Boston University

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

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Boston University - Overview & Background

Started in 1869, Boston University is a private research university that is the fourth-largest private university in The United States of America. In its 2018 survey, U.S. News & World Report ranked Boston University 37th in the country and 39th amongst world universities. This University is a member of the Association of American Universities. It offers numerous courses through schools such as the Questrom School of Business, the School of Medicine, the School of Law, the School of Education and the College of Engineering.

Its programs in disciplines such as:

  • list items Cloud computing
  • list items Cybersecurity
  • list items Infectious diseases
  • list items Engineering biology
  • list items Neuroscience
  • list items Urban policy
  • list items Photonics
  • list items Education
  • list items Humanities
  • The University’s College of Engineering offers full-time degrees in nine different areas, including photonics, manufacturing engineering, biomedical engineering, and electrical engineering. 

    Established 1839
    Founder Jacob Sleeper, Lee Claflin, Isaac Rich
    University Type  Private Research University
    University Motto Learning, Virtue, Piety
    University City Boston, Massachusetts
    Acceptance Rate 22%
    Graduation Rate 88.3%
    Employment Rate 90%
    Faculty to Student Ratio 1:11
    Endowment $3.4 billion (2022)
    Campus Size 169 acres
    Official Website Link Boston University, United States
    Contact Details +1 617-353-2000

     

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    Boston University Virtual Tour 

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    Infrastructure

    The University is located in Boston, Massachusetts. The campus has state-of-the-art facilities for its students and has 20 major laboratories and 12 research centers. The University also has other campuses in London, Los Angeles, Paris, Washington, and Sydney. 

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    Student Diversity & Preferred Profile

    Boston University is a public research university in Suffolk County, Massachusetts. It houses the Howard Thurman Center for Common Ground (HTC), which brings together students of various races, faiths, sexual orientations, and ethnicities to engage in brave intercultural dialogues. The HTC encourages students to find their shared humanity and to improve intellectually, socially, and spiritually through initiatives like Coffee & Conversation. Its faculty is as distinguished as it is intellectually diverse. With instructors from over 90 countries, you'll be guaranteed to encounter new perspectives, ideas, and opinions that will extend your horizons.

    In terms of facts and data, Boston University awarded 11,988 degrees in 2019 across all undergraduate and graduate programmes. Women received 60.3 percent of these degrees, while men received 39.7 percent. Whites (4,771 degrees) were the most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients, with 3.7 times more than the next closest race/ethnicity group, Asians (1289 degrees).

    The total number of students enrolled at Boston University is 33,720. At Boston University, there are 27,554 full-time students and 6,166 part-time students enrolled. This means that 81.7% of Boston University students are enrolled full-time.

    Undergraduate and graduate students at Boston University are 38% White, 13.1% Asian, 8.99% Hispanic or Latino, 3.95% Black or African American, 3.2% Two or More Races, 0.0652% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders, and 0.0652%  American Indian or Alaska Native.

    White Females (22.2%), White Males (13.8%), and Asian Females (13.8%) are the most prevalent students enrolled in full-time Undergraduate programmes at Boston University (9.87 percent). White Females (21.6%), White Males (14.8%), and Asian Females (5.4% ) are the most common students enrolled in full-time Graduate programmes.

    White (12,812), Asian (4,412), and Hispanic or Latino (4,412) are the most common races or ethnicities (3,031). In 2019, Boston University awarded 2468 more degrees to women than to males. White is the most frequent race/ethnicity category among Boston University degree graduates (4,771 degrees awarded). White graduates outnumbered the next closest race/ethnicity group, Asians, by 3.7 times.

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    Campus & Accommodation

    BU is a large university and has a vibrant community of ambitious students, leaders, and global thinkers, with approximately 34,000 students and more than 10,000 teachers and staff. Despite this, it is pretty close.

    When you live on campus, you'll be right in the thick of everything. Everything you need is right here. Classes, friends, professors, limitless study possibilities, extracurricular activities, a thriving social life, and award-winning food options are all available to you. Choose from a diverse range of residences, all of which are safe and secure.

    Whether you live in a charming brownstone on a tree-lined street or a sophisticated high-rise, you'll find a place on campus where you can not only belong, but also call home.

