Given the large number of applications we receive, and the expense to you of applying to multiple programs, we will try to provide what guidance we can about how you might assess your “fit” with the program and your general chances of acceptance.

In the years 2004-2008 we received an average of approximately 600 applications per year, and accepted an average of 10 students per year.  In this competitive process, virtually all the accepted students met a number of criteria.  As detailed on the “Full Disclosure” page, the successful applicants in those years had a combined average Verbal and Quantitative score of 1300, and an undergraduate GPA averaging 3.6.  Most of the successful applicants had scores and grades within a small range around these numbers. 

The Boston University program largely works on a mentorship model.  The most important criterion for entry is that your interests and experience fit closely with a mentor who is able to accept a student in the upcoming year.  It is unfortunately difficult for us to predict which mentors will have funding for a student at the time that you apply to the program.  However, of the faculty listed in the department, only a core group are clinical “mentors.”  These faculty are:  David Barlow, Leslie Brody, Tim Brown, Alice Cronin-Golumb, Todd Farchione, Stefan Hofman, Brett Litz (at the Veteran’s Administration), Michael Lyons, Elizabeth Pratt/Heather Thompson-Brenner, Michael Otto, Tibor Palfai, Donna Pincus/Sarah Whitton, Mark Richardson, and Martha Tompson.  You should locate and carefully read their published materials and website profile and assess whether you have experience in their area of study.  Successful applicants typically have actual working experience in research in a closely related field.  You should indicate which mentors you have qualifications to work with, and therefore you would like to consider your application, in your personal statement.

We are, of course, very interested in all qualified applications, and our students cannot be described as fitting into any particular mold.  We are extremely interested in applications from students from all ethnic/racial backgrounds, genders, sexual orientations, and nationalities. We hope this information will help you in the challenging process of selecting programs and submitting applications, and we hope your process will prove successful and satisfying!