Responses were edited for length and clarity. 

Why did you choose to apply to this college? 

I am planning to study history at the College of Arts & Sciences, and the courses in the catalog looked very cool. There are extensive options. I also thought it would be cool to be located in a city that is both historically rich and a mecca for modern opportunities. 

The student population at Boston University is very diverse, with a lot of international students. I want to have more chances to meet people from different backgrounds.

Lastly, there are many resources at BU that I could utilize regarding career exploration. I’m not locked down in a particular career path yet, but I did actually consider applying to Wheelock College of Education and Human Development, and I am open to the possibility of trying for BU’s dual degree program where I could do a double major at multiple colleges within the university.

What are your stats?

1520 SAT, no ACT

6 AP tests: World History, US History, English Lang, Human Geography, Psychology, and Statistics

4.2 weighted GPA (3.8 unweighted)

Did you submit your test scores? 

Yes.

What are two of your most memorable or significant extracurricular activities? 

I would say I’m pretty well rounded without necessarily having super standout extracurriculars. I’ve done swimming, music, and I have a job. 

One memorable activity is an internship I started this past summer with the Institute for Youth in Policy developing a civics curriculum for high schoolers. Our goal is to encourage more political awareness, civic engagement, and civil discourse to reduce polarization. I am still with the organization now and we are working on finalizing the curriculum and getting it implemented in schools.

I have also tutored elementary and middle school students, mainly in English.

Which teacher(s) did you ask for your letters of recommendation?

I asked Mr. Thayer (English) and Ms. Zuanich (Global Studies and Human Geo) for letters of recommendation. 

Can you explain your essay-writing process and how you brainstormed ideas?

For the personal statement, I started out with a theme but it was very disorganized and I had to rewrite it several times. I also got a lot of advice from friends and family members, but ultimately I decided how I wanted to frame the essay. There were several conversations with people that I drew inspiration from. The “why this college” essay was a little bit more thrown together. Luckily I did not have to write that many essays.

How did you react or feel when you saw your acceptance?   

When I saw my acceptance, I felt pretty great. My friends were very supportive. And it definitely lifted a weight off my shoulders.

What advice would you give to future students applying to this college? 

I recommend getting your apps done early, but I honestly was more of a procrastinator. I did start working on my common app essay in the summer but I ended up rewriting it and it took me months to finalize it. Try not to stress too much, and you will be okay. Don’t take on crazy new activities that you don’t want to do just for college apps, only do things if you think you will also get something else out of them.