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Doctoral Application Process & Checklist

It is the applicant's responsibility to complete and submit:

1. Application Form: The online application is preferred.
2. Three References: use the PhD Letter of Recommendation Form (PDF) and submit references from three individuals familiar with your academic and scholarly work. At least one of the references must be from one of your past professors. 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.
3. Personal Statement: a two- or three-page typewritten statement describing:
   • Your reasons for pursuing doctoral education at BC at this time;
     Specific academic and work experiences that have prepared you for doctoral education.
   • Your educational objectives while in the doctoral program.
   • Your future professional objectives.
4. Transcripts: sealed copies of official transcript(s) of all previous college and graduate courses taken.
5. GRE Score: an official score report from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) earned within the last five years. GSSW School Code is 3219.
6. TOEFL Score: if your native language is not English, submit an official score report from the Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL). GSSW School Code is 95. The TOEFL is required of all non-native speakers unless they have completed two years of university-level coursework in an English-language institution.
7. Resume: include your resume or a chronological list (starting with the most recent) of all relevant employment since high school, including summer jobs and internships you consider significant. Please also include all relevant volunteer or other experience with service-oriented groups. For each job or volunteer experience, please include your title; the number of months and/or years you held the position, and the number of hours worked each week.
8. Writing Sample: submit a piece of writing that shows evidence of ability to think creatively and to write clearly. Published articles, a master's thesis, unpublished papers, or term papers may be submitted as evidence.
9. Application Fee: a $40.00 check or money order payable to "Trustees of Boston College" for the application fee. Please note that this fee is not refundable.  If you submit an electronic application, you will be given the option to pay online.
10. Check Application Status

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

An acknowledgment card will be forwarded to you as soon as the Admissions Office receives your complete packet. Folders will be reviewed in the order of their completion.

Financial Aid

Please review the PhD Financial Aid. All accepted doctoral students receive merit-based financial support. For a majority of students, this multi-year financial aid package includes full tuition and a substantial stipend.

Students may also apply for need-based financial aid through both the university and the Graduate School of Social Work. In order to receive consideration for need-based aid by either the GSSW or the university, applicants must file several forms with the Boston College Financial Aid Office.

Interviews & Admissions Decisions

Although a personal interview is not normally required as part of the application procedure, it may be arranged at the request of the doctoral committee. Applicants will be notified in writing as soon as possible regarding decisions on admission. The GSSW should be notified immediately of any change of plans or address after the application is submitted.