Boston University's International Student Population: A Comprehensive Overview

Boston University is a private institution founded in 1839. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 18,656, its setting is urban, and the campus size is 140 acres. Boston University is one of the largest independent, nonprofit universities in the country. BU has students from over 130 countries, with a total of 8,042 international students on campus, 3,578 of whom are undergraduates. This means that international students make up about 24.6% of the student body.

Boston University's international student population

Boston University (BU) is a private institution founded in 1839. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 18,656 students, 3,578 of whom are international students. This means that BU has one of the largest international student populations in the US, with international students making up about 24.6% of the student body. BU has students from over 50 countries, with the largest on-campus communities from China, India, and South Korea.

The total number of international students at BU has been increasing over the years, with a growth rate of 6.3% on average. In 2018, there were 8,042 international students at BU, with 3,865 from China, 703 from India, and 400 from South Korea. BU defines an international student as a non-US citizen or non-US Permanent Resident Green Card Holder, and these students usually need an F-1 Student Visa or J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa to study in the US.

BU offers a range of resources and support for international students, including the International Students & Scholars Office (ISSO), which helps with the transition to life in Boston. The university also provides detailed guidelines on applying for a visa, initial check-in requirements, and other recommendations for a successful entry into the United States.

With its diverse and vibrant international student community, BU offers a unique and enriching educational experience for students from all over the world.

International student visa requirements

Boston University (BU) is a popular choice for international students, with around 8,042 international students out of a total of 32,718 students in 2018. BU defines an international student as a non-US citizen or non-US Permanent Resident Green Card Holder.

International students at BU usually need an F-1 Student Visa or a J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa to study in the US. The steps to obtaining a visa are outlined below:

Step 1: Submit Application Credentials

As a first-year international student applicant, you must submit the following credentials:

• Secondary School Records
• Counselor Recommendation and School Report Form
• English Proficiency Testing Results (TOEFL iBT, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test)
• InitialView and Vericant Interviews (Optional)
• Documentation of Financial Support
• Copy of Data Page of Passport
• Standardized Tests (Optional)

Step 2: Pay Your BU Enrollment Deposit

Before paying your SEVIS fee, you must pay your BU enrollment deposit. Once you have paid your deposit, BU will issue your Form I-20. Your program may require an enrollment deposit before issuing your Form DS-2019. Check with your school or college admissions office.

Step 3: Read Your Form I-20 or DS-2019

Once you have paid your enrollment deposit, you will receive a Student Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) form with your ID number and visa instructions. Make sure all the details of the form are correct, especially that your name matches the one on your passport.

Step 4: Check Your Passport Dates

Your passport expiration date should be at least six months from your arrival date in the US.

Step 5: Pay the SEVIS Fee

Before you can get your visa, you must pay the Student Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fee. Canadians, who don't need a visa to study in the US, must also pay this fee.

Step 6: Apply for Your Visa

You will need to apply for your visa at the US Embassy or Consulate closest to you. Apply as early as possible so you have plenty of time for the interview and processing. In many cases, you can apply up to 120 days before your academic program's start date, as shown on your I-20 or DS-2019 form.

Step 7: Schedule Your Travel to the US

Once you have obtained your visa, you can arrange your travel. You can enter the US as early as 30 days before the program start date on your I-20 or DS-2019 form. Make sure you have the following items with you at all times:

• Your passport, valid for at least six months from your entry date
• Your I-20 or DS-2019 form
• Proof of SEVIS fee payment (receipt or Form I-797)
• Admission letter from Boston University
• Original financial documents proving sufficient funding, as reflected on your I-20 or DS-2019 form
• Medical records: certificates of immunizations and vaccinations, and any prescriptions or necessary medical documents
• Documents demonstrating your intent to leave the US once you’ve completed your studies at BU
• Contact information for your student advisor

Step 8: Pass Through Immigration at Your US Port of Entry

Once you arrive in the US, you will go through Immigration and speak with an officer. Be prepared to show your documents and answer questions about your program of study, your family ties, and your intent to return home. Verify that the US entry stamp in your passport is clear and shows your status (F-1 or J-1) and duration of that status (D/S).

Step 9: Get to Boston University

There are several options for getting from Logan International Airport to the Charles River Campus. The easiest way is by taxi—you can get one from the marked queues at the airport and arrive at BU in about 20 minutes.

Step 10: Check in With the International Students & Scholars Office (ISSO)

Once you’ve arrived, check in at BU’s International Students & Scholars Office to keep your SEVIS record updated and make sure everything is ready for beginning your program of study. The ISSO will also help you maintain your status, travel with your student visa, or renew any of your documents.

Popularity of Boston University with international students

Boston University is a highly popular choice for international students. In 2018, the university was home to approximately 8,042 international students, out of a total of 32,718 students. This means that international students make up about 24.6% of the student body.

Boston University is ranked 9th out of 1,279 colleges and universities for popularity with international students. The number of international students at Boston University has been increasing over the years, with an average growth rate of 6.3%. In 2013, the university had 7,439 international students, which increased to 8,597 in 2017.

The countries with the largest number of students at Boston University are China, India, and South Korea. The university also has students from over 130 countries, with at least 50 countries represented on campus.

Boston University is a private, nonprofit university located in Boston, Massachusetts. It was founded in 1839 and has a total undergraduate enrollment of 18,656 as of fall 2023. The university offers various academic programs, including highly ranked graduate schools such as the School of Law, School of Management, School of Medicine, College of Engineering, and School of Education.

The university has a lively and diverse campus, with a variety of events, restaurants, clubs, museums, and sporting activities to suit different interests and tastes. It also has a rich history, as many important events of the American Revolution and the founding of the nation took place in and around Boston.

Countries with the largest international student communities at Boston University

Boston University is a popular choice for international students, with a total of 8,042 international students on campus in 2018, comprising 24.6% of the student body. The number of international students at Boston University has been increasing over the years, with an average growth rate of 6.3%.

The countries with the largest international student communities at Boston University are:

China

China has the largest number of international students at Boston University, with an estimated total of 3,865 students in 2018. This accounts for about 11.8% of the entire student body and 48.1% of the international student population. The number of Chinese students at Boston University has been growing at an average rate of 12.1%.

India

India is the second-largest contributor to the international student population at Boston University, with approximately 703 students in 2018. Indian students make up about 2.1% of the total student body and 8.7% of international students. The number of Indian students has been increasing at an average rate of 10% over the years.

South Korea

South Korea is the third-largest contributor to the international student population at Boston University, with around 400 students in 2018. South Korean students account for about 1.2% of the total student body and 5% of international students. However, the number of South Korean students at Boston University has been declining in recent years.

Other countries with notable international student populations at Boston University include Taiwan, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Japan, France, Turkey, Indonesia, Thailand, Hong Kong, Italy, Mexico, Brazil, Spain, Germany, Vietnam, the United Kingdom, Venezuela, Singapore, Russia, Iran, Malaysia, Greece, Colombia, Pakistan, Nigeria, Kuwait, Australia, Peru, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Norway, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Sweden, the Netherlands, Sri Lanka, Mongolia, Nepal, Ghana, Ecuador, Ukraine, Israel, Jordan, Kenya, Oman, and Jamaica.

The percentage of international students at Boston University

Boston University (BU) is a popular choice for international students, with a significant number of its students coming from outside the United States. In 2018, BU was home to approximately 8,042 international students, out of a total of 32,718 students. This suggests that international students make up about 24.6% of the student body.

BU has a diverse international student population, with students from at least 50 countries represented on campus. The three countries with the largest on-campus communities are China, India, and South Korea. The number of international students at BU has been increasing over the years, with a growth rate of 6.3% on average. China is the primary contributor to this growth, with an estimated total of 3,865 Chinese students enrolled at BU in 2018.

The popularity of BU among international students is evident as College Factual ranks the university 9th out of 1,279 colleges and universities for popularity with international students. Additionally, BU offers a range of resources and support services for international students, including the International Students & Scholars Office (ISSO), which helps students transition to life in Boston and provides information on various aspects of daily life in the city.

With its diverse and growing international student population, BU offers a truly global educational experience, exposing its students to different cultures and perspectives.

Frequently asked questions