Boston University – M.S. in Advertising

波士頓大學廣告行銷學系

I.       Program description

The Boston University Master’s in Advertising prepares you to compete in that dynamic environment—not just for a great first job, but the job after that. Even for jobs that don’t exist yet.

The focus is strategic branding, targeted creativity, self-discovery and higher-level thinking. Yes, there’s plenty of hands-on experience. But it’s blended with an understanding of the underlying principles of advertising.

Over three semesters, you’ll study in small, intimate classes with a faculty of highly accomplished advertising professionals.They challenge you to learn by doing, getting you ready to thrive in the most demanding environments. Just as they have.

http://www.bu.edu/com/academics/degree-programs/ms-in-advertising/

II.    Deadline

Application Deadlines

• January 15: PhD Application Deadline
• February 1: Priority Master’s Deadline (for consideration for all scholarships)
• May 1: Final Master’s Deadline

http://www.bu.edu/com/admissions/graduate/apply/

What is the admission timeline?

http://www.bu.edu/com/admissions/graduate/faq/

III.Admission requirement

Required Standardized Tests

GRE

The GRE is required for all students except

lCinema and Media Production

lScreenwriting

lTelevision

lDual degree JD/MS (LSAT is required)

lBoston University undergraduates applying directly to a COM master’s program immediately following completion of their bachelor’s degree

Applicants to Media Ventures and the Applied Communication Research concentration of Mass Communication may submit either the GRE or the GMAT.

You may take the internet-based GRE up until 10 days before our deadline.

GMAT

Applicants to the MS Program in Media Ventures and the Applied Communication Research concentration of the MS Program in Mass Communication may take the GMAT in place of the GRE.

TOEFL or IELTS

Students who received their undergraduate degree from a non-English speaking institution must also take the TOEFL or IELTS. Applicants must receive a minimum score of 100 (TOEFL) or 7.0 (IELTS) for their application to be reviewed. We must receive an official score by our deadline; we recommend taking your TOEFL/IELTS at least 20 days prior to our deadline to assure that we receive the score.

http://www.bu.edu/com/admissions/graduate/apply/

What part of my application is most important?

The admission committee looks at your entire application, and admission is holistic based on your credentials and experience. The personal statement is often the most important component of the application.

What is the suggested GRE score?

Higher GRE scores may increase one’s chances for merit scholarships. The verbal and quantitative sections of the GRE are both scored out of a possible 170. The average scores of accepted students are 158 verbal and 150 quantitative.

What is the suggested Grade Point Average?

In general, students should have a 3.0 or higher on their undergraduate transcript. Higher GPA will possibly increase chances for merit scholarships.

http://www.bu.edu/com/admissions/graduate/faq/

IV.Process & Mailing Address

1. The application for Fall 2016 is now available.

àHow do I apply for financial aid?
All full-time students who apply for admission are automatically considered for merit scholarships. Assistantship and Loan information will be mailed to students if accepted. International students and domestic students are both considered for scholarship. You will be notified along with your admissions’ decision.

1. A non-refundable application fee of $95. The application fee is an application processing fee, not an application consideration fee.
2. Program Specific Requirements – Personal Statement
3. Transcripts

àWe require a copy of your transcript to be uploaded within our online application. In addition, we require all transcripts from colleges and/or universities attended that count toward any degree (beyond high school). A college senior should submit an official report of work completed in the first semester of the senior year as soon as it is available. All transcripts must be in English or an official translation. If you are admitted and decide to enroll, we will ask for an official copy at that time.

1. Letters of Recommendation

àWe require three letters of recommendation written by people who know you well, and who can speak to your academic and/or professional backgrounds. These letters of recommendation must be sent online via our application service. We do not accept e-mailed, faxed, or mailed letters of recommendation.

1. Official GRE Scores.

àOur GRE code is 3087.

1. Official TOEFL or IELTS Scores.

àOur TOEFL code is 3087

1. Resume

àWe require the most up to date resume or CV for all applicants.

1. International Student Video Requirement

àHow to add your International Student Video to the application?
After you have submitted your application with your program materials, letters of recommendation, resume/CV, and test scores, you will receive an email from COM Graduate Affairs. This email will have a link to the Supplemental Application. You are able to submit your international student video URL within the Supplemental Application. If you have any questions with this process, please email COM Gradudate Affairs.

V.    SOP/ESSAY/WRITING SAMPLE

Personal Statement - Advertising

Write an essay explaining why you want to study advertising. Include your personal experiences, what you expect to be doing professionally five years from now, what you expect from a career in the field, why you chose the BU College of Communication and how you expect your studies to help you in achieving your goals. Limited to 750 words.

http://www.bu.edu/com/admissions/graduate/apply/

VIDEO REQUIREMENT – International Applicants

All international students (non-US citizens) must submit a three-minute video. State your name and your intended major. Answer each of the following questions:

1. How do you plan to advance your community as a result of your study in the field of communication?
2. Discuss a significant person in your life and describe the ways in which you have been influenced (positively/negatively and why).
3. If you were to describe where you grew up to someone who hadn’t visited there before, what would you highlight?

Please post your video on a video hosting website like Vimeo. You must write this link into the application. Our application system does not allow you to upload a video file.

How to add your International Student Video to the application?

