Boston University releases decisions on a set schedule each year, but the exact date and time can vary slightly depending on the round and the year.

When Does Boston University Release Decisions?

Regular Decision (RD)

For most applicants, the big date is Regular Decision.

  • Official timeframe: BU states that Regular Decision results are released in “late March to early April” each year.
  • Recent pattern: In recent cycles, decisions have come out in late March , often clustered around the third week of March.
  • Example from a recent year: An official update shared with applicants said Regular Decision results would be released on Tuesday, March 18 at 6:42 p.m. ET for that cycle.
  • How you’ll know: BU will send you an email when your decision is posted in the MyBU Applicant Portal ; they do not give decisions over the phone.

So if you applied Regular Decision, you should be watching most closely from about March 20–31 , with decisions typically dropping in the evening (Eastern Time) based on recent years.

Early Decision (ED I and ED II)

BU has two Early Decision rounds, and each has its own decision release window.

  • Early Decision (ED I):
    • Decisions are released by December 15.
  • Early Decision 2 (ED II):
    • Decisions are released by February 9 (sometimes listed as “by mid‑February” in older info, but BU’s current FAQ says February 9).

As with RD, BU emails you when the decision is ready and you check it via the MyBU portal.

What Time of Day Are Decisions Released?

BU does not guarantee a specific time in its official FAQ, but there are clear recent trends.

  • In at least one recent year, BU told applicants that RD decisions would go live at 6:42 p.m. ET.
  • Many unofficial reports and Q&A write‑ups confirm that decisions tend to drop in the late afternoon or evening (Eastern Time) rather than in the morning.

So while you shouldn’t treat a specific minute as promised, it’s realistic to expect evening Eastern Time for the big portal wave.

Year‑to‑Year Variations (And How to Stay Updated)

BU keeps the general pattern steady, but exact dates can move by a few days each year.

  • Consistent pattern:
    • ED I: by Dec 15
    • ED II: by early/mid‑February (now specified as Feb 9)
    • RD: late March to early April
  • Small shifts: Some years lean a bit earlier (third week of March); others closer to the last days of March or early April.
  • Best way to know for your year:
    • Watch emails from BU Admissions.
    • Check the MyBU Applicant Portal regularly during the late‑March window.
    • Keep an eye on official BU channels and any admission updates they post.

You’ll see lots of forum speculation each year, but the only source that counts for the exact date and time is BU’s own email and portal announcement.

Quick Reference Table

[7] [7] [1][3][7] [5]
Application Plan Typical Decision Window Example / Official Note
Early Decision (ED I) By December 15 BU FAQ lists Dec 15 as the decision date for ED.
Early Decision 2 (ED II) By February 9 BU FAQ states ED2 decisions are released by Feb 9.
Regular Decision (RD) Late March to early April BU FAQ: RD decisions posted in late March–early April; recent years often in late March.
Example recent RD date March 18, 6:42 p.m. ET Recent communication to applicants specified that exact date and time for RD results.

TL;DR

If you’re searching “when does Boston University release decisions,” the answer is:

  • ED I: by December 15
  • ED II: by February 9
  • Regular Decision: late March to early April, often in late March and usually released in the evening Eastern Time , with a recent example being March 18 at 6:42 p.m. ET for RD.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.