Decoding Boston College Admissions: GPA, Test Scores, and Holistic Review

Boston College (BC), a distinguished Jesuit research university, has become increasingly selective, attracting bright minds from across the globe. Securing admission to BC requires a multifaceted approach, emphasizing academic excellence, compelling extracurriculars, and a genuine passion for learning. While the Boston College Class of 2029 had a record low acceptance rate of 14%, understanding the key components of the admissions process can significantly enhance your chances of joining the Boston College enrollment.

Academic Excellence: The Foundation of Your Application

GPA Expectations

While Boston College admissions does not explicitly state a minimum GPA requirement for transfer applicants, it is highly competitive. The average GPA of admitted transfer applicants typically hovers around 3.7 on a 4.0 scale. The average GPA at Boston College is 4.09, requiring you to be at the top of your class. You'll need nearly straight A's in all your classes to compete with other applicants. If you're a junior or senior, your GPA is hard to change from this point on. If your GPA is at or below the school average of 4.09, you'll need a higher SAT score to compensate and show that you're prepared to take on college academics.

Standardized Testing: SAT and ACT

Boston College hasn't explicitly named a policy on SAT/ACT requirements, but because it's published average SAT or ACT scores (we'll cover this next), it's likely test flexible. Typically, these schools say, "if you feel your SAT or ACT score represents you well as a student, submit them. The average Boston College SAT scores range from 1460-1540, and the average ACT score ranges from 33-35. However, Boston College admissions is test-optional. So, when it comes to your Boston College SAT scores and ACT scores, you may choose not to submit scores if they don’t meet these averages.

SAT Strategies:

Aim for the 75th percentile: A score of 1520 or higher places you above average.
Superscoring: Boston College considers the highest section score from all your test dates, then combine them to form your Superscore. This means that you can choose which SAT tests you want to send to the school.
Focus on individual sections: Concentrate your prep on sections where you need the most improvement.

ACT Strategies:

Aim for the 75th percentile: A score of 35 or higher is ideal.
Superscoring: Boston College does offer an ACT superscore policy. Even though the highest ACT composite you scored on any one test date was 20, Boston College will take your highest section score from all your test dates, then combine them to form your Superscore.
Maximize attempts: Take the ACT multiple times to improve your Superscore.

Course Rigor and Academic Interests

There is no specific GPA that will guarantee Boston College enrollment. However, Boston College admissions does consistently emphasize the importance of a strong academic record, a drive to succeed, and a track record of interest in your area of study. Take the hardest courses available to you in which you can succeed. Make sure you can balance these with sports, work, service, and any other extracurriculars you pursue. Academic success will heavily determine your ability to stand out to Boston College admissions. Students with qualifying scores on AP, IB, or other accepted exams will be granted advanced placement. Advanced placement units may fulfill Core, major, or minor requirements, but generally are not awarded as credit toward graduation.

Beyond Academics: Showcasing Your Potential

Extracurricular Engagement

Don’t try to build the extracurricular list of the “typical” Boston College applicant to try and impress Boston College admissions. If you are genuinely interested in a field of study, sport, or hobby, let your passion shine in your application. In your Boston College supplemental essays, write bout your variety of interests and the ways you spend your time.

Letters of Recommendation

Boston College requires a school report and counselor recommendation form, in addition to two teacher evaluations.

The Common Application and Writing Supplement

Boston College uses the Common Application, which you must submit by the deadline along with the writing supplement, high school transcript, and other supporting materials. Applicants must apply to one of the four undergraduate divisions: the Carroll School of Management, the Lynch School of Education and Human Development, the Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences, or the Connell School of Nursing. In addition to the Common App personal statement, you also need to submit the Boston College writing supplement.

Understanding Boston College's Academic Environment

Grading System and Academic Standing

The grading system at Boston College consists of 12 categories: A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, D-, and F. Students who withdraw from a course after the extended drop deadline will receive a grade of W. The grade of W isn't included in the calculation of the grade point average. Grades are posted through on the Agora Portal at the end of each semester. A student’s cumulative grade point average includes courses taken at Boston College and those specifically approved by their Associate Dean. The cumulative average doesn't include courses accepted in transfer, including courses taken through the Woods College of Advancing Studies. In order to remain in good standing in the Morrissey College, you must maintain a cumulative GPA of 1.667 or higher.

Dean's List

The Dean’s List recognizes undergraduate students in the Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences who have achieved outstanding academic performance during a given semester. Students who complete at least 12 credits of letter-graded coursework and earn a semester GPA of 3.500 or higher are honored on the Dean’s List. Students who have withdrawn from or failed a course, and students who have received an incomplete grade, are not eligible for the Dean's List. This recognition reflects sustained academic excellence, intellectual commitment, and disciplined scholarship in the Catholic and Jesuit tradition of Boston College.

Credit Requirements and Academic Progress

In order to be eligible for graduation, Morrissey College students must complete at least 120 credits, 96 of which must be MCAS credits, over eight semesters with a minimum cumulative GPA of 1.667. Enrollment status is based on credits rather than courses. To be considered full time, students must be registered for at least 12 credits per semester, and at least nine of those credits must be in courses of three credits or more. Students who fail to complete at least 15 credits per semester will incur credit deficiencies and may be required to make up credits before being allowed to continue. Sophomores, juniors, and seniors can overload and take a sixth course the following semester to make up for a credit deficiency.

