduate journey, incorporating effective Ivy League strategies alongside standard preparation can help showcase academic rigor and extracurricular depth. Students who are currently finishing high school, have already earned a high school diploma, hold a GED, or passed another high school equivalency test should apply as first-year candidates. High school students participating in dual enrollment programs also fall under this first-year classification.

To complete a first-year application, candidates must submit several required credentials. The application options include the Common Application or the QuestBridge Application. International candidates must provide extra documentation as specified by the international admissions guidelines. Required materials include high school transcripts, senior year grades, a school report form alongside a school counselor recommendation, and a teacher evaluation. Standardized tests remain optional, and specific guidelines apply to programs within the College of Fine Arts.

When filling out the Common Application or QuestBridge Application, applicants must select a specific undergraduate school or college within Boston University. Reviewing the available majors helps determine which semesters of entry are open for each program. Candidates unsure about a specific academic focus can apply to the College of Arts and Sciences and designate their status as undeclared, or choose the College of General Studies. Common Application users must complete both the primary personal statement and the Boston University supplemental essay. These writing pieces provide a valuable opportunity for applicants to share their unique stories.

Admission decisions take the chosen program into account, but qualified applicants might receive offers of admission to the College of General Studies or another suitable BU program instead of their initial choice. Applicants to the College of Fine Arts receive consideration exclusively for their chosen program. Students interested in the Kilachand Honors College can indicate this preference on their application and complete the accompanying essay. Acceptance into the primary choice school or college serves as the initial step before reviewers evaluate candidates for the Kilachand Honors College.

The standard application fee is eighty dollars, payable directly through the Common Application platform. Boston University provides fee waivers to ensure financial constraints do not prevent any interested student from applying. Candidates should review the eligibility guidelines on the Common Application website before requesting a waiver. Asking for a fee waiver has no influence on the final admission decision. Anyone with questions regarding fee waiver eligibility can reach out to the admissions office via email at admissions@bu.edu or by telephone at 617-353-2300.

Official secondary school transcripts must come directly from a school official. Students following international curricula that involve national exams should consult the secondary school credentials page for proper submission procedures. Recommended high school coursework across most undergraduate programs includes four years of English, three to four years of mathematics with precalculus or calculus strongly recommended, three to four years of laboratory science, three to four years of history or social science, and two to four years of a world language. Specific programs have stricter math mandates. The College of Engineering requires one full year of calculus, which IB students can satisfy through enrollment in HL or SL Math Analysis and Approaches or HL Math Applications and Interpretations. The Questrom School of Business requires either a year of calculus, or a year of precalculus paired with a year of AP Statistics. IB students meet the Questrom requirement by taking HL or SL Math Analysis and Approaches or HL Math Applications and Interpretations.

Senior year grade submissions depend on the application plan and academic calendar. Early Decision applicants must have their counselors submit first marking period grades—covering the first quarter or first trimester—as soon as they become available. Regular Decision applicants on a semester schedule should submit first marking period or first quarter grades if accessible, followed by first semester grades once released. Regular Decision applicants on a trimester schedule need to submit their first trimester grades as soon as they are ready.

School counselors must complete and submit both the School Report form and the School Counselor Recommendation through the Common Application platform. Similarly, applicants must ask a teacher to submit the Teacher Evaluation form via the Common Application.

Boston University maintains a test-optional policy for first-year applicants applying through the fall 2028 and spring 2029 terms. This policy extends to every undergraduate school, college, and scholarship program at the university. International candidates must still submit the TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test to satisfy English language proficiency requirements. Applicants must personally decide whether ornot to include standardized test scores in their submissions. This decision involves evaluating the entirety of their academic record, community contributions, and overall confidence in how well their application reflects their academic potential. Once an application is submitted, the choice regarding test scores cannot be altered.

Students who choose to have their test scores considered may submit self-reported scores on the application form, through the testing agency, or via the self-report form found on the MyBU Applicant Portal. Enrolling students must eventually supply official score reports directly from the testing agency. Any discrepancies between self-reported and official scores may result in a rescinded offer of enrollment. The university institution codes are 3087 for the SAT and 1794 for the ACT. Boston University superscores both exams. Applicants who take a test multiple times or submit scores from multiple test dates benefit from including all score records, as the admissions committee uses the highest section scores regardless of test date. Students taking the SAT multiple times can utilize Score Choice to select which results to send, since reviewers only evaluate the highest submitted SAT scores.

Applicants to the College of Fine Arts must adhere to specialized portfolio, audition, or interview requirements. All submitted documents and application materials become the permanent property of Boston University and cannot be returned to the sender. Prospective undergraduate students can explore campus life through various virtual events, digital programming, and informational sessions led by admissions officers and current students. Graduate program applicants should visit the specific graduate admissions office of the school or college they wish to enter.

For more detailed information, specific deadlines, and updates, read the full policy details directly on the official portal. Boston University Admissions is located at 233 Bay State Road, Boston, MA 02215. Domestic inquiries are handled at 617-353-2300 or via email at admissions@bu.edu, while international inquiries are managed at 617-353-4492 or through intadmis@bu.edu.

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