After you have submitted your application with your program materials, letters of recommendation, resume/CV, and test scores, you will receive an email from COM Graduate Affairs. This email will have a link to the Supplemental Application. You are able to submit your international student video URL within the Supplemental Application. If you have any questions with this process, please email COM Gradudate Affairs.

http://www.bu.edu/com/admissions/graduate/apply/international-applicants/

VI.Additional note for Int’l Applicant

English Proficiency Requirement

TOEFL

Students who received their undergraduate degree from a non-English speaking institution must also take the TOEFL (in addition to the GRE. Please see our International Admissions requirements for more information). We require a minimum score of 100 for your application to be reviewed. We must receive an official TOEFL score by our deadline; we recommend taking your TOEFL at least 20 days prior to our deadline to assure that we receive the score.

IELTS

Students are able to take the IELTS instead of the TOEFL. We require a minimum score of 7.0 for your application to be reviewed. We recommend taking the IELTS at least 20 days prior to our deadline.

Please Note

International students who have studied at an English-speaking institution are not required to take the TOEFL or IELTS.

http://www.bu.edu/com/admissions/graduate/apply/international-applicants/

Graduate and Non-Degree Students

After you have been academically admitted to the University and have submitted the required academic information and documentation to the Graduate Admissions office in your school or college, your Admissions office will work with you to gather the additional documentation necessary to obtain your immigration document from the ISSO.

Documents to Submit

Your Admissions office will forward the following documents to the ISSO for evaluation, so please submit them directly to the Admissions representative upon request:

lYour completed International Student Data Form (ISDF) or your International Applicant Coversheet. Fill out the following information completely and accurately:

nEnter your name exactly as it appears in your passport, even though you may have more than one way of spelling your name (especially in English).

nEnter your date of birth in the American format: month, day, and year (MM/DD/YYYY). For example, May 12, 1978, should be written 05/12/1978.

nAnswer every question.

nSign and date the form.

lA copy of the biographical page of your passport

lCopies of all of your immigration documents if you are currently in the U.S.

lRequired financial documentation demonstrating your ability to pay for your expenses at Boston University

lOfficial TOEFL/IELTS score reports (if applicable)

http://www.bu.edu/isso/getting-started/documents-procedures/

Required Financial Documentation

Boston University is required by U.S. government regulations to check the availability of adequate funding for tuition, fees, and living expenses for the duration of the prospective student’s studies at Boston University in order to issue the immigration documents necessary to obtain a student visa. All financial documents submitted for evaluation will become the property of Boston University and will not be returned to the prospective student.

Graduate students: Refer to the Estimate of Expenses for the minimum funding requirements for programs at the Charles River Campus and Medical Campus.

All declarations of financial support must:

1. Reflect the minimum amount of support in U.S. dollars
2. Specify funding for study at Boston University (not another college or university)
3. Include a date and be no more than one year old from the intended date of enrollment
4. Indicate the period of time for which the support will be provided
5. Be written in English
6. Reflect funds that are readily available for tuition payments (i.e., checking or savings accounts). Certain investment accounts such as stocks, salary documents, property holdings, etc. do not reflect available funds and will not be accepted

It is recommended that the prospective student request three sets of financial documents to submit to Boston University, the U.S. Embassy or Consulate to which the prospective student will apply for the visa, and to retain for his/her record (and to present at the U.S. Port of Entry if requested).

Additional Information:

lIf the prospective student will be funded by a family member, he/she must submit:

nA letter of sponsorship which indicates that the sponsor is willing and able to support the prospective student financially for academic fees and living expenses throughout the duration of study at Boston University and also indicates the relationship of the sponsor to the applicant. We would suggest that they utilize the Sponsorship Certification Form.

nAn official bank letter, bank statement or credit reference from a bank stating the availability of the funding to support minimum estimated expenses as indicated on the Estimate of Expenses.

lIf the prospective student will be funded in a manner not listed above (for example, if they will fund themselves), he/she must submit official documentation (a bank letter, bank statement or a credit reference from a bank) indicating the specific amount to support minimum estimate of expenses.

http://www.bu.edu/isso/getting-started/documents-procedures/requiredfinancialdocumentation/

2015/2016 Graduate Estimate of Expenses – Charles River Campus

http://www.bu.edu/isso/getting-started/documents-procedures/requiredfinancialdocumentation/expenses-crc/

VII.  OTHER

Are interviews required?

Individual program faculty from all programs may contact some individuals for interviews if more information is needed. Informational interviews are conducted at the student’s request. Please contact Graduate Affairs to schedule an appointment.

How will I find out if my application is complete or incomplete?

Applicants should monitor their status via the online application. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that his/her file is complete by the deadline.

How many programs can I apply to in the College of Communication?

Students may apply to a maximum of two programs within COM.

http://www.bu.edu/com/admissions/graduate/faq/

Graduate Financial Aid

The College of Communication’s financial aid resources include various scholarship funds and graduate assistantships (teaching, research, administrative). In addition, graduate students can apply for the Federal Work-Study Program, Unsubsidized Federal Stafford/PLUS Loans, and other state and private funds. Numerous on-campus and off-campus employment opportunities are also available.

For current interest rates and loan fees, please visit the US Department of Education site. Scholarship awards are merit-based on academic promise and the availability of funds. Eligibility for some types of assistance is determined by documented financial need. Individual departmental and faculty requirements determine graduate assistantships. The majority of scholarship is awarded during the admission process. A separate application for financial aid is not needed.

Available funds do not allow us to provide assistance to all graduate students; however, most receive partial support and avail themselves of the various loan programs to further finance their education. The University and the College of Communication assume that all students will contribute financially to their graduate education.

http://www.bu.edu/com/admissions/graduate/financial-aid/

For the 2015/2016 academic year, the total cost of attendance is:

College of Communication (Graduate Program)

http://www.bu.edu/finaid/aid-basics/cost-of-education/graduate/