When Do Boston University Decisions Come Out? Class of 2030 Notification Dates

Now that you’ve applied to Boston University, you’re probably checking your BU applicant portal every day, wondering if your application is doing well or not under the scrutiny of the admissions committee. Knowing when Boston University decisions come out can ease your mind and focus your energy on planning for the coming months instead.

In today’s article, we’ll talk about Boston University’s decision release schedule, timelines for each application route, and tips on what to do when you finally get your decision.

• When Does Boston University Release Decisions?
• When Do Boston University Early Decisions Come Out?
• When Do Boston University Regular Decisions Come Out?
• When Do Boston University Waitlist Decisions Come Out?
• When Do Boston University Transfer Decisions Come Out?
• What to Do After Receiving Your Boston University Admissions Decision
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

When Does Boston University Release Decisions?

Boston University decisions come out on a relatively predictable schedule each year. When you receive yours depends on whether you applied Early Decision I (ED I), Early Decision II (ED II), or Regular Decision (RD). Early Decision applicants typically hear back sooner, while Regular Decision applicants wait until the spring.

The table below summarizes the usual notification dates for BU’s different application routes:

Boston University doesn’t release specific notification dates for its application routes. However, they do provide dates as to when you should have received your decision. For the Class of 2030, these are:

• By December 15 for Early Decision I
• By February 15 for Early Decision II

When Do Boston University Early Decisions Come Out?

BU has two Early Decision timelines. Here’s a more detailed look at the important dates:

If you apply to ED, Boston University decisions come out much earlier for you than other applicants, which also gives you peace of mind sooner.

If you apply ED I, you submit all materials by November 1 and hear back by mid-December. If you choose ED II, the deadline is January 5 and you hear back by mid-February. This gives you a second chance at early admission if you need more time or were deferred/rejected from another ED school in the first round.

If you’re admitted through Early Decision, you’ll need to confirm your spot quickly. For ED I, reply and submit your enrollment deposit by early to mid-January. For ED II, the deadline is in late February. Meeting these dates secures your place in the incoming class.

What is Boston University Early Decision?

Boston University’s Early Decision is a binding early admission program for first-year applicants. You apply early and get an answer sooner than Regular Decision applicants. The keyword here for ED is that it’s binding.

That means that when Boston University decisions come out and you’re accepted, you must attend BU and withdraw your other college applications. You, a parent, and counselor sign an ED agreement on the application acknowledging this commitment.

Because of that, the only good reason to apply ED is if BU is absolutely your first choice and you’re ready to commit without comparing other offers, including financial aid.

Boston University Early Decision results

There are three results you can receive when Boston University decisions come out for Early Decision:

• Admitted. If you’re admitted, BU expects you to submit your nonrefundable enrollment deposit and withdraw all other college applications typically within a couple of weeks.
• Deferred. If you’re deferred, it means the admissions committee didn’t accept you in the early round but will reconsider your application during Regular Decision.
• Denied. If you are denied in the ED round, you won’t be considered again in Regular Decision, and you cannot reapply to BU until at least the next year as a transfer.

Boston University Early Decision acceptance rate

For the Class of 2028, Boston University’s ED acceptance rate is 28.2%, admitting 1,936 out of 6,854 students.

The Early Decision pool is typically smaller and may include many of BU’s most enthusiastic and prepared applicants. BU tracks demonstrated interest, and an Early Decision applicant demonstrates maximum interest by agreeing to enroll if admitted. Also, the school knows that ED candidates will definitely attend, which helps them manage enrollment numbers, so they can take a higher percentage of ED applicants.

However, it’s important to understand that higher ED odds don’t guarantee anyone’s acceptance. You still need a strong application.

When Do Boston University Regular Decisions Come Out?

Boston University Decisions come out in late March for Regular Decision (RD) applicants.

RD is the standard admission cycle at Boston University. Here are the important dates for BU’s RD process:

Regular Decision is the “normal” application timeline. You apply by the January deadline and then wait until the spring for an answer.

If you’re admitted through Regular Decision, you’ll typically need to reply and submit your enrollment deposit by May 1, the National College Decision Day. Meeting this deadline secures your spot in the class.

What is Boston University Regular Decision?

Regular Decision is Boston University’s main admissions round for first-year applicants and is the path that most applicants nationwide take. The RD process is not binding, giving you the freedom to compare BU with other colleges where you’ve been accepted in the spring.

Regular Decision at BU is great for students who want more time to polish their applications or who weren’t ready to commit to a single school under an ED plan. It’s also the only option if you missed the early deadlines or if you decided you want to try for BU after all.

Boston University Regular Decision results

When Boston University decisions come out for Regular Decision in March, you can get one of three results:

• Admitted. If you receive an acceptance in Regular Decision, congratulations! An acceptance letter (accessible on your portal and later mailed as a formal packet) will outline the details of your offer.
• Waitlisted. If your decision letter says you have been placed on the waitlist, it means BU could not offer you admission in the initial round, but may consider you for admission later if space opens up.
• Denied. If you receive a rejection letter, you’ll have to put your deposit in another school that accepted you. If you really want to be in BU, you’re next chance of getting in is during the transfer process.

Boston University Regular Decision acceptance rate

Boston University’s RD acceptance rate is 9.5% for the Class of 2028, admitting 6,813 out of 71,915 students. Based on these numbers, it’s clear that Regular Decision is extremely competitive.

If you apply Regular Decision, make sure your application is as strong as possible and that you have a balanced college list. Improve your GPA, do well on the SAT and ACT, write compelling essays, and be part of meaningful extracurriculars to increase your chances of getting into BU.

When Do Boston University Waitlist Decisions Come Out?

