If you’re curious about what the BU acceptance rate is, the article presents a detailed guide on the Boston University admission exercise.
Boston University has garnered immense popularity, reflected by its staggering influx of nearly 81,000 applications for the 2023-24 freshman class. This surge in interest underscores the significant allure and prestige associated with the institution. Notably, the Boston University acceptance rate has undergone a dramatic transformation over the past decade, plummeting from 58% to a mere 11%.
Situated in one of America’s most vibrant and sought-after cities, BU boasts an array of highly-regarded academic programs spanning various domains such as business, engineering, design, communications, performing arts, and education, among others. The substantial surge in application numbers in recent years has propelled the average SAT scores to soar by over 150 points, a noteworthy shift that transpired in the span since the commencement of Barack Obama’s first presidential term.
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Boston University’s: Overall Acceptance Rate – Class of 2027
In creating the Class of 2027, BU admitted 8,612 of the 80,794 who applied in the 2022-23 admissions cycle. This translates to a Boston University acceptance rate of 11%.
Recent historical BU acceptance rates are as follows:
- Class of 2026: 14%
- 2025: 19%
- 2024: 20%
Boston University Early Decision Acceptance Rate – Class of 2027
Those who are serious about attending BU should definitely consider applying via binding early decision. Over 40% of the university’s most recent first-year admits were accepted through ED. This school offers two rounds of early decision—ED I in November and ED II in January. The Boston University Early Decision acceptance rate for the Class of 2027 was 29%–note, this accounts for the ED1 cycle only.
BU Admissions – SAT, ACT, and GPA
Those admitted into the Class of 2026 sported an average GPA of 3.8, and had mean test scores of 1441 on the SAT and 32 on the ACT. Those who went on to enroll in the university for the start of the 2022-23 school year held a mid-50% unweighted GPA range was 3.8-4.0 and 84% were in the top 10% of their high school class.
Admissions Trends & Notes – (Class of 2027)
- BU has continued their test-optional policy for those applying to join the university in fall 2024.
- 41% of Class of 2027 applicants submitted test scores with their application.
- International applicants came from 182 countries.
- BU experienced a 1.1% increase in international applications from the previous cycle.
- Boston University early decision applications increased by 8.8% in the 2022-23 cycle.
Who Actually Gets Into Boston University?
Let’s look at the demographics of Boston University undergraduates:
- Students represent all 50 states (plus Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, Guam, American Samoa Islands and U.S. Virgin Islands).
- They come from 100+ countries around the world.
- BU is one of the top US schools for international students to pursue their undergraduate education.
As at any highly-selective university, competition is toughest among those hailing from states with endless streams of qualified applicants (the entire Northeast & the West Coast). If you hail from a less populated state like Hawaii, the Dakotas, or Montana, your location is more likely to provide a boost to your admissions chances. Boston University likes to accept at least one student from every state. In fact, they have a member of each state in the 2022-23 freshman cohort.
Looking at ethnic identity, the breakdown of the Class of 2026 was as follows:
- Asian American: 20%
- Hispanic: 12%
- African American: 8%
- International: 23%
- White: 30%
- Two or more races: 4%
The breakdown by gender of all current undergraduates is notably split in favor of women:
- Male: 42%
- Female: 58%
Men do enjoy an edge in the admissions process at BU since there are far more qualified female applicants year after year. In one recent cycle, 25% of men are accepted compared to 16% of women.
Yield Rate
Last year, Boston University experienced a relatively low yield rate of 32%, which is calculated by dividing the number of accepted students who enroll by the total number of admitted students.
This phenomenon can be attributed to BU’s competition for students within the same pool as Ivy League and other prestigious institutions. Consequently, the university places significant importance on “demonstrated interest,” particularly from individuals who express a willingness to commit to the institution through Early Decision. For context, several other esteemed private universities like Northwestern, Duke, and Cornell University boast higher yield rates.
How BU Rates Applicants
In Boston University’s admissions process, only two factors are ranked as “very important”: rigor of secondary school record and GPA. Meanwhile, factors such as class rank, GPA, essays, recommendations, extracurricular activities, and character/personal qualities are considered “important.” This year, as the school continues to adopt a test-optional policy for the Class of 2028, standardized test scores are categorized as “considered.”
Notably, BU places significant emphasis on an applicant’s “talent/ability.” The university takes pride in highlighting the diverse achievements outside of the classroom exhibited by their incoming freshmen. For instance, recent freshmen classes have featured students who…
- Placed third in the first season of MasterChef Junior
- Developed and patented two products to help pediatric cancer survivors
- Is a three-time World Tap Dance Champion
- Developed an algorithm to identify and fight cyberbullying
- Was named one of ‘America’s 10 most outstanding teen social entrepreneurs’
- Earned a bronze medal at a World Junior Figure Skating competition in Switzerland
- Built a solar-powered car
- Started a program that has donated over 15,000 pairs of lab goggles to schools across the US
- Founded a mobile app that aims to end food waste by connecting over 70 restaurants with food surpluses with approximately 1,200 customers who are seeking to purchase food at bargain prices
- Presented a paper to United Nations officials about language education for refugees in Turkey
- Runs a dance program to help elderly patients fight dementia
- Was a columnist for the South China Morning Post
- Published a picture book that was translated into three languages, an 80,000-word novel, and a poetry anthology
In the admissions office’s own words:
“We’re looking for students who are likely to succeed at BU. Taking honors, AP, IB, or the most challenging courses available at your high school or college is important. But we’re also looking for students who will create a unique, diverse community at BU.
Those who are doers—volunteers, entrepreneurs, and ambitious students looking to take their academic experience to new heights. That’s why we consider extracurricular activities and interests, work experience, special talents and skills, along with recommendations from teachers, counselors, community leaders, and others who know you well.”
It definitely also helps if you are recruited as an athlete to join one of Boston University’s 24 Division I sports teams or possess a unique skill like those mentioned above.
Tips for Applying to Boston University
If you plan on joining the 80,000+ BU hopefuls for the next admissions cycle, you should know the following:
===>Boston University places a strong emphasis on seeing advanced coursework during your high school years. It’s important to take multiple advanced classes, especially in the field you’re interested in.
===>BU doesn’t conduct interviews, so it’s crucial to make a standout impression through your Common App and supplemental essay, as well as your teacher/counselor recommendations.
===>Demonstrating interest is also considered in the admissions process, meaning your actions like visiting the campus (when possible), contacting an admissions officer, etc., will be taken into account.
===>Devote ample time and effort to the required supplemental essay(s) for BU. In the 2022-23 application cycle, there’s one prompt for all applicants and an additional set of prompts for those applying to the Kilachand Honors College.
All applicants must answer:
What about being a student at Boston University most excites you? (250 words)
Summary of Boston University Acceptance Rate
Students aiming for Boston University with SAT scores below 1400 and/or an unweighted GPA of 3.75 will likely require a distinct advantage to realize their aspiration of joining the Terrier community. With an acceptance rate of 14%, BU is actively seeking individuals who have achieved scores in the 95th percentile or higher on standardized tests and have maintained a strong track record of mostly A grades within a challenging high school curriculum.
If Boston University is your goal, it’s essential to establish a robust contingency plan. All students should carefully develop a suitable list of colleges, including both “target” and “safety” options. Collaborating with an admissions professional during this process is highly recommended.
