Understanding Boston College Through Its Common Data Set

Boston College, a Jesuit Catholic university, emphasizes using education to address societal needs, encouraging students to combine reflection and action. The university is committed to ensuring that admitted students, regardless of socioeconomic backgrounds, can succeed.

The Essence of Boston College

Boston College seeks academically talented and intellectually curious leaders who desire a close-knit community and are eager to use their talents to improve society. Students discover answers to pressing questions while collaborating with professors and peers across disciplines. The university is renowned for its strong sense of community, offering 29 residence halls and 13 dining locations with diverse and healthy options. With nearly 60 majors, students can find their focus while learning to think across disciplines, making a difference on campus, in local communities, and around the world.

Application and Admission Statistics for Fall 2024

The Common Data Set (CDS) provides a detailed overview of Boston College's admission statistics. For Fall 2024, the university received a significant number of applications from prospective first-time, first-year students.

Application Numbers

Total first-time, first-year (freshman) men who applied: 42,678
Total first-time, first-year (freshman) women who applied: 55,719
Total full-time, first-time, first-year (degree-seeking) applicants: 98,425

Admission Numbers

Total first-time, first-year (freshman) men who were admitted: 2,058
Total first-time, first-year (freshman) women who were admitted: 3,074
Total first-time, first-year (degree seeking) who were admitted: 5,133

Enrollment Numbers

Total full-time, first-time, first-year (freshman) men who enrolled: 1,089
Total full-time, first-time, first-year (freshman) women who enrolled: 1,667
Total first-time, first-year (degree seeking) enrolled: 2,759

Geographic Diversity of Applicants

The applicant pool for Boston College is diverse, with students coming from various locations:

In-State Applicants: 12,304
Out-of-State Applicants: 67,424
International Applicants: 17,616
Unknown Location: 1,081

Geographic Diversity of Admitted Students

In-State Admitted: 1,332
Out-of-State Admitted: 3,076
International Admitted: 671
Unknown Location: 54

Geographic Diversity of Enrolled Students

In-State Enrolled: 737
Out-of-State Enrolled: 1,703
International Enrolled: 270
Unknown Location: 49

Waiting List Information

Boston College employs a waiting list as part of its admission process.

The university has a policy of placing students on a waiting list.
Number of qualified applicants offered a place on waiting list: (Data not provided in source)
Number accepting a place on the waiting list: (Data not provided in source)
Number of wait-listed students admitted: (Data not provided in source)
The waiting list is not ranked, and this information is not released to students or school counselors.

Admission Requirements

High School Completion

A high school diploma is required, and a GED is accepted.

College-Preparatory Program

Boston College recommends a general college-preparatory program for degree-seeking students.

Distribution of High School Units

The university specifies recommended academic high school course units:

Total academic units: 17
English: 4
Mathematics: 3-4
Science: 3-4 (with 2-4 units that must be lab)
Foreign Language: 2-4
Social Studies: 3-4 (including History)
Academic electives include Computer Science, Visual/Performing Arts, and other specified subjects.

Basis for Selection

Boston College does not have an open admission policy. Admission decisions are based on a variety of factors, with varying degrees of importance.

Academic Factors

Very Important: Rigor of secondary school record, Class rank, Academic GPA
Considered: Standardized test scores

Nonacademic Factors

Very Important: Application Essay, Recommendation(s), Character/personal qualities
Important: Extracurricular activities, Talent/ability
Considered: Interview, First generation, Alumni/ae relation, Geographical residence, State residency, Religious affiliation/commitment, Volunteer work, Work experience, Level of applicant’s interest

SAT and ACT Policies

Boston College uses SAT, ACT, or SAT Subject Test scores in admission decisions for first-time, first-year, degree-seeking applicants.

The university considers if submitted SAT or ACT scores.
For students whose native language is not English, proof of English language proficiency is required through TOEFL iBT, IELTS Academic, PTE Academic, C1 Advanced, or C2 Proficiency.
Latest date by which SAT or ACT scores must be received for fall-term admission: 2/1/2025

Boston College uses SAT, ACT, Advanced Placement (AP), CLEP, and Institutional Exams for placement.

Early Decision and Early Action Plans

Boston College offers both Early Decision and Early Action plans.

Early Decision

Boston College offers an early decision plan, which is binding.
First or only early decision plan closing date: 11/1
First or only early decision plan notification date: 1/1
For the Fall 2024 entering class:
- Number of early decision applications received: 3,466
- Number of applicants admitted under early decision plan: 1,492
Early Decision allows students to demonstrate their commitment to enroll at Boston College and enhances the university's ability to enroll students interested in the Jesuit, Catholic approach to education, personal growth, and service of others.

Early Action

Boston College has a nonbinding early action plan.
Early action closing date: 11/1
Early action notification date: 2/15
Boston College's early action plan is a “restrictive” plan under which they limit students from applying to other early plans.

Surveys and Data Collection

Boston College uses several surveys to gather information about its community:

CIRP Freshman Survey: Administered by the Higher Education Research Institute (HERI) at UCLA, this survey collects information on incoming first-year students’ background characteristics, high school experiences, attitudes, behaviors, and expectations for college.
SES Survey: This survey collects information on the Boston College student experience, both in and outside of the classroom, asking questions about university mission, community, culture, academics, and student services.
Faculty and Staff Experience Survey: This survey collects information on employee attitudes and opinions regarding BC’s work environment and community characteristics, as well as employees’ general satisfaction and perceived opportunities for professional development.
Post-Graduation Plans (PGP) Survey: This survey, along with supplemental information, comprises Boston College’s First Destinations data. It is administered annually online from April through December to all members of the most recently graduated undergraduate class.

Typically, two or three university-wide surveys are administered by IR&P to the Boston College community each semester and often reflect data collection requirements for compliance or accreditation reports.

Acceptance Rates

Boston College's admission rate has decreased between at least 2020 through the 2022’s year of applicants.

Early Decision Acceptance Rate

During the 2021-22 admission cycle, Boston College received 4,428 Early Decision applications (ED I and II combined). 28% of Early Decision applicants were admitted, filling 51% of the Class of 2026.

Regular Decision Acceptance Rate

Boston College’s regular decision process is relatively selective. Boston College regular decision admissions acceptance rate for the class applying during the 2022 cycle was approximately 17% because it had 40,494 applicants and it admitted 6,748 students.

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