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Message from the Director
Before you begin the application process, hear from Office of Undergraduate Admission Director Grant Gosselin, who shares some advice and suggestions about applying to Boston College.
2019-2020 Application Requirements
PrintCommon Application
For our undergraduate admission process, Boston College uses the Common Application. We require that all candidates submit their application electronically. Please make sure to carefully select your preference for Early Decision or Regular Decision consideration on the Common Application.
commonapp.org
Selecting an Academic Division
Candidates are required to apply to one of the University's four undergraduate academic divisions: the Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences, Carroll School of Management, Lynch School of Education and Human Development, or Connell School of Nursing. Boston College strongly encourages students to apply to their first choice undergraduate division, as this can be challenging to change later in the undergraduate process. Students do not have to declare a specific major at this time (with the exception of Nursing). Learn more about choosing an academic division.
The Office of Undergraduate Admission deeply values the contributions made by a diverse community of scholars. Learn more about Boston College's notice of nondiscrimination.
Boston College Writing Supplement
The Boston College Writing Supplement must be submitted along with your application to Boston College at www.commonapp.org. Please do not mail or email your essay response.
*Please select one topic
The writing supplement topics for the 2020-2021 application cycle (400 word limit):
- Great art evokes a sense of wonder. It nourishes the mind and spirit. Is there a particular song, poem, speech, or novel from which you have drawn insight or inspiration?
- When you choose a college, you will join a new community of people who have different backgrounds, experiences, and stories. What is it about your background, your experiences, or your story, that will enrich Boston College’s community?
- Boston College strives to provide an undergraduate learning experience emphasizing the liberal arts, quality teaching, personal formation, and engagement of critical issues. If you had the opportunity to create your own college course, what enduring question or contemporary problem would you address and why?
- Jesuit education considers the liberal arts a pathway to intellectual growth and character formation. What beliefs and values inform your decisions and actions today, and how will Boston College assist you in becoming a person who thinks and acts for the common good?
Standardized Testing
Boston College requires standardized testing as part of our application review. We accept the ACT (College Code: 1788) or SAT (CEEB Code: 3083) and we do not require any Optional Writing portion. If you submit multiple scores, we will superscore the tests for our evaluation.
- Official standardized test results must be sent directly from the testing agency to Boston College. If having score reports sent from the College Board or ACT to Boston College presents a financial hardship, applicants should have their high school guidance counselor contact the Office of Undergraduate Admission. Alternatives may be explored on a case-by-case basis.
- SAT subject tests are not required. You are welcome to submit SAT Subject Tests for consideration with your application. Subject Tests, particularly in foreign languages and the sciences, may be used for placement during the first year. Learn more about advanced placement at Boston College.
- It is your responsibility to ensure that we receive all of your standardized testing by the stated application deadlines. For Early Decision I, we will consider October standardized testing.
In addition to the ACT or SAT, international applicants must submit TOEFL or IELTS examination scores. Learn more about standardized testing requirements for international applicants.
High School Transcript
Curriculum Evaluation
Boston College looks for students who are in the most challenging courses available at their high schools. Our most competitive applicants tend to have a high school program with four years of the five main subjects: English, Math, Social Science, Natural Science, and Foreign Language. We do appreciate that high schools can offer a variety of programs and consider that in our application review.
Submitting Your Transcript(s)
All students are required to submit an official high/secondary school transcript. This transcript must be sent by your high school and can be submitted online at commonapp.org or can be mailed (see below for address). Please note that we will not accept any academic credentials from students.
*In order to matriculate at Boston College, a student must submit a final high school transcript or a G.E.D. prior to enrollment.
Mailing Address:
Boston College Undergraduate Admission
Document Processing Center
124 Heritage Avenue Suite #14
Portsmouth, NH 03801
Supporting Materials
In addition to the Common Application, Boston College requires that you also submit the following materials:
The School Report and Counselor Recommendation Form - Your counselor or school official should submit these forms. If your school uses its own school form, we will also accept that document. Traditionally the school form is submitted with a letter of recommendation from your college counselor and your official transcript.
Teacher Evaluations - You are required to submit two teacher evaluations as part of your application to Boston College. We recommend that these evaluations are written by teachers who have taught you in one of the five main academic subject areas (English, social studies, science, math, or foreign language).
