Q. Where do I submit supplemental admissions materials?

A. — Supplementary application materials should be sent to:

    Admissions Office
    Graduate School of Arts & Sciences
    Boston University
    705 Commonwealth Avenue, Suite 112
    Boston, MA 02215

**Do not send materials to the Astronomy Department.**
 

Q. Do I have to take the GRE?

A. — Submission of official GRE General Test scores is no longer mandatory for the Department of Astronomy. However, if an applicant feels as though their General GRE score is important to their application, scores can be submitted using institution code 3087. General GRE score submission is completely optional.
 

Q. Do I have to take the GRE Physics Subject Test?

A. — Students may optionally submit scores from the GRE Physics Subject Test. While not required, official GRE Physics Subject Test scores can be useful for evaluating applicants who have received or anticipate receiving their undergraduate degrees from lesser known institutions or whose degrees do not involve a concentration or major in physics, astronomy or a related field.

GRE Physics Subject Test scores can be submitted using institution code 3087.
 

Q. Do I have to take an English language proficiency exam?

A. — Some applicants may also need to demonstrate proficiency in English. Please refer to the Graduate School (GRS)’s website for information on the English Proficiency Requirement, or whether you meet criteria for this requirement to be waived.
 
GRS accepts the following English proficiency tests and minimum scores:

  • TOEFL:   100 Overall Score (25 recommended in each section). Most recent Internet-based Test (iBT) only. “MyBest Scores” are not accepted.
  • IELTS:   7.0 Overall Band Score
  • Cambridge English Qualifications:   185 Overall Score on B2 First, C1 Advanced, or C2 Proficiency exams
  • Duolingo:   130 Overall Score

 

Q. Do you accept applications for Spring admission?

A. — Applications for admission to the Astronomy PhD program are for Fall admission only.
 

Q. What is the deadline for submitting an application to the Astronomy PhD program?

A. — December 15