Boston University - Admission Requirements, SAT, ACT, GPA and chance of acceptance

Your chances of getting into Boston University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted

14.4%

Admission Difficulty for Boston University
Measure	Difficulty
Admission Standards		Exceptional
Applicant Competition		Very High

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at BU is 14.4%. Its admission rate is the 7th lowest in Massachusetts and the 52nd lowest the nation.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into BU and can you get accepted?

BU is a very highly competitive school to get into. You have a low chance of acceptance even if you meet the admission criteria. It's important that you meet their GPA requirements to get through the first round of consideration. Last year, only 11,607 out of the 80,796 who applied were admitted.

Boston University typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.79. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. 31% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into BU?

14% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Boston University you should:

Have a high school GPA of 3.79 or better
Earn A- grades in high school
Score 1430 on the SAT
Score 32 on the ACT
Graduate in the top 10% of your high school class

BU GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA

3.79

Typical High School Grades

A-

What GPA do you need to get into Boston University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into BU are to have around a 3.79 high school GPA. You are required to have exceptionally good grades and you should be graduating near the top of your class.

Meeting these GPA requirements alone is not enough for you to gain admission as BU is a very selective school.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at BU is 3.79 on the 4.0 scale. 26% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school. The school ranks #17 in Massachusetts for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since BU is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.8 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Boston University students
High School GPA	Freshmen Within Range	Competitiveness
4.0	26.0%	Good
3.75 to 3.99	31.0%	Avg
3.50 to 3.74	37.0%	Reach
3.25 to 3.49	5.0%	Reach
3.00 to 3.24	1.0%	Low
2.50 to 2.99	0%	Low
2.00 to 2.49	0%	Low
1.00 to 1.99	0%	Low
less than 1.00	0%	Low

What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

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BU SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Boston University. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 23% of students submitted SAT scores and 12% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range

1350-1500

Applicants Submitting SAT

23%

SAT Scores for Boston University
SAT Test	25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile	660
Math 25th Percentile	690
Composite 25th Percentile	1350

SAT Scores for Boston University
SAT Test	75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile	730
Math 75th Percentile	770
Composite 75th Percentile	1500
Average SAT Score	1430

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Boston University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at BU is 1430 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1350-1500. Students who get into Boston University score in the top 8 percent of all SAT test takers.. BU ranks #14 in the state of Massachusetts and #76 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1430 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. BU regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1350 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1350, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1270, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Boston University is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1430 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1425, you have around a 14% chance of being admitted. A 1500 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 24% chance of getting in.

Boston University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1500 and Above	Good	>24%
1425 to 1500	Avg +	14%-24%
1350 to 1425	Avg -	8%-14%
1275 to 1350	Reach	4%-8%
Less than 1275	Low	<4%

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BU ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range

31-34

Applicants Submitting ACT

12%

ACT Scores for Boston University
ACT Test	25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile	32
Math 25th Percentile	28
Composite 25th Percentile	31

ACT Scores for Boston University
ACT Test	75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile	35
Math 75th Percentile	34
Composite 75th Percentile	34
Average ACT Score	32

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into BU?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to BU is 32, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 31 and 34. The school ranks #10 in Massachusetts and #65 in the U.S. for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 32. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 31 and score in the score in the top 5 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 30.

12 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Boston University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Boston University is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into BU for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 32 score has around 14% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 28% with a 34 ACT score.

Boston University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
34 and Above	Good	>28%
32 to 34	Avg +	14%-28%
31 to 32	Avg -	10%-14%
30 to 31	Reach	6%-10%
Less than 30	Low	<6%

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High School Class Rank

70% of Boston University freshman are in the top ten percent of their high school graduating class. For your application to be competitive, you need to graduate at the top of your class.

High School Class Rank for admitted Boston University students
High School Class Rank	Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class	70%
Top 25% of class	99%
Top 50% of class	100%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Boston University admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	49,468	31,328	80,796
Accepted	6,546	5,061	11,607
Acceptance Rate	13%	16%	14%
Enrolled	2,160	1,475	3,635
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	33%	29%	31%

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 4, 2025

Days left to Apply

Applicants have 44 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are due on Jan 4, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Boston University is $80.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Boston University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Boston University Application Requirements
Test Scores	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA	Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program	Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations	Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies	Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Boston University
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	No
Credit for Life Experiences	No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because BU is very highly competitive, you have a low likelihood of acceptance. It is important that you earn at least a 3.79 GPA to have a good shot at getting in. Additionally, you need to score a 1430 on the SAT and optimally 1500 to place yourself in a strong position. For ACT scores, you need a 32 to have a competitive chance of getting in.