How to Get Into Boston University: What Actually Works

Acceptance Rate: 11.1%

Boston University's acceptance rate for the Class of 2028 (admissions cycle 2024) dropped to 11.1%, marking the lowest point in the university's history and making it one of the most selective private universities in America. With over 78,000 applications and only 8,749 students admitted, the odds are extraordinarily tough. Getting into Boston University is now nearly as competitive as getting into an Ivy League school; you are competing against an exceptionally talented pool of applicants from around the world, and even strong students with solid credentials face rejection. The university received applications from students in 70 different countries and 49 states, demonstrating the global appeal of BU's programs. Understanding these numbers should not discourage you from applying, but it should motivate you to build the strongest possible application across every single component.

Average SAT: 1470

Average ACT: 33

For the Class of 2028, admitted students who submitted test scores had a middle 50% SAT range of 1430 to 1510 and an ACT range of 32 to 34, putting successful applicants well into the 99th percentile nationally. However, only 42% of enrolled students submitted test scores to BU, meaning nearly 60% of the admitted class chose not to submit standardized tests at all. This is a critical point: while BU remains test-optional, submitting strong scores in the 1450 or higher range on the SAT or 32 or higher on the ACT can strengthen your application if you have those results. If your scores fall below these ranges, you can still gain admission by excelling in other areas, particularly through rigorous coursework, strong essays, and meaningful extracurricular achievements. Do not let weaker test scores prevent you from applying if other aspects of your profile are exceptional.

Average Unweighted GPA: 3.9

The vast majority of admitted students to Boston University have outstanding GPAs, with 78% of enrolled students having a GPA above 3.75 and roughly 50% maintaining a perfect 4.0 throughout high school. BU expects you to demonstrate mastery across all subject areas and to take full advantage of rigorous courses like AP and IB classes if they are available at your school. Admissions officers understand that high schools vary in what they offer, so they evaluate your performance within the context of your own school. What matters is that you challenged yourself with the most difficult courses available to you and consistently earned top grades in those classes. Your senior year grades are particularly important; BU requires a mid-year report of your first semester senior grades to ensure you maintained momentum through the college application process.

Beyond perfect test scores and stellar GPAs, successful Boston University applicants demonstrate something that transcends the numbers: intellectual depth and genuine curiosity about the world. Admissions officers repeatedly report that they turn away numerous valedictorians with perfect test scores because these students fail to show authentic intellectual engagement. What separates admitted students is their ability to ask meaningful questions, explore ideas independently, and make connections across different disciplines. For example, rather than simply stating you are interested in business, show how you have actively explored business concepts through independent reading, real-world applications, or personal projects. Document the moments when you became genuinely curious about a subject and describe how you pursued that curiosity beyond the classroom. Admissions officers want to see that you do not just accumulate achievements; you actively seek out knowledge and engagement with ideas that fascinate you.

Boston University specifically looks for depth over breadth in extracurricular involvement. Rather than joining ten clubs and spending a semester in each, successful applicants demonstrate sustained commitment to a small number of activities where they have created measurable impact and taken on leadership roles. The university wants to see evidence that you initiated something meaningful, solved a real problem, improved an existing program, or became recognized for genuine expertise in a particular area. This might mean founding a community service initiative, launching a peer tutoring program, organizing a successful fundraising campaign that exceeded previous fundraising records, or developing a skill to a high level of accomplishment. When describing your extracurriculars in your application, focus not on the hours you invested but on the specific challenges you faced, the solutions you implemented, and the concrete outcomes you achieved. Leadership titles matter, but BU is far more interested in what you actually accomplished in those roles.

Perhaps most importantly, Boston University seeks students who demonstrate strong character, integrity, and genuine commitment to contributing to a community. The university's mission emphasizes that education should be conducted in service of the wider community, and admissions officers look for applicants who reflect these values through their actions and perspective. This means showing evidence of service work, civic engagement, or meaningful involvement in addressing social issues you care about. It also means demonstrating resilience by discussing how you have overcome challenges, adaptability in navigating difficult situations, and genuine empathy for others. Your teacher recommendations and essays should reveal these personal qualities alongside your academic accomplishments. Admissions officers are looking for people they believe will positively contribute to life on campus and engage thoughtfully with diverse perspectives.

Boston University considers essays a very important factor in its admissions process, placing them in the same category as GPA, course rigor, class rank, extracurricular activities, and teacher recommendations. Essays are often the decisive factor that separates a merely strong application from a truly exceptional one; many applicants with high test scores and perfect GPAs are outcompeted by students with slightly lower academic credentials but far more compelling, authentic essays. This is your opportunity to reveal your authentic voice, your values, and how you think about complex issues. Admissions officers have already seen your grades and test scores; they want to understand who you are as a person and what drives you.

You should check out the how to write the Boston University supplemental essays article to see details on how to write the Boston University essays.

If Boston University is your top choice and you are confident in your academic profile, strongly consider applying Early Decision. The Early Decision acceptance rate hovers around 28 to 29 percent, compared to just 9.4 percent for Regular Decision applicants. This three-fold advantage is significant and reflects the fact that BU values demonstrated interest and commitment. Nearly 60% of BU's incoming class is admitted through Early Decision rounds, meaning the university has already filled most of its class before Regular Decision even ends. If you apply ED, you must be certain that BU is genuinely your top choice and that you can afford to attend without comparing financial aid packages from other schools. However, if BU truly is where you want to spend your four years and you have the financial means to do so without comparing offers, applying ED can substantially improve your odds of admission.

In the year leading up to your application, take the most rigorous courses available to you across all core subject areas: English, mathematics, science, history, and foreign language. Seek out AP, IB, or honors classes that challenge you intellectually and demonstrate your willingness to go beyond basic requirements. Admissions officers want to see that you prepared yourself academically for the demands of a rigorous research university like BU. Simultaneously, identify a small number of extracurricular activities or community involvements that genuinely matter to you and commit to them seriously for multiple years. This is not about building a resume; it is about developing genuine expertise and making a real difference. Then, invest time in crafting strong teacher recommendations by selecting teachers who know you well, have taught you in challenging courses, and can speak to specific examples of your engagement and growth. Have a conversation with each teacher explaining why you have chosen them and what aspects of yourself you hope they will highlight in their letters.

View your entire application as a cohesive narrative that tells a story about who you are and what you value. Every component should reinforce a central theme or authentic aspect of your personality. If you are passionate about social justice, weave this through your extracurriculars, your essay responses, and your reasons for wanting to attend BU. If you are fascinated by a particular academic discipline, show how this interest has developed over time through your course selections and independent learning. Demonstrate that you understand BU's unique programs, such as the Kilachand Honors College if you are interested in interdisciplinary learning, or specific schools and colleges within the university that align with your major. Make it clear to the admissions committee that you have thoughtfully considered why BU is the right fit for you and that you will actively engage with the opportunities available on campus. Finally, remember that academic integrity is paramount; BU explicitly states that personal statements should reflect your authentic voice and not be written by artificial intelligence or other people. Submit an application you are genuinely proud of, one that reflects your true self, and give yourself the best possible chance of joining the Boston University community.