    The following are some of the Boston University residences:

    Central Campus:

  • list items Central Campus accommodation is located in the heart of the Charles River Campus, making all graduate institutions, including the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, the School of Law, and Metropolitan College, easily accessible. Labs, libraries, workplaces, performance venues, and the George Sherman Union are all just a short walk away.
  • Central Campus Graduate Brownstone Residences:

  • list items These single-occupancy units are housed in a lovely brownstone on Bay State Road and provide both comfort and beauty. The rooms have private bathrooms and shared bathrooms.
  • Graduate Apartments:

  • list items Two very distinct experiences, three different addresses. The row houses at 710 and 714 Commonwealth Avenue provide two-bedroom apartments with a living room, kitchen, and bath, while 580 Commonwealth Avenue has modern 1-bedroom and studio apartments completed in 2003.
  • East Campus:

  • list items At one end, East Campus puts you in the heart of BU's Charles River Campus, where you'll find the School of Law, Questrom School of Business, Wheelock College of Education & Human Development, labs, libraries, performances, and student amenities, as well as the School of Law, Questrom School of Business, and Wheelock College of Education & Human Development. On the other hand, you're on the outskirts of Kenmore Square, a public transportation hub that serves as a gateway to Fenway Park and the surrounding nightlife.
  • Graduate Apartments on the East Campus:

  • list items The majority of the East Campus graduate apartments are one-bedroom units with en-suite bathrooms and kitchens. East Campus is a beautiful, brownstone-lined avenue just steps from Central Campus' classrooms, labs, libraries, and student amenities, as well as the Charles River's green-splashed Esplanade and Kenmore Square, a lively entertainment and transportation hub. It combines the best of three worlds: university, park, and city.
  • South Campus:

  • list items Along St. Mary's and adjoining streets, South Campus is a quiet, secluded area. The Fenway neighborhood and the heart of campus are just a short walk across Beacon Street. You'll find groceries, restaurants, and shops nearby, and the College of Engineering, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and Questrom School of Business are all within walking distance. It's also simple to travel further away.
  • Brownstone Residences for Graduates on the South Campus:

  • list items Look to these single room condos and singles in multiple-bedroom suites for a quiet, tight-knit in-town environment close to central BU. The majority of them have common kitchens and bathrooms. The neighborhood has plenty of groceries, restaurants, and shops, as well as easy access to the rest of Boston, as it is only a short walk from three distinct MBTA bus lines. South campus provides an off-campus experience with the ease of being on campus.
  • Graduate Apartments on the South Campus:

  • list items This quiet, private area, which runs along St. Mary's and adjoining streets, is home to a mix of families and young professionals, as well as a large number of BU students. It provides apartments with kitchens and en-suite baths.
  • Fenway Park:

  • list items It is located in the Fenway area of Boston, near to the South End. A comfortable 15-minute stroll or a brief ride on the BU shuttle will get you to BU's core campus, which includes the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, the School of Law, and Metropolitan College.
  • Peabody Hall:

  • list items It is a historic building in Baltimore, Maryland (Fenway Campus). It is a five-story, dormitory-style home on BU's Fenway Campus designed exclusively for graduate students. It has 138 single occupancy rooms, each with a microwave and mini fridge. Each floor has a communal kitchen, bathroom, and laundry.
  • Medical School:

  • list items Medical students working at the BUMC will benefit from the Medical Campus housing. This neighborhood is in Boston's South End, and it's only a short BU shuttle ride from the Charles River Campus. The South End is home to numerous hospitals, research institutes, and offices. These apartments are a fantastic choice if you want to be close to the School of Medicine while also taking advantage of the benefits and opportunities that BU provides to its on-campus residents
  • Graduate Student Apartments on the Medical Campus:

  • list items On the Boston University Medical Campus, the Medical Student House (MSR) is a state-of-the-art, nine-story graduate student residence created particularly to fulfill the needs of first-year medical students. For 208 medical students, the complex has 104 two-bedroom units, each with a complete bath and kitchenette. The Medical Student Residence is a collection of single units and multiple bedroom suites that offers everything from a gym to study facilities to laundry right on-site.
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    Comparison with other Universities

    Selecting the correct college is a significant decision, and one may have concerns. The University has all of the answers! Learn more about how a BU education prepares students to confront the challenges of the future.

