Are you an applicant looking for the best school to attend? If yes, then you have got to read this article. With this article, you will get all the necessary tips you need about Boston University. So, founded in 1839 by the United Methodist Church, Boston University is one of the city’s top schools.
As a matter of fact, with more than 4,000 faculty members and almost 34,000 students, Boston University has become one of the nation’s largest schools.
Interestingly, the private research university enjoys one of the largest endowments in the world. It brought in $2.43billion in 2020.
In spite of this success, Boston University has not lost its grip on the community. In fact, it leads the way in local support by taking an open-access policy for its research. Again, it has been instituting a financial aid program that brings in a wider range of students.
So, for these reasons, Times Higher Education has listed Boston University among its “international powerhouse” institutions. Hence, it ranked alongside elite universities including Stanford, Yale, and Oxford.
With such wonderful credentials, it’s easy to see why students would want to leave their schools to join Boston University without any delay.
As it is today, thousands of students apply to transfer to Boston University every year. However, it is only a small number receive admission offers.
Though difficult to transfer to, it does not mean that it is impossible. Hence, very many students do transfer to Boston University each year.
In that case, if you want to be among that successful group, you need to know how to fill out a transfer application and how to present yourself in the best possible light.
Boston University Transfer Acceptance Rate
At the end of 2020, 5164 people applied to transfer to Boston University. So, out of that group, 840 people were offered admission and enrolled. This resulted in a transfer acceptance rate of 16%.
In fact, that number is very much in line with Boston University’s overall acceptance rate, which was 19% that same year.
In as much as those numbers certainly put BU in the “highly selective” category, they should as well try to give some hope to the students who are struggling to transfer. Again, even though it is not really an Ivy League school, many people consider Boston University to be of equal quality.
On the other hand, other schools at the same level tend to be far more selective. This is especially for transfer applicants. For instance, Yale University has a microscopic 1.7% transfer acceptance rate. Even more competitive is Princeton University, with a mere 1.2% transfer acceptance rate.
Moreover, many schools have some reasons for limiting the number of transfer students. This as a matter of fact makes it difficult for people to switch to a high-level school. Whatever the reason, Boston University gives more open arms to transfers. This act has continued to enrich their student body.
Application Requirements & GPA for BU Transfers
Just like most high-level institutions, Boston University does not set an official minimum GPA. As it has been the case with elite schools, BU does not compel transfer students to submit their standardized test scores.
As it has always been said, the school does report the average grades among its accepted transfer students. Hence, on average, students accepted for transfer brought with them a 3.66GPA.
As for those accepted as freshmen, SAT scores are always around 1420, and ACT scores are 32 on average.
Hence, Boston University expects SAT scores to be around 1420 and ACT scores to be close to 32.
As regards the overall transfer acceptance rate, these numbers should be largely positive for potential students.
As one must get many A’s to get a 3.66 GPA, such an average, of course, gives room for an error. Meanwhile, someone who gets a few B’s and even an occasional C can still be counted among the school’s transfer class.
Even though one has lower grades, Boston University uses a multi-faceted approach to making acceptance decisions.
Meanwhile, if you intend to transfer to BU, you must first complete an application and complete a transfer report as well. Hence, Boston University accepts either the Common or the Coalition Application. in that case, you must declare your major. This is especially as the school does not allow undeclared transfers.
In the same vein, for those trying to be among that fortunate 16%, the most important part of the application is the essay.
Hence, Boston University asks students to write one essay. This should not be more than 600 words long. In this essay, they describe their journey as transfer students. This will as well be an opportunity to explain what the applicant brings to the school, and qualities that could offset lower than average grades.
Together with the transcripts from all college courses and high school, Boston University also requires evidence of high school graduation.
However, to put the transcripts into context, the University asks students to provide syllabi from classes passed at other institutions. These syllabi help admissions counselors decide which classes will transfer to BU.
