It is the applicant's responsibility to complete and submit:
1. Application Form: Submission of the ONLINE APPLICATION is preferred.
2. Three References: MSW Recommendation Forms (pdf) from at least three references, on or appended to the forms provided. Please indicate your retention or waiver of your right of access before giving this form to those providing references. The recommender must seal the envelope and sign across the seal before submitting.
References should be persons who know the candidate well enough to evaluate his/her potential for the field of social work. If the applicant has been employed in a social agency, one reference should be the most recent employer or supervisor; if currently or recently a student, one reference should be a faculty advisor or instructor. General references on file in college placement offices are not usually adequate for the purposes of this application. References should be person best able to assess potential for the profession, e. g., supervisors of any community or volunteer activities in which the applicant has engaged.
3. Essay: include an essay no longer than five double-spaced pages, addressing:
- Experiences leading to your choice of social work; family, community and educational orientation, and growth experiences stemming from these relationships; instances of your giving and receiving help; other careers considered; relevance of current and or past work experience to your choice of a major field.
- Expectations of what you hope to gain from professional education; reasons for choosing Boston College; goals or plans with particular reference to the specific area of service in which you have decided to major: clinical or macro practice.
- Planning for work or other responsibilities that you anticipate during the course of study; plans for financing your education; assessment of your ability to carry out all responsibilities in addition to your graduate class and field work.
4. Transcripts: sealed copies of official transcript(s) of all previous college and graduate courses taken.
5. Application Fee: a check or money order payable to Boston College for the $40.00 application fee. Please note that this fee is not refundable.
Please return all of the above items in one envelope, if possible, to:
Boston College Graduate School of Social Work
Admissions Processing Center
P.O. Box 227
Randolph, MA 02368-9998