Boston College will remain test-optional for first-year and transfer applicants during the 2021-22 admission cycle due to our concerns for student safety and an uncertain testing landscape related to the COVID-19 global pandemic.
Boston College will continue to acknowledge our incoming students’ aptitude and hard work in rigorous academic coursework by maintaining our Advanced Placement policy which allows students to use qualifying scores to fulfill requirements in the University Core Curriculum.
Boston College understands that high school grading systems varied widely during the spring 2020 semester. Students whose school districts moved to a Pass/Fail (P/F) model, or students who opted for this option due to the unexpected impacts of COVID-19, will not be penalized. Students who opted to complete their coursework on a P/F basis, instead of receiving conventional grades, are welcome to submit a statement explaining the rationale or context for this decision in the designated COVID-19 impacts section of the Common Application. From the 2020-2021 academic year on, we expect most students to have grades available. For students who are given an option to receive grades or continue on a P/F model, we urge them to submit grades in order to demonstrate strong academic performance within our highly selective admission process.
We expect students learning in a remote setting will continue their hard work and perform at a high level. At the same time, we understand that the disruptions and stress caused by COVID-19 can vary widely for applicants and families. These impacts may have a negative impact on some students’ performance. Students who experienced a significant decline should feel welcome to explain their unique circumstances within the designated COVID-19 impact section of the Common Application.
Yes, Boston College reopened for in-person visits in June 2021. Learn more about our in-person and virtual visit options here.