BU Transfer Deadline
Hence, students who wish to transfer to join Boston University in September should submit their applications by March 15th that same year. On the other hand, students who wish to join for the winter semester in January have a November 1st deadline.
So, at that time, transfer students also need to submit their financial aid applications. Again, the school recommends that applicants transferring to the School of Music or the School of Theatre should submit their applications by January 1st to enable them to have enough time for auditions.
In fact, transfer students should do well to keep these dates in mind. This is necessary as they are not quite the same as the dates for applicants coming to the school as freshmen. Hence, standard applications must be submitted to BU by January 4th.
Therefore, with that extra time, students have a chance to write a stronger application. The reason for this is that 84% of those who applied to transfer will be denied acceptance. So, it is imperative that every aspect of the application should be made to stand out.
What is the Decision Date for BU Transfers?
Hence, the decision date for Boston University is between mid-April and mid-June at the end of the semester and between mid-November and mid-December for the winter semester.
Meanwhile, that date comes much later than the standard date for applicants. Hence, those coming as freshmen will get feedback from the school by December 15th or February 15th for early decision applicants and standard decisions between late March and early April.
In order to be sure, this delay is actually frustrating. However, you should remember that as frustrating as it might be, this disparity isn’t really a surprise.
O the other hand, transfer students are very much different from incoming freshmen and the decision process is as complicated as the application process. So, the school needs as much time as possible to consider all of the possibilities before accepting or rejecting them.
Deciding Whether You Should Transfer to BU
Despite the fact that it has a higher transfer acceptance rate than many other elite schools, Boston University is still highly selective. So, A 16% acceptance rate means that out of every ten students, eight will be rejected half the time and nine will be rejected the other half.
In the same vein, transfer students must submit specialized materials to Boston University. This is likely more than they needed when they applied to join their first institution as freshmen.
In conclusion, it is very difficult to transfer to Boston University.
However, that challenge should not prevent you in any way from trying to transfer to Boston University.
Do you know why? The reason is that Boston University is one of the best schools in the world.
As a matter of fact, some of the most influential people in the world attended Boston University. They include actors such as Julianne Moore and congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
In the same vein, winners of every major award have graduated from or taught at Boston University, including eight Nobel Laureates and twenty-three winners of the Pulitzer Prize.
So, it’s no wonder that U.S. News and World Report places BU among the top 50 colleges in the country. It has been tied with schools like Brandies University and the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
Even though it has regularly been connected to Ivy League schools, Boston University defines itself via its commitment to equality and social advancement. Several programs at the school are tailored to empower students, such as its art initiative. Again, to encourage expression and ownership of the campus, Boston University displays artwork from students across the campus.
Similarly, it works to expand the horizons of its student body. In the same way, it helps to advance its scientific agenda. Hence, Boston University has secured $1 million to develop a new faculty of computing and data science position. These funds will allow academics better to understand the role of technology in everyday life.
RECAP: How to Apply As a Transfer Student to BU
So, as this article tries to make it clear, not everybody gets to leave their current institution to transfer to Boston University.
Even though you are coming from an elite school already, BU only extends admission to a select few, those who can demonstrate that they enhance the school’s already impressive student body.
According to the last reports, 840 students transferred to BU in 2020. Though that seems like a whole lot, 5164 applied, which means that over 4200 people were rejected.
This 16% transfer acceptance rate, while higher than the average of most elite schools, is still very competitive.
So, the challenge only increases when one looks at all the work they’re required to do as part of a transfer application.
In fact, not only do they need to fill out a whole new application, but they also need to complete a transfer report and gather all transcripts from high school and their current college.
More importantly, BU requires potential transfer students to write an essay of not less than 600 words. While that might seem like a standard part of college applications, the essay is the student’s best chance to make an impression on the acceptance committee.
Therefore, if the essay could not explain why you should be allowed to transfer, you will be part of the 84% who get rejected.
On the whole, despite these unquestionably high stakes, there is no denying the fact that Boston University is an elite school. It is a school that any student would be proud to join.