Admission Procedures

International students are advised to begin the transfer process as early as possible due to the necessity of obtaining documents from the student's home country. In addition to the documents required of all transfer applicants, the following must be provided.

• Official results from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A minimum score of 600 (PBT), 250 (CBT), or 100 (iBT) is strongly recommended. TOEFL results must be submitted if the student's native language is not English, regardless of current study in the United States.
  
• Official transcripts of secondary and post-secondary study with certified English translation, if necessary. The secondary transcript must cover at least the last three years of study and must be sent directly by the educational institution or be certified by the appropriate embassy. Photocopies are NOT acceptable.
  
• Course catalogs or descriptions of courses taken at the college level with English translations, if necessary.
  
• A Confidential Declaration and Certification of Finances which documents evidence of financial support to meet tuition and living expenses while living in the United States.
  

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Application Process   |   Costs and Finances   |   Standardized Tests   |   Academics
City of Boston   |   Residential Life   |   Miscellaneous Questions
 

FAQ: APPLICATION PROCESS

Is there a separate application for international applicants?

No. International applicants are responsible for submitting the same application and credentials as domestic applicants. The only additional requirement is the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) examination for students who do not speak English as their first language.

If I submit maturity certificate examination results (such as the "A-Levels," Baccalaureate, Maturité), do I also need to submit a transcript from my secondary school?

Yes. The Committee on Admission takes seriously the work that you do in the classroom on a daily basis. Therefore, both your examination scores and classroom grades are included in our review process.

How do I set up an interview at Boston College?

Interviews are not part of the evaluation process at Boston College. Because of the large size of our applicant pool, we are unable to offer interviews to every student who requests one. Therefore, to make our process fair to all, interviews are not used in the admission process. Those students who are planning a visit to Boston College will have the chance to meet students and staff members through our Eagle Eye Sessions and Campus Tours. For those students who have even further questions, staff members will be available to speak with you upon request.

FAQ: COSTS AND FINANCES

Is financial aid available to international students? U.S. Permanent Residents? U.S. citizens living abroad?

Detailed information about financing an education for international students, U.S. Permanent Residents, and U.S. citizens living abroad can be found on our Costs & Finances page.

Are there other sources of financial aid available for international students?

Boston College provides international students with information on external scholarships and foundations that work with students to assist them in financing their education.

The estimated budget on the Confidential Declaration of Finances form is higher than the costs listed in my admission packet. Do international students pay a higher tuition than domestic students?

No. The tuition, room, board, and fees that international students are charged are the same costs charged to our domestic students. Other figures are listed to account for increased indirect costs such as travel expenses and other expenses that international students may incur.

STANDARDIZED TESTS

Boston College requires that international students fulfill the standardized testing requirement in one of the following two ways:

• Students may take the SAT I.
• Students may take the ACT with the optional Writing examination.

In addition to the SAT I or the ACT w/ Writing, all international students who do not speak English as their primary language are required to take the TOEFL examination.

Do I have to take the TOEFL?

Yes. The TOEFL examination is a required credential for all students whose first language is not English/ Many times, international students' SAT Critical Reading scores are lower than those earned by domestic applicants. The TOEFL gives us more information about the students' English skills that would help us in making a decision. In most cases, a strong TOEFL score strengthens the candidacy of our international students. The recommended minimum TOEFL score for admission is a 600 (PBT), 250 (CBT), or 100 (iBT).

ACADEMICS

The educational system in my country differs significantly from the system in the United States. Will this affect my candidacy for admission?

No. The Committee on Transfer Admission takes seriously its commitment to learning the educational systems from around the world. Students can be confident that the Committee will fully understand the educational background of each international candidate.

Because the educational system in my country differs from the system in the U.S., I am unfamiliar with the U.S. grading system. How do I know if I will be a realistic candidate in the application pool at Boston College?

Successful students at Boston College typically perform at the top of their educational systems' grading scales. Most secondary programs categorize students' performance as superior, excellent, good, fair, poor, etc. Students performing at the excellent or superior levels should be realistic candidates for admission to Boston College.

Does Boston College award credit for IB programs and other foreign programs (such as the "A-Levels," Baccalaureate, Maturité, etc.)?

No. However, Boston College does allow students to earn advanced placement units with qualifying scores. A full description of placement policies for various world educational systems can be found here.

FAQ: THE CITY OF BOSTON

How do I access the city of Boston?

Boston College is located approximately 6 miles (10 kilometers) west of downtown Boston. The city's subway system, which is part of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA, or "the T" for short), ends at the foot of our campus. On "the T," students can go anywhere in the city. Because of its reliability, convenience, and minimal cost, "the T" is the method of transportation that most people in Boston use.

How do I get to Boston College?

The city of Boston is serviced by Logan International Airport, bus terminals, and train stations. For directions to Boston College from Logan or for driving directions from anywhere in the United States, click here.

FAQ: RESIDENTIAL LIFE

Will I get housing as a transfer student?

Housing availability is variable. For the past two semesters, we have been able to offer incoming transfer students at least one semester of guaranteed housing to begin their time at Boston College. Once enrolled, students need to check with the Residence Life Office regarding future availability. Students should expect to live off campus at least part of the time for which they are enrolled at Boston College.

May I live off campus if I choose?

Yes. Information about off-campus housing can be found at the Office of Residential Life web site.

May I have a car on campus?

No. There are a limited number of parking spaces (150) on campus for Juniors and Seniors only. These spaces are reserved for students who need an automobile for a pre-practicum or similar experience. Spaces are awarded through an application process. Most students will tell you, however, that "the T" is the only way to travel, and that, if they were given the opportunity to have a car on campus, they would not.

FAQ: MISCELLANEOUS QUESTIONS

Is Boston College a college or a university?

Boston College was once a small college located in downtown Boston. Over the course of the past 14 decades, Boston College has evolved into a full university and is now located in the Boston suburb of Chestnut Hill. More…

Should I attend International Orientation?

Yes. The International Orientation is specifically designed to meet the needs of international students and is designed to complement the regular Transfer Orientation. The Orientation begins three days prior to the regular orientation in the end of August, and is run by the Office of International Students and Scholars at Boston College.

How do I obtain a student visa?

Upon admission to Boston College, students will receive a Confidential Declaration of Finances form which must be filled out by the student, parents, and the family's bank. This form provides evidence of financial support for the first year at Boston College and is a requirement in order to receive a Form I-20. The Form I-20 is used to obtain a student visa. More…