    Academics who are zealous in their pursuit of knowledge:

  • list items You can get the most out of your BU degree by choosing from over 300 programmes of study and having a lot of academic flexibility. Combined BA/MA programmes and coursework from 10 of BU's schools and colleges are among the options. The BU Hub, innovative University-wide general education programme, lies at the heart of the BU academic experience. In classes both in and out of your major, you'll learn about Hub topics including Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy (GCI), Scientific Inquiry (SI1/SI2), and Ethical Reasoning (ETR).
  • International recognition:

  • list items The Association of American Universities (AAU) has selected BU to its renowned list of top research universities in the United States and Canada. It is also ranked 42nd among national universities and 57th globally (U.S. News & World Report).
  • Forging new paths:

  • list items The foundation of BU is research. Because of our devotion to research, the Times Higher Education called BU, a "International Powerhouse." Students are connected to BU academic research initiatives in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, medicine, education, and the arts through our Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP).
  • Practical experience:

  • list items Because BU is so close to Boston, you'll have a plethora of options to choose from in your field of study or specific interest. But why should you stop in Boston? BU has also sent students for internships and other opportunities around the county and around the world.
  • A promising future:

  • list items A BU diploma opens several doors. Recruiters and CEOs rank its graduates as the 13th most employable in the United States. With specific career services for students and alumni, it invests in your future as well.
  • It's a city that's unlike any other:

  • list items When you're at BU, you're in the heart of it all: hip neighborhoods, soaring skyscrapers, championship sports teams, and a rich history and culture.
  • A living-learning environment:

  • list items BU offers a variety of living communities, ranging from historic brownstones along Bay State Road to modern high-rises overlooking the Charles River to resident halls with specialized specialty floors. BU guarantees on-campus accommodation for the whole four years of your undergraduate education, and 75% of students take us up on it.
  • A global perspective:

  • list items It's simple to see why BU is ranked among the world's top universities, with over 650 courses on global issues, faculty research on every continent, students from nearly 100 nations, and alumni living in over 180 countries. Plus, its study abroad programme is widely regarded as one of the best in the country.
  • The ideal class size:

  • list items BU has an unusually low student-to-faculty ratio of 11:1 for a university with over 16,000 undergraduates. With an average class size of 27, you'll not only meet but also interact with award-winning lecturers.
  • There is never a dull time:

  • list items You'll be able to do so much more here than just study. You can join any of the 450+ student organizations on campus. So join a BU band, join a Broomball team, go to a BU Hockey game, get involved in Greek life, run for BU Student Government, have coffee and conversation at the Howard Thurman Center for Common Ground, go to a Dear Abbeys acapella show, eat lobster at Lobster Night—and you'll be feeling your Terrier pride in no time.
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    Scholarships & Financial Aid

    You're probably thinking about graduate school to improve or optimize your career potential, contribute to a bigger body of knowledge, or build and hone your professional abilities. However, realizing your dream will necessitate time and financial commitments.

    Metropolitan College offers a variety of scholarship possibilities to help ensure that Boston University's academic, intellectual, and physical resources are accessible to all students.

    Scholarships

    When completed applications are assessed, all domestic graduate applicants are immediately considered for Merit Scholarships. Graduate students may also be eligible for one or more of the following specialty scholarships:

  • list items Alexis Gavras Graduate Scholarship Fund
  • list items Advancing the Arts Scholarship
  • list items Boston University Women’s Guild Scholarships
  • list items Boston Medical Center Employee Scholarship
  • list items City of Boston Employees Scholarship Program
  • list items Bryan D. Willard Scholarship
  • list items Julia Child Student Writing Award
  • list items Edgar B. Pitts Scholarship
  • list items Megan McClung Memorial Fund
  • list items Massachusetts Department of Correction Academic Scholarship
  • list items Private Scholarships
  • list items WSIA Education Foundation
  • Grants

     Scholarships and grants are gifts, which means you don't have to pay them back or work for them. State government and federal grants are non-repayable government awards. The government establishes eligibility conditions. The FAFSA is a requirement for most.

    Loans

     When you consider all of the ways a high university education can benefit your life, it's one of the best long-term investments you can make. Borrowing is one option for financing that investment. Because all loans must be returned, it is recommended that you borrow only what you need, look into other financial aid alternatives, and work as much as possible.

    Student Loans: Based on your financial aid application, federal and state loans are available to students who qualify. Student loans, on average, have better terms than credit-based loans.

    Credit-Based Loans are educational loans offered to students, parents, and others who meet the credit requirements.

