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Boston University - Academics - Academics - College ProwlerCollege Prowler3.85

Academics

B+
Where does this grade come from?View all Academics rankingsReview this school to add your opinion

Comparable Schools' Academics Grades:

Quick Stats

Student-Faculty Ratio 13:1
Full-Time Student Population 25,578
Part-Time Student Population 5,921
Full-Time Instructional Faculty 1,549
Part-Time Instructional Faculty 1,079
Total FT Faculty 3,384
Faculty with Terminal Degree 78%
Average Faculty Salary $102,646
Full-Time Retention Rate 91%
Graduation Rate 83%
Programs/Majors Offered 213
Average Course Load 16 credits (4 courses)
Academic/Career Counseling? Yes
Remedial Services? No
Class Sizes
  • Fewer than 20 students: 56%
  • 20 to 49 students: 34%
  • 50 or more students: 10%

Student Author OverviewWhat's This?

As with any university, the nature of the classes is largely dependent on the particular professors teaching them. Everyone seems to agree that the best way to choose a class is by first learning about the professor’s teaching style from other students. While some professors fall into anonymity after the last day of class, some directly influence the course of your education. Don’t get frustrated with your 100-level introductory classes—they are universally described as “a waste of time,” “boring,” and “impersonal.” Get through your requirements, but keep in mind that the best classes are the upper-levels.

You can be so inspired by a particular professor that you may even decide to switch majors—only to find out later that it was the individual professor, not the field, that held your interest. Those types of professors, while few and far between, are certainly present and available to any student who seeks them out.

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Boston University Student ReviewsWhat's This?

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Academics at Boston University

ksyhe

Pre-Medicine Studies '13

3.5
B

You're on Your Own

Professors aren't going to go out of their way to help you -- you have to be motivated to find the resources you need to succeed.

May 06, 2012

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Academics at Boston University

smsiem

International Business '15

4.6
A

Supportive and There to Help.

Most professors at BU want you to succeed. Even if a class seems difficult, a professor would gladly speak to you during office hours to help you understand the material. In my experience, two of my professors actually took the initiative to email me and offer to meet based on my grades. I ended up doing really well in both courses, and I'm glad the professors were as supportive as they were.

Apr 25, 2012

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Academics at Boston University

smsiem

International Business '15

4.6
A

Awesome

BU's Academics are what give the school such a good reputation. The classes are generally engaging, and most professors are quick to help you if you need it.

Apr 25, 2012

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Page 1 of 20
User rating for Boston University - Academics is 3.5 out of 5 based on 59 user reviews.

Student Survey Poll ResultsWhat's This?

Rate your school’s professors on the following topics

Rate your school’s academic environment on the following topics

Facts

Instructional Programs Occupational: No
Academic: Yes
Continuing Professional: No
Recreational/Avocational: No
Adult Basic Remedial: No
Secondary (High School): No
Special Credit Opportunities Advanced Placement (AP) Credits: Yes
Dual Credit: No
Life Experience Credits: No
AP Test Score Requirements Most programs award credit for scores of 4 or higher. Some programs award credit for scores of 3 or higher.
IB Test Score Requirements Possible credit for scores of 5 or higher
Undergraduate Schools/Divisions
  • College of Arts and Sciences
  • College of Communication
  • College of Engineering
  • College of Fine Arts
  • College of General Studies
  • College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
  • School of Education
  • School of Hospitality Administration
  • School of Management
  • University Professors Program
Degrees Awarded
  • Bachelor's degree
  • Doctorate - Professional practice
  • Doctorate - Research/scholarship
  • Master's degree
  • Post-bachelor's certificate
  • Post-master's certificate
Most Popular Majors
  • Business Administration and Management: 7%
  • International Relations and National Security Studies: 2%
  • Psychology: 2%
  • Speech Communication and Rhetoric: 2%
Special Study Options
  • Distance learning opportunities
  • Study abroad
  • Teacher certification (below the postsecondary level)
  • Weekend/evening college
Best Places to Study
  • BU Beach (when it’s warm outside)
  • George Sherman Union, especially BU Central, Howard Thurman Center, or the third floor
  • Ingall’s: Engineering Library
  • Mugar Library
  • Pardee Library at the School of Management
  • Seventh-floor study lounge of the Hojo
  • Shelton ninth-floor study lounge
Did You Know?
  • The Core Curriculum Program is an option for the top candidates entering the College of Arts and Sciences, and an excellent opportunity for those of us lacking specific direction or major. Core consists of eight historically-based, integrated courses providing an in-depth study of classic works in the humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences. While Core does emphasize a higher ability for analytical thinking, and certainly requires higher levels of writing and reading comprehension than other programs, it allows students to pursue a coherent interdisciplinary approach to literature, art, music, social, religious, scientific, and philosophical thought, therefore enabling you to sound extra-intelligent at social gatherings and heated debates. Core lectures are always accompanied by small seminar discussions and labs, so get ready for a rocky time at registration. Beware, scheduling around Core classes can prove to be difficult.
  • BU was the first to open all its divisions to women (1872); open a college of music in the United States (1873); admit women to its medical college, the School of Medicine (1873); award PhDs to women in America (1877); offer a college degree in public relations (1947); open a graduate school in dentistry (1963); combine cancer research and a teaching laboratory (1965)

Become a Contributing Author Learn more »

Most Recent Student Author View all

Name
Stephanie Santana
Hometown
Queens, NY
Major
Anthropology/Journalism

College Prowler is seeking talented student authors to assist with writing and updating the College Prowler guides to their schools. This is a great opportunity for a student to gain experience and tremendous exposure, utilize new media techniques, and share advice with high school students about what life is really like at your college.

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How do we get our information? Find out here or report an error here. The statistics on our site are from the National Center for Education Statistics IPEDS database.
We update this information twice annually, most recently in May 2012, but it may not be the most recent information available for a particular school.
For additional information we encourage you to visit school websites or contact the schools directly.