We review each application with a level of thoroughness and thoughtfulness that reflects the time and effort you have invested in Boston College. In making admission decisions, we consider grades, standardized test scores, what you do outside of school, teachers’ and others’ appraisals, and how you express yourself through writing.

Application Requirements

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Please note: Boston College does not conduct interviews as part of the admission process.

Common Application

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Chris O'Brien

Associate Director Chris O'Brien

Boston College uses the Common Application. We require that all candidates submit their application electronically:

commonapp.org

 

Selecting an Academic Division
Candidates are not required to select a major on the Common Application when applying to Boston College, but they 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. 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

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Caitlin Fairfield Hasson

Senior Assistant Director Caitlin Fairfield Hasson

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 2018-2019 application cycle (400 word limit):

  1. 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?
  2. 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?
  3. 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?
  4. 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

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Billy Rison

Senior Assistant Director Billy Rison

  • All students must submit either the SAT or ACT.
  • SAT subject tests are optional. If you would like to highlight a talent in a specific area, 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. Click here for additional information regarding advanced placement. 
  • Official standardized test results must be sent directly from the testing agency to Boston College. Boston College's SAT CEEB code is 3083. Boston College's ACT code is 1788. 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.   
  • Boston College does not require the Optional Essay on the SAT or the Optional Writing portion on the ACT.
  • If you submit multiple scores, we will superscore the tests for our evaluation.
  • We require the TOEFL examination or the IELTS for all international applicants whose primary native language is not English and who attend a secondary school outside of the U.S.  Minimum scores of 100 on the iBT and 7.5 on the IELTS are recommended. Boston College's Institutional Testing Code is 3083. The Department Code is 00. We will only waive the IELTS or TOEFL requirement if you score 650 or above on the SAT EBRW or 29 or better on the ACT English section. 
  • If you have attended a U.S. high school for at least three years, and you are enrolled in a traditional academic curriculum without ESOL coursework, the TOEFL or IELTS exam is not required. If you feel further evidence of your English skills will enhance your application, you are still welcome to send those test scores.
  • 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 the October 2019 SAT as long as scores are received by November 15.
 

High School Transcript

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Danielle Wells

Associate Director Danielle Wells

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: 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 Processing Center
P.O. Box 67485
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467

Courier Service (FedEx, DHL, UPS)
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

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Owen Grover

Assistant Director Owen Grover

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

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Dave Weber

Associate Director Dave Weber

Boston College, a university located in the Boston suburb of Chestnut Hill, is home to over 350 international students. Boston College's 9,300 undergraduates come from diverse backgrounds and perspectives, leading to a vibrant and enriching campus atmosphere.

International Applicants

A student is considered an international applicant if he/she is not a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident.

Applying as an International Student

Our international students follow the same application requirements as our first-year or transfer applicants.

  • Test Requirements
    • All international students must meet the same testing requirements as our first-year or transfer students.
    • We require the TOEFL examination or the IELTS for all international applicants whose primary native language is not English. If you attend a secondary school outside the U.S., we require that you submit a TOEFL or IELTS score. Minimum scores of 100 on the iBT or 7.5 on the IELTS are recommended. Boston College's Institutional Testing Code is 3083. The Department Code is 00. A score of 650 or above on the SAT EBRW or 29 or better on the ACT English section waives the TOEFL/IELTS requirement.
    • If you have attended a U.S. high school for at least three years, and you are enrolled in a traditional academic curriculum without ESOL coursework, the TOEFL or IELTS exam is not required. If you feel further evidence of your English skills will enhance your application, you are still welcome to send those test scores.
  • InitialView Interviews
    • 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. Applicants should complete their interviews by November 15 for Early Decision I and January 15 for Early Decision II and Regular Decision.

Financial Aid

Boston College is unable to provide need-based financial aid to international students. Therefore, international students should be prepared to finance the full cost of their Boston College education. Visit our page for international students to learn more about financing a Boston College education.

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 by February 1. These students will be invited to Boston College at our expense for interviews and evaluation in early March. They will be notified of final decisions shortly thereafter. 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

 

Agora Portal

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