Every fall, high schoolers across the nation (and around the world) open the Common App, look at the blank text box titled “Why BU?” and try to cram in their achievements, GPA, and test scores to convince an admissions officer why they deserve to be among the 14% of accepted students.
Beyond the Numbers
When most of us think about college admissions, the first things that often come to mind are GPAs and test scores — and for a good reason. They’re the most quantitative part of an application, which makes them easy to obsess over. But for BU, like many highly selective schools, uses a “holistic approach” to review applicants. They say your application will receive “a thoughtful and comprehensive review that takes into account your academic achievements and activities inside and outside the classroom within the context of your academic environment, life experiences, and background.”
Beyond transcripts and test scores, a solid application relies on extracurricular involvement, letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and the “Why BU?” essay. These components aren’t meant to beef up the application, but rather to let the admissions team see who you really are as a person and what you are passionate about, beyond the numbers and awards.
During the fall, admissions officers evaluate nearly 80,000 applications. That’s why other strengths besides straight A’s matter when it comes to differentiating yourself. A long list of activities or volunteer work can easily get lost among thousands of others that are similar.
The Essay: Showing Who You Really Are
Where an applicant’s personality really shines beyond the transcript is through the personal essay. Maybe because it’s the one piece of college admissions that’s 100% in your own control, it tends to be the part many students obsess over the most. There’s no rubric or outline, which makes it difficult to measure what a great essay looks like or how to succeed.
From an admissions perspective, the ideal essay isn’t about the topic. It’s about the student’s authentic voice. A well-written essay about how a summer job changed your perspective on life can resonate more deeply than one that’s impersonal and doesn’t have character.
Why BU? How Students Decide
With nearly 6,000 colleges/universities in the U.S., every school advertises offerings and opportunities no one else has. Prospective students sort and identify what truly matters to them as they contemplate where to spend their four years. For some prospective students, BU’s diversity, a walkable city campus, or groundbreaking research matter more.
The “Why BU?” statement is where the admissions committee can distinguish among applicants who have thought about why they want to be a Terrier and those who haven’t. A copy/paste answer from other applications is vastly different from one that describes how the student will fit into BU traditions and programs.
Common Misconceptions
If you ask around, you’ll hear many different confident, but incorrect, answers about how college admissions work. For instance, you might hear that Early Decision programs improve your chances. You might hear that one single bad grade will tank your application. Or you might hear that admissions teams want a particular type of student rather than a variety of backgrounds and experiences. While parts of these claims could be true, the broader picture is much more complex.
Clare Morrissey (CAS ’26), who worked as an admissions ambassador for the BU College of Arts and Sciences, has heard these statements many times. “The admissions process is very holistic,” she said. “Obviously I can only speak to CAS, but students wanting to come to BU are motivated and excited to learn and build community, whether it be through research or club opportunities.”
The Bottom Line
There’s no secret formula for getting accepted to BU, and that’s as equally overwhelming as it is encouraging. The application isn’t a checklist, but rather a portrait of who you really are, made of letters from people who you’ve left impressions on, your academic track record, and essays that show your character. Getting into BU isn’t about fitting into a box or only being accepted because they want a particular student profile. It’s what admissions can understand about who you are, beyond your accomplishments and accolades.
Lauren is a senior majoring in public relations and business administration. She is interested in the intersection of communications and business and has gained experience across public relations, healthcare communications, marketing, and investment banking. She is excited to continue developing her writing and tell stories that inform readers.
