BU receives nearly 12,000 applications for admission each year. Our admissions staff evaluates every application on its own merit as they are received. Once your application packet is complete, you should hear from us within four to six weeks.

While there are no fixed criteria for acceptance, a typical incoming BU student will have:

• SATs of 1070 (critical reading and math sections only) or an ACT of 23
• Top 25 percent of their class
• Graduated with a high B average
• Most likely took a typical high school college prep program of study
• May very well have AP courses that will earn college credit or at least took high school courses that were challenging and demanding
• Is active in high school and community activities, especially in leadership roles

BU does not require an essay or references with an application and will accept both the "old" and "new" SAT testing scores.

Students enrolled in other colleges or universities may apply for admission as a transfer student. Each applicant's transcript is evaluated to determine precisely what courses will transfer. To assist those who opt to begin their college programs at community colleges, BU has forged cooperative arrangements to ensure the maximum number of credits automatically transfer.

BU begins evaluation of applications in September and continues until the class is filled. For some majors, this can be as early as Dec. 1. Nursing majors must have a completed application packet in by Nov. 15.

All applicants learn of BU's decision by regular mail. To protect your privacy, BU will not respond to e-mail or phone inquiries about whether you've been accepted or not. If you haven't heard within six weeks, it's okay to let us know. We'll double check.

BU welcomes students of all ages, from all walks of life, and from a wide geographic area and strives for the greatest possible diversity in its student body. The Bloomsburg community is friendly and vibrant - factors our admissions review officers keep in mind when evaluating applicants.

Roughly 10 percent of BU students are "non-traditional" - adults returning to school for reasons ranging from improving employment potential to personal enrichment. These highly-motivated students generally excel in classes and raise the bar for everyone.

Other non-traditional students include exceptional students currently enrolled in through a number of nearby high schools in BU's Advance College Experience (ACE) program. They'll receive college credit for courses they take that apply at BU or transfer to many other institutions. They are the only admitted students exempt from BU's requirement that incoming students have a high school diploma or equivalency.