If Boston University decisions come out and you find yourself on the waitlist, you might be wondering when (or if) you’ll hear any news. The school’s waitlist doesn’t operate on a fixed schedule like the other decision rounds, making it very unpredictable. After all, they’re only offered as slots open up in late spring and summer.

You can expect to receive an offer anytime from after the universal reply date of May to up to two weeks before classes begin. Because of that, you really shouldn’t rely on the waitlist.

BU’s waitlist acceptance rate is incredibly low as well. For the Class of 2028, only 15 were admitted from 15,339 students, resulting in a rate of only 0.1%.

So, while it’s okay for you to hope that you’re one of the lucky waitlisted students to get into the school, you should also be realistic. Submit an Intent to Register and pay a deposit at another college that accepted you by May 1. However, if BU is really your first choice school and you eventually get offered a spot, you should also be prepared to lose that deposit.

When Do Boston University Transfer Decisions Come Out?

Boston University has separate application timelines for transfer applicants. Boston University decisions come out for transfers at different times depending on whether you’re applying to enter in the Fall (September) semester or the Spring (January) semester.

Here are the key dates for BU’s transfer admissions:

BU’s transfer acceptance rate is much higher than its freshman acceptance rate. For the Class of 2028, the school accepted 2,328 out of 6,729 applicants, resulting in an admit rate of 34.6%.

Despite the high acceptance rate, you should still strengthen your application. The BU transfer process is still competitive, with admissions officers considering the rigor of your current school and courses, your high school record, and other factors like your essay and recommendations.

As a transfer applicant, you can expect Boston University to also consider how well your intended major aligns with the courses you’ve taken.

For example, if you want to transfer into the Questrom School of Business, it would help if you’ve taken some business-related courses or prerequisites (like economics and calculus) and done well. For engineering, they’d expect math and science coursework.

What to Do After Receiving Your Boston University Admissions Decision

When Boston University decisions come out, you’ll need to understand what that decision means and plan your next steps accordingly. Here’s a breakdown of what to do in each case:

If you’re accepted

Congratulations on your acceptance to BU! Being admitted is exciting and well-earned, so take a moment or two to celebrate. Maybe share the news with family and friends or post your Terrier pride on social media.

Now, take a closer look at your acceptance letter and the information BU provides in your portal or packet. It will specify the program or college you’re admitted into, and it may include details like an invitation to the honors program or a scholarship award if you received one.

Early Decision admits have agreed to enroll beforehand, so they’ll need to send in their deposit. On top of that, you should also withdraw applications from other colleges.

For Regular Decision admits, the universal deadline is May 1. By this date, you must notify BU if you intend to enroll, and submit your enrollment deposit. BU has a checklist for RD admits, which includes:

• Setting up your BU email account and student login.
• Filling out housing preferences (if living on campus) and dining plans.
• Sending in any required paperwork like immunization forms.
• Signing up for orientation, if you want (BU Orientation usually happens over the summer for freshmen)

If you’re deferred

If you applied Early Decision to BU and got a deferral notice, it means the admissions committee wants to reconsider your application in the Regular Decision round. Your application is still in play, and you’ll get a final decision by late March. Here’s what to do when deferred:

• Follow any instructions BU provided (such as submitting mid-year transcripts showing your first semester senior year grades).
• Write a letter of continued interest to BU. In this brief letter or email, express that you remain very interested in BU, and give any significant updates since you applied.
• Take on leadership roles, enter competitions, or continue to earn awards, and include any notable achievements in your update to BU. However, don’t overwhelm admissions with trivial updates. One or two updates plus the grades and a letter are sufficient.

If you’re waitlisted

If Boston University waitlists you, there is a small chance you could still receive an offer of admission. Here’s what to do:

• Confirm whether you want to remain on the waitlist.
• Pay a deposit elsewhere, since waitlist acceptance rates for BU are really low. For the Class of 2028, only 18 were accepted out of 15,339, resulting in a rate of only 0.1%.
• Send a letter of continued interest to BU.

If you’re denied

A denial from Boston University can be tough to swallow, especially if BU was one of your top choices. If you’ve received a rejection letter, take a deep breath and remind yourself that college admissions are highly competitive and sometimes unpredictable. Here’s what to do if you’re denied:

• Allow yourself to feel disappointed. You can talk it out with someone you trust.
• Do not contact the admissions office to argue or ask for reconsideration.
• Focus on the colleges that did accept you.
• Consider transfer options down the road.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How does Boston University notify applicants?

Boston University sends you an email when your decision is ready, and you must log into your secure MyBU Applicant Portal to view the decision online.

2. Does Boston University send out acceptance packages?

Yes. If you’re admitted, BU typically follows up the online notification with a physical acceptance package mailed to you. This welcome packet usually includes an official admission letter, and some brochures about BU to congratulate you.

3. Does BU admit based on major?

No, BU doesn’t admit based on major. First-year applicants can apply as “undecided” within a college and don’t have to declare a major until sophomore year. However, some specialized programs (like certain majors in the College of Fine Arts or accelerated programs) do admit into a particular major and have additional requirements.

Takeaways

Boston University decisions come out on a similar schedule every year:

• Early Decision I results are released mid-December, while Early Decision II decisions come out mid-February.
• Regular Decision is released in late March.
• Waitlist decisions don’t have a predictable timeline. BU could release offers anytime in late spring through summer.
• Transfer decisions for fall entry are released in mid-April to mid-June, while decisions for spring entry applicants come out in mid-November to mid-December.
• Hope to be one of the accepted applicants at BU? Work with a college admissions consultant to put together a strong application that can increase your chances of being admitted.