Options Through Education (OTE) Transitional Program
Mission
The mission of the Options Through Education (OTE) Transitional Program is to prepare a select group of diverse students who have demonstrated excellence and leadership in spite of challenging educational, personal, and/or financial circumstances. This program nurtures student’s academic, social, cultural, and spiritual development during their four years at Boston College and beyond.
Our goal is to prepare students who are intellectually competent, open to growth, loving, and committed to justice.
The OTE Program was established in 1979 and has a proven record of success in the retention and graduation of students at Boston College.
OTE Learning Outcomes
- Facilitate student academic success and personal development by providing a community of support and resources to help students succeed.
- Expose resources at Boston College, including leadership and co-curricular opportunities, academic areas of study and work study opportunities.
- Implement weekend trips to enhance the spiritual, emotional and intellectual growth of students.
- Review available academic supports and improve study skills.
- Facilitate cultural competency workshops for students to articulate identity.
Goals
Sponsored by the Thea Bowman AHANA (African-American, Hispanic, Asian, and Native Americans) and Intercultural Center, the OTE Program has several goals:
- To provide a community of support and resources to help students succeed at Boston College.
- To help students get acclimated socially to Boston College and build long lasting relationships.
- To help build academic abilities especially in the areas of Math, English, Critical Thinking, and Study Skills.
- To engage students in questions of cultural, racial, and ethnic identity development.
- To engage students in questions of spiritual development.
- Emphasizing personal growth and development, the OTE Program provides an introduction to the academic and social aspects of college life. An intensive and enriching experience, the OTE Program balances a challenging academic curriculum (English, Math, and Communication Skills) with tutoring services and a variety of social activities.
OTE Yearbooks
- 2020 OTE Yearbook
- 2019 OTE Yearbook
- 2018 OTE Yearbook
- 2017 OTE Yearbook
- 2016 OTE Yearbook
- 2015 OTE Yearbook
Frequently Asked Questions
The Undergraduate Admission Office and the Thea Bowman AHANA and Intercultural Center select a diverse group of students based on rigorous criteria of accomplishments, determination, leadership, talents, and potential in spite of challenging educational and financial circumstances.
25 students
Begins: Sunday, July 9, 2023 | Ends: Wednesday, August 23, 2023
- Waived from $500 enrollment/deposit confirmation fee
- 7 week college summer transitional program at BC (includes tuition, housing, and meals, social events, trips, and more!)
- Earn graduation credits for courses passed during the summer; BC Literature Core requirement will be fulfilled
- On campus housing for four years
As an OTE student, you will receive academic, financial and counseling support and build a community of peers, faculty and staff during your 4 years at Boston College through some of the following programs/services (to name a few):
- Lift As You Climb Peer Mentoring Program
- Mays Mentoring Program
- Dr. Donald Brown OTE Book Award (financial assistance for textbooks)
- Sr. Thea Hospitality Closet (personal care products)
- Professional Development and Internship Opportunities
The Admission Committee believes that participating in the program will help selected students build on their strengths and prepare them to succeed at Boston College.
There is no cost for courses, campus housing, meals, social events, and trips. You will need to bring personal spending money for any additional needs during the program (e.g., buying souvenirs during trips, eating off-campus, etc.).
All OTE students will be enrolled in English, Math, Skills for Success Workshop and the BC 101 Seminar in the summer. You will receive 6 college credits for the English and Math course and the English course will be counted towards the Boston College Literature Core requirement!
Each Saturday, all students go on trips planned by the staff to various points of interest in the Greater Boston area. In previous years, trips included the Boston Duck tour, a tour of Fenway Park, Martha’s Vineyard, the Boston Food Bank, Six Flags New England, bowling, etc. Students have also organized talent shows, socials, sports tournaments, and more. These trips and activities are important in building community, developing friendships, and gaining exposure to the New England area.
Prior to accepting your offer to BC, students must speak with the Coordinator of the OTE program about any specific circumstances that may require an exemption to missing any part of the program.
Students are expected to participate in ALL events, including Saturday trips. Students may check out to leave campus after their last commitment on Saturday. There are no overnight stays off campus during the program with the exception of one weekend (July 28-29) when students may leave campus and stay overnight and return by Sunday at 6 p.m.
Due to the rigor of the program and the activities you will be participating in, students may not work during the program.
Yes. You will participate in Orientation Session V.
If you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at 617-552-4505 or OTE@bc.edu.