Is “Guaranteed Transfer” a new thing they started this year? Why do you think they have this system? Is it because they are planning a significant capacity increase?
does anyone have any advice on how to negotiate financial aid successfully for a family that technically could just barely afford BU but would go bankrupt as a result.
I think schools are getting creative in order to “accept” more students. I am not sure if guaranteed transfer is new to BU or not. I’ve heard schools doing things like having students be accepted for spring semester and not fall semester or to start off abroad for the first semester. Guaranteed transfer is just another way of being able to fulfill student’s applications. The best part of guaranteed transfer is that it isn’t binding so a student has nothing to lose by accepting it. My hope is that my daughter will be happy at UMASS and maybe the allure of BU will fade by that time (or maybe not. LOL!)
Guaranteed transfer has been around for 5 years or so at BU.
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Those who have reported “negotiating” more need based aid have received two or three thousand more per year.
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Is there another way to get more financial aid? Does the appeal form do anything or is over the phone better?
Mental Health Resources | Student Health Services this website alone gives students tools to coping with mental health issues - it seems bu has resources for students to cope on their own and seek help. thats def important :))
I doubt if you would get anything more over the phone. The appeal form would be the only way. Once reviewed they may call you to discuss it.
As was previously posted, last year, 339 got in out of 2,987 who accepted a spot on the waitlist. However, that is not simply an 11% yield b/c I’m sure they offered many more students spots to get to that 339 - once you commit to another school, unless BU was your dream school, you would probably just stay put for a whole host of factors. However, b/w 2015-2019, BU enrolled a TOTAL of 14 kids off the waitlist for the 5 years combined. Last year was a mess b/c of COVID, but under normal circumstances BU tends to get its yield calcs pretty down. So generally it looks pretty grim for the waitlisted students, but this year is even more screwed up than 2020, so who the heck knows what will happen. My thoughts are that there will be more movement on many waitlists and that these poor kids won’t be fully settled out until June or July.
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I truly feel your pain!
My child got waitlisted.
SAT 1590, ACT 36, National merit scholarship finalist
3.95/4.80 (uw/w) GPA from the most rigorous STEM magnet School (school does not rank)
Multiple regional, national, and international awards related to applied Major at BU
Presidential scholar candidate invited by White House educational committee.
AP: Calculates BC, biology, computer science A, world history, Eng Lang, before senior year
near 900 community service hours and several leadership awards
Asian and Eligible for financial aid.
Child applied for BU because BU has a special major that other ivies’ does not offer, and we also hope to get a full ride from BU. Did not ED, because we need to see financial aid package to make decision.
I believe the financial situation hurt us. BU is looking for student who can pay full tuition. My best friend’s child get in BU with much lower Stats, but their family can pay full tuition.
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BU told us if you are moved from waitlist to admitted, they probably would not offer financial aid for waitlisted students even if you are eligible, . Not sure it is fair for those students who are eligible for financial aid in waitlist.
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BU does not give full rides to anyone.
We can certainly not pay full tuition and our DS got into BU.
Not sure how unfair this is, as the school has a certain amount of aid to give. Presumably a fair amount of people who got aid will accept their offer, so that is why it stated there may not be enough left at the end of the day. There are some advantages obviously to getting in first go-around.
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Thanks for the information. However, on BU scholarship website, it says any NMF will be given presidential scholarship. If this is not true, BU should delete this information as it is a misleading. My child is NMF and that is part of the reason we applied BU
My daughter is also NMF and was offered the presidential scholarship. Did your child list BU as first choice by March 1st?
Hi, I have not opened my BU regular decision yet, as I am waiting for my exams to be over. I received an email saying welcome to the class of 2025, attend an event to chat with current students, meet student leaders, and talks about open houses and stuff. I know it sounds dumb that I’m asking this, but this has been my dream school since I was in 5th grade, so I’m nervous about opening it. Do you think this means I got accepted?
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You are in!!!
My DS was accepted and got that same email today around 10:30 AM MST so I would assume that it was good news for you 
If it helps, my DS is NMF and did not specify BU but still got the Presidential scholarship offer with his acceptance.