Ask BUzz

Hi, I’m BUzz, the new chatbot virtual assistant for the Office of the University Registrar, Undergraduate Admissions, Financial Assistance, Student Employment and the University Service Center. I provide support for your general questions related to the above departments any time, any day. Below is a video along with a few tips to get the best out of your interaction, and use me more effectively.

Keep it simple

I do best when asked one question at a time. Complex, lengthy, or several questions at once make it harder to support you.

Use question format

I support you best when you speak to me in question format. For example, “I am a high school student and cannot figure out how to apply”, is better said as “How do I apply to BU?”

Use my Suggestions Button

My suggestions can be really helpful and may phrase your question in a way that I better understand it.

For example: When you ask a more complex question like “Are there payment plans if I do not qualify for financial aid?”,  I may offer you a better way to ask the question, and that can get you to a response, i.e., “Do you offer a payment plan?”

Be specific…but limit identifying details

I cannot access account or person-specific information. However, I learn by identifying keywords and can provide relevant information and links. The links I direct you to saves time for both you and me, as many common questions are answered on our website.

Be sure you are asking questions about the offices I support

I support the Office of the University Registrar, Undergraduate Admissions, Financial Assistance, Student Employment and the University Service Center. Boston University is a large university, and I know you will have many questions about our many departments, programs, and services. If you need graduate school admissions assistance or any of Boston University’s other departments and services, please visit their websites, or contact them directly.

I speak four languages

Click the globe icon at the top of my window if you need English, Spanish, Vietnamese or Simplified Chinese.

I am not a human 

While I am very intelligent and can support a lot of your general questions, I use artificial intelligence and work best when you follow the tips I have shared.

Need a human? Use my contact form option

You can say “contact a department” and select the department you want. You will then get a series of prompts asking for your name, email, BU ID (if you don’t have one that’s okay), and the opportunity to add a more detailed inquiry. You will know your form has been submitted when I say, “Your information has been submitted. You can close this window and someone will get back to you soon, or you can continue to ask me questions.” One of our friendly and supportive FirstPoint enrollment advisors will get back to you within two (2) business days.

BUzz Departments

Boston University Financial Assistance
881 Commonwealth Ave
Boston, MA 02215
finaid@bu.edu
www.bu.edu/finaid
Boston University Admissions
233 Bay State Rd
Boston, MA 02215
Domestic: admissions@bu.edu
International: intadmis@bu.edu
www.bu.edu/admissions
Office of the University Registrar
881 Commonwealth Ave
Boston, MA 02215
registrar@bu.edu
www.bu.edu/reg
Boston University Service Center
881 Commonwealth Ave
Boston, MA 02215
usc@bu.edu
www.bu.edu/usc
Boston University Student Employment 
881 Commonwealth Ave
Boston, MA 02215
seo@bu.edu
www.bu.edu/seo