Last week, I got the chance to visit Boston and check out a few of the more than 70 colleges and universities in the city. Next stop:
Boston College
Gasson Hall is one of the many picturesque Gothic buildings on BC’s campus.
Why is this school awesome?
Olivia: It’s so community-minded and service-oriented! BC is one of the most prominent Jesuit Catholic universities in the country (along with Georgetown) — rather than emphasizing religious doctrine, Jesuit universities emphasize values like self-reflection, serving others, and being agents of change. So people of all religious backgrounds who want to understand themselves and make change in the world can find community here!
Favorite spot on campus?
Olivia: Definitely the Bapst Library. It’s a gorgeous space for studying or just quiet contemplation.
The Bapst Library was named for the first president of Boston College.
5 words to describe campus?
Olivia: Stunning, Peaceful, Green, Traditional, Reflective
The "typical student" is...
Olivia: Kind, outgoing, service-oriented, wanting to have a positive impact on their communities and the world.
International perspective?
Olivia: BC has long kept their international enrollment hovering around 8%, which is lower than most of their peer institutions (though they do enroll students from about 75 different countries). For an international student, this might seem daunting but is actually a great way to immerse yourself in US culture and traditions during college.
The Carroll School of Management is home to BC’s top programs in Finance, Accounting, Management, and more!
Special programs/offerings applicants should consider?
Olivia: Definitely check out the Carroll School of Management and its top programs in Finance, Accounting, Business Analytics, Entrepreneurship, Marketing, and General Management. Other popular programs include Economics, Nursing, Political Science, Psychology, and Neuroscience. It’s also a great place to study Philosophy or Theology too.
Tips for the application process?
Olivia: BC places very high value on service, community engagement, and self-reflection, so be sure to get involved with causes that are important to you, take initiative to lead or start your own projects, and demonstrate thoughtfulness and empathy in your essays.
Because BC enrolls a lower number of international students, the competition for spots is much tougher in the international pool than the domestic pool. They also enroll about 55% of their class through ED and EDII, so to give yourself the best shot of acceptance (especially as an international student), consider applying ED.
Fun facts?
Olivia: BC is the only Jesuit university with a football team competing in the top tier of NCAA Division I (and the only other Catholic university competing in that tier is Notre Dame). One of the characteristics that makes BC unique is its combination of small close-knit community and big-time athletics.
Also, Gasson Hall is apparently the third-most Instagrammed college building in the country.
Inside Gasson Hall.
Stay tuned for my thoughts on my final Boston stop: