Boston University Transfer Acceptance Rate & Requirements-2024
December 12, 2023
Boston University is infinitely more selective than it was a generation ago. In fact, last year’s freshman acceptance rate was lower than Harvard’s in the late ‘80s. After the shock of that statement wears off, we have some more encouraging news to share. BU remains a transfer-friendly institution and accepts thousands of applicants each year. As such, the following blog will share the Boston University transfer acceptance rate as well as other essential pieces of information like the Boston University transfer deadline, the Boston University transfer requirements, the Boston University transfer decision date, and much more.
Boston University Transfer Acceptance Rate
Below we present the most current available Boston University transfer acceptance rate as well as historical data.
In 2022, 5,829 students applied for transfer admission, and 1,691 were accepted. This means that the Boston University transfer acceptance rate is 29%. If we break this down by gender, the acceptance rates are as follows:
- Male transfer applicants: 27%
- Female transfer applicants: 31%
In 2021, there were 5,751 transfer applicants and 2,107 individuals were accepted. This means that the Boston University transfer acceptance rate was 37%.
When trying to get the complete picture of how difficult it is to transfer into a given school, it is important to look at historical data. Many schools have wild fluctuations in transfer acceptance rates from year to year. As you can see, the BU transfer acceptance rate has indeed experienced sizable swings in recent years, ranging from 29% to 54%.
Historical transfer rates are as follows:
| Year | Acceptance Rate |
| 2020 | 54% |
| 2019 | 43% |
| 2018 | 43% |
| 2017 | 52% |
Boston University Transfer Deadline
The university offers both a fall and spring transfer option. Accordingly, the Boston University transfer deadline for fall applicants is March 15. The deadline for the spring semester is November 1.
Boston University Transfer Requirements
The Boston University requirements are as follows:
- Complete the Common App for Transfer
- Final high school transcripts with proof of graduation
- College transcripts
- SAT or ACT scores (optional)
- College Report
- Course Syllabi
- Letter of recommendation (optional, 1-2 professors)
Students who have the best chance to gain admission to BU have done the following:
- Completed at least 12 or more credits of college coursework (one full-time semester).
- Earned exceptional grades in their first year at a community college or 4-year university.
- Have carefully explored which academic programs at BU have transfer availability. For example, the Art, Nutrition, Dietetics, and Physical Therapy programs are not open to transfer students. Additionally, many programs have their own special application requirements. Applicants to the College of Fine Arts must complete an audition and/or portfolio, and prospective Questrom School of Business students should have college-level calculus under their belt.
BU Transfer GPA
The average GPA for enrolled BU transfers was 3.74 in the most recent cycle.
BU Transfer Essay
All transfer applicants must respond to one required essay prompt:
- Boston University welcomes hundreds of transfer students to campus each year. We want to learn more about you and your reasons for transferring, in particular what you hope to accomplish at Boston University. (600 word maximum)
Boston University Transfer Decision Date
The Boston University transfer decision date for fall applicants is between mid-April and mid-June. Spring transfer applicants are notified from mid-November to mid-December.
Final Thoughts – BU Transfer Acceptance Rate
In an average year, BU accepts approximately 2,000 total transfer applicants. Among those accepted, roughly 800 individuals go on to enroll each year.
Students must apply to a major within one of the bachelor’s degree-granting colleges/schools that are part of BU. They are as follows:
- College of Arts and Sciences
- College of Communication
- College of Engineering
- College of Fine Arts
- College of General Studies
- College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent College
- Computing & Data Sciences
- Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies
- Questrom School of Business
- School of Hospitality Administration
- Wheelock College of Education & Human Development
Further, those who are accepted benefit from BU’s well-designed HUB transfer requirements that help students complete key graduation requirements. This is an institution with a large, welcoming transfer community.
If you are looking for information on how to apply to Boston University as a first-year student, you may find the following blogs to be of interest:
Those searching for application info on other institutions may wish to visit our Dataverse pages:
