Welcome Counselors
Standardized Tests
Boston University will remain test optional through the fall of 2028 and spring of 2029.
- This policy applies to all undergraduate schools and colleges at Boston University as well as all scholarship programs.
- International students will be required to submit the TOEFL, IELTS, or DuoLingo English Test as the primary means for evaluating English-language proficiency.
Prospective students and applicants must decide for themselves whether or not to include standardized test scores with their application for admission to Boston University. When making this decision, we ask students to consider the totality of their academic record, their contributions both in and out of the classroom and to their communities, and whether they feel confident that the sum of these experiences fully reflect their academic ability and potential.
Students have the ability to indicate whether they would like us to consider their standardized test scores when they apply. Once you have submitted your application, this answer cannot be changed.
If you would like your standardized test scores considered:
Boston University accepts self-reported standardized test scores on your application. You may also submit your official test scores via the testing agency, or through the self-report form on the MyBU Applicant Portal.
Please note: If you submit self-reported standardized test scores, an official score report from the testing agency will be required before enrolling at Boston University. If there are discrepancies between self-reported and official standardized test scores, your enrollment at Boston University may be rescinded.
When sending official scores, the BU codes are:
- SAT: 3087
- ACT: 1794
BU superscores both the SAT and ACT. To take advantage of superscoring, we recommend including all your test scores if you take more than one test or take a test multiple times. For both the SAT and ACT, BU uses the highest score of each section, regardless of test date, to best represent you as an applicant.
- If you’ve taken the SAT more than once, you can select which results you want to send to us using Score Choice. We only consider the highest SAT scores submitted.
- For the ACT, BU will only accept ACT scores which include the Science subsection; the Writing subsection continues to remain optional. We recalculate a new composite score using the highest score from each section, regardless of test date.
BU Meets Full Need
BU will meet 100% of the demonstrated financial need for admitted and eligible first-year students who are US citizens or US permanent residents.
Our affordableBU packages make up the difference between the cost of attending and what families can afford, as determined by BU Financial Assistance. We’re offering scholarships, grants, Federal Work-Study, and limited loan levels.
Deadlines
Regular Admission Deadlines
Additional Deadlines
*Please note: some merit scholarships require students to apply by December 1.
**US citizens and permanent residents only. We recommend registering for a CSS Profile online two to three weeks before the financial aid deadline. For more information, please see the Financial Assistance website.
***Please see CFA Prescreening requirements for further information.
Early Decision Deadlines
Early Decision is a binding agreement available only to high school seniors for September admission.
Early Decision 2 Deadlines
**US citizens and permanent residents only. We recommend registering for a CSS Profile online two to three weeks before the financial aid deadline. For more information, please see the Financial Assistance website.
International Applicants
English Proficiency Testing Results
If a student’s first language or the primary language spoken in their home is not English, they must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the Duolingo English Test (DET). Students must satisfy BU English language proficiency requirements in a single test administration.
- Students who are most competitive for admission will present a composite TOEFL score of at least 90-100 and scores of 20 or higher on each subsection.* The Board of Admissions looks closely at the score for each section as well as for consistency across all subscores within each single language proficiency test.
- Students taking the IELTS should have a total/overall score of 7 or higher to satisfy BU’s English Language proficiency requirement for all programs.* BU will also review a student’s component scores for consistency within each subject area.
- Students taking the Duolingo English Test who are most competitive for admission will have a total score of at least 125-135. Please note that BU requires both the total score and all subscores of the test. We will review a student’s subscores for consistency within each subject area.
*For students applying for the 2021-2022 academic year, BU will also consider results from the TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition. We are unable to accept the IELTS Indicator and TOEFL ITP Plus at this time.
English Proficiency Waiver Request
Proficiency waiver requests must be received by the application deadline and must accompany a complete application. The decision to waive the English proficiency requirement is at the discretion of the Board of Admissions. To submit a waiver request, please complete the English Proficiency Waiver Request Form.