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How to Write the Boston College Essays 2023-2024

Boston College only requires applicants to write one essay, but you may choose from four different prompt options. If you are applying to BC’s Human-Centered Engineering major though, you won’t have the luxury of choosing a prompt and will be required to answer a HCE specific question.

With BC receiving thousands of qualified applicants each year, all with strong test scores and extracurriculars, you will need your essay to stand out and tell a compelling story about yourself in order to impress admissions officers. No matter which prompt you choose, we’ll explain how you can write a great essay to get into Boston College.

Read these Boston College essay examples to inspire your writing.

Boston College Supplemental Essay Prompts

We would like to get a better sense of you. Please respond to one of the following prompts (400 word limit). Applicants to the Human-Centered Engineering major will select the fifth prompt.

Option 1 (all applicants): Each year at University Convocation, our incoming class engages in reflective dialogue with the author of a common text. What book by a living author would you recommend for your incoming class to read and why would this be an important shared text?

Option 2 (all applicants): At Boston College, we draw upon the Jesuit tradition of finding worthwhile conversation partners. Some support our viewpoints while others challenge them. Who fulfills this role in your life? Please cite a specific conversation you had where this conversation partner challenged your perspective or you challenged theirs.

Option 3 (all applicants): In her November 2019 Ted Talk, “The Danger of a Single Story,” Chimamanda Ngozi Adichi warned viewers against assigning people a “single story” through assumptions about their nationality, appearance, or background. Discuss a time when someone defined you by a single story. What challenges did this present and how did you overcome them?

Option 4 (all applicants): Boston College’s founding in 1863 was in response to society’s call. That call came from an immigrant community in Boston seeking a Jesuit education to foster social mobility. Still today, the University empowers its students to use their education to address society’s greatest needs. Which of today’s local or global issues is of particular concern to you and how might you use your Boston College education to address it?

Option 5 (Human-Centered Engineering applicants): One goal of a Jesuit education is to prepare students to serve the Common Good. Human-Centered Engineering at Boston College integrates technical knowledge, creativity, and a humanistic perspective to address societal challenges and opportunities. What societal problems are important to you and how will you use your HCE education to solve them?

Each year at University Convocation, our incoming class engages in reflective dialogue with the author of a common text. What book by a living author would you recommend for your incoming class to read and why would this be an important shared text? (400 words)

Readers, this one’s for you! This prompt wants to know about the material you consume outside of class to learn more about the topics you find interesting and relevant. The key to making this essay successful is picking the right book, so here are a few things to consider when choosing your selection:

• Who’s the author: It says it right in the prompt: “book by a living author ”. As much as you might find one of Dickens’ novels fundamental to the human experience or Nelson Mandela’s autobiography to be a critical lesson on empathy, you can’t choose authors who are no longer alive.
• How familiar you are with the book: Pick a book you’ve either read recently or that was so impactful you can recall the plot and the deeper meaning of it. You’ll need to be confident about what you are writing, so it’s far better to pick a book that seems less “impressive” or “academic” on the surface that you know and love than a book you picked up last week for the purpose of writing this essay.
• Don’t be basic: There are many impactful books by talented authors in the cultural zeitgeist that will be popular choices for many students. You don’t want your essay to be the tenth one on The Handmaid’s Tale that admissions officers read that day. Try and pick something you wouldn’t be assigned in English class or that you wouldn’t find on New York Times bestseller lists.
• Make it align to you: The most important task when choosing a book is to make sure it relates to you in a way that you can highlight your interests or characteristics in the essay. Although the prompt might seem like it’s about a book, in reality, this essay is still about you. If you love politics, you might choose a politician’s autobiography or a book examining the state of democracy. A student interested in psychology could choose a dystopian novel and explore the psychological mechanisms at play in the society. 
• Does it have a broad appeal?: Yes, your choice should relate to you, but it will also theoretically be read by the entire class, so it needs to have a broader appeal. Does your book highlight societal issues or have inspiring characters that everyone could learn a lesson from? Make sure you are able to demonstrate why this is a book everyone should read, not just people interested in the topic.
• Be judicious: Don’t pick the first book that comes to mind. Take your time in figuring out a list of 10 or so books you think could be good choices and then narrow it down from there. For each book, ask yourself questions like, “What is the core theme of this book?”, “How is society reflected in the ideas of this book?”, “How does this topic relate to me?”, and “Why do I find this author influential?”. Not only will this help you figure out which book speaks to you the most, it will also provide you with a solid basis to start planning out your essay once you choose a book.

