Admissions

Application Form

When you’re ready to apply, start with our online application form. You may submit one application per entry term, and you can check the status of an existing application at any time.
Feel free to contact us with any questions along the way. We want the admissions process to be as straightforward and transparent as possible. Reach out to the Graduate Admissions and Financial Aid Office at (617) 353-2670 or businessanalytics@bu.edu.

Re-applicants

The Graduate Admissions & Financial Aid Office keeps all records on file for one year. We welcome your re-application.
Each re-applicant is required to submit a new application form and fee ($125); an essay discussing updates or changes since the time of the previous application, as well as reasons for re-applying; an updated resume; a new letter of recommendation; university-level transcripts (if the re-applicant has taken new coursework since the time of their first application); and updated GMAT or GRE results (if applicable).

Application Fee Waiver Eligibility

The Graduate Admissions and Financial Aid Office will waive the application fee for current BU employees, as well as for those who attended select admissions events and off-site fairs.
In addition, we will waive the application fee for those who are members or alumni of the following programs:

Instructions: To take advantage of this waiver, please fill out the form below once your application has been started. Your CAS ID can be found at the top right of the online application. Once we process your fee waiver request, you’ll receive a follow-up email with additional instructions on how to submit your application. DO NOT click “submit and pay for programs” prior to receiving these instructions. We are unable to offer application fee refunds.

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, your application fee waiver may take a few business days to process. As such, we encourage you to submit your application fee waiver request as soon as you have started your application. If you wait until the application deadline to submit your waiver request, you will still be considered “on time” for that deadline as long as you submit your application within 48 hours of receiving your waiver code. You must submit your waiver request before you submit your application in order for the fee waiver to be applied.
Please note: If you have been approved for an application fee waiver and are applying to one of our dual degree programs, the application fee waiver will be applied to your Questrom application only. You will still need to pay the required application fee for the other school at BU to which you are applying.

Fee Waiver Request Form

Please note: due to the evolving circumstances surrounding COVID-19, our ability to process mailed application materials may be significantly delayed. Because of this, please plan to also send electronic copies of all necessary documents to questromappdocs@bu.edu.

The Boston University Questrom School of Business Graduate Admissions Committee conducts a rigorous and holistic review of each application. Students admitted to our graduate degree programs must provide proof of an earned bachelor’s degree or equivalent international credential. Boston University does not require official transcripts with the submission of an application. Should a student decide to enroll at Boston University Questrom School of Business, official transcripts must be submitted and verified prior to the point of matriculation.

We are an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution.

Essays

We know that you are more than what’s on paper. During the online application process, all MS in Business Analytics candidates are asked to submit three video essays, which allow us to get to know you on a more personal level.

Within the “Documents” section of the “Program Materials” portion of the application, you will find your personalized link to the video essay website. Clicking this link will bring you to the Kira Talent website, our partner for the video essay process. When you register, you must use the same email address that you used to create your admission application account.

Upon creating your account with Kira Talent, you can begin your video essays. You’ll need to use an internet-connected computer with a webcam and microphone. You’ll have 30 seconds to prepare, and then 60 seconds to record your answers. You can practice an unlimited number of times with Kira Talent’s example questions, but once you start the formal video essay questions, you are only allowed one opportunity. This allows the committee to see your candid responses.

We want your video essay recording process to be as easy as possible. As such, we encourage you to dress in business casual attire – no need for a suit. The admission committee will review your response as part of the application process, and are interested in your presence, personality, and fit with our community. We recommend trying out a few of the sample Kira questions prior to recording your formal video essay.

Questions?

If you have questions about the video essay process, please send us an email at businessanalytics@bu.edu or call us at 617-353-2670. If you need technical assistance with the Kira Talent system, please contact them directly at support@kiratalent.com.

*It is recommended but not required for MS in Business Analytics re-applicants to complete the video essays.

GRE and GMAT Codes

GMAT CODE
MS in Business Analytics: P42-5K-30

GRE CODE
MS in Business Analytics: 3087

GRE/GMAT Waiver Eligibility

If you are interested in applying to the MS in Business Analytics program, we will consider your request for a GMAT/GRE waiver provided you meet the qualification listed below.

Please be aware: Historically, 70 to 75% of admitted MSBA applicants provide test scores. Candidates who are admitted to the program are considered for merit-based scholarships at the time of admission. Candidates who submit competitive GMAT/GRE scores may increase their chances of qualifying for merit scholarships upon admission to the program.

