How long does it take to get a decision from Boston University?

For undergraduate Early Decision, expect a decision by December 15 (ED1) or February 15 (ED2); for Early Action, typically January; for Regular Decision, decisions usually arrive in March, with graduate programs varying, often 6-8 weeks after a complete application, but sometimes longer during breaks. Timelines depend heavily on the program (grad vs. undergrad), application type (ED, EA, RD, Rolling), completeness of your file, and the specific college within BU.

What time will BU decisions come out?

Decisions are posted as follows: Early Decision: No later than December 15. Early Decision 2: No later than February 15. Regular Decision: Late March to early April.

Is BU harder to get into than NYU?

NYU is generally harder to get into than BU based on recent acceptance rates, with NYU's acceptance rates dropping into the single digits (around 8%) for recent classes compared to BU's slightly higher rate (around 10-11%), though specific programs like NYU's Stern School of Business are significantly more competitive. Both are prestigious private universities, but NYU's low acceptance rate places it in a tougher admissions tier, even as BU remains selective. 

Can I get into BU with a 3.5 GPA?

Getting into Boston University (BU) with a 3.5 GPA is challenging but possible, as it's below their average for admitted students (around 3.7-3.9), but BU uses holistic review, so you'd need to compensate with an extremely strong application, high test scores (if submitted), rigorous coursework (AP/IB), compelling essays, stellar recommendations, and impressive extracurriculars. While some sources suggest no one gets in below 3.5, others note rare exceptions (often athletes or unique profiles), but a 3.5 puts you at a significant disadvantage against the typical top-tier applicant. 

Is BU or BC harder to get into?

While both are highly selective, Boston College (BC) often appears slightly harder to get into than Boston University (BU) based on recent acceptance rates, with BC often hovering around 15-19% and BU around 11-20%, though BU's rate dropped significantly for the Class of 2027. BC generally shows higher average SAT/ACT scores and a lower international student ratio, suggesting a highly competitive applicant pool, but ultimately, admission depends on individual fit and program strength for each university. 

how i got into boston university: tips, stats, essays, and advice from a current BU student

Is BU or tufts harder to get into?

While both are highly selective, Tufts often appears slightly harder to get into based on lower acceptance rates (around 9-11%) compared to Boston University (around 11-14%), but BU is also very competitive, with the difference often coming down to campus fit (Tufts' suburban feel vs. BU's urban integration) and specific program strength. Tufts is considered more exclusive with a traditional campus, while BU offers a larger, bustling city experience, making fit as crucial as stats for either. 

What is the #1 hardest school to get into?

There isn't one single #1 hardest school, as it changes slightly by year and criteria, but Harvard University, Stanford University, MIT, and Caltech consistently rank among the top with extremely low acceptance rates (often 3-4%) and intense competition for spots, though other top global universities like Oxford and Tsinghua are also incredibly selective. Harvard is frequently cited as the hardest due to its high volume of applications and focus on global leadership potential, while Caltech is known for its extreme difficulty in STEM. 

What is the easiest school to get into at BU?

The easiest school to get into at Boston University (BU) is generally considered the College of General Studies (CGS), often for students who didn't quite meet the profile for other BU colleges but still show potential, though it's a two-year foundational program before transferring, with BU overall being competitive and CGS being a pathway into it. Other schools like Engineering (ENG), Questrom (Business), Communication (COM), and Sargent (Health & Rehab Sciences) are typically harder to get into due to high demand and program rigor. 

What does BU look for in applicants?

The Committee on Admissions chooses applicants who seem best qualified not only by scholastic record, college recommendations, and involvement in college and community activities, but also by less tangible qualities of personality, character, and life experience.

What is the lowest GPA a university will accept?

The lowest GPA to get into college can technically be near zero at open-enrollment schools or community colleges, but for four-year universities, a 2.0 GPA is often considered the unofficial minimum, though many require 3.0 or higher; however, you can get in with lower GPAs (even 1.2) by applying to schools with less selective admissions or leveraging strong essays, extracurriculars, and mitigating circumstances. 

Is NYU better than Boston?

To sum up, both universities offer a wide range of top-notch programs and have a long-standing reputation for academic excellence. In terms of prestige, they are both in a tier right below the Ivy League Universities. That said, NYU is ranked higher and globally more popular than Boston University.