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    Work opportunities

     There are various compelling reasons to work while at Boston University, not only over the summer but also during the academic year. One significant benefit is that you can reduce your borrowing by working to pay for your college fees. Another advantage is that you will get vital skills and experience.

    BU students are provided with two different types of job opportunities:

    Federal Work-Study: A government-funded scholarship given to students who show financial necessity.

    Student employment: The Student Employment Office makes this opportunity available to all registered BU students.

    If you're receiving need-based financial aid, it's expected that you'll earn between $2,000 and $2,600 to augment your award over the academic year.

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    Fellowships

    For graduate students, the BU Office of Fellowships & Scholarships lists both national and BU-sponsored grants. Fellowships provide you a salary and typically require you to conduct research, teach, or provide other services to the school. These are subject to taxation.

    Some of the fellowships are:

  • list items Martin Luther King, Jr. Fellowship
  • list items Clare Boothe Luce Fellowship
  • list items Whitney M. Young, Jr. Fellowship
  • list items African Studies Fellowship
  • list items William V. Shannon Memorial Fellowship
  • list items Lu Lingzi Scholarship
  • list items Graduate Arts Research Grants
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    Placement Details & Recruiting Companies

    Over the course of a year, thousands of employers post internship and job opportunities on BU's Handshake professional network. You'll also learn crucial skills like writing a CV, giving an elevator pitch, networking, and negotiating a job offer with the help of the Center for Career Development. Some of the placements highlights at BU are:

  • list items  Within six months of graduation, 90% of recent graduates found work or were accepted into graduate schools, military service, or fellowships.
  • list items  Recruiters and CEOs in the United States rank graduates #14 in terms of employability.
  • list items While at BU, 84 percent of undergraduates participate in at least one internship.
  • list items  At BU's campus career fairs, 600 firms attend.
  • list items  BU alumni work for companies as diverse as CBS Entertainment and Proctor & Gamble in more than 180 countries across the world.
  • list items For the class of 2021, the average base pay for full-time MBA graduates is $108,962.
  • Graduates of BU go on to ahieve amazing things. Here are a handful of the recruiters where they have found work:

  • list items Accenture
  • list items Apple
  • list items Amazon; Boston Consulting Group
  • list items Deloitte
  • list items Google
  • list items Boston Celtics
  • list items  IBM
  • list items JetBlue Airlines
  • list items Boston Children’s Hospital
  • list items Massachusetts General Hospital
  • list items HubSpot
  • list items Buzzfeed
  • list items NBCUniversal
  • list items Lockheed Martin
  • list items Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
  • list items Philips Healthcare
  • list items Liberty Mutual
  • list items Dunkin’ Brands
  • list items Sanofi Genzyme
  • list items Merck & Co.
  • list items ESPN
  • list items The White House
  • list items Tesla
  • list items Marriott International
  • list items Fidelity Investments
  • list items Wayfair
  • list items U.S. Department of State
  • list items Nike
  • list items WME Entertainment
  • list items Teach for America
  • list items PwC
  • list items U.S. House of Representatives
  • list items Raytheon
  • list items Twitter
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    Notable Alumni

     Some famous alumni from Boston University include:

  • list items Stan Grossfeld, Associate Editor, Boston Globe,Pulitzer Prize
  • list items Patricia Maldonado, Former staff writer, Miami Herald, 1999 Pulitzer Prize
  • list items Mark Thompson, Senior correspondent, Time Magazine, 1985 Pulitzer Prize
  • list items Samuel L. Myers Sr., Economist, Former university president, education adviser and civil rights advocate
  • list items Rollin Williams, Social worker; First African American professor at the University of Connecticut
  • list items Norman Barron, Founder, Marshalls Department Store
  • list items Jim Brett, Former CEO, J.Crew
  • list items Gerald L. Gitner, Former CEO of TWA and Pan American airlines, Co-founder of People Express Airline  
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    Boston University Map Location

    Address: Boston, MA 02215, United States

     


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    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is the status of Boston University's transportation?

    At Boston University, there are numerous transportation choices. Public transportation passes through the heart of campus on a regular basis. Shuttle buses run on a set timetable, and BU has a huge number of bicycle racks located across campus.

    What are the bus options at Boston University?

    In the greater Boston area, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority manages the bus, trolley/subway, and commuter rail systems. Semester Passes can be purchased online by BU students. Weekdays and evenings, a free shuttle bus service connects the Medical Campus and the Charles River Campus.