Prospective Students

What are you looking for in your college education?

You may have a clear idea of your career aspirations and goals. Or, like many students, you may be undecided on a major or profession.

If you want an education that will prepare you to be a leader in your community and profession in the 21st century, at BU that means developing specific expertise in a major or professional field while also obtaining a comprehensive general education.

How can students have a successful, satisfying experience in a large research university? We believe the key is to optimize the contact between professors and students, especially for first- and second-year students. We implement this idea through an innovative system and structure for instruction—the team approach.

The interdisciplinary core curriculum is a systemic, coherent, two-year sequence of courses designed to give the perspective that modern students need. Core courses are organized by four divisions and complemented by three elective courses taught outside of our College.

All CGS students are full-time, matriculated, four-year degree candidates at Boston University. During your two years at CGS you will gain a comprehensive grounding in our modern world. The core curriculum of the College has been specifically designed to satisfy the general education/liberal arts requirements of all Boston University schools and colleges, allowing you to concentrate on major/professional coursework during your junior and senior years. You will have the opportunity to take three electives in other BU schools and colleges. Academic advisors will help you make informed decisions about the many academic and professional programs available within Boston University. In the spring of your sophomore year, you will declare your choice of major and school. You can continue pursuing your original career goal, or, perhaps, having experienced a spectrum of disciplines, you may find yourself moving in a new direction.

For more than a half-century now, students at the College have graduated from every undergraduate program in the University. All of the many majors within the schools and colleges of the University require general education/liberal arts courses in addition to major or professional course requirements. In the last decade, the majority of students at the College have continued within the University’s College of Arts & Sciences, College of Communication, and School of Management.

If CGS offers what you are looking for in a college, learn more about us by reading about Faculty, Academics, and Student Life (including student groups, opportunities for undergraduate research and directed study, and study abroad after the freshman year at CGS) on our website. Start with some frequently asked questions.

We invite you to visit our College. The Visitor Center and the Admissions websites will help you make arrangements. You can also call CGS to speak with a dean or advisor personally at 617-353-2850.

We find we can answer many of your requests best in a one-on-one conversation. We recommend a personal visit if possible—you can call 617-353-2850 to set up a date. If it is more convenient, you can call for a phone appointment with a dean or academic advisor or correspond with one by writing to cgs@bu.edu. It is often helpful to speak with a current student, which we can arrange in person or via e-mail.

If wish to apply, CGS follows the same application process as the other nine undergraduate schools and colleges at Boston University. The details are at the undergraduate admissions website.

Thank you for considering Boston University’s College of General Studies.

Robert Oresick

Associate Dean