Boston University Transfer Acceptance Rate

Boston University has a transfer acceptance rate of 29%, making it a competitive option for students looking to continue their education at a top-tier institution. To successfully transfer to BU, applicants typically need a strong academic record, with the average GPA of accepted transfers being 3.6 on a 4.0 scale. Unlike many other universities, BU does not require standardized test scores, such as SAT or ACT, for transfer admission.

In order to transfer to Boston University, prospective students should aim to maintain a high GPA in their current college coursework. While the average GPA of accepted transfers is 3.6, this may vary depending on the specific school or college within BU that the applicant is applying to. Additionally, it is important for transfer applicants to have completed a sufficient number of college-level credits in order to be considered for admission.

The admission process for transfer students at Boston University typically involves submitting official transcripts from all colleges attended, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement. While standardized test scores are not required, a strong academic record and compelling personal statement can greatly improve an applicant’s chances of being accepted. It is also important for transfer students to research the specific requirements and deadlines for the school or college within BU that they are applying to in order to ensure a smooth application process.

Boston University (BU) is a private research university in Boston, Massachusetts. The university is nonsectarian, but has a historical affiliation with the United Methodist Church. It was founded in 1839 by Methodists with its original campus in Newbury, Vermont, before moving to Boston in 1867.

The university now has more than 4,000 faculty members and nearly 34,000 students, and is one of Boston’s largest employers. It offers bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, doctorates, and medical, dental, business, and law degrees through 17 schools and colleges on three urban campuses. The main campus is situated along the Charles River in Boston’s Fenway-Kenmore and Allston neighborhoods, while the Boston University Medical Campus is located in Boston’s South End neighborhood. The Fenway campus houses the Wheelock College of Education and Human Development, formerly Wheelock College, which merged with BU in 2018.

BU is a member of the Boston Consortium for Higher Education and the Association of American Universities. It is classified among “R1: Doctoral Universities – Very High Research Activity”.

Among its alumni and current or past faculty, the university counts 8 Nobel Laureates, 23 Pulitzer Prize winners, 10 Rhodes Scholars, 6 Marshall Scholars, 9 Academy Award winners, and several Emmy and Tony Award winners. BU also has MacArthur, Fulbright, and Truman Scholars, as well as American Academy of Arts and Sciences and National Academy of Sciences members, among its past and present graduates and faculty. In 1876, BU professor Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone in a BU lab.

The Boston University Terriers compete in the NCAA Division I. BU athletic teams compete in the Patriot League, and Hockey East conferences, and their mascot is Rhett the Boston Terrier. Boston University is well known for men’s hockey, in which it has won five national championships, most recently in 2009.

Boston University Acceptance Rate

Boston University is located in the heart of Boston and, in recognition of its excellence in undergraduate education and research, is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities. More than 300 undergraduate programs of study are offered, and students study with award-winning faculty.

Students enjoy smaller, tight-knit campus communities with the resources of a large University thanks to a student-to-faculty ratio of 10:1 and an average class size of 27. We believe that transfer students provide a unique perspective on the college experience and the kind of drive that is the hallmark of a BU student. Each year, there are at least 2,100 transfers on campus at any given time, continually enriching our campus community.

What is Boston University’s transfer acceptance rate?

In 2019, BU received 4311 transfer applicants.

The school accepted 1847 students. Therefore, the transfer acceptance rate for BU is 42.84%.

Boston University Transfer Transfer Applicants

The Boston College community welcomes transfer students. A transfer applicant is any student who has completed minimally nine credits prior to the admission deadline for the semester they wish to apply. Each year, approximately 125 students transfer into Boston College. The majority enter in the Fall semester and a class of approximately 40 students will enroll each January.

The Committee on Transfer Admission reviews each application individually. Primary emphasis is placed on the college record. However, the high school record, SAT and/or ACT test scores, essays, recommendations, activities, and work experience are also critical components of the application. In recent years, students most successful in the transfer admission process had very strong records from both high school and college.

Boston College requires standardized testing as part of our application review. We accept the ACT (College Code: 1788) or SAT (CEEB Code: 3083) and we do not require any Optional Writing portion. If you submit multiple scores, we will superscore the tests for our evaluation.This requirement can be waived if an applicant graduated from high school more than five years prior to applying. 

• Official standardized test results must be sent directly from the testing agency to Boston College. If having score reports sent from the College Board or ACT to Boston College presents a financial hardship, applicants should have their high school guidance counselor contact the Office of Undergraduate Admission. Alternatives may be explored on a case-by-case basis. 
• SAT subject tests are not required. You are welcome to submit SAT Subject Tests for consideration with your application. Subject Tests, particularly in foreign languages and the sciences, may be used for placement during the first year. Learn more about advanced placement at Boston College.
• It is your responsibility to ensure that we receive all of your standardized testing by the stated application deadlines. For spring term admission, we will accept October standardized testing results.

In addition to the ACT or SAT, international applicants must submit TOEFL or IELTS examination scores. Learn more about standardized testing requirements for international applicants.

It is your responsibility to ensure that we receive all of your standardized testing by the stated application deadlines.

Associate Director Danielle Wells

The quality of your academic achievement is one of the most important measures of your preparedness for Boston College; special consideration is given to the balance and difficulty of the program you have carried.

In addition to the official high school transcript (sent directly from the high school) or Certificate of GED, official transcripts of all courses taken in all semesters at other colleges or universities (post-high school graduation) must be submitted. Faxed transcripts or transcripts issued to students are not considered official and cannot be accepted.

boston university transfer scholarships

Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship Award

Recognizes outstanding academic and leadership achievement among Phi Theta Kappa members seeking to transfer to Boston University. Phi Theta Kappa chapter advisors are invited to nominate up to two candidates for this program.

• Amount: $25,000
• Number of Awards: Up to five from among those nominated.
• Deadline: Nomination forms should be submitted by the Phi Theta Kappa chapter advisor no later than March 1.
• Credit requirements: A minimum of 60 transferable credits.

Bunker Hill Community College Scholarship Award

For transfer students from Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) who have been nominated by the college

• Amount: Full tuition
• Deadline: Nominations must be submitted no later than March 1. Only open to September-term transfer applicants
• Requirements: Minimum 3.5 GPA at BHCC and must be a graduate of one of the Boston Public High Schools
• Credit requirements: Minimum of 60 transferable credits

Massachusetts Bay Community College Scholarship Award

For selected transfer students from Massachusetts Bay Community College (MBCC) who have been nominated by the college

• Amount: Full tuition
• Deadline: Nominations must be submitted no later than March 1. Only open to September-term transfer applicants
• Requirements: Minimum 3.5 GPA at MBCC and must be a graduate of one of the Boston Public High Schools
• Credit requirements: Minimum of 60 transferable credits

Roxbury Community College Scholarship Award

For selected transfer students from Roxbury Community College (RCC) who are nominated by the college

• Amount: Full tuition
• Deadline: Nominations must be submitted no later than March 1. Only open to September-term transfer applicants
• Requirements: Minimum 3.5 GPA at RCC
• Credit requirements: Minimum of 60 transferable credits

BU Community Service Award for Transfer Students

The BU Community Service Award is a unique program open to transfer students who graduated from a Boston Public High School.

• Amount: Full calculated financial need of students met without loans.
• Deadline: Application for admission and submission of the FAFSA and CSS Profile™ by the September-term or January-term transfer deadlines.
• Details: All graduates of Boston Public High Schools will receive no-loan financial aid, up to the amount of the student’s calculated financial need. Students in the program are provided with a University faculty or staff mentor and engage in the greater Boston community by participating in community service opportunities.