How should I compare my chances of admission to UIUC and Boston University?

The biggest practical difference is that UIUC admission is far more tied to the exact major and your Illinois residency, while Boston University is a private university where selectivity varies by undergraduate school but is less dependent on state residency. A student who is competitive for BU overall may still face a much steeper review at UIUC for computer science, engineering, business, or other high-demand programs. Conversely, an Illinois resident applying to a less capacity-constrained UIUC major may have a notably different outlook than at BU.

For UIUC, compare your academic record to applicants in your intended program, not to the university as a whole. Grainger Engineering and the computer science options are especially capacity-limited, and UIUC expects strong preparation in the relevant math, science, and technical coursework. Gies business and several design-related programs also have program-specific expectations. Your first- and second-choice major selections matter, so treat UIUC as separate admissions bets depending on the program.

At BU, begin with the undergraduate school you would enter, such as the College of Arts  Sciences, Questrom School of Business, College of Engineering, or College of Communication. Strong grades in rigorous courses remain central across BU, but your activities, writing, recommendations, and academic direction can carry meaningful weight. Applicants to Questrom or Engineering should show a credible business or quantitative foundation; applicants to CAS have more flexibility in intended major.

The most realistic comparison is to build two profiles: one matched to your exact UIUC major and residency status, and one matched to BU’s specific school. If your intended UIUC program is highly sought after, BU may be comparably difficult or even the more attainable application depending on your profile. If you are an Illinois resident applying to a UIUC program with less intense demand, UIUC may offer the more favorable chance.