Campus
Fenway is so far from everything, how do you feel a part of BU’s campus?
Both South and Fenway campuses give you extra freedom away from BU’s campus in a more quiet, residential space. The area gives you a layer of immersion into the city of Boston and enriches your experience by exposing you to different neighborhoods around campus. The walk from the South and Fenway campuses to Central campus is about 15-20 minutes depending on specific location. There’s a Fenway-routed BU Bus that takes students right to their residences.
Does your SAT/ACT score matter? What was your financial aid package?
I am only one student at BU so I am not representative of the student population and the test scores.
If you have questions regarding test scores, the application process, or financial aid, we can head back to 233 to speak with an Admissions Director. Still apply! BU reviews applications holistically.
[Do not share your personal fin aid info.]
How are the dorms, and do they feel crowded?
As a first-year student, you are required to live on-campus. There is a waiver process if you live locally. After your first-year, you are no longer required to live on-campus, but most students choose to do so. Housing is guaranteed for all four years.
How accessible are faculty for students when it comes to larger lectures or conflict resolution?
If students need assistance with a problem or have questions for their professors, they are encouraged to attend office hours, where they can sit one-on-one and work with them.
However, if a conflict continues to persist and personal resolution attempts fail, there are offices and procedures to address concerns from there. For example, BU has a resource known as The Office of the Ombuds - a confidential, independent, impartial, and informal problem-solving resource that serves faculty, staff, and students. They provide tips about conflict management and communication strategies, and can direct you to further sources at BU.
Do you think student services are responsive to students needs?
You can clarify this question: What sort of needs? Are you asking if BU takes action on student feedback / initiatives? Or physical and mental health services?
BU has been making efforts in recent years to improve student services and the speed of services as well. (You can tell a personal story if you want).
BU is so big!
[Clarify what they mean, ask if they have specific questions about how that impacts student life.]
We are a large campus, but we still have small class sizes! Our average class size is 27 students; there are so many opportunities to find your people. You can make a big campus feel small, but you can’t make a small campus feel big.
[Talk about how YOU found community i.e. clubs you joined.]
Is it easier to get into certain colleges?
Always apply to the school you are interested in! There are some different application requirements for colleges, so be sure to look into it. For example: you must audition for CFA, and high school calculus is a requirement for Questrom and ENG.
What is your least favorite thing about BU?
(Personal example - you can be honest, but be mindful of wording). Personally, I would like to see more communication from the administration to the student body. HOWEVER! Even in just my two years at BU, I have seen strides made by the administration to improve their communication and I am optimistic about their continued efforts.
What happens with my APs when I come to BU?
Your AP scores have the potential to transfer for credits at BU if you get the score required to count for credit! Some AP courses and other advanced classes (IB, A-Levels etc.) can give HUB units as well. Google “BU AP Credit Guide” for all the details.
What are some of the student support services and mental health resources that exist on campus?
Our Student Health Services offer different support systems to students. Students can make individual appointments with Behavioral Medicine staff (licensed mental health clinicians), who know all about the many issues that can come up when students transition to college, including new schedules, academic demands, social pressures, and independence. They also run different workshops and groups focused on mental health each semester, and can refer students to local clinicians for long term care. They also provide different wellness program kits and programs for the student body in general.
Our Sexual Assault Response and Prevention Center (SARP) also provides professional, confidential, and free-of-charge assistance to BU students who have experienced a traumatic incident, particularly focusing on sexual assault.
How does BU compare to BC and Northeastern? I just visited and it seemed to have a much more cohesive feel!
As I’m not a BC student, I can’t really compare the two, but I’m happy to tell you more about BU! BU's campus layout emphasizes an immersed experience in the city of Boston. Students get the chance to experience what it's like to feel the community of a close-knit campus along with the independence of being a resident within the city of Boston. The campus stretches a mile down Commonwealth Avenue, but the buildings remain clustered together. Additionally, the T, Boston's public transit, runs right through BU's campus, giving students easy access to the city of Boston.
Why is the acceptance rate so low?
BU is home to many highly competitive programs and we have interest from a ton of students from around the world each year. We received over 80,000 applications last year, and our low acceptance rate allows for our class sizes to remain relatively small and to provide many campus resources to students.
What is the political climate on campus?
Some students are very politically active and involved through different student clubs and organizations, which exist for students of all political opinions. Other students don’t have as much of an interest. There are always different events and speakers that groups will bring to campus for students who want to learn more or become more involved. We are lucky enough to have a wide range of alums, many of whom have had political careers, that will come back to campus to talk to students.
I hear that BU is overly competitive, do you feel like you have to compete against other students?
BU has a great student environment where you can find people who are looking to lift you up as well as those who are going to push you to be better. BU's courses are designed to give you the best of both worlds! (Can tell a personal story about a group project)
How does BU accommodate different physical and learning disabilities?
BU has an entire office dedicated to providing accommodations: The Office of Disability and Access Services, so you can go there and assess your case with an employee. You could even reach out to them now (access@bu.edu) to learn more about the resources they offer! In addition, BU has made it their goal that education should be accessible for everyone. Notetakers and ASL interpreters are available, and all the academic buildings (and most residence halls) are wheelchair accessible.
Does BU have a real campus?
BU's campus is about a mile and quarter long and straddles both sides of Commonwealth Ave. For this entire stretch, whichever way you look, you will see BU! (Connect it back to the tour route where you can emphasize that our route is just a sneak peak :))
How has the executive orders of the administration affected BU (research, clubs, policies, etc.)?
BU Admissions remains committed to attracting and enrolling a diverse student body. We firmly believe that diversity enriches the educational experience of all students and promotes a deeper understanding of different cultures, perspectives, and ideas. BU fosters an academic and residential community that encourages intellectual growth, critical thinking, and collaboration. These principles reflect the University’s commitment to the value of diversity, the highest standards of academic excellence, and our unwavering commitment to inclusion and equity.
BU Admissions will, to the extent permitted by law, continue to practice holistic admissions to identify students whose varied life experiences, academic interests, and talents will contribute to the dynamic educational environment of the University.
Is BU safe?
BU goes to great lengths to ensure that our campus is safe for its students. BUPD is an official police department and available 24/7 for student emergencies. The blue light system is available across campus for students and BUPD will respond to the site within 2 minutes. BUPD also offers bike and laptop registration for students. Additionally, the campus residences are staffed with security guards or security systems, as well as RAs on Call available for any emergencies. BU also has a campus wide emergency alert system and can email, text, and call. BU’s Scarlet Safe Walk provides walking companions to students and employees who may be walking alone, seven nights a week, from 9 p.m. to midnight on the Charles River Campus.
(You should avoid saying that this is a completely safe campus or that “nothing will ever happen to you”, etc. Speak to personal experience)
Do a lot of people smoke on campus? Is BU a smoke-free campus?
BU abides federal laws regarding the use of marijuana: use and possession are not permitted on campus grounds, even though Massachusetts State Law has legalized it.
As for cigarettes, students and faculty are not permitted to smoke within 25 feet of a campus building and not at all inside of residence halls or campus buildings.
Does BU have resources, specifically housing, for trans or non-binary students?
BU Housing has a program known as Gender Affirming Housing, where their office will work with you to find suitable residence options that meet your desires and comfort level. This allows students who select Gender Affirming Housing to be placed in rooms, suites, or apartments with different genders or sexes. [If students have more questions, you can always direct them to our online resources as well.]