Once you’ve picked a book, it’s time to start writing. There are two main points you need to cover in your essay: why this book is meaningful to you and why it would be meaningful for your peers. Your essay needs to be centered around answering these two questions and convincing admissions officers, who might have never even heard of your book, that it has an impactful message.

A natural way to approach your essay would be to open with a hook—maybe a quote from the book, an image of you snuggled up in your reading nook enjoying it for the first time, or a description of the frayed and browning edges and faded cover with a cracked spine from rereading it over and over—then discuss why this book is important to you, and finish with why other people should read it.

Of course, you can change up the structure (creative formats are always welcome when it comes to college essays), but we will go into more detail based on the more traditional approach.

Why Is It Meaningful to You?

As we said above when picking a book, you need to have a personal connection to your novel of choice. Whether you see aspects of your personality in the main character, the subject matter influenced your independent research project, or the author’s depiction of the challenges they have overcome have inspired you to face adversity, you need to show admissions officers why this book is important to you.

Let’s look at an example of how a student might demonstrate their connection to a book:

“ I can’t shoot an arrow. I’m terrible at braiding my hair. I’ll be the first to admit I’d last maybe two hours tops in the Hunger Games, and yet, I am Katniss Everdeen. In a world full of injustice, corruption, violence, and abandoned hope for the future, someone has to take a stand. We might not be fighting for our lives in an arena, but we were fighting for our lives on the streets of Washington, demanding reproductive freedom. I wrote letters to members of Congress, and nothing happened. I posted on social media over and over again, and nothing happened. I cried myself to sleep, terrified of my future resting in the hands of male politicians, and nothing happened. So I spread my wings, took to the streets, and decided to make something happen. Standing side by side with the girls from my Human Rights club, my throat satisfyingly sore from the hours of chanting, I became the Mockingjay. ”

Notice how the focus in this paragraph is on the student and her experience related to the book, rather than on The Hunger Games on its own. If you choose this essay, it’s crucial to remember it still has to achieve the goal of any other college essay: showing admissions officers who you are. 

You don’t just have to write about how you are related to a character to show the admissions committee your interests and personality. A student interested in cell biology might write about The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks and how they never thought about the origin of cancer cells when they were conducting research. In this example, the student could explain their research and delve into the ethics behind medical research that reading the book opened their eyes to.

Why Is It Meaningful to Society?

The last step in this essay is to pull back from your experience and connection to the book and explain why it would appeal to your peers. A great way to go about this is to find social commentary or critical lessons within the book that would resonate with people your age. 

Maybe a student picked John Green’s Turtles All the Way Down because he admired the way it handles difficult conversations about mental health. Because he’s passionate about mental health, he knows that many teenagers are suffering and could use a healthy depiction of mental health to start conversations and foster community, therefore reading this book would be beneficial.

Another student who suggested Michelle Obama’s Becoming could write about the pressure everyone her age feels as they experience huge life changes and enter a new uncertain time in their life. She might feel that the book’s message that growth is continuous and you shouldn’t be confined by society would resonate with her peers just as much as it did with her.

As long as you are able to connect the ideas in the book to something bigger than yourself, you will be able to demonstrate why it’s important for other people your age to also read it.

At Boston College, we draw upon the Jesuit tradition of finding worthwhile conversation partners. Some support our viewpoints while others challenge them. Who fulfills this role in your life? Please cite a specific conversation you had where this conversation partner challenged your perspective or you challenged theirs. (400 words)

This prompt provides you with an opportunity to try your hand at storytelling. Paint a picture for the reader: who are you talking to, how often do you talk, where are you located, was this a unique conversation or an example of a typical debate between you two? The more your essay reads like a page out of a novel, the better.

