How important are letters of recommendation for Boston University admissions?

At Boston University, letters of recommendation matter, but they are usually not as central as your transcript, course rigor, grades, and overall academic preparation.

That said, recommendation letters can still help. A strong letter can confirm that you are intellectually engaged, contribute in class, show initiative, and have qualities that do not fully appear in grades alone. A generic letter probably will not hurt much, but it usually will not add much either.

For BU specifically, think of recommendations as supporting evidence rather than the main driver. They can be especially useful if they explain something important, like an upward trend, unusually demanding coursework, meaningful classroom leadership, or a distinctive academic strength.

Since you already have teachers who know you well, it is worth making sure you get strong letters. You do not need to obsess over them, but you also should not treat them as an afterthought.