Each year lots of students apply for transfer admission to Boston University. Therefore, it is very competitive to get admitted as a transfer student at Boston University. Boston University has a transfer acceptance rate of 42.84%. Moreover, you must have a current GPA of at least 3.71 to have a shot at the Boston University transfer admission.
Key Takeaways
- Boston University is a renowned private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts and it was established in 1839 by Methodists
- Boston University allows transfer students and each year more than 700 transfer students join Boston University
- Boston is a large private university with more than 16800 undergraduate students and the campus is spread across 175 acres!
- Boston university is one of the most selective universities with acceptance rate of 20%
Overview Of Boston University
Boston is a large private university with more than 16800 undergraduate students. Its location is urban and the campus is spread across 175 acres. This university follows an academic calendar based on semesters. The tuition fee of this University is $59,816 and the actual amount might vary depending on the subject you choose. Boston University is ranked:
1. 42nd in National Universities (tie)
2. 38th in Best Value Schools
3. 70th in Most Innovative Schools (tie)
Quick Overview Of Boston University
1. Founded: 1839
2. Total Faculty: 2,665
3. Full-Time Undergraduate: 16,766
4. Transfer Students: 2,100
5. Programs: 371
6. Courses : 1,049
Boston University Acceptance Rate
Boston university is one of the most selective universities around with an admission rate of 20%. If you want to get admitted to Boston University then you must have an SAT score of between 1310 and 1500. Below is the acceptance rate of Boston University through the years –
| Year | Acceptance Rate |
| 2016 | 29.4% |
| 2017 | 25.1% |
| 2018 | 22.1% |
| 2019 | 18.9% |
| 2020 – 2021 | 20.1% |
Boston University Transfer Application Requirements
Below are the transfer application requirements of Boston University –
1. Minimum GPA: On average, students acetated to the college earned an average of 3.5 GPA or higher in college courses.
1. Average GPA: 3.5
2. Average GPA range: 3.5–4.0
3. Average ACT score: 34
4. ACT middle 50%: 33–35
5. Average SAT score: 1482
6. SAT middle 50%: 1430–1540
7. International students: 22%
8. First-generation students: 19%
2. Official Transcripts: You have to provide authentic copies of the school transcripts as well as official transcripts of all courses at a university or college.
3. SAT Scores: For transfer admission, Boston University doesn’t require standardized tests (SAT/ACT).
4. Letters Of Recommendation: You have to submit one letter of recommendation from one instructor of your academic institution who knows about your research.
5. Essay: You have to submit an essay of no longer than 600 words about yourself and the reasons to transfer, specifically the goals you have in mind during your time at BU.
6. Application Fee: The application fee for a transfer application is $80. You have to pay the fees via Common Application or Coalition Application.
7. Interview: Interviews aren’t required for transfer admission to Boston University but there is an exception. Applicants for non-performance majors in the School of Theatre must schedule an interview with the program.
Other Common Requirements are –
1. A completed Common Application, Coalition Application, or QuestBridge Application
2. High school transcript
3. First-quarter senior grades
4. Counselor recommendation and school report form
5. One teacher recommendation
6. SAT or ACT scores (optional for 2022 admission)
7. Require to submit pre-screening recording if you want to apply for the School of Music in cello, double bass, flute, percussion, piano, trombone, trumpet, violin, or voice
8. You have to either complete an audition, submit a portfolio, or both if you want to apply for the School of Theatre or School of Visual Arts
9. If you apply for the Accelerated Medical Program (BU’s BS/MD program) then you have to submit three Accelerated Program Teacher Evaluation forms and an additional Accelerated Programs essay
Applying To Boston University
Boston university offers three different admission options for transfer students. Students can choose any of the three available options based on their requirements. Before picking an option you must have a clear idea of all the available options.
BU Early Decision
1. Application deadline: November 1
2. Admissions notification: December 15
3. Enrollment deposit due: January 8
4. If you are accepted for BU early decision then you have to enroll at Boston University and you also have to withdraw all your applications at other schools.
BU Early Decision 2
1. Application deadline: January 4
2. Admissions notification: February 15
3. Enrollment deposit due: Late February
4. If you are accepted for BU early decision 2 then you have to enroll at Boston University and you also have to withdraw all your applications at other schools.
BU Regular Decision
1. Application deadline: January 4
2. Admissions notification: Late March
3. Enrollment deposit due: May 1
4. If you are accepted for BU Regular Decision then you are not bound to attend Boston University. You are free to compare acceptances and financial aid offers from different schools.