You’ll definitely want to include lines of dialogue in this essay, but don’t let the entire thing read like a text message chain. Include supplemental details like you and your partners’ inflections, your body language as you were talking, and what was happening around you. For example, this isn’t revealing much to the admissions committee:

“Yes honey?”

“I got another C.”

Versus this:

“Mom?” A timid voice squeaked out the back of my throat, hoping to go undetected. My mom didn’t even bother to look up from the pile of papers sprawled out in front of her.

“Yes honey?” 

She sounds busy—this can wait. I’ll just tell her tomorrow (or never). But something got the better of me and I sheepishly admitted the truth:

Beyond just the structure, it’s important to consider whom you will pick as your conversation partner. Remember, the prompt is looking for a particular conversation that challenged someone’s perspective, so don’t pick someone you always agree with. It should be someone you know well enough to recreate their side of the conversation—since you likely won’t remember what both of you said word for word.

The conversation you choose can be as serious as challenging a family member’s prejudiced ways or as lighthearted as convincing your friends why Star Wars is better than Star Trek. For this essay, the topic is not as important as how you present the conversation. But how should you present it? 

A basic essay might rehash the language of the prompt, such as: 

“My favorite conversation partner is my dad, because he and I love music. Sometimes, we stay up late talking about different songs of his youth–old songs that I have never heard before. Oftentimes, he will reveal a hidden meaning behind the lyrics.”

While this is answering the prompt, the response is formulaic and could be way more dynamic. Get creative! You could begin with a bold claim about your conversation partner, such as: 

“My father is a good but complicated man who, as of late, seems to only appear at night.”

You could begin with a summary of what you talk about: 

“When I hear the opening power chords of the Eagles’ “The Last Resort,” I hear the voice of my father. It is important to note that my father is not Don Henley, merely a fan, yet his baritone voice narrates the hidden meaning of the lyrics, underscored by Schmit’s bass guitar.”

Or with a strong statement:

“It’s become an unspoken rule–a silent law–to never attempt to initiate a conversation with my father while he is listening to his music. We talk after an album or after a song ends. Monolithic grunts are the only acceptable verbal form of acknowledgement while listening, accompanied by a thumbs up, a fist pump through the silent air, or a mere upward curl of the lips, as if to say, ‘I like this one.’”

After one of these strong beginnings, move into some dialogue and get to a point of conflict. We don’t mean physical conflict, rather where a disagreement in ideas is revealed that shows competing perspectives:

“‘ I don’t know Dad. The Eagles are fine but they’re no Led Zeppelin.’ Uh oh, wrong move. My dad’s head swiveled like an owl eyeing its prey. I braced myself for the onslaught of song titles, Grammy nominations, and band drama headed my way.

‘You’re entitled to an opinion. Just not the wrong one.’ The dangerous glint in his eye should’ve frightened me, but it only egged me on.

‘Seriously?! Stairway to Heaven is the ultimate rock song of the 70s.’

‘Ever heard of something called Hotel California?’ His hands flailed in the air, extenuating his point.”

Notice the effect of realistic dialogue and descriptions? The reader feels like they are standing on that porch watching this argument unfold. You want to draw the reader in with a conversation that feels natural and fitting for the people involved and the topic being discussed.

The admissions committee don’t just want to see conflict, they want to see the way you handle new ideas and approach difficult conversations. This is where you have to demonstrate how either your perspective changed or you changed the other perspective. 

“ After rounds of back and forth, shouting lyrics and Billboard chart numbers at each other, I came up with a better solution. 

‘Ok dad, how about this: We’ll listen to Stairway to Heaven and Hotel California back to back and each pick something good from both songs.’ 

As the opening guitar chords started, I was transported. Except it wasn’t the intro to Stairway to Heaven I know and loved—it was Hotel California! Soon, my head was bopping along to the drum kicks and I found myself singing at the top of my lungs.

