U.S. College Road Trip! Episode 20 - Boston University

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Boston University: Where City Life Meets Academic Excellence (And a Terrier Runs the Show)

I visited BU in the summer of 2022. It is an urban campus spread out over downtown Boston. It isn’t a traditional campus like we think of in ‘Animal House’, it is an exciting place to be in right in the middle of all the action. It’s an urban, fast-paced, all-action academic hub spread across downtown Boston—where your "quad" is basically the city itself and your next big career opportunity could be right around the corner (literally).

Fun fact? The Boston Terrier became BU’s official mascot in 1917. Even weirder? The breed itself was first bred in 1839—the exact same year BU was founded. Coincidence? Maybe. But clearly, BU and Boston Terriers were destined for greatness.

Oh, and Martin Luther King Jr. earned his Ph.D. here at the School of Theology. No big deal, just one of the most influential leaders in history.

Why BU? (Besides the Whole “Being in One of the Coolest Cities” Thing)

1. Location: Boston is Your Campus

• BU is smack in the middle of Boston, meaning you’re surrounded by:

• World-class companies, research institutions, and start-ups (internships and job prospects galore).

• Legendary sports teams (go see the Red Sox at Fenway, argue about the Patriots with a local).

• A city where history meets modern energy (one minute you’re on the Freedom Trail, the next you’re grabbing sushi in a skyscraper).

• BU gives you the ultimate city-living college experience, minus the subway delays (okay, maybe a few subway delays).

  
  

2. A Truly Global Community

With students from nearly 100 countries and alumni in over 180 countries, BU redefines the meaning of diversity. You’re just as likely to have a roommate from New York as you are from New Delhi. Basically, if you can’t find a group of people you vibe with at BU, you might not be looking hard enough.

3. Academic Programs That Actually Matter

BU isn’t just big on location—it’s big on academics that make an impact:

• Honors College (for the overachievers).

• One of the best Film & TV programs in the country (for future Oscar winners).

• Highly ranked Engineering programs (for the people who will build our future robots).

• 650+ courses on global topics and faculty research on every continent (for students who plan to change the world—or at least understand it really well).

  
  

4. Career Services That Pay Off

BU takes your future seriously—so much so that recruiters rank BU grads 13th in the U.S. for employability. Not bad, right? Whether you’re looking for internships, networking events, or figuring out how to adult post-college, BU invests in making sure you succeed.

5. The Best of Both Worlds: A City Campus with a Close-Knit Feel

Yes, BU is in the heart of a major city—but it still gives students a residential campus experience that feels like a real college community. You get the benefits of living in an exciting urban environment while still having dorm life, student events, and that classic "college experience."

6. Study Abroad? BU is One of the Best

BU’s study abroad program is consistently ranked among the best in the country. So if you dream of studying international business in London, film in Paris, or global health in South Africa, BU makes it happen.

7. Big on Law, Big on Culture

BU’s School of Law is one of the best in the country, offering specialties in entertainment law and sports law (so, basically, BU might train the lawyers who negotiate your future multi-million-dollar Netflix deal).

And if you love arts and culture, you’re in luck—BU is right in the middle of Boston’s thriving arts scene, with access to:🎭 Theaters🖼️ Museums🎶 Live music venues. Basically, you’ll never be bored.

By the Numbers: How Competitive is BU?

• Acceptance Rate (Class of 2026): 14% (BU is officially a “Reach” school for most).

• SAT Score Range: 1360-1520

• ACT Score Range: 31-34

Translation: BU is selective—but totally doable with the right strategy.

Here’s the link for admissions to learn more. https://www.bu.edu/admissions/

Go Terriers!

Feeling overwhelmed with the university admissions process? We can help. Check out our website and schedule an appointment with a counselor to see exactly how we can help you find your best fit school and make your application the strongest it can be.

BU Alum? Any insight into your experiences would be amazing. At Next Level College Application we do not have an agenda other than helping our clients find the schools that are the best fit for them.