Boston College

Admissions

The academic division feature four undergraduate colleges: the College of Arts and Sciences, the Carroll School of Management, the Lynch School of Education, and the Connell School of Nursing. Although applicants do not have to declare a major when they apply, they must designate the school to which they are applying.

Applicants typically have pursued challenging academic goals in high school; most have taken Advanced Placement classes, participated in numerous cocurricular and extracurricular activities, and have scored well on the SAT or ACT exams. Even among these students, the admissions office is very selective. For the undergraduate class entering recently, more than 30,000 students applied for 2,250 places.

While specific courses in high school are not required, students are recommended to pursue a strong college preparatory program, which should include four years of English, mathematics, foreign language, laboratory science, and social studies. Students applying to the School of Nursing are required to complete at least two years of laboratory science, including one year of chemistry.

There are two standardized testing options. Students may either take the SAT with writing test and two SAT Subject Tests; or, they may take the American College Test (ACT) with writing. Applicants must take all standardized tests by the December test date of their senior year of high school, and each applicant must have his or her test scores sent directly to the admissions office. These scores must be received by December 15. For the class admitted to in a recent fall semester, the middle fifty percent of applicants scored between 1870 and 2140 (out of 2400) on the SAT, and/or between 28 and 33 on the ACT.

As mentioned before, the community reflects a diversity of talents, attitudes, backgrounds, and interests. Although diversity is sought in these areas, one common characteristic sought among applicants is a demonstrated interest in the Jesuit ideals of commitment and service to others. The Committee on Admission looks for applicants to demonstrate not only their academic abilities, but also their intellec tual curiosity, strength of character, motivation, creativity, and devotion toward personal growth and development.

Freshman Applicants

To apply, students must complete both the Common Application and the Boston College Supplemental Application. For students seeking to begin their academic career in the fall semester, there are two admission options: a nonbinding Restrictive Early Action Program, and the Regular Decision Program. Freshman applicants with superior credentials should consider Restrictive Early Action. Students electing to use this option may not apply to an Early Decision program at another college. However, they are free to apply to other nonbonding Early Action programs. All application material must be sent or postmarked by November 1. Early Action candidates will be notified of their admission decisions before December 25.

All application materials for Regular Decision must be sent or postmarked by January 1. Candidates will be notified of admission decisions at the end of March. Candidates wishing to apply for freshman entry in the spring semester must complete their applications by November 1.

Transfer Applicants

The admissions office accepts transfer applicants each semester. Transfer candidates must also complete both the Common Application and the Supplemental Application. Students wishing to transfer beginning in the spring semester must submit their application forms and the $70 fee by November 1; and those students seeking to transfer beginning in the fall semester must hand in the forms and fee by March 15. In addition to high school records and standardized test scores, transfer applicants must furnish transcripts from all postsecondary institutions they have attended.