What’s The Big Deal About Boston College?

By Barbara Connolly, JD, CEP

Founder, College Choice Counseling

Boston College is the kind of school that can feel much smaller than it actually is.

With close to 10,000 undergraduates and about 80% of students living on campus, you will constantly see familiar faces, run into people on the Quad, and quickly find your own niche through classes, clubs, athletics, and campus traditions.

BC has a close-knit campus feel, and there is a lot of pride in being an Eagle.

But first…Academics

So, what does Boston College’s admissions profile look like?

For the Class of 2029, Boston College had an overall acceptance rate of 13.9%. Of the 39,686 applicants, just 5,497 were accepted and 2,479 enrolled.

When you apply to BC, you also choose one of four undergraduate schools: Morrissey College of Arts & Sciences, Carroll School of Management, Lynch School of Education and Human Development, or Connell School of Nursing.

And yes, some are a little harder to get into than others.

Morrissey College of Arts & Sciences (MCAS) is by far the largest and has the most choices when it comes to majors, including biology, psychology, economics, political science, computer science, history, English, and many others. Because it is so much bigger, there are more spots available than in some of BC’s smaller schools. That does not mean it is easy to get into though. Getting into Morrissey is still very competitive.

Interested in business? The Carroll School of Management is a very popular choice and has far fewer spots than Morrissey. Finance is one of the most popular majors at BC, so Carroll can be especially tough to get into. Students should also be ready for plenty of math, economics, accounting, and statistics once they get there.

The Lynch School of Education and Human Development is much smaller. Students here are usually interested in areas like education, psychology, and human development. There may be fewer students applying to Lynch, but there are also fewer spots available.

And then there is the Connell School of Nursing. Connell is the smallest of the four and has very limited space. It is also a pretty demanding path from the start, with science classes, labs, and eventually clinical work. Most students applying to Connell already have a pretty good idea that nursing is what they want to do.

Is One Easier to Get Into Than the Others?

Kind of...but there is no official ranking.

Boston College does not publish separate acceptance rates for each school, so there is no exact way to compare them.

We do know that Carroll and Connell have fewer spots, while Morrissey is much larger. Lynch is also small but tends to attract students with more specific interests.

The biggest thing is not to pick a school just because you think it might be an easier way into BC.

Apply to the school that actually fits what you want to study.

Learning Beyond Your Major

Boston College is known for challenging academics while still encouraging students to explore subjects outside of their major. 

The Core Curriculum requires all students to take classes in areas like philosophy, theology, history, writing, science, and the arts.  These requirements give students a broader, more well-rounded education and are a big part of the BC experience. 

Faith and the Jesuit Experience

Boston College’s Jesuit Catholic identity is a part of the school, but probably not in the way students might expect.

The Jesuit tradition focuses on educating the whole person, being of service to others, asking bigger questions, and thinking about how you will use your education beyond just getting a job.  What impact will you make in your community?  These values can be seen throughout BC in the Core Curriculum, service opportunities, retreats, and even the way that professors encourage their students to think about their own values, perspectives, and purpose.

So, what if you’re not Catholic?

You do not have to be Catholic to feel at home at Boston College. Students come from many different religious backgrounds, and BC offers multi-faith programs, student faith groups, and connections to places of worship throughout the Boston area.  In fact, there are currently more than 15 different religious student groups on campus.

The Jesuit influence is still something you will notice, but for many students it shows up more through the focus on service, community, reflection, and thinking about what matters to you.

So, the better question may be: Are you comfortable being at a school where faith, values, and service are part of the conversation?

If the answer is yes, being non-Catholic should not keep BC off your list.

Sports on the Heights

Sports are a pretty big deal at Boston College, whether you are playing for the Eagles or just cheering from the stands.

BC has 31 Division I varsity teams, with some of the most recognized programs including men’s hockey, women’s lacrosse, football, women’s hockey, and even sailing.

Being a Division I athlete is obviously a huge commitment, but BC has a lot of support in place to help student-athletes balance academics, athletics, and life after college.

Not playing Division I? No problem.

Club sports give students the chance to keep competing against other colleges, while intramurals are a much more relaxed way to stay active and have fun with friends.

And even if you are not an athlete, it is hard not to get caught up in BC sports. Football Saturdays, packed hockey games, the Beanpot, and the Red Bandanna Game are all part of the experience.

BC students are called SuperFans for a reason!

Life on the Heights

The campus itself feels like the perfect balance between Harry Potter-esque corridors and centuries-old European castles. Much like the buildings themselves, the traditions at Boston College have been around for generations.

From Marathon Monday and football Saturdays to mud volleyball at Mudstock, the Beanpot, and Pops on the Heights, there are certain traditions that have become a big part of what makes the BC experience so special. 

This college experience reaches far beyond the classroom.

A College City Full of Friends

When you choose Boston College, you aren’t just choosing one college campus. 

You’re only a T ride (Boston’s public transit system) or quick trip away from several dozen other colleges and universities scattered throughout the Boston area.  Harvard, MIT, Tufts, Brandeis University, Northeastern, Boston University, and Bentley University are just some of the many that are nearby. 

Because of the high concentration of schools, it isn’t unusual to have friends from high school attending a completely different college but still living just a few miles away. 

Your college circle can easily extend well beyond BC.

Boston Becomes Part of Your Campus

Boston College life stretches far beyond the Heights because you have the entire city at your fingertips. Think of Boston like an extension of your campus! 

You could head down the road to watch the Boston Red Sox play at historic Fenway Park, catch a Celtics or Bruins game at TD Garden, walk the Freedom Trail, or spend an afternoon on Newbury Street where the shopping seems endless! 

There is always something to do, see, or explore. 

Would BC Be Right for Me?

Boston College may be a great fit for a student who wants the best of both worlds: a traditional college campus but also has easy access to a major city. 

If you’re someone who loves school spirit, athletics, campus traditions, and being part of a close-knit community, you will probably feel right at home!

Boston College is also a good fit for students who want to be academically challenged but are also open to exploring subjects that are outside of their intended major. 

Boston College may not be a good fit for a student who wants to be right in the middle of a downtown city campus or for a student who prefers a more independent college experience.

Like any college, the best way to know if the fit is right is to visit! Walk through the Quad, check out the libraries and dining halls, take the campus tour, sit in on an information session, and take the T into Boston.

If you’re planning a trip, check out our guide on how to make the most of your college visit.

While you’re there, pay attention to more than just whether the campus is beautiful. Can you picture yourself walking to class here? Spending your weekends here? Finding your people here?

You can often tell quickly if a college feels like somewhere you could call home.

In the meantime, check out this campus tour video of Boston College!