Home > admissions > articles > Boston College Admissions Information

Boston College Admissions Information

Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA (map)

 

As its motto (“ever to excel”) suggests, Boston College emphasizes academic achievement. Students are attracted to the school as much for its rigorous coursework as for its Division I athletics. You are likely to find Boston College students as passionate in the classroom as they are when filling the 45,000 seats of Alumni Stadium in maroon and gold. Regularly ranked in the top 40 colleges in America, BC is a challenging yet welcoming environment for students.

Located just outside Boston in the historic village of Chestnut Hill, the BC campus 0ffers students a small-town atmosphere with easy access to the big city. The community is diverse, with students from all 50 states and 96 countries worldwide. Nearly half of all BC students participate in an international experience (e.g., summer or semester abroad) before graduating. As a Jesuit school with a Roman-Catholic affiliation, BC does not have fraternities or sororities, but the school’s 200 clubs and organizations keep students extremely busy nonetheless.

 

 

Basic Info

Main Address: 140 Commonwealth Avenue
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
 
Phone Number: (617) 552-3100  
Website: http://www.bc.edu  

Characteristics

Type of school: Private, Jesuit (Roman Catholic)  
Type of school: Coed  
Setting: Suburban, small city  
Athletics: NCAA Division I, Intercollegiate, Intramural, Club, Scholarship  
Degrees offered: Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral  
Size of undergraduate student body: 9,171  
Percent out-of-state: 76%  
Percent international: 2.88%  
Female to Male ratio: 50:50  

Academic Life

Student to Professor ratio: 13:1  
Most popular majors: Business/Marketing (23%)
Social Sciences (15%)
Communications/Journalism (10%)
Psychology (10%)
English (7%)
History (7%)
Biology (6%)
 
Special study programs: Accelerated program
Cross-registration
Distance learning
Double major
ESL
Honors program
Independent study
Internships
Liberal arts/Career combination
ROTC, Air Force
ROTC, Army
ROTC, Navy
Student-designed major
Study abroad
Teacher certification
Visiting/exchange student program
Washington semester
 

Campus Life

Housing options:
Coed housing
Special housing for disabled students
Women's housing
Wellness housing (alcohol/drug/smoke-free)
Activities:
Campus ministries
Campus band
Drama
International students
Literary magazine
Music ensembles
Pep band
Student government
Symphony orchestra
Yearbook
Choral groups
Dance
Film society
Jazz band
Marching band
Musical theater
Radio station
Student newspaper
Television station

Fun Facts

  • Ranked #10 "LGBT-Friendly Environment"
  • Almost 50% of all students have an international experience before they graduate
  • Ranked #10 "Students Pack the Stadiums"
  • BC's main campus is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
 

Admissions Information

With an acceptance rate of 31%, Boston College is a competitive school. BC makes use of the Common Application, but students also must submit a required supplement, as well as an essay, transcript, and two recommendations. Applicants must also complete and submit either the SAT and two SAT II Subject Tests, or the ACT with its writing component. BC offers a Restrictive Early Action program that notifies applicants by late December. While this program requires an earlier submission of students' applications, it is not binding.

Admission to Boston College is based on a wide range of qualities. Among the most important factors are GPA, standardized test scores, and essay. The admissions board also places importance on the rigor of a student's high school courses, alumni relations, class rank, teacher recommendations, religious affiliation, and volunteer work. While there is no absolute formula BC uses to make its decisions, it is clear that the school seeks students who excel both in and out of the classroom.

Admissions address: Devlin Hall 208
140 Commonwealth Avenue
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467-3809
 
Phone number: (617) 552-3100  
Fax number: (617) 552-0798  
Admissions Website: http://www.bc.edu/admission/undergrad/contact.html  
Email:    
Contact Person:    
Number of first-year applications received: 29,289  
Percent of applicants admitted: 30%  

Application Information

Regular application deadline: January 1  
Early decision/action deadline: November 1  
Accepts the Common Application? Yes  
Admission requirements: Transcript
School Report
Guidance or College Counselor Evaluation
2 Teacher Evaluations
 

Application Information

Standardized test scores required? SAT I and two SAT II OR ACT with writing
TOEFL (for non-US citizens whose primary language is not English)
 
Policy regarding SAT score-use: Considers highest section score for all test dates; strongly encourages submission of test scores from each test date.  
 
Middle 50% Scores

Low


Average


High
% Who Submitted Scores
SAT Critical Reading
610
650
700
86%
SAT Math
640
690
730
86%
SAT Writing
630
680
720
86%
ACT Composite
29
31
32
14%

 
College Board code: 3083  
ACT code: 1788  
Learn more about other Small New England schools:
Clark   Brandeis   Holy Cross  

Share This Information:

StudyPoint is a national leader in one-to-one, in-home test prep and academic tutoring. The test-taking techniques and strategies taught in our SAT tutoring and ACT tutoring programs enable students to earn higher test scores and gain admissions to competitive colleges and universities. Our expert subject tutors and personalized lesson plans help students earn better grades and become happier, more confident students. Whether you're looking for a math tutor or any other type of academic tutoring, StudyPoint can help. To learn about tutoring programs in your area, feel free to contact us for more information.

About the College Admissions Profiles

Searching for the right college or university? StudyPoint can help! Check out StudyPoint’s College Admissions Profiles for all the essential information on schools you’re researching. Learn about student life, review admissions requirements, and see how your scores compare to those of the current freshman class. Search for a specific school or browse the categories below to find the school that’s the best match for you!

About StudyPoint

StudyPoint offers private, in-home SAT, PSAT, ACT & SSAT tutoring. Our staff also includes expert math, science, foreign language, and writing tutors.

LEARN MORE

PARENT'S GUIDE TO COLLEGE ADMISSION

DOWNLOAD FOR FREE
close

Our newsletter is designed to offer you grade- and season- specific information that will help you navigate and stay on top of the college admissions process. We need high school graduation year to provide you with timely, relevant information. You can unsubscribe at any time.