Boston University: University Insights
- The Headmaster Counsulting
- Apr 19, 2023
- 4 min read
About the University
Boston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. It was founded in 1839 and has a total undergraduate enrollment of approximately 18,000 students. The university is known for its strong academic programs in various fields such as business, law, engineering, medicine, and the arts.
Boston University offers more than 300 programs of study through its 17 schools and colleges, including the Questrom School of Business, the School of Law, the College of Engineering, the College of Fine Arts, and the School of Medicine. The university is also home to several research centers and institutes, including the Boston University Center for Space Physics, the Boston University School of Education, and the Boston University School of Public Health.
The university has a diverse student body, with students from all 50 states and more than 130 countries. Boston University is also a member of the Boston Consortium for Higher Education, a group of eight leading colleges and universities in the Boston area that collaborate on academic and research initiatives.
Boston University is known for its strong athletics programs, with 24 varsity sports teams that compete in the NCAA Division I. The university's sports teams are known as the Boston University Terriers, and the school colors are scarlet and white.
Overview
Location: Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Type: Private Research University
Founded: 1839
Tuition: $31,899 per semester
Fun Facts
Boston University Bridge
The Boston University bridge is one of three bridges in the world where a plane can fly over a car driving over a train traveling over a boat.
Martin Luther King Jr.
BU is proud to have Martin Luther King Jr. as an alumnus. Martin Luther King Jr. attended Boston University's School of Theology from 1951 to 1955 and received his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Systematic Theology.
Evolution of Boston University's Name
BU has changed its name multiple times: from Newbury Biblical Institute to Methodist General Biblical Institute of Concord in 1847…to Boston’s Beacon Hill in 1867…to Boston Theological School… and then to Boston University two years later.
Pioneering Public Relations Education in the United States
In 1947, Boston University became the first university in the United States to provide college degrees in public relations. Boston University's College of Communication established the first-ever degree program in public relations in the United States in 1947. The program was designed to meet the growing demand for trained public relations professionals and has since become one of the most respected and widely recognized programs of its kind in the country.
BU Campus
BU doesn’t have a campus in the traditional sense. BU is built along Commonwealth Avenue, which means everything can be reached by walking forward or backward. This gives the incoming freshmen a much easier time to familiarizing the campus.
Accelerated Medical Program: A Unique Path to Becoming a Medical Doctor
Boston University’s Accelerated Medical Program is notable as it allows students to pursue an undergraduate degree while being enrolled in the Boston University Medical School. The program is a seven-year commitment. Students apply to the Accelerated Medical Program as first-year applicants to the University and graduate from the program as medical doctors.
Expanding Horizons
The Boston Consortium is a group of 13 colleges and universities in the Boston area that collaborate to offer cross-registration opportunities for students. Boston University is a member of the consortium, and as such, its undergraduate students are able to take one course per semester at another participating institution, including Boston College, Brandeis University, Tufts University, Hebrew College, or MIT, among others. This program offers students access to a wider range of academic resources and opportunities beyond what is available at their home institution.
Academics
Graduation Rate: 88%
Retention Rate: 94%
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 11:1
Admissions
Average IELTS | 7.0 |
Average TOEFL | 84 (iBT) |
Average SAT | 1370-1480 |
Average ACT | 31-34 |
College Board Code | 3087 |
Application Deadline | January |
Application Requirements
Common Application or QuestBridge Application
High School Transcript
Senior Year Grades
Counselor Recommendation and School Report Form
Teacher Evaluation
Standardized Tests (Optional)
College of Fine Arts Requirements
Rankings
Boston University is one of the top private universities in Boston, United States. It is ranked #108 in QS World University Rankings 2023 and #41 in National Universities by US News.
