How to respond

Admitted PhD and MFA applicants will receive at least two emails from grs@bu.edu at the email address listed in their application.  Please make sure you check the email account for the email you listed in your application, and check any spam folders.

  • The email with the subject “Message from Boston University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences” includes your admission offer letter as a PDF attachment. If you do not see an attachment, please check the bottom of the email, below the signature, as there may be a link where you can download the letter.
  • The email(s) with the subject “Boston University (insert program name) invites you to take the nest step with your application” has a unique, program-specific link to the Applicant Gateway.  You will need to access the Applicant Gateway to accept or decline the offer of admission by the deadline listed in your admission offer letter.  For most PhD and MFA students, this deadline is April 15 at 11:59pm (23h59) Boston Time (Eastern Time Zone, UTC – 05:00).

If you are unable to find the link to the Applicant Gateway, please email your response to grsphd@bu.edu.  Please include your full name (as it appears in your application),  your Application ID or BU ID, and the name of your program and degree.  Please clearly state whether you accept or decline admission.  We must receive your email before midnight (Boston time) on the day of the deadline.

Next steps

You will receive multiple emails from the Graduate School acknowledging the receipt of your decision during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm, except holidays).  For those who accepted admission:

  • Domestic students will receive a “Welcome Email” that contains information on submitting official final transcripts, immunization requirements, orientations, and general information for newly admitted PhD & MFA students.
  • International students will receive an email “Requesting International Student Documents.” Once all documents have been received, they will receive our “Welcome Email” within 10 business days.
  • All students will receive an email with a link to set up their BU Login (“Kerberos Account”) and BU Email (“Office 365 Outlook”).  Please set it up as soon as possible:
    • International students will receive their I-20 at their BU email address.
    • Students who want to apply for BU Housing will need a BU email account.