About
Is Boston College the Right School for You?
Boston College (BC) was founded in 1863 in the south end of Boston, MA, and is currently located in Chestnut Hill, west of downtown. For the first 7 decades, it was an institution emphasizing languages, philosophy and religion. Areas of study were expanded upon its relocation to its present address. There are presently 56 concentrations and 21 interdisciplinary programs and, according to The College Board, the most popular undergraduate program of study at BC is business/marketing. Other disciplines offered include biology, communications, social sciences, education and divinity. If this sounds like a school that might be a good fit for you, read about the pros and cons of attending BC.
<h4 id="section---Pros">Pros</h4>
<ul><li>Ranked 31st among national universities, several undergraduate and graduate programs ranked among the top 20
</li><li>Graduation rate is 47 percentage points above the national average
</li><li>Student debt following graduation is $5,685 lower than the national average
</li><li>Endowment has grown by 16.7% between 2010 and 2011
</li></ul><h4 id="section---Cons">Cons</h4>
<ul><li>Total cost of attendance (including room and board) is $18,575 higher than the national average for private not-for-profit, 4-year schools
</li><li>Room and board is $3,009 more than the national average
</li><li>Acceptance rate is 37.5 percentage points lower than the national average
</li></ul><h3 id="section---RankingsAndSchoolAnalysis">Rankings and School Analysis</h3>
<p>In 2013, <i>U.S. News & World Report</i> ranked Boston College as 31st among all U.S. universities. Its undergraduate business programs were ranked #24 at that same time, and its graduate business, education and law schools were also highly ranked. It is considered to be very selective by The College Board with an acceptance rate only of 28%. Of those accepted in 2011, only 25% actually chose to attend, so if you get on the wait list, you may still have a chance of getting in. This school also has a higher-than-average graduation rate, as 87% of students graduated within 4 years, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
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<p>The total cost of attendance (including room and board) in 2011-2012 was $56,728, which is higher than the national average of $37,971 for private not-for-profit schools; however, financial aid is available. Graduates of this school also graduate with an average student debt of $20,975, according to The College Board, which is lower than the national average of $26,660.
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<p>The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching identifies BC as a university with high research activity. This shows that the faculty, graduate students and doctoral candidates are engaged in an above average amount of academic inquiry.
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<h2 id="section---AdmissionsFinancialAidAtBostonCollege">Admissions & Financial Aid at Boston College</h2>
<p>If you want to apply to BC, you have to submit a common application, $70 fee, recommendations, essay, test scores and transcripts by January 1, but the school strongly suggests that you do so before that date. The early action application deadline is November 1, so if you want early notification about your application, you can choose this option. BC reports that 82% of incoming freshman were in the top 10% of their high school class. Though the majority of students submit SAT scores, ACT scores are accepted as well.
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<p>For the 2011-2012 school year, the NCES reported that attending BC would cost you $56,728 for a year of study, on campus housing and related expenses, and 63% of students received financial aid that year.
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<table border="1"><tr><th>Application & Tuition Info</th><th /></tr>
<tr><td><i>Regular Application Deadline (2012)</i> </td><td> January 1*</td></tr>
<tr><td><i>Financial Aid Priority Application Deadline (2012)</i> </td><td> February 1***</td></tr>
<tr><td><i>Application Fee (2012)</i> </td><td> $70*</td></tr>
<tr><td><i>Acceptance Rate (2011)</i> </td><td> 28%**</td></tr>
<tr><td><i>Tuition and Fees (2011)</i> </td><td> $42,204**</td></tr>
<tr><td><i>Average Financial Aid Package (2011)</i> </td><td> $34,302***</td></tr>
<tr><td><i>Percent of Students with Need Met (2012)</i></td><td> 87%***</td></tr>
<tr><td><i>Average Student Debt at Graduation (2011)</i> </td><td> $20,975***</td></tr>
<tr><td> <i>Average Student Loan Default Rate (2009)</i> </td><td> 2.2%**</td></tr>
</table><h2 id="section---StudentLifeAtBostonCollege">Student Life at Boston College</h2>
<p>Located in a suburban setting, the main campus has received the nickname <i>The Hill</i> and looks over the neighborhoods of Boston. This school became co-ed in 1970 and the current student population is now pretty evenly split between males and females. The NCES reports that 25% of students are from Massachusetts and 60% of students are white. The college was founded by Jesuits and continues in this tradition, and though 70% of students identify as Catholics, a diverse mix of backgrounds are represented in the student population.
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<p>BC reports that about half of their students engage in a study abroad experience during their course of study. Freshmen are not required to live on campus, though 99% of first-year students do choose to live on school grounds.
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<p>There are no fraternities or sororities on campus at BC, but there are more than 200 clubs and athletic organizations for student participation. BC has 31 Division I teams on campus. There are a wide variety of on and off-campus opportunities for social and cultural enrichment, including musical performances, museums, shopping, restaurants and sporting events.
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<table border="1"><tr><th> Student Life Info</th><th /></tr>
<tr><td><i>Campus Setting</i></td><td> Small city*</td></tr>
<tr><td> <i>Student Population (2011)</i></td><td> 14,754 total (9,826 undergraduate)**</td></tr>
<tr><td><i>Male to Female Student Ratio (2011-2012)</i> </td><td> Men 47%, women 53%**</td></tr>
<tr><td><i>% of Full-Time Students (2011)</i></td><td> 97%**</td></tr>
<tr><td><i>% of In-state Students (2011)</i></td><td> 25%**</td></tr>
<tr><td><i>Retention Rate (2010-2011)</i></td><td> 95% of full-time students**</td></tr>
<tr><td> <i>Campus Housing Available</i> </td><td> Yes*</td></tr>
<tr><td><i> % of Students Living on Campus (2011)</i> </td><td> 85% of all students***</td></tr>
<tr><td> <i>Number of Libraries</i> </td><td> 8*</td></tr>
<tr><td> <i>Extracurricular Activities</i></td><td> 31 NCAA Division I teams, 225 clubs and organizations****</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Article Sources: *Boston College, **NCES College Navigator, ***College Board, ****U.S. News and World Report.</i>
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<h3 id="section---ContactInformation">Contact Information</h3>
<ul><li><i>Address:</i> 140 Commonwealth Avenue, Devlin Hall 208, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467-3809
</li><li><i>Phone:</i> (617) 552-3100 / (800) 360-2522</li></ul>