Transfer Credit Policy Of Boston University
Minimum Grade
If you have completed liberal arts courses with a grade of C or better at a regionally accredited institution then Boston University awards credit. Usually, the transfer credit is awarded at the discretion of the BU school or college to which you are admitted.
Credits (Min/Max)
If you took classes without enrolling in a degree program or if you have less than 12 credits then you have to apply as a freshman. Usually, the maximum number of credits accepted from two-year and four-year institutions varies by school and college.
List Of Top Boston University Alumni
1. Robert V. Bruce (M.A., Ph.D.), 1988 Pulitzer Prize for History
2. Stan Grossfeld (M.S. COM 1980), associate editor, Boston Globe, 1984 Pulitzer Prize
3. Joseph Hallinan (B.S. COM 1984), reporter, Wall Street Journal, 1991 Pulitzer Prize
4. Kenneth Irby, 1992, 1993, and 1994 Pulitzer Prizes
5. Patricia Maldonado, former staff writer, Miami Herald, 1999 Pulitzer Prize
6. Sacha Pfeiffer, reporter, Boston Globe, 2003 Pulitzer Prize
7. Michael Rezendes, reporter, Boston Globe, 2003 Pulitzer Prize
8. Don Van Natta Jr. (B.S. COM 1986), correspondent, New York Times, 1993, 1999, and 2002 Pulitzer Prizes
9. Joan Vennochi, columnist, Boston Globe, 1980 Pulitzer Prize
10. J Allard, Vice President, Microsoft
11. Kamal Bahamdan (B.S. 1994), CEO, Safanad
12. Nathaniel Baker (CEO), CEO, Domestic Bank
13. Faisal al-Fayez (CAS M.A.), former prime minister of Jordan
14. Oscar Arias (attended, no degree), president, Costa Rica; 1987 Nobel Peace Prize
15. Milind Deora (SMG BSBA ’99), member of India’s Parliament
16. Keiko Fujimori (SMG BSB 1997), member of Peru’s Congress, the former first lady of Peru
17. Saki Macozoma, anti-apartheid activist, ANC leader, South African businessman
18. Margaret Ng (STH Ph.D.), member of Hong Kong’s Legislative Council
19. Gigi Tsereteli (SPH 2005), Parliament, Georgia
20. Lincoln Almond (J.D. 1961), former Governor of Rhode Islands
21. John Lewis Bates (CLA A.B. 1882, LAW LL. B. 1885), former Governor of Massachusetts
22. Albert O. Brown (LL.B. 1884), former Governor of New Hampshire
23. William M. Butler (LL.B 1884), former U.S. Senator (MA)
24. Thomas J. McIntyre (J.D. 1940), former U.S. Senator (NH)
25. Robert Upton (LL.B. 1907), former U.S. Senator (NH)
26. David Daniels – conductor and author
27. Geena Davis (SFA 1979), Academy Award-winning actress
28. David de Berry, theater composer, actor
29. Harry Agganis, professional baseball player
30. Tony Amonte, retired NHL hockey player
FAQs About Boston University Transfer Acceptance Rate
How Do I Apply For Boston University Transfer Admission?
Boston University accepts transfer admission applications via Common Application and Coalition Application. Boston University doesn’t accept papers for applications.
What Defines A Transfer Student?
You will be considered as a transfer student if you had the same amount of a US high school, and you were enrolled for at least an entire term (12 at least 12 credits) as a degree student at a different college or university.
What Is The Lowest GPA Boston University Will Accept?
Usually, Boston University doesn’t have minimum GPA requirements however, it is recommended that you should have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher out of 4.0 scale.
Does Boston University Require SAT For Transfer?
NO, Boston University doesn’t require standardized test scores (SAT/ACT) for transfer admission.
How Many Alumni Does Boston University Have?
Boston University has a strong and large alumni network. This university has more than 300,000 alumni living and leading in over 180 countries around the world.
References:
1. http://www.collegetransfer.net/BostonUniversity/TransferProfile/tabid/145/Default.aspx
2. https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/admission/apply/transfer.html
Last Updated on October 20, 2022 by Magalie D.
Magalie D. is a Diploma holder in Public Administration & Management from McGill University of Canada. She shares management tips here in MGTBlog when she has nothing to do and gets some free time after working in a multinational company at Toronto.
