“Education is the key that unlocks the golden door to Freedom”
Update: This article was last updated on 06th February 2024 to reflect the accuracy and up-to-date information on the page.
The inception of the first higher education facility in Boston traces back to 1863 with the establishment of Boston College (BC) by the Society of Jesus. Renowned for its distinguished alumni, including Amy Poehler, John F. Kerry, Molly Schaus, and Chuck Hogan, it has earned widespread recognition for its academic excellence and contributions to society.
Undergraduates at BC can pursue their education in the Connell School of Nursing, Lynch School of Education and Human Development, Carroll School of Management, Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences, or Carroll School of Management.
Prerequisites
You don’t need to have taken any specific courses before applying to this college. However, the college wants students who took the hardest courses offered in high school. This means they want students who took a lot of classes in:
- English
- Math
- Social Studies
- Science
- Foreign Languages
If you want to impress the admissions committee, make sure you get good grades in these subjects! What attributes does BC seek in applicants? And what can you do to increase your chances of getting in? Let’s look at it now.
| Dates | Action To Be Taken |
|---|---|
| November 1 | Due date for Early Decision I |
| December 15 | Final day for Early Decision I |
| January 3 | Due date for Early Decision II and Regular Applications |
| February 15 | Final day for Early Decision II |
| April 1 | Final day for Regular Applications |
How difficult is it to enter BC?
Almost 29,382 students applied during the 2020–2021 admission cycle, and only 7,752 of them were accepted, which gives BC a 26% acceptance rate!!
And yes, that’s competitive!!
Even though the college has a low acceptance rate, your prospects of gaining admission will vary depending on the strength of your profile. Your academic performance, exam results, extracurricular activities, and other characteristics will also play a role in helping you secure your place at BC.
Needed GPA
As per BC, the average GPA needed in the “most demanding program available” is 3.0.
Needed SAT/ACT scores
The SAT range for admitted students is 1410–1520, and the ACT range is 33–35.
However, for the Class of 2028, Boston College is following the Test-Optional Policy.
Tips for Increasing Your Chances of Admission to BC
Tip 1. Enroll in the most difficult classes you can while maintaining a minimum GPA of A/A-
The average high school grade for accepted students at BC is an A/A-. Competitive institutions sometimes employ the Academic Index, which combines academic elements like GPA and test results for a single assessment that excludes students who don’t exceed specified standards.
However, just getting good grades won’t cut it. The most hard curriculum you can find is something BC also wants you to challenge yourself with. You can tell you are ready for BC’s curriculum if you enroll in and do well in AP, IB, and honors courses.
Tip 2. Strive for a 35 ACT and a 1520 SAT score-
Even though BC has a Test-Optional Policy for 2028, it’s better to take the test more than once because BC will only take into account your highest subsection scores from both tests.
You should aim for an SAT or ACT score at or above the 75th percentile of accepted students—1520 or 35, respectively—to be a competitive candidate at BC. Any score between 1410 and 1520 on the SAT or 33 and 35 on the ACT is acceptable, particularly this year when many students are applying for test-optional.
In order to strengthen your application, take the test if you can do so successfully. If you are debating whether to submit your score, we advise that you do so if it is at or above the 25th percentile of BC students who were admitted.
Tip 3. Develop Significant Extracurricular Activities
You are aware of the value of extracurricular activities, but there are certain subtleties involved.
First, make sure you participate in at least a few significant extracurricular activities. These extracurricular activities are the most specialized and distinctive, such as taking first place in the Math Olympiad or being recognized by the National Art Honor Society. Other activities, such as minor club leadership or involvement, that are more widespread and less specialized can also be added to the list.
To show that you have acquired interests in particular fields, your extracurricular activities should also be organized around one or two themes. For instance, BC would rather that you demonstrate your interest in medicine by becoming the president of the Biology club and by having shadowed a doctor at a nearby hospital than by having five clubs and two volunteer roles.
Tip 4. Essays Should Be Engaging
The admissions office can discover more about you as a person through your essays than they can from your numbers. BC’s prompts are designed to urge you to delve into your thoughts and values to offer a clear picture of who you are. These prompts range from delving into important subjects to assessing the effects of the national reckoning on racial injustice.
Tip 5. Apply Early
The acceptance rate for Early Decision applications is 39%, which is significantly higher than the general acceptance rate of 26%. If BC is truly your top choice, then it’s in your best interest to apply early because, generally speaking, Early Decision plans do give admission at a higher rate than Regular Decision plans.
However, there are a few drawbacks to submitting an Early Decision to BC. You won’t really benefit from applying early if your profile isn’t nearly as strong as that of the other students, and your time would be better spent elsewhere. Furthermore, if receiving financial aid is an issue for you, keep in mind that if you are in, you will be obligated to attend BC and won’t be allowed to compare offers.
Application Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Common Application | - |
| Writing Supplement | - |
| SAT/ACT Scores (optional for 2026) | - |
| High School Transcript | - |
| School Report | - |
| Counselor Recommendation Form | - |
| 2 Teacher Evaluations | Recommended from English, Social Studies, Science, Math, or Foreign Language teachers. |
| Mid-Year Grade Report | - |
| Application Fee or Fee Waiver | $80 application fee or fee waiver. |
What is the cost of attending Boston College?
Knowing the cost of the education at Boston College is an important component to take into account. The annual cost of tuition and fees is $64,176. It may comfort applicants to know that they are all automatically considered for one of the 18 full-tuition, merit-based scholarships offered by the Gabelli Presidential Scholars Program, given the exorbitant costs of higher education.
Students get extra need-based awards in addition to this scholarship and have the option to seek more funding if necessary.
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Can it be difficult to enter Boston college if you are a foreigner?
Yes, it’s competitive. You have to follow some basic protocol to apply to this college.
What percentage of Boston College students are international?
Approximately 10.5% of Boston College students are international, according to the university’s data.