Welcome to the transfer application guidance page for Boston University. Every single year, more than 700 transfer students join the campus community, creating a vibrant mix of individuals with diverse interests, talents, and future goals. If you are aiming to relocate your academic journey, BU provides numerous pathways designed to open doors and support your achievements. Transfer students bring a unique perspective to the undergraduate experience along with the ambition that defines a true BU student. Knowing how to master Ivy League strategies can also benefit ambitious applicants looking at top-tier institutions. To read the full details and review any updates, check out the official portal directly.

To determine if you qualify as a transfer applicant, you must have completed the equivalent of a US secondary school education and finished at least one full-time semester consisting of 12 or more credits as a degree candidate at a separate college or university. Anyone currently enrolled in a US high school through a dual enrollment program should submit their paperwork as a first-year applicant instead. Before starting your submission, check the list of available majors to confirm your intended program accepts transfer students. Keep in mind that transfers must declare a specific major upon applying, and certain programs may not offer January admission terms.

The transfer applicant checklist outlines everything required for consideration. Along with the standard credentials, international applicants must review additional criteria listed on the international admissions section. The main requirements include the Common Application, official college transcripts from every institution attended, completed transfer reports, and a high school transcript providing proof of graduation.

Historical statistics from the Fall 2024 transfer academic profile show that BU received 6,728 total applicants, enrolled 840 students, and recorded an average college GPA of 3.8. These numbers highlight the competitive yet welcoming nature of the admissions process for incoming transfers.

When filling out the application, you must select a specific BU school or college because undecided statuses are not permitted for transfer candidates. You also need to write a single essay of no more than 600 words. This piece of writing gives you the opportunity to explain your story, your reasons for transferring, and what you hope to accomplish specifically at Boston University. The application fee is $80 and can be paid directly through the Common Application platform. BU aims to ensure financial barriers do not prevent anyone from applying, so fee waivers are available. You can review eligibility guidelines on the Common Application website or use the NACAC Transfer Fee Waiver by completing just the first page. Requesting a fee waiver will never impact your admissions evaluation. For questions regarding waivers, contact the admissions team by email at admissions@bu.edu or by phone at 617-353-2300.

Submitting official transcripts is mandatory for every college or university you have attended. Students transferring from Chinese universities must follow specific rules. To receive consideration for admission or transfer credit, applicants from China must have documents sent directly from the Center for Student Services and Development (CSSD) under the Ministry of Education, P. R. China. Required documents include the Verification Report of China Higher Education Student’s Academic Transcript in English, and official transcripts in both English and Chinese issued by CSSD. These reports may be delivered electronically by email from CSSD. For questions about these steps, contact international admissions at intadmis@bu.edu or 617-353-4492.

Transfer reports must also be submitted. You can find the required form on the Common Application or via the university’s designated links. Ask a dean, registrar, or another college official who has access to your disciplinary record at each institution where you held degree-candidate status to complete the form and email it to schforms@bu.edu.

Regarding your high school background, official copies of secondary school transcripts documenting your graduation are required. If you did not graduate from high school, you must submit GED results or high school equivalency exam scores. Students who enrolled in a college degree program prior to high school graduation, such as through early admission, dual enrollment, or running start, must indicate this enrollment on their application. Anyone currently enrolled in such programs who lacks a high school diploma, GED, or equivalency must apply as a first-year student.

To secure a timely credit evaluation, applicants should submit course syllabi as soon as they apply. PDFs should be uploaded to the MyBU Applicant Portal under the application status page, ensuring your name and date of birth appear at the top of every page. When choosing how to upload these documents, select admissions documents, then pick syllabi from the document type drop-down menu. You can also log in to Transferology beforehand to preview how your previous courses might transfer over.

Standardized test scores such as the SAT or ACT are not required for transfer admission. However, applicants to the College of Fine Arts must complete an audition, submit a portfolio, or handle both requirements. To schedule these evaluations, consult the undergraduate admissions pages for the School of Music, School of Theatre, or School of Visual Arts. Meanwhile, applicants to the Questrom School of Business must have completed a college-level calculus course or finished an AP or IB level calculus course during high school.

Students who previously applied and faced a denial of admission can only reapply after finishing a full academic year of coursework elsewhere. If you were offered admission to the College of General Studies but chose not to accept it, you may reapply to the university after completing just one semester of coursework elsewhere. Furthermore, admitted transfer students cannot defer their admission offer to a future term. If you cannot attend in your admitted semester, you must submit a new application for a later term.

Beyond the application itself, BU provides various transfer resources, including specialized tutoring and academic advising, to ensure incoming students feel welcome and supported. Merit scholarships are also available to help turn the dream of earning a university degree into reality. Entering transfer students follow a tailored BU Hub curriculum designed to build upon previously completed coursework while meeting graduation competencies. To explore every available detail, check out the official portal right away.

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