BU / How to get in
How to Get Into BU
Test-optional for first-year applicants applying through fall 2028 / spring 2029. Submitting SAT or ACT scores is optional, and roughly 45% of a recent enrolled class chose to submit. No test scores are required to be considered for admission or merit scholarships. Here is the academic profile that keeps you in the running, what BU weighs most, and where to put your energy.
- 3.9-4.0
- GPA (middle 50%)
- 1360-1530
- SAT (middle 50%)
Every college publishes how heavily it weighs each part of your application in its Common Data Set. Here is how BU reads applicants, most important first.
- Course rigor
- Grades (GPA)
- The application essay
- Recommendation letters
- Extracurricular activities
- Talent or ability
- Character and personal qualities
- Class rank
- Test scores
- First-generation status
- Legacy relation
- Geographic origin
- Demonstrated interest
BU is test-optional, so you can apply without SAT or ACT scores, though a strong score can still help.
Early Decision 1 deadline November 2 · ED 1 notification December 15 · Early Decision 2 deadline January 5 · ED 2 notification February 9 · Regular Decision deadline January 5 · RD notification March 28. Applying early (Early Action or Early Decision, where offered) can modestly improve your odds and signals commitment.
Your grades and course rigor are mostly set by now. The highest-leverage things left are your essays and how you frame your activities. BU reads holistically, so a specific, well-told essay is where you separate yourself from other qualified applicants.
How to get into BU: FAQ
Is BU hard to get into?
Test-optional for first-year applicants applying through fall 2028 / spring 2029. Submitting SAT or ACT scores is optional, and roughly 45% of a recent enrolled class chose to submit. No test scores are required to be considered for admission or merit scholarships. At BU, applicants clear a high academic bar first, then stand out through essays, activities, and character.
What GPA do you need to get into BU?
Admitted students at BU typically have a GPA around 3.9-4.0 (middle 50 percent). A strong GPA in demanding courses is the foundation, though it never guarantees admission.
What SAT score do you need for BU?
The middle 50 percent of admitted students at BU score about 1360-1530 on the SAT. Scores in or above that range keep you competitive.
What does BU look for in applicants?
BU weighs course rigor, grades (gpa), and the application essay most heavily, alongside a strong academic record. The parts you most control late in the process are your essays and how you present your activities.
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