title bar
contact resources
title bar
spacer The Program spacer MA program spacer People spacer Internships Program director spacer Seminar spacer FAQs spacer

M.A. Program: Applying for Admission

The next Academic Year for the Mathematical Finance Program will begin September 2, 2008.

Completed applications for admission will be accepted until April 30, 2008. If you are applying as an international student, the submission deadline is March 16, 2008. Applications that are complete at the time of the deadline will be given priority. An application is considered complete when it and all required supporting documents have been received by the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.

The materials required to apply for admission include the following:

1. Completed application for admission to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
2. $70 application fee (non-refundable)
3. Official transcripts of each college or university attended
4. Official GRE General Test results
(GRE Subject Test results in Mathematics, Computer Science, or Economics are recommended, but not required.)
5. Official TOEFL examination results*
(* Recent TOEFL test scores are required for applicants whose native language is not English)
In general, students admitted to the program are expected to have a total score of at least 100 in the internet-based TOEFL, with sub-scores of at least 25 in listening, reading, speaking and writing, OR, a total score of at least 250 in the computer-based TOEFL, OR, a total score of at least 600 in the paper-based TOEFL. Applicants whose TOEFL scores are lower, but are otherwise qualified, may still file an application, but they may be asked to re-take TOEFL before a decision for admission can be made.
Important note: The ETS Institution Code for Boston University's Graduate School of Arts and Sciences is 3087. No department code is required when requesting that test scores be sent to the Graduate School.
6. Three letters of recommendation (Letters written in English from at least two faculty members in mathematics who are familiar with American higher education are preferred.)
7. Personal statement
8. International Student Data Form, including documentation of all sources of financial support*
(*required only for international students)
9. Candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college and must have taken all courses needed as prerequisites:
  • Calculus (CAS MA 123, 124, 225 or equivalent)
  • Linear Algebra (CAS MA 242 or equivalent)
  • Differential Equations (CAS MA 226 or equivalent)
  • Basic computer programming skills (CAS CS 111 or equivalent)
Applicants who are missing some of the prerequisites may still be able to enroll in the program but will have to take the missing courses and receive a grade of (B-) or better before registering for any of the courses in the program.

Important Information for International Students

Most lectures present material that involves very specialized, technical language. Therefore, students are expected to have full command of the English language (including expressions commonly used by native-English speakers).

To allow sufficient time to obtain a U.S. visa, applicants who are not citizens of the U.S. or have not been granted official Permanent Residency Status in the U.S. must submit the International Student Data Form (ISDF), including documentation of all sources of financial support, no later than March 16. Processing time and visa requirements are subject to change. Note that it may take applicants several weeks to receive documents mailed from the U.S. to other countries. The ISDF is available for view or download. Detailed instructions for completing the form are included on the form itself. You cannot be offered admission to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences without submitting a completed ISDF. It is required by the International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) in order to process your visa application.

Please read Page 2 of the ISDF carefully for information on the Financial Declaration. Past experience indicates that the submission of satisfactory financial documentation usually takes longer than most applicants anticipate. Periodically, the University revises its estimates of the cost of living in the Boston area. It is recommended that you contact our office before you begin to fill out this form so that we may provide you with a current estimate of expenses.

Submitting an on-line application

To apply on-line, access the Graduate School's website.

Obtaining the application forms

Application forms, instructions and other relevant information, including some additional requirements, are available online.

Completed applications, supporting documents, and inquiries should be directed to:

Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
Admissions Office
Boston University
705 Commonwealth Ave., Suite 112
Boston, MA 02215 U.S.A.
Please do not send applications to any other address.



(back to top)

Graduate Program in Mathematical Finance | March 5, 2008

Mathematical Finance Home Contact Resources