Majors Available
A
Accounting Acting Actuarial Science Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching Advertising Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering, General African-American/Black Studies American/United States Studies/Civilization Anatomy Ancient Studies/Civilization Ancient/Classical Greek Language and Literature Anthropology Applied Psychology Archeology Architectural History and Criticism, General Art History, Criticism and Conservation Art Teacher Education Artificial Intelligence Asian Studies/Civilization Astronomy Astrophysics Athletic Training/Trainer Audiology/Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist
B
Banking and Financial Support Services Bible/Biblical Studies Bilingual and Multilingual Education Biochemistry Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering Bioinformatics Biology/Biological Sciences, General Biophysics Biostatistics Biotechnology Broadcast Journalism Business Administration and Management, General Business Statistics
C
Cell/Cellular and Molecular Biology Chemistry Teacher Education Chemistry, General Child Care and Support Services Management Child Development Chinese Language and Literature Cinematography and Film/Video Production City/Urban, Community, and Regional Planning Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General Clinical Psychology Clinical/Medical Laboratory Technician Cognitive Psychology and Psycholinguistics Communication, General Comparative Literature Computational Mathematics Computer Engineering, General Computer Science Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications Computer and Information Systems Security/Auditing/Information Assurance Conducting Conservation Biology Counseling Psychology Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services Creative Writing Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration Criminal Justice/Safety Studies Curriculum and Instruction
D
Data Modeling/Warehousing and Database Administration Data Processing and Data Processing Technology/Technician Dental Assisting/Assistant Dental Laboratory Technology/Technician Development Economics and International Development Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia Directing and Theatrical Production Drama and Dance Teacher Education Drama and Dramatics/Theater Arts, General
E
Early Childhood Education and Teaching East Asian Studies Econometrics and Quantitative Economics Economics, General Education Policy Analysis Education, General Education/Teaching of Individuals with Hearing Impairments Including Deafness Educational Leadership and Administration, General Educational/Instructional Technology Electrical and Electronics Engineering Elementary Education and Teaching Engineering Science Engineering, General English Language and Literature, General English/Language Arts Teacher Education Environmental Biology Environmental Health Environmental Science Epidemiology European Studies/Civilization
F
Film/Cinema/Media Studies Finance, General Financial Mathematics Fine and Studio Arts Management Foreign Language Teacher Education Forensic Science and Technology French Language and Literature
G
Genetic Counseling/Counselor Genetics, General Geography Geology/Earth Science, General Geophysics and Seismology German Language and Literature Graphic Design
H
Health Communication Health Services Administration
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General
Health Teacher Education
Health/Health Care Administration/Management
Hispanic and Latin American Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General
Historic Preservation and Conservation, General
History, General
Hospitality Administration/Management, General
Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration, General
Hydrology and Water Resources Science
I
Information Science/Studies Insurance International Marketing International Relations and Affairs International and Comparative Education Italian Studies
J
Japanese Language and Literature Journalism
K
Keyboard Instruments Kindergarten/Preschool Education and Teaching Kinesiotherapy/Kinesiotherapist
L
Latin American Studies Latin Language and Literature Latin Teacher Education Legal Assistant/Paralegal Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies Linguistics Logistics, Materials, and Supply Chain Management
M
Management Science Manufacturing Engineering Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography Materials Engineering Maternal and Child Health Mathematics Teacher Education Mathematics, General Mechanical Engineering Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering Medical Science/Scientist Microbiology and Immunology Microbiology, General Molecular Biology Molecular Medicine Museology/Museum Studies Music Performance, General Music Teacher Education Music Theory and Composition Music, General Musicology and Ethnomusicology
N
Near and Middle Eastern Studies Neurobiology and Anatomy Neuroscience Non-Profit/Public/Organizational Management Nutrition Sciences
O
Occupational Therapy/Therapist
P
Painting Pathology/Experimental Pathology Pharmacology Philosophy Phlebotomy Technician/Phlebotomist Physical Education Teaching and Coaching Physical Therapy/Therapist Physics, General Physiology, General Playwriting and Screenwriting Political Science and Government, General Pre-Dentistry Studies Pre-Medicine/Pre-Medical Studies Printmaking Psychology, General Public Administration Public Health Education and Promotion Public Health, General Public Relations/Image Management
R
Radio and Television Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiographer Reading Teacher Education Regional Studies (U.S., Canadian, Foreign) Rehabilitation Science Religion/Religious Studies Religious/Sacred Music Russian Language and Literature
S
Science Teacher Education/General Science Teacher Education Sculpture Social Sciences, General Social Studies Teacher Education Social Work Sociology Spanish Language and Literature Special Education and Teaching, General Statistics, General Stringed Instruments Systems Engineering Systems Science and Theory
T
Taxation Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor Technical Theater/Theater Design and Technology Theatre/Theatre Arts Management Theology/Theological Studies
U
Urban Studies/Affairs
V
Visual and Performing Arts, General
Y
Youth Services/Administration
The Headmaster Student Experience
“I absolutely love Boston University! The campus is amazing, with beautiful buildings and green spaces, and there's always something going on. The professors are incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about their subjects, and I've learned so much in my classes. I've also had the chance to get involved in research projects, which has been an incredible experience. BU is also located in the heart of Boston, which has allowed me to explore the city and all it has to offer. Overall, I'm so grateful for the opportunities and experiences I've had at Boston University and I wouldn't want to be anywhere else."
Headmaster Student
Famous Alumni
Sources
"10 Fun Facts about Boston University!" AdmitSee. 17 Sept. 2021. Web. 15 Apr. 2023.
"Boston University - Profile, Rankings and Data | US News Best Colleges." Web. 10 Apr. 2023.
"Boston University." Top Universities. Web. 11 Apr. 2023.
"College Facts Friday: Boston University." Insight Education. 25 June 2021. Web. 15 Apr. 2023.
"Homepage." Boston University. Web. 11 Apr. 2023.
"What Is Boston University Known For?" CollegeVine Blog. 25 May 2021. Web. 15 Apr. 2023.
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