Qualifications considered for GMAT/GRE Waiver:*

• Strength of overall academic record (including GPA/grades, academic institution, major(s), relevant coursework, in particular prior coursework in programing and statistics or quantitative methods).
• Amount and relevance of work experience

*You may not request a waiver if you have already taken the exam and requested your scores be sent to Boston University Questrom School of Business.

If you meet the qualification above, you must formally request the GMAT/GRE waiver prior to submitting your application by filling out the waiver request form. When completing the waiver request form, please make sure to upload submit the supporting documents listed below:

• A listing of the names of the courses that meet the qualification along with the semester & year that each course was taken
• All transcripts from any institution from which you’ve earned a degree or taken 12 or more credits
• Resume
• Any additional supporting documentation (optional)

Please know that the decision to grant the GMAT/GRE waiver is made at the discretion of the admissions committee. If granted a GMAT/GRE waiver, the admissions committee may, in rare cases, still ask you to submit a GMAT or GRE score to aid in evaluating your candidacy for the MS in Business Analytics program. In the event we need this additional information, we will inform you once your application has been initially reviewed.

Candidates should expect a response to their request within two weeks, so please plan accordingly when submitting your request.

Information for International Students

ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY:

Candidates who have earned or will have completed at least two years of a bachelor’s or master’s degree at an institution in which the language of instruction was solely based in English are eligible for an automatic TOEFL/IELTS/PTE waiver. Candidates must present evidence of language of instruction with the application for admission. Appropriate documentation includes a transcript coversheet, an official statement from the university, or a link to the institution’s website that specifies that the mode of instruction is English. Additionally, candidates who have or will have worked for at least two years in a full-time, post-bachelor’s degree position in the US are eligible for an automatic waiver. If you do not meet this criteria but would like to be considered for a waiver, you can submit a written request highlighting your experience with and proficiency in the English language to businessanalytics@bu.edu prior to the submission of your application. The admissions committee will consider these requests on a case by case basis. If you are submitting test results with your application, please be advised that tests are valid for two years.

We are currently accepting Duolingo scores in addition to TOEFL and IELTS

To access the Duolingo test, go to https://englishtest.duolingo.com/applicants. Select Boston University Graduate & Professional Programs as a score recipient, and email questromappdocs@bu.edu with your name and the date you have taken the Duolingo test.

• TOEFL: BU’s TOEFL code is 3087. Minimum Scores of 600 on the PBT or 95 on the iBT are recommended.
• IELTS: Competitive applicants typically score a minimum of 6.5 on each band.
• PTE: As more candidates submit the PTE, we are developing updated standards for our requirements. As new information becomes available, it will be posted here.
• Duolingo: a minimum score of 110 is recommended.

UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES:

We require that applicants hold a four-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited US institution or its international equivalent. If you have earned a three-year degree that is the equivalent of a four-year degree in the US, it will be accepted in the admissions process. For example, if you earned a three-year degree in India, your degree will qualify you to be considered for admission. If you are uncertain whether your undergraduate degree meets our qualifications, please contact businessanalytics@bu.edu before starting the application process.

PERMANENT RESIDENTS:

Permanent residents should submit a copy (front and back) of their permanent resident card.

PAYMENT:

Boston University no longer accepts wire transfer payments to Citizens Bank. All international wire transfer payments should be made through one of our vendors, peerTransfer, or Western Union Business Solutions. For more information, please visit the Student Accounting Services website.

Scholarships

In our effort to attract the highest quality candidates from around the world, the Dean’s Scholarship program provides a limited number of awards for candidates with outstanding academic aptitude and contribute to diversity in the classroom. A separate application for scholarship consideration is not needed, and the admission committee considers all admitted candidates for merit scholarship awards. Recipients are notified of these opportunities in their official admission letter. Both domestic and international candidates will be considered for these awards.

Federal Direct Stafford Loan

The Federal Direct Stafford Loan Program provides low-interest loans to US citizens pursuing graduate education. The maximum loan eligibility is $20,500 per academic year. For the most current interest rates and loan fees for the Direct Stafford please visit the U.S. Department site.

To apply for federal financial assistance:

1. Obtain a FSA ID from the Department of Education website. You will need a FSA ID to complete the FAFSA.
2. Complete the 2022-2023 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online. Boston University’s school code is 002130.
3. Complete the  Questrom Application for Federal Financial Aid 

*For students starting their program in Fall 2024, you must complete the 23-24 FAFSA which will be available October 1, 2022. You must also complete the 2023-2024 Federal Unsubsidized Direct loan application which will also be available in October 2022.

Questions regarding federal loan funding can be sent to questromfa@bu.edu