How do admissions work?

I’ve been considering Boston University, but the average GPA that people get into with and what people from other forums got in with make absolutely no sense. I’ve heard the average GPA is around a 3.6, including naviance, their ACT is around a 27, and SAT is around a 1300. The same also goes for the best 381 Colleges by Princeton Review. However, one of my cousins who was accepted (not even deferred) into BC, was straight up denied into BU. The same goes on the forum, as many people with 4’s are getting rejected. I understand many people get scholarships from sports, by I am unable to believe that 10 people from our school with 3.5’s were all ridiculously great athletes.

TDLR; What should be the average GPA, SAT, and ACT to get into BU?

Does your cousin go to the same school as you? I know GPA is very relative… while the average weighted GPA accepted at BU is like a 4.1 the average for students accepted at BU from my school is a 3.82 because the scales are different and different schools are more or less difficult. I’d trust Naviance, because that shows the average for your school specifically. Good luck!!!

@sunflowerlover
If I am correct, he went to a private school.

I am not extremely worried, as like I said, many people with around my GPA and predicted SAT (3.75 and 1410) got accepted, but I just mean for the rest of people who apply.

I couldn’t really tell you hahah they say their average SAT/ACT/GPA is a 1450/32/3.8 but it’s all relative to the area you are in and such. Good luck!!

The Class of 2021’s profile averages were as follows: 3.7 UW GPA, 1452 SAT, 32 ACT. BU is getting more selective, but also essays really matter a lot! Many people with under those statistics get in if the application reader thinks their personality or story would fit really well at BU, and many people with above those statistics don’t seem to fit what BU is looking for. So there’s no exact formula or guarantee that anyone with a certain GPA or SAT will or won’t get in

I volunteer in admissions at BU and from what I can tell, BU has an extremely holistic view towards applicants. They are not not just looking at your SAT/ACT and GPA. They want to see your extra circulars, what you would bring to the university, demonstrated interest, and so on. If you seem like you are just applying to BU to apply and don’t have much of an interest in actually going there or getting to know the school, you probably don’t have that great of a chance of getting in. Make sure to research BU and have your research show in your supplements!

@laurrodes
Would visiting the school for a tour show demonstrated interest? What about community service hours? I volunteer at VBS, which not only gets a lot of hours, but is a ton of fun in general, and I plan to have around 100 community service hours by the end of high school.

I can’t say much else because I’m only a rising junior, not a senior.

@laurrodes has provided good advice. Demonstrated interest is not just attending info sessions and emailing admission reps to tell them you are interested. Tours are great to get a feel for the campus and students but that in itself is not demonstrated interest. Research the program you are interested in and demonstrate interest based on questions that are sincere and require an answer that is not something you can determine from the website. Take time to write very solid essays. That’s where you get to let your personality shine through.