Boston University
Private research university on a campus that runs for roughly a mile along the Charles River and Commonwealth Avenue in the heart of Boston. Founded in 1839, BU now enrolls one of the largest undergraduate populations of any private university in the country. The Questrom School of Business and the College of Communication, home to one of the oldest journalism programs in the US, both draw students who want direct access to a major city's finance, media, and hospital systems. Nearly 6 in 10 seats in a recent incoming class were filled through Early Decision, reflecting how many applicants treat BU as a clear first choice.
Source: College Scorecard, U.S. Department of Education. Figures reflect the most recently published class — always confirm current-cycle numbers on BU's official admissions site before applying.
📊 What SAT/ACT Scores Do Admitted Students Have?
The middle 50% of BU's admitted students scored within these ranges:
Source: College Scorecard, U.S. Department of Education (25th–75th percentile of admitted students). Get your own personalized chance estimate →
🎲 Will You Get Into BU?
This estimate compares the test score you enter against BU's real published middle-50% band (1420–1530 SAT, 32–34 ACT) and its 12.8% acceptance rate to produce a Safety, Target, or Reach label. It intentionally does not use GPA — no institution publishes real per-school GPA distribution data, so we don't invent one.
A SAT score of 1480 falls within BU's middle-50% range of 1420–1530 (SAT 1420–1530), making BU a target school.
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📝 Required Supplements
- Common App
- BU Supplemental Essay (300 words)
- School Report
- Teacher Evaluation
Optional but recommended:
- Portfolio/Audition (College of Fine Arts applicants only)
✍️ What Should Your BU Essay Focus On?
- Name a specific BU resource, class, or program — not a generic "great school in a great city" answer
- Split the 300 words deliberately between what excites you and how you'll contribute; don't let one crowd out the other
- Keep the essay about BU specifically — the prompt no longer asks about an outside social issue
- Reference something only found at BU (Kilachand Honors College, a Questrom program, a CityLab connection) to prove real research
🎯 What Is BU Looking For in Applicants?
- A specific reason for BU tied to one of its schools (Questrom, College of Communication, Kilachand), not just interest in Boston generally
- Genuine enthusiasm strong enough to apply Early Decision, since roughly 6 in 10 recent admits came through that round
- Comfort with a large, urban, non-residential-college campus stretched along the Charles River and Commonwealth Avenue
- A believable plan to use Boston's hospital, biotech, and media industries as part of the education, not just campus life
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