QuestBridge Applicants
Boston College is excited to be a part of QuestBridge, a highly respected nonprofit program that helps high-achieving, low-income students gain admission and scholarships to the country’s top-ranked colleges and universities. This partnership aligns with Boston College's values as a Jesuit, Catholic university.
Interested students can fill out the QuestBridge application, which opens in late summer prior to a student’s senior year of high school.
Contact
Associate Director, Office of Undergraduate Admission
617-552-3100
danielle.wells@bc.edu
Financial Aid
Boston College meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students. All QuestBridge applicants to Boston College are considered for need-based aid provided they submit the FAFSA, CSS/Financial Aid Profile, and federal income tax returns.
Match Requirements
PrintDeadline: November 1
The following items are required in addition to the QuestBridge Application.
Boston College QuestBridge Questionnaire
Upon receiving your National College Match Application, we'll send you the Boston College QuestBridge Questionnaire. This questionnaire is required in order for us to complete your application.
Standardized Testing
Self-Reported or Official Reports
SAT code: 3083
ACT code: 1788
Boston College requires standardized testing as part of our application review. We accept the ACT or SAT and don't require any Optional Writing portion. If you submit multiple scores, we will superscore the tests for our evaluation. Although SAT subject tests are not required, you're welcome to submit SAT Subject Tests for consideration with your application.
Boston College will accept self-reported ACT or SAT test scores only for QuestBridge students participating in the National College Match process. Official ACT or SAT score reports are required prior to enrolling at Boston College.
If the cost of sending test scores from the ACT or College Board would present a financial burden, you can have your guidance or college counselor email a copy of your score report to bcapplicant@bc.edu. We also accept test scores that are reported on official high school transcripts.
FAFSA
2020–2021 FAFSA
FAFSA code: 002128
Available: October 1. Match applicants must complete the FAFSA by November 1.
U.S. Citizens and Eligible Non-Citizens
CSS Profile
CSS code: 3083
Available: October 1
Select Early Decision as your admission application type.
If your parents are divorced or separated:
- Your noncustodial parent must submit a separate CSS Profile online.
- After your custodial parent completes the CSS Profile, you'll be asked to provide an email address for your noncustodial parent.
- Your noncustodial parent will then receive an email from the College Board with instructions on how to complete their CSS Profile online.
- If you don't have any contact with your noncustodial parent, then you may submit a request to waive the requirement of their financial information.
2019 Federal Tax Returns
Please submit required tax returns with all schedules, attachments, and W-2 forms to:
Boston College
Financial Aid Processing Center
P.O. Box 67486
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
If your parents own or operate a business, partnership or corporation, include a copy of the appropriate 2019 business, partnership or corporate tax returns. If your parents are divorced or separated, both biological parents must separately submit a signed copy of their 2019 federal income tax return, including all schedules, W-2s, 1099s, and any other earnings statements used to file the federal income tax return.
Applicants who choose to rank Boston College in QuestBridge’s National College Match apply to Boston College through Early Decision I, submitting their application by November 1st. Applicants who choose this option are considered for a match with Boston College, which would include an official binding offer of admission. Applicants who match with Boston College will be notified of their admission decision and financial aid award by early December.
Applicants who rank Boston College but don't match will be asked to fill out the Boston College Applicant Verification Form and will have the option to move their application to the Early Decision II or Regular Decision application pool. If you no longer want to be considered for admission to Boston College, email us to have your application withdrawn. However, if you match with a partner school through a binding Early Decision commitment, your application will be automatically withdrawn.
Non-Match Applicants
QuestBridge students who don’t participate in the National College Match process with Boston College are encouraged to submit their QuestBridge application to Boston College. These students can apply to BC through Early Decision I, Early Decision II, or Regular Decision.
Non-Match Finalists
QuestBridge students who participate in the National College Match process with Boston College and are not selected as part of this process will automatically be considered in the Regular Decision application pool. They can also be considered for Early Decision II upon submitting the Early Decision Agreement. All non-match finalists interested in remaining a candidate for admission must submit the Boston College Applicant Verification form, which includes the Boston College Supplemental Essay question. You must submit this form by January 1.
Boston College meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students. All QuestBridge applicants to Boston College will be considered for need-based aid provided they submit the FAFSA (Code: 002128), CSS/Financial Aid Profile (Code: 3083), and federal income tax returns.
If you want to be considered for the Gabelli Presidential Scholars Program, Boston College’s academic merit-based scholarship program, you must submit your Early Decision or Regular Decision application by November 1. All applicants who submit their application by the priority scholarship deadline date are automatically considered.
Options Following The Match Process
Early Decision II
Finalists who don't match with Boston College can be considered for Early Decision II. If you're interested in this option, submit the Boston College Applicant Verification form, which will include the Boston College Supplemental Essay question. You must submit this form by January 1. Note that this is a binding admission process and also requires applicants to complete the Early Decision Agreement.
Regular Decision
Any finalist who doesn't match with Boston College will automatically be moved to the Regular Decision applicant pool. Finalists interested in remaining a candidate for admission must submit the Boston College Applicant Verification form, which will include the Boston College Supplemental Essay question. You must submit this form by January 1.
If you no longer wish to be considered for admission to Boston College and want your application withdrawn, contact the Office of Undergraduate Admission.
Frequently Asked Questions
Print
Should I select Early Decision or Regular Decision when applying to Boston College to be considered for the National College Match?
Please select Early Decision under Entry Term by November 1 to be considered for the College Match process.
What happens after you receive my application from QuestBridge?
Once we receive your application, you’ll receive an email with your login credentials for your applicant portal, which will allow you to see documents that have been received and those that are pending. For students participating in the National College Match, you must also complete the Boston College QuestBridge Questionnaire. If you don’t reach the matching round (non-match finalists) or are not participating in the Match process with BC, you must also complete the Boston College Applicant Verification Form. We will need these forms to complete your application.
