Hey! I decided to create this because I saw that there was no discussion yet for this and I was wondering how everyone is taking this acceptance. If anyone knows more details about this program please list below! 
How are you guys taking this? Did we really get into BU?
it is a legit program and i wouldn’t count it as less than that, i just have questions about starting in the spring
Yeah, I actually think the program sounds alright, and I really love the London portion, but what is this starting in January? doesn’t that just isolate you from the rest of the BU community, especially the other freshmen? I don’t need a “semester off”, I want to go to BU now! 
I got into this program as well! Would love to hear everyone’s opinions on this.
Same here I got into College of General Studies. I think it’s a great opportunity but some of my friends are saying I didn’t really get into the college really
If you search “CGS” or “College of General Studies” here on CC you should find several reviews of the CGS experience.
@qbarton There is no appeal of the CGS decision. It is either start in January or attend another university.
@ashcap724 Ignore what your friends say.
Hey! Just wanted to hop in here – I’m a current undergrad at BU and for the first two years of my college experience I was in CGS. When I got the decision I was also very hesitant about the program, I tried to read up on it, and looking back on it most of the things I read were either personal opinion or misinformation. Everyone has their own experience, which sometimes leads to negative views, but mine was positive. I met some of my best friends in CGS, I had some amazing professors, I got to be a part of a community right away, and in my experience studying abroad was 100% worth it (especially that early on!). I got all of my general education credits done in my first two years, I used some AP credits to free up elective space in my schedule, and I’m currently in the College of Communication finishing out my degree. On that note, if you see anything on CGS delaying graduation that is completely false. I’m a second semester Junior and have 4 credits left to complete in my degree (i.e. one class). One of my closest friends (who I met in CGS!) is a Speech Pathology major in the Sargent College and is graduating a semester early. CGS is a little bit of a different approach to college, but it’s not a bad one by any means. Coming in during the Spring can be a little daunting but Freshman year is like that for everyone and you immediately have a community of people around you to share in that experience with. I came in when CGS still had September admission, but I know plenty of people who came in during the Spring and have made a lot out of their college experience. You definitely got into college, you definitely should be proud of yourself, and CGS can definitely be a positive experience. There isn’t an official appeal process, but if you have more questions admissions is the right place to reach out to.
@terrier21 are you able to choose your roomates for the spring term? and also what happens when you come back from London?
Same—Accepted, but acceptance letter said year starts in London Jan 2024. Desire is to be a special education major. Confused at first bc letter did not say, “You’re only accepted if you start out in London second semester,” it implied that this route was chosen on the application. Had to go back and re-read application.
But will weigh the pros and cons, or the possibility of working during what would be first semester of college, and also waiting to hear from a few more schools this coming week. It’s an unexpected option. Not sure to look at it as a wrench in the plans or an opportunity to seize.
If anyone else out there has started in the spring and in London, please share your experiences.
@uppermidwest Please note: At CGS you will start in Boston in January and spend summer 2021 in London.
Thank you so much, for positive and informative info. my son is so excited to get accepted to BU. He also received the January 2021/LONDON start date. Just curious if you had any incite on signing up for classes, he’s pre-med. Can he sign up for science classes along side students who are not in the College of General. Studies ? Or are they kept separated ?
Thank you for the clarification @TomSrOfBoston
I find the acceptance letter quite confusing. But I’ve learned a lot from other Boston London threads on College Confidential. Very eye opening and insightful. So thankful for this website and those who share their thoughts.
The desire to get out of high school, and away from high school classes, and move out of the house, is strong. Desire to finally choose classes that align with interests and major is strong, too.
Pondering what another person said on another CC thread that Boston CGS is a repeat of high school classes. That is troubling. So many AP classes were taken…
ACT super score is 35. Tons of AP classes. All A’s. Excellent recommendations…so I don’t understand it, from a purely academic level.
However… I’m now wondering if the recs were the clue to the admissions committee. Did the recommenders imply, or flat out admit, that the student was not ready for college?
BU’s website makes the gap semester sound like a gift. However, gap years were always for the kids who were not ready for college and had some growing up to do. Is this what BU is saying?
A good friend with two Ivy League degrees, solid college professor background, and grad school admissions experience put it this way when describing two colleges (not BU):
Some colleges act as a much needed incubator for students who are ready to leave home (or should leave home), but are not ready for the real world...
And some colleges throw you in the deep end (the real world), whether you know how to swim or not, but know you are up for the challenge.
This is not true at all.
I wouldn’t call it a gift. LOL
As for why you were offered CGS i have no clue as your ACT and GPA are very high.
CGS used to be regular September admission in Boston. No London program. BU has cut the size of its September freshman class from 4100 to 3100 in order to increase selectivity (lower acceptance rate, higher stats) This will boost their USNews ramkings. To make up for this they had all 600 entering CGS students start in January. January entrants stats are not counted in the rankings. Yet you appear to have excellent stats. So…no idea.
The first group would be small selective liberal arts colleges that offer a “nurturing environment”. I actually saw one of them use that term on their admissions website. The second group would be schools like McGill in Montreal where you are assumed to be a responsible adult. Most students there thrive although some have a few bumps along the way. BU is somewhere in the middle of those extremes.
My daughter was also offered this program with pretty high stats ACT 34, 3.97 unweighted GPA, 5.24 weighted SC GPA, 11 AP classes if this school year actually ends up counting 
since we don’t know if those seniors will ever take their AP exams…
Anyways, she likely did not show enough interest (same at American where she was waitlisted with those stats), we did not visit, wanted to wait until admission since we are in SC. However, I also believe it could have played a role that she does not really know what to do yet, she applied for Journalism but has lots of different interests, and I feel like her essays may have suggested that she is not sure of her path.
Also, she is a young senior, that is turning 18 the end of August and to be honest, I do not think she is ready to go away as far as Boston. She had herself suggested a gap year but we brushed it off since she is a high-achieving student. Maybe this is a blessing in disguise.
She has other great options that are much closer though, like UGA, USC (South Carolina), Texas A&M (not close but we have family), Furman (in-town) and College of Charleston. Have not decided if she will pursue the waitlist at American.