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We review each application thoughtfully and make an effort to get to know each unique candidate. In making admissions decisions, we consider grades, what you do outside of school, teachers’ and others’ appraisals, and how you express yourself through writing. Messina College is test-optional and doesn't require standardized test scores.
2023-2024 Messina College Application
PrintExplore each required or optional component of the Messina College application to learn more about our application review.
Application
For our Messina College admission process, Boston College uses a custom application. We require that all candidates submit their application electronically.
Candidates are required to apply to one of Messina College’s four distinct majors: Applied Data Science, Applied Psychology and Human Development, General Business, or Health Sciences. We strongly encourage students to apply to their first choice major, as it can be challenging to change majors later in the admission process or once they have enrolled.
To begin your Messina College application, please click on the box below. We offer both Early Decision and Rolling Admission. Before you make your choice, you can learn about both decision plans here.
Early Decision Application - Deadline has passed
As you begin filling out your application, you will note all of the various application sections outlined on the left side of your application screen. While most of these sections do not need any explanation, we have provided some additional information about a few of them in the other boxes on this page.
Messina College aspires to educate underserved communities. Priority will be given to students who are the first in their family to attend college, first generation students, and students from families with high financial need.
Please note that Messina College is only open to students studying at secondary schools in the United States. If you are interested in our four-year undergraduate opportunities, you can find more information here.
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.
Personal Statement
The Messina College Personal Statement is required for all applicants, and it is an opportunity for the Admission Office to assess your writing. Most importantly, we would like you to tell us more about yourself as we learn your story beyond what is found elsewhere in your application. In addition, we would like to learn more about your reasons for applying and your genuine interest in attending Messina College. Why Messina? (650 word limit)
Please note you will upload your Personal Statement as part of the online application process.
High School Transcript
Your academic achievement is an important measure of your preparedness for Messina College. We seek students who have displayed the ability to work hard in the classroom and succeeded throughout the course of their high school career. In particular, we are looking for students who have achieved an approximate B average in a primarily college preparatory curriculum. However, we appreciate that high schools can offer a variety of academic programs, including increased rigor, and consider that during our application review process.
Submitting Your Transcript(s)
In order to be considered as part of your Messina College application, your official high school transcript must be submitted online by your high school as part of the School Report submission (see Supporting Materials section). Please note that we cannot accept any academic credentials from students.
Supporting Materials
In addition to the application, Boston College requires that you also submit the following materials:
The School Report - Your school counselor submits this form along with your official transcript. In this section of the application, all you need to do is provide your school counselor’s name and contact information. They will then automatically be invited to submit both the School Report and your official high school transcript.
Teacher Recommendation - You are required to submit one teacher evaluation as part of your application to Messina College. We recommend that this evaluation is written by a teacher who has taught you in one of the five main academic subject areas (English, Foreign Language, History/Social Sciences, Math, or Natural/Lab Science). This recommendation is helpful in assessing your academic achievement and contributions to your school, and is also an opportunity for us to learn more about you. You will find instructions on how to make your teacher recommendation request in the application.
Nomination Form
We require one nomination form to be submitted as part of your Messina College application. A nominator will typically be your school counselor, but other options may include another school administrator or your community-based organization advisor. However, your nominator may not be the same person who submitted your teacher recommendation as we would like to hear from multiple voices regarding your candidacy.
The Nomination Form is helpful in assessing your academic achievement and ability, as well as contributions to your school, and is also an opportunity for us to learn more about you. In addition, the Nomination Form is important in determining both your fit for Messina College and genuine level of interest in enrolling in Messina College.
You will find instructions on how to invite your nominator in the application.
Optional Interview
In enrolling 100 students for each incoming class, one of Messina College’s goals is to provide a strong community for all students on the Brookline Campus. We want to offer the opportunity for an interview to each Messina College applicant. While optional, we look forward to meeting applicants and learning more about both their potential as members of the Messina College and Boston College communities, as well as their interest in becoming a member of our community.
Once your Messina College application is complete, you will have the option to register for an interview in your Applicant Status Portal. Please note that interviews for Early Decision applicants will be scheduled first and conclude no later than January 15th. Interviews for Rolling Admission candidates will begin to be scheduled after January 16th.
No Application Fee
Messina College’s mission is to provide educational opportunities to students with significant financial need from first-generation backgrounds and to serve as an entry point into higher education. To help ensure access to our admission process, there is no application fee.
Optional Standardized Testing
Messina College is test-optional.
If you would like us to consider an ACT or SAT score as part of your application, please send your Score Report to bcapplicant@bc.edu. When sending the email, please include your name and “Messina College Applicant” as part of the subject line.
Should you choose to submit standardized testing for consideration during evaluation of your application, it is your responsibility to ensure that we receive all of your standardized testing by the stated application deadlines.
Deadlines and Notifications
Early Decision
Deadline: December 1
Early Decision is a binding admission program for students
who view Messina College as their top choice.
Notification: By January 16
Early Decision applicants will be notified of their
admission decision no later than January 16.
Rolling Admission: Priority Deadline
Deadline: January 16
Submitting a completed application and all application requirements
by this priority deadline guarantees that there are still spaces available.
Notification: By February 6
Rolling Admission applicants who meet the
January 16 priority deadline by submitting all
admission and financial aid application requirements will be
notified of their admission decision by February 6.
Rolling Admission: General
Deadline: Rolling
For those who submit their completed application after January 16, we will continue to accept applications on a space-available basis.
Notification: Rolling
Applicants will be notified of their admission decision approximately
three weeks after their completed application is submitted. In order for
admission notification to occur, an applicant must have also
submitted a completed financial aid application.
As soon as you submit your completed Messina College application, you will automatically be sent to your Applicant Status Portal. You can check the status of your application there at any time.
We look forward to getting in touch with you through the email you provided on your Messina College Application. Please add "bcapplicant@bc.edu" to your list of approved email senders to ensure that you receive this email and other important application related communications.
As an applicant, you will use your Applicant Status Portal to monitor your application checklist and view your admission decision. You can also use the portal to:
- Check the status of your financial aid application
- Update your email and mailing address
- Withdraw your application
- View your admission decision
No. All required materials (transcript(s), nomination form, recommendation, etc.) must be submitted electronically or via mail and must be official documents.