text: how can i get into boston university? what kind of gpa do i need?   you might get a sense as to whether you would qualify for admission at boston university by taking a look at their current enrollment statistics:  average gpa:  3.49  average sat:  1278  average act:  28  also, check out their page for freshman applicants. it gives you application instructions, requirements and standards, critical dates, etc.  http://www.bu.edu/admissions/apply/fresh_admissions.html  in general, besides good grades and standardized test scores, schools are looking for students who are well-balanced, involved in extra-curricular activities, and active in their communities. i don't know what year of high school you're in, but you might want to start reading some of the many books that are available. the earlier you start preparing, the better.  one last thing - try not to stress out too much! if you don't get into the college of your choice, it's not the end of the world. i didn't do that well in high school and didn't get into any of the schools i wanted to go to. i ended up doing two years of community college, getting really good grades, and transfering into a prestigious university. so do the best you can, but at the same time, try to relax and enjoy the process.  finally, here's a book that looks kind of interesting. it's designed for students who "have a wide range of abilities," but aren't "necessarily the cream of the crop academically." it gets terrific reviews:  colleges that change lives: 40 schools you should know about even if you're not a straight-a student http://www.amazon.com/colleges-that-change-lives-straight/dp/0140296166/  good luck!