Mid-Year Grade Report (Regular Decision and Early Decision deferred candidates) - We require that the Mid-Year Grade Report be submitted as soon as it is available by your counselor or designated school official
Application Fee
The application fee or application fee waiver request must be submitted in order for your application to be reviewed. Your application fee should be submitted with your Common Application. Given the volume of applications Boston College receives, we strongly recommend that you submit the application fee online. If you are unable to submit the fee online, you should mail a check or money order.
*Fee Waiver Request
If submitting the $80 application fee presents a financial hardship for your family and you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you may apply for an application fee waiver. You may apply for a fee waiver through the Common Application.
Optional Credentials for the Arts
For students who plan to pursue a major in studio art or their interests in music and/or theater at Boston College, files of visual and performance art can be uploaded through Slide Room via the Common Application. If you do not intend to formally pursue your artistic talents at Boston College, but you would like to tell us about past experiences you've had in the arts, we encourage you to do so in the "Additional Information" section of the Common Application. All materials must be received via SlideRoom by November 1 for Early Decision I candidates and by January 1 for Early Decision II and Regular Decision candidates. Submissions received after these dates will not be reviewed.
English Proficiency
All international applicants must demonstrate english proficiency by submitting TOEFL or IELTS examination results. A student is considered an international applicant if he/she is not a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident. Learn more about applying as an international student.
Supplementary English Proficiency Options
Students attending a national school in China are encouraged to schedule an interview with InitialView. While not required, a video interview allows candidates the opportunity to demonstrate English proficiency and communication skills to the Admission Committee.
International applicants may also submit the Duolingo English Test as a supplement to TOEFL or IELTS examination results.
Applicants should submit InitialView or Duolingo results by November 15 for Early Decision I and January 15 for Early Decision II and Regular Decision.
In recent years, a small number of Boston College applicants have faced challenges in meeting our application deadlines through no fault of their own. Natural disasters, political unrest, local school strikes and other unexpected events can add a level of complexity to the college application process. To the extent possible, Boston College is committed to working with students to extend deadlines, if necessary. Impacted students should contact us directly to discuss their circumstances.
Early Decision I
Deadline:
November 1
Early Decision I is a binding admission program for students who view Boston College as their top choice.
Notification:
By December 15
Early Decision applicants will be notified of their admission decision no later than December 15.
Early Decision II
Deadline:
January 1
Early Decision II is a binding admission program for students who view Boston College as their top choice.
Notification:
By February 15
Early Decision applicants will be notified of their admission decision no later than February 15.
Regular Decision
Deadline:
January 1
Regular Decision is a non-binding admission program and the majority of applicants apply through Regular Decision.
Notification:
By April 1
Regular Decision applicants will be notified of their admission decision no later than April 1.
Spring Freshmen
Deadline:
November 1
Applicants are considered for freshman entry beginning in January 2020.
Notification:
By December 15
Spring entry freshmen applicants will be notified of their admission decision no later than December 15.
The Gabelli Presidential Scholars Program offers a four-year, full-tuition scholarship
Gabelli Presidential Scholars Program
Each year, Boston College awards fifteen academically merit-based scholarships to incoming freshmen through the Gabelli Presidential Scholars Program. Both Early Decision and Regular Decision candidates are eligible for Presidential Scholarship consideration as long as they meet the November 1 priority scholarship deadline. No additional application materials are required for this scholarship.
The Presidential Scholarship is a four-year, full-tuition scholarship. If a student demonstrates need beyond tuition, as determined by Boston College's institutional analysis, this need would be met with additional scholarship funds.
Finalists for the Gabelli Presidential Scholars Program will be notified of their status in early January. These students will be invited to Boston College at our expense for interviews and evaluation in mid-February. They will be notified of final decisions shortly thereafter.
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Early Decision I and II
If Boston College is your unequivocal first choice, then we would urge you to consider applying through Early Decision. We expect that your academic credentials, extracurricular engagement, and personal qualities will fit the profile of currently enrolled Boston College students.
Both Early Decision options are binding. If admitted through Early Decision to Boston College, you must immediately withdraw applications to other institutions and enroll at Boston College.
How do I check my application status?
We look forward to getting in touch with you through the email you provided on your Common Application. After we receive your submission, we’ll email you login information for our AGORA Portal. You can check the status of your application there at any time.