Why do people love Boston so much?

People love Boston for its rich history, world-class education and healthcare, beautiful blend of old and new architecture, walkability, distinct seasons, vibrant sports culture, and diverse neighborhoods with great food and pubs, all within a compact, "walking city" feel. It offers a unique combination of European charm and American innovation, appealing to those who enjoy history, culture, and city life without overwhelming scale.
 

What is the hardest major at Boston University?

It depends largely on your academic background, strengths, interests, and learning style. That said, at Boston University, some rigorous majors known for their intensive course load and demanding topics include Biomedical Engineering, Neuroscience, and Computer Science.

What majors is BU famous for?

The most popular majors at Boston University include: Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Social Sciences; Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services; Engineering; Psychology; Health Professions ...

How does Boston University notify applicants?

We will send you an email notification when we have determined your application to be complete and all materials have been received. For applicants submitting recommendations through an external source ONLY, you will receive notification that your letters have been received.

When should I expect my acceptance letter?

College acceptance letters come out at different times depending on the application type: Early Decision/Action applicants hear in December or February, while Regular Decision applicants typically receive notifications from mid-March to early April, often coinciding with "Ivy Day" for the Ivy League. Rolling Admissions decisions arrive on an ongoing basis, and you should check individual university portals for specific dates.
 

Is BU a top 30 school?

No, Boston University (BU) isn't consistently in the Top 30; it's generally ranked in the low 40s in U.S. News & World Report's National Universities category (e.g., #42 for 2026), placing it just outside the top 30 but still a highly-ranked university in the top 50, and it has achieved top 30 status in specific global or niche rankings. 

What type of student goes to Boston University?

Boston University students come from all walks of life and every corner of the globe. There is no single type of student at BU as our community includes students with a wide variety of life experiences and from different backgrounds.

Is BU or Northeastern better?

Neither Boston University (BU) nor Northeastern University (NU) is objectively "better"—they offer different strengths, with BU often seen as more traditionally academic and arts-focused with strong study abroad, while Northeastern excels in its co-op program (practical work experience), leading to great job outcomes, especially in STEM/Tech, though BU's overall prestige is historically higher, with NU rapidly rising in rankings, making the best choice dependent on your career goals and desired campus vibe.
 

What college has 100% acceptance?

Colleges with a 100% admission rate, often called "open admissions," focus on providing access, accepting most or all applicants who meet basic requirements, including Broward College, Utah Valley University, Cameron University, and Montana State University--Billings. Many other schools, like University of Mississippi and Nevada-Las Vegas, have acceptance rates above 90%, while selective institutions like Harvard and Caltech have rates below 10%.
 

Where do the 1% go to college?

The 1% of the wealthiest Americans disproportionately attend highly selective, elite universities, particularly Ivy League schools (Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Dartmouth, Brown, Penn, Columbia) and other top institutions like MIT, Stanford, Duke, and UChicago, where they make up a large percentage of the student body, often outnumbering students from the bottom 60% of income earners combined. Liberal arts colleges and prestigious public universities also attract many wealthy students, with specific examples including WashU St. Louis, UVA, UCLA, UC Berkeley, Vanderbilt, and Johns Hopkins.
 

Where do top 1% send kids to college?

The "top 1%" of students, referring to those from the highest income brackets, tend to attend elite universities like MIT, Harvard, Stanford, Princeton, and Yale that consistently rank high in national and global lists, with some even having more students from the top 1% income bracket than the bottom 60% combined, according to The New York Times data. Top-ranked institutions like MIT, Princeton, Harvard, and Stanford are frequent top contenders in various 2026 rankings from U.S. News & World Report and Times Higher Education. 

What is the #1 party school?

For 2026, the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) is widely ranked as the #1 party school by sources like Niche and Business Insider, followed by schools like Florida State University and Tulane University, based on student surveys about campus party culture, access to bars, and Greek life.
 

What is the hardest non-ivy league to get into?

California Institute of Technology (Caltech)

Caltech keeps its student body small, and that alone makes the odds brutal. With one of the lowest acceptance rates, where only 2–3% of applicants make it through, there really is no room for error.