Transferring To Boston University: What You Need To Know

Boston University (BU) is a welcoming community for transfer students, with over 700 transfer students joining each year. The university defines transfer students as those who have completed at least one full-time semester (12 or more credits) as a degree candidate at another college or university. BU requires transfer applicants to submit official transcripts, a high school diploma, and proof of graduation, as well as an essay explaining their reasons for transferring and what they hope to accomplish at BU. Additionally, BU has specific requirements for College of Fine Arts and Questrom School of Business applicants. Transfer students should also be aware of BU's credit transfer process and the option to use Transferology to see how their previous credits may transfer.

Application requirements

Boston University welcomes transfer students and has many pathways to help them achieve their goals. The university accepts over 700 transfer students each year.

You can apply as a transfer student if you have completed the equivalent of a US secondary school education and have at least one full-time semester (12 or more credits) as a degree candidate at another college or university.

• College Transcript(s): Submit official transcripts of all college or university coursework completed for each college or university attended.
• High School Transcript and Proof of Graduation: Submit official copies of your secondary school transcript(s) that document high school graduation. If you have not graduated from high school, submit results of your Test of General Education Development (GED) or high school equivalency exam.
• Application fee: The application fee is $80 and can be paid via the Common Application. Fee waivers are available.
• Essay: Submit an essay of no more than 600 words explaining your reasons for transferring and what you hope to accomplish at Boston University.
• Course Syllabi: Submit your course syllabi to receive your credit evaluation in a timely manner.
• Additional requirements for transfer applicants from Chinese Universities: Verification Report of China Higher Education Student’s Academic Transcript in English, and official transcripts in English and Chinese.
• Additional requirements for College of Fine Arts Applicants: Complete an audition, submit a portfolio, or both.
• Additional requirements for Questrom School of Business Applicants: Have taken a college-level Calculus course or completed an AP/IB-level Calculus course in high school.

Transfer Deadlines:

• Fall Transfer Deadline
• Winter Transfer Deadline
• Spring Transfer Deadline
• Summer Transfer Deadline

Transfer Acceptance Rate:

In 2019, BU received 4311 transfer applicants and accepted 1847, giving a transfer acceptance rate of 42.84%.

Transfer deadlines

Boston University (BU) welcomes transfer students, with over 700 joining each year. To be considered a transfer student, you must have completed at least one full-time semester (12 or more credits) as a degree candidate at another college or university.

Application Deadlines

BU has different transfer deadlines for each semester:

• Fall
• Winter
• Spring
• Summer

The exact dates for these deadlines are not specified, but it is recommended that you complete your application at least one week before the deadline.

Decision Dates

If you apply by the reported deadlines, you should receive a decision by the following dates:

• Fall: May 20
• Winter: December 15
• Spring: mid-November to mid-December
• Summer: Not specified

Credit Transfer Deadlines

The final deadline for credits to transfer to BU is one year after you begin your studies. It is recommended that you start submitting your materials as soon as possible, as the process may take longer than expected.

Application Requirements

In addition to the general application requirements, transfer students must submit:

• Official college transcripts from all colleges or universities attended
• High school transcript and proof of graduation (or equivalent)
• Essay (maximum 600 words)
• Application fee ($80) or fee waiver request
• Course syllabi (for credit evaluation)
• Disciplinary record
• Statement of Good Standing from the prior institution
• Standardized test scores (e.g., SAT/ACT) for some programs, such as the College of Fine Arts and Questrom School of Business

Acceptance rates

Boston University (BU) is a popular choice for transfer students, with over 700 transferring to BU each year. The university welcomes transfer students and believes they provide a unique perspective on the college experience.

In 2019, BU received 4311 transfer applicants and accepted 1847, giving a transfer acceptance rate of 42.84%. Of the accepted students, 730 enrolled, which means the yield was 39.52%.

BU requires a minimum college GPA of 3.5 on a 4.33-point scale and a minimum high school GPA of 3.5. Transfer applicants must submit official transcripts of all college or university coursework completed, as well as their high school transcript and proof of graduation.

BU does not require standardized test scores (SAT/ACT) for transfer admission. However, College of Fine Arts applicants must audition or submit a portfolio, and Questrom School of Business Applicants need to have taken a college-level Calculus course or completed an AP/IB-level Calculus course in high school.

BU has a specially tailored Hub curriculum for transfer students, which builds on previous coursework while still providing the educational benefits of the Hub program.

GPA requirements

Boston University (BU) welcomes transfer students and has pathways to help them achieve their goals. Over 700 transfer students join BU each year.

To apply as a transfer student, you must have completed the equivalent of a US secondary school education and have at least one full-time semester (12 or more credits) as a degree candidate at another college or university.

BU requires a minimum college GPA of 3.5 on a 4.33 point scale. In addition, a minimum high school GPA of 3.5 is also required.

BU does not require standardized test scores (SAT/ACT) for transfer admission. However, College of Fine Arts applicants must present a portfolio or participate in an audition.

Transferring credits

Boston University (BU) accepts transfer students and welcomes the unique perspective they bring to the community. If you're considering transferring to BU, it's important to understand the process of transferring your credits. Here's a detailed guide to help you navigate the credit transfer process:

Step 1: Understand the Requirements

Before you begin the credit transfer process, it's crucial to understand BU's requirements. BU requires you to submit official transcripts of all college or university coursework completed. This includes transcripts from each institution you attended as a degree candidate. Additionally, you may need to submit course syllabi for a thorough credit evaluation.

Step 2: Use Transferology

BU recommends creating an account with Transferology, a platform that helps you understand how your courses taken at other colleges or universities may transfer to BU. By entering your previous or current coursework, you can determine if your credits are likely to transfer. If your courses are listed as a "match," you won't need to submit syllabi. However, if they are listed as a "maybe," syllabi will be required for the evaluation.

Step 3: Submit Your Materials

The credit transfer process can take time, so it's essential to start early. Gather all the necessary materials, including transcripts and syllabi, and submit them as soon as possible. The final deadline for credits to transfer to BU is one year after you begin your studies there.

Step 4: Individual Course Evaluation

BU evaluates courses individually from hundreds of different colleges and universities. This careful and thorough evaluation ensures that your credits are assessed appropriately. Remember that transfer courses, even those granted course equivalency, do not earn HUB General Education units at BU.

Step 5: Final Determination

The final decision on transfer credit acceptance is made by the respective Department and Division Evaluators and the University Registrar upon your admission to BU. Official transcripts reflecting your final semester of attendance from all colleges are required for this final determination.

Additional Considerations:

• College of Fine Arts Applicants: In addition to the standard requirements, applicants to the College of Fine Arts must also submit a portfolio or participate in an audition.
• Standardized Test Scores: While BU does not require SAT/ACT scores for transfer admission, they are required for a comprehensive evaluation of your application.
• Application Fee: BU's application fee is $80, but the university offers fee waivers for eligible students.

Frequently asked questions