Are fee waivers provided for the CSS profile?
See your counselor at your high school regarding testing and financial aid document fee waivers.
Are interviews required or available as part of the College Match Process for QuestBridge applicants?
Interviews are not part of our evaluation process and thus neither available nor required for QuestBridge applicants.
Are there any other documents that I need to submit in addition to my completed QuestBridge application?
For students participating in the National College Match, you must also complete the Boston College QuestBridge Questionnaire. If you are not a finalist or are not participating in the Match, you must also complete the Boston College Applicant Verification Form. We'll send you these forms upon receiving your application and will need these forms to complete your application.
Do I qualify to apply for the QuestBridge National College Match at BC if I am not a U.S. Citizen or U.S. Permanent Resident?
Boston College is unable to consider international citizens studying in the U.S. for the National College Match.
Can undocumented/DACA students apply to the QuestBridge National College Match at BC?
Yes, we will consider all applicants through this process, independent of their citizenship status.
Will you accept self-reported test scores as part of my application?
Boston College will accept self-reported ACT or SAT test scores only for QuestBridge students participating in the National College Match process. Note that official ACT or SAT score reports will be required prior to enrolling at Boston College.
Do you offer fly-in programs for prospective applicants?
We don't offer fly-in programs for prospective students, but you can connect with us in these ways:
- Sign up for our mailing list to receive more information about BC and upcoming webinars.
- Join us at an event near you. Our team of Admission Counselors travels extensively throughout the year to visit high schools and host events in major cities. See your school counselor for additional information.
- Visit campus if you are in the area.
- Connect with one of our Student Admission Program volunteers with your questions about BC.
Will BC accept the QuestBridge application in lieu of the Common Application?
For the National College Match, we accept only the QuestBridge Application. For students applying outside of the Match process, we encourage you to submit the QuestBridge Application in lieu of the Common Application, but we will also accept the Common Application.
Is the QuestBridge Match Process binding?
Yes, this process is binding—meaning that you will be expected to enroll at Boston College if selected through the Match process. You will also have to withdraw your applications from all other colleges and universities to which you have applied.
Which financial aid documents are necessary if I ranked BC through the National College Match process?
We require both the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the CSS Profile (including the Noncustodial Parent Statement, if necessary). BC's FAFSA code is 002128. BC's CSS Profile code is 3083. In addition, we also require 2019 Federal Tax Returns. The priority filing date is November 1.
Please mail all financial aid documents to:
Boston College Financial Aid Processing Center
P.O. Box 67486
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
I’m a QuestBridge finalist who ranked Boston College for the College Match, but I didn't match to a binding college. What happens to my application?
Students who aren't selected as part of the Match process with Boston College will have their status changed to Non-Match Finalist, and their application will automatically be considered in the Regular Decision applicant pool. They can also be considered for Early Decision II upon submitting the Early Decision Agreement. All Non-Match Finalists interested in remaining a candidate for admission must submit the Boston College Applicant Verification form, which includes the Boston College Supplemental Essay question. You must submit this form by January 1.
If I want to be considered for Early Decision II, what are my next steps?
Finalists who don’t match with Boston College can be considered for Early Decision II. Finalists interested in this option must submit the Boston College Applicant Verification form, which includes the Boston College Supplemental Essay question. You must submit this form by January 1.
Note that this is a binding admission process, and you also must complete the Early Decision Agreement. We encourage you to review our policy on Early Decision.
Do I need to complete the Common Application to be considered for admission to Boston College if I was not selected through the College Match process?
No, you don’t have to complete the Common Application to be considered. We will accept the QuestBridge application if you'd like your application to be considered for Early Decision I, Early Decision II, or Regular Decision.
I didn’t match through the College Match process, and I no longer want to be considered for admission to Boston College. What are my next steps?
Please email bcapplicant@bc.edu to have your application withdrawn.
If I don’t participate in the Match process or if I'm not named a finalist, may I still apply to be considered for admission at Boston College?
QuestBridge students who don’t participate in the match process with Boston College or don’t reach the matching round (non-finalists) are still encouraged to submit the QuestBridge Application for consistency purposes. These students can apply to Boston College through Early Decision I, Early Decision II, or Regular Decision round. Please review our Early Decision policy.
How can I track my financial aid status?
Once we receive your application, you'll receive an email with your login credentials for your applicant portal. Upon logging in, you'll see documents that have been received and those that are pending.
What will my financial aid package look like if I’m selected through the Match process?
The Match Scholarship is offered as part of a generous financial aid package that covers the cost of attendance, including tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and travel expenses. Packages don’t include a parental contribution or student loans. A student contribution in the form of Federal work-study or summer work may be required.
Are there any merit awards that I can qualify for as a non-matched finalist?
The Gabelli Presidential Scholars Program is an academic merit-based scholarship program, covering full tuition for 15 qualified applicants each year. There’s no separate application to be considered —both Early Decision and Regular Decision candidates are eligible for scholarship consideration as long as their completed application is submitted by the November 1 priority scholarship deadline.
If I’m not admitted through the Match process, what kind of financial aid is available?
Boston College is dedicated to meeting the full demonstrated need of the students that apply for financial aid.
learn more about financial aid
What kind of support services are there for students that are the first in their family to attend college, who hail from limited financial means, and/or who are coming from an underrepresented ethnic/cultural group?
Fostering diversity and accessibility on campus is accomplished through multiple campus organizations and partners, such as the Thea Bowman AHANA and Intercultural Center, Montserrat Office, Gateway Scholars Program, McNair Scholars Program, and Learning to Learn Office.