Advanced Standing and Acceleration

Beginning with the Class of 2024, students who earned a total of 30 Advanced Placement units may be eligible for Advanced Standing and have the option to complete their undergraduate studies in three years. Students interested in this option should make an appointment with their Associate Dean after completing their first semester; no decisions on Advanced Standing will be made prior to that time. Students seeking Advanced Standing should be prepared to show their Associate Dean a detailed plan to complete all degree requirements by the proposed graduation date. After being in residence for at least three semesters, and no later than the end of the drop/add period in the seventh semester, full-time undergraduate students may apply to their Academic Dean to accelerate their degree program by one semester. Summer courses intended for acceleration must be taken at Boston College.Any credits attempted over 15 in a semester used for acceleration are charged the per credit rate for the semester they are taken.

Additional Academic Considerations

Course Enrollment and Attendance

Students typically cannot enroll in closed or restricted courses. A student who wishes to enroll in a course that is closed or restricted by school, degree, or major should contact the department offering the course to request approval. Students are reminded that the instructor’s attendance policy, as stated in the syllabus, serves as the official procedure for absences. The Associate Deans' office serves as the recipient of necessary documentation and the informant to the instructor. Students encountering absences due to medical, personal or family emergencies should contact their class dean. Upon verification of a valid emergency, the class dean will contact the student's instructors requesting their consideration of an excused absence. Documentation verifying the situation, including specific dates, may be required, and will be kept on file. When requested and appropriate, the reason for the absence can remain confidential. Accommodation of an excused absence (including extension of deadlines and make-up exams) is at the sole discretion of the instructor and may be subject to the student's prior attendance and academic achievement in the course.

Grade Appeals

A student should always attempt to resolve problems concerning the manner in which grades have been awarded or the academic practices of an instructor by direct contact with the instructor. A formal appeal of a course grade, which ought not be entered lightly by a student nor lightly dismissed by an instructor, should be made no later than the sixth week of the following semester. In making a formal appeal, a student files a written statement with the Dean for his or her class. The Dean will then request written responses from both the instructor and Chairperson and submit the case to the Appeals Committee of the Educational Policy Committee. The committee will review the case thoroughly and make a recommendation on resolution to the Dean of the College. All required work in any course must be completed by the date set for the course examination. A student who has not completed the research or written work for a course taken in the fall or spring semester or is absent from the course examination in either semester can, with adequate reason and at the discretion of the instructor, receive a temporary grade of Incomplete (I). All such "I" grades will automatically be changed to "F" on March 1 for the fall, August 1 for the spring, and October 1 for the summer.

Internal Transfers

Matriculated MCAS students wishing to transfer to another undergraduate college within Boston College will be eligible to apply after completing two semesters. Transferring internally is not guaranteed, and selectivity varies by college. Interested students should complete the Internal Transfer Form found on the Academic Forms page and contact the Academic Dean’s Office for which admission is sought. Matriculated students wishing to transfer into the Morrissey College of Arts & Sciences from another undergraduate college are eligible to apply after completing one semester in their current college within the University.

Leaves of Absence

There may be times-due to personal, medical and/or other reasons-when an undergraduate student may need or want to take a leave of absence from the University. Undergraduate students may take either a personal or medical leave. In order to request a leave of absence, students must complete the Withdrawal/Leave of Absence Form and indicate whether they are taking a personal or medical leave of absence.

Read also: History of the BU Bridge

Personal Leave:

A personal leave of absence may be taken for any reason. Students who take a personal leave of absence once classes have started will be withdrawn from those classes and receive "W"s on their transcript for those classes.

Medical Leave:

A medical leave of absence may be taken because of a student’s medically documented illness, including physical and/or mental health. The Withdrawal/Leave of Absence Form and supporting medical documentation must be submitted no later than the semester’s last date for a withdrawal from the University.

Academic Probation and Withdrawal

If you are academically withdrawn from the University, you can submit an appeal to your Associate Dean. In the event that your appeal is granted and you are reinstated, you will be placed on academic probation for one semester. Probationary semesters count as an extra semester to make up courses and won't count as a regular semester (one of your required eight semesters at Boston College). As a result, students on probation will have their graduation date pushed back by one semester. If you fail to meet the terms of their probation, you will be academically withdrawn from the college.

Crafting Your Narrative: The Essays

The Boston College admissions team requires Boston College supplemental essays as part of your application. For the 2021-22 application cycle, Boston College admissions offered students a choice of five different topics for the Boston College supplemental essays. When you apply, choose a prompt that allows you to be original and tell your authentic story. Boston College supplemental essays are one of the few opportunities you have to write original content. So, use your essay to paint a detailed picture of who you are and what makes you special.

Campus Visit and Engagement

The best way to find out if Boston College is a good fit for you is to visit the campus. Prospective students can register for an Eagle Eye Campus Visit, a two-hour event that includes an information session and student-led tour. Can’t make it to campus? Boston College also offers virtual programs. The best way to learn about student life at Boston College is directly from a current student. If you register for an Eagle Eye Campus Visit, you can ask the student tour guide questions about BC. The Eagle for a Day program allows you to interact more directly with a BC student. Take advantage of the opportunities to connect with current students so you can ask them about their experiences.

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