Boston College

Established in 1863, Boston College (BC) is a private research university in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. It was founded by the Society of Jesus (also known as Jesuits) to educate Boston’s predominantly Irish and Catholic immigrant community. This institution began as an undergraduate liberal arts college, but as its aspirations grew, it added graduate programs and professional schools fulfilling its charter as a university. Currently, BC has three campuses: Chestnut Hill (main), Brighton Campus, and Newton Campus. 

These campuses house over 35 renowned research facilities such as the Center for Corporate Citizenship (CCC), Center for Work and Family (CWF), and Center for Work and Family (CWF). Owing to the extensive research conducted across its campuses, the university is categorised among ‘R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity’, a classification granted only to institutions engaging in exhaustive research across disciplines and allocating substantial resources in it. 

Fittingly, the research grants awarded by BC in 2022 (to its class of 2025) were $66.3 million. The university’s research initiatives span diverse fields of study such as education, management, theology, politics, and science, among others.  Several journals such as the Boston College Law Review, New Arcadia Review, and Religion and the Arts Journal, among others, complement the research conducted at the university. 

The university has also been consistently ranked among the best universities in the US. It was 36th among ‘National Universities’ by US News and World Reports 2022 and 57th by  The Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education 2022. Boston College’s alumni network is over 188,000 strong. It includes notable alumni such as John F. Kerry, former US Secretary of State;  Leonard Nimoy, Actor; Phil Schiller, Vice president of Apple Inc.; and Kofi Kingston, professional wrestler, among others. In this article, we will discuss the courses offered by BC, its admission process, fee structure, and much more. So read on!

Courses Offered at Boston College

BC provides courses across multiple fields such as finance, economics, biology, political science, communication, psychology, computer science, nursing, and neuroscience, among others. Some of Boston College’s sought-after programs are mentioned in the table below: 

Bachelor’s Programs	Master’s Programs
Bachelor of Science in Nursing	Master of Business Administration
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science	Master of Law (L.L.M)
Bachelor of Science in Mathematics	Master of Science in Leadership and Administration
Bachelor of Science in Economics	Master of Science in Accounting
Bachelor of Science in Finance	Master of Science in Finance
Bachelor of Science in Marketing	Master of Science in Cybersecurity Policy and Governance
Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry	Master of Arts in Philosophy
Bachelor of Arts in English	Master of Education in Educational Leadership
Bachelor of Arts in Film Studies	Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling
Bachelor of Arts in Physics	Master of Science in Earth and Environmental Sciences
Bachelor of Arts Political Science	Master of Arts in History

This university imparts its courses through its eight colleges. They are:

• Robert J. Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences
• Boston College Law School
• James A. Woods, S.J. College of Advancing Studies
• School of Social Work
• Carroll School of Management
• William F. Connell School of Nursing
• Carolyn A. and Peter S. Lynch School of Education and Human Development
• School of Theology and Ministry

Students and Faculty 

Boston College is known for its vibrant student body and brilliant faculty. In the academic year 2020-21, the university awarded 4,300 degrees in over 50 fields. BC employs 882 faculty members, 94 per cent of whom hold doctorate degrees. The student-to-faculty ratio at BC is 11:1. Several professors at this institution have received awards for their excellent work in their respective areas of expertise. Some of BC’s award-winning faculties are:

• Kay Lemon, professor at  BC’s Carroll School of Management, the recipient of the Sage 10-Year Impact Award
• Amir H. Hoveyda, professor of chemistry, is the recipient of the Cope Scholar award from the American Chemical Society.
• Alicia Haydock Munnell, professor at  BC’s Carroll School of Management, is the recipient of the Robert M. Ball Award for Outstanding Achievements in Social Insurance from the National Academy of Social Insurance.
• Lisa Sowle Cahill, professor of theology, is the recipient of the John Courtney Murray Award by the Catholic Theological Society of America.

Campus Life 

The Boston College campus is also referred to as the “Heights” and the “Crowned Hilltop” due to its location and the presence of structures with gothic towers soaring into the sky. The main campus is also designated as a National Historic Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 

Boston College hosts 273 student-run clubs and organizations focused on arts and culture, politics, socioeconomics, civics, and social justice, among others. Students are provided with opportunities to connect with peers from diverse backgrounds, develop leadership skills, and also influence people on and off campus.

The university is home to 31 intercollegiate Division I teams, a variety of club sports, 44 intramural sports programs, and courses in aquatics, spin, yoga, and more. Also, the campus accommodates the Margot Connell Recreation Center: a 244,000-square-foot, four-story structure. The building houses a fitness centre, rock climbing wall, jogging track, aquatics centre, basketball courts with wood floors, tennis courts, and multi-activity courts, among other amenities.   

Admission Process at Boston College

The acceptance rate of Boston College is 19%. For the class of 2025, Boston College received 39,847 applications, and it accepted 7,587 applicants. The process of admission at BC is program-specific. As different courses demand a different set of skills, the eligibility criteria may vary depending on the program you choose to pursue. However, we have provided the admissions requirements common to all the courses in the table below.

Tests	Required Score
TOEFL (Internet-Based Test)	100
IELTS	7.5
Duolingo English Test	125

The admission prerequisites specific to each program are available on the university’s official website. Aspirants can visit the institution’s website to learn more about the admission criteria, the application procedure, and the deadlines.

Fee Structure and Financial Aid

The table below illustrates the cost of attendance for students applying for undergraduate programs.

Types of Costs	Amount
Undergraduate Tuition	$62,950
Mandatory Fees	$1,226
Room and Board	$16,120
Total	$80,296

Boston College assists students in financing their education through several kinds of financial aids such as scholarships, fee waivers, grants, student loans, and work-study, among others. In the academic year of 2020-21, the university provided financial aid of over 160 million dollars. Some of the scholarships offered by this institution are

• Martin Luthe King, Jr. Scholarship
• Saint Oscar A. Romero Scholarship
• Amanda V. Houston Travelling Fellowship
• Benigno and Corazon Aquino Scholarship
• Gates Millennium Scholars (GMS) Program
• Dean’s Scholarship
• Works of Mercy Scholarship 
• Karl Rahner, SJ Scholarship
• Magis Scholarship 

So if you wish to pursue an education at an institution that can inspire you to explore and discover your research potential, then Boston College is the place for you. We hope that this article has helped you to learn crucial information about this university. All the best!