MS in Business Analytics admissions

What type of applicant does BU look for?
The admission committee looks for a few primary factors when they review an application:

• A record of academic excellence in quantitative coursework — so we can be assured that you will thrive in our dynamic and rigorous program.
• At least initial programming coursework and a commitment to prepping prior to the program.
• Prior experience via internship and/or post-bachelors employment is helpful. You can find employment ranges in our class profile.
• Commitment to ethics — to ensure that you will maintain the high level of integrity expected of all students in the Questrom School of Business
• Evidence of student and community involvement — to indicate the value you will bring to future classmates

Learn more about our strategy and initiatives.

We are committed to enrolling qualitatively excellent incoming classes representing global, ethnic, and demographic diversity. Our policy encourages prospective students to consider our management programs regardless of race, color, religious creed, gender, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, age, disability, eligible veteran status, or any other category protected by law.

How do I begin an application?
We ask all interested applicants to fill out our online application and follow our admission procedures.

Where do I send my official application components (i.e official transcripts)?
You should first upload your documents with your application or email them to questromappdocs@bu.edu. If you are admitted, you will be required to submit official documents. Official documents can be mailed to:

Boston University Questrom School of Business Graduate Admissions and Financial Aid Office 595 Commonwealth Avenue Boston, Massachusetts 02215

How long will I have to wait for my admission decision?
If your application is submitted in its entirety by the required deadline, we aim to release the decision within 6-8 weeks. This precludes our doctoral programs.

What tests are required for admission?
Applicants to the MS in Business Analytics may either submit a GMAT score or a GRE score. The program accepts students with a range of scores and admission decisions take into account many factors. While test score by itself does not drive
admission decisions, we recommend applicants review our class profile to better understand their competitiveness.

Are official documents, such as transcripts and GMAT or GRE scores, required?
To expedite the admissions process, please upload unofficial documents when submitting your application. Candidates who enroll in the program are required to submit official copies of all documents.

Do I need a TOEFL/IELTS/PTE score?
Candidates who have earned or will have completed at least three 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 (through their transcript/accompanying documents or a link to the institution’s website). 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 before submitting your application. The admissions committee will consider these requests on a case-by-case basis.

If you submit test results with your application, please be advised that tests are valid for 2 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.

What is the minimum TOEFL/IELTS/PTE scores you accept?

TOEFL: Minimum scores of 600 on the PBT or 95 on the IBT are recommended. BU’s TOEFL code is 3087, and the department code is 02.

IELTS: A student’s overall score must be a minimum of 6.5.

Duolingo: A minimum score of 110 is recommended.

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.

Do I need to interview?
Interviews are by invitation only and are not required for admission. Upon receiving your application, we will determine whether an interview is necessary.

Do I need a four-year degree?
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.

Diplomas, the Higher National Diploma (H.N.D.), certificates, memberships or associate memberships in some professional organizations, and some bachelor’s and technical degrees are not considered equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree for the purpose of gaining admission to the Graduate School.

For example, if you earned a three-year degree in India, your degree will qualify you to be considered for admission. Regardless of program length, if you are uncertain whether your undergraduate degree meets our qualifications, please contact
businessanalytics@bu.edu before starting the application process.

Do I need to complete all essays?
Yes, to be considered for admission, you must submit all required essays. This includes three short answer questions and three video essay questions. For more information, please review our admissions checklist.

Is work experience required to apply to the Master’s program?
Work experience is not strictly required to apply or be admitted to the program. However, prior (relevant) work experience can be beneficial and is a factor the admission committee considers.

Is this program STEM designated?
The MS in Business Analytics program at the Questrom School of Business is currently designated by US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as a STEM-eligible degree program. International students in F-1 student status may be able to apply for a 24-month extension of their 12-month Optional Practical Training (OPT) employment authorization. More information about STEM OPT eligibility is available from the BU International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO).

Can I apply to the program if my undergraduate degree is not in a quantitative field?
Yes, there is no required background that students must have in order to apply to the program.

Can this program be completed part-time?
No, students may only enroll in the program on a full-time basis.

How do I apply for Scholarships & Financial Aid?
Admitted candidates to the MS in Business Analytics are considered for merit-based scholarships. You do not need to submit any additional information to be eligible for a merit-based award. Notification about scholarship is included in the acceptance packet. The Federal Direct Stafford Loan is available to U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents. Learn more about our financial aid offerings.

Do you offer financial aid to international students?
Yes, all applicants to the MS in Business Analytics program are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships provided that their applications are submitted by the admission deadlines. A separate application is not required. In addition, international students can finance their graduate education with private education loans provided they apply with a creditworthy U.S. citizen or permanent resident with a U.S. based address.

The Graduate Admissions & Financial Aid team is here to support you during the admission process. Please feel free to email us at businessanalytics@bu.edu or to call us at (617) 353-2670.