‘Welcome to the Hotel California!’ We sang in unison.”

A nice conclusion to this essay should address you or your partner’s new perspective. Maybe you learned a lesson from how you handled disagreement. Or maybe you are looking forward to your next conversation where you can prove your point once again.

In her November 2019 Ted Talk, “The Danger of a Single Story,” Chimamanda Ngozi Adichi warned viewers against assigning people a “single story” through assumptions about their nationality, appearance, or background. Discuss a time when someone defined you by a single story. What challenges did this present and how did you overcome them? (400 words)

This prompt option is similar to a “ Diversity ” prompt, but you aren’t limited to just discussing racial and ethnic diversity. Anyone who has been stereotyped or judged for something outside of their control before could write a compelling essay to answer this question.

Here are a few ideas of possible essays students could write about in response to the prompt:

• A student faced microaggressions because of the color of his skin
• People assumed a student was LGBTQ+ because they were part of the theater club at their school
• A girl who was called a dumb blonde felt discouraged to answer questions in her math class
• A boy’s teachers assumed he would excel because his older brother was at the top of his class
• A student was subjected to harmful stereotypes because of their religion

As you can see, there are many different avenues to take when answering this prompt. The important thing is to describe how you were defined by a single story, show the impact that had on you, and demonstrate how you overcame or fought back against your single story.

The best way to start this essay is with an anecdote. Place the reader in your shoes so we can understand what you went through. The key is to show the reader with vivid imagery:

“ ‘Adios mama.’ I hung up and slipped my phone back into my bag, only to be greeted by three sneering faces when I looked up again. ‘Hablasss inglesss?’ Their American accents and teasing tone drew out the words so they were barely recognizable to a native Spanish speaker. ‘Tu estás en los Estados Unidos.’ Another boy chimed in over his friends’ snickers.”

Once you’ve established the discrimination you’ve experienced, explain the impact that had on you. Did it mess with your performance in school because you were afraid to be criticized for your accent when you answered a question? Did you feel insecure about your looks and that made you try new hairstyles and outfits until you barely recognized yourself anymore? Did you stop participating in an activity you loved and feel unfulfilled?

It’s really important to go a step beyond the comments and treatments you received from others and explore how you were emotionally and mentally impacted by being siloed into a single story. This is where the depth of your essay will come from and what will distinguish it as either strong or weak.

While this essay does handle challenging topics, it’s not meant to be a depressing recount of discrimination you’ve faced; it’s meant to demonstrate your resilience and ability to overcome a difficult situation. Save at least half of your essay to tell the story of how you fought back and overcame the challenges of being assigned a single story. 

Be as detailed as possible when discussing how you overcame your single story. The admissions committee is curious to see your methods (did you ignore and rise above the comments or talk back and deny them) and your thought processes (what was your motivation behind standing up for yourself, was there a final straw that pushed you over the edge, did you turn to others for advice, etc).

Finally, it’s a good idea to include self-reflection in this type of essay. Consider some of these questions to guide your reflection: How is your unique background an asset? How has your personality been shaped by your experiences? Are you still fighting being assigned a single story? How can you prevent this from happening in the future?

By reflecting on your diversity, you will demonstrate your ability to think critically and show the admissions committee the unique perspective you’ll bring to the school.

Boston College’s founding in 1863 was in response to society’s call. That call came from an immigrant community in Boston seeking a Jesuit education to foster social mobility. Still today, the University empowers its students to use their education to address society’s greatest needs. Which of today’s local or global issues is of particular concern to you and how might you use your Boston College education to address it? (400 words)

This prompt is a combination of the “ Global Issues ” and “ Why This College? ” essay archetypes. You need to both address a societal issue that is important to you and discuss how the tools and resources at BC will help you solve it. But don’t fret—you can get it all done in 400 words.

You’ll likely want to pick this option if you are civically minded, have experience volunteering or participating in political extracurriculars, or if you are interested in pursuing something in the realm of politics. Here are the steps we recommend to help you write this essay.

Pick an Issue 

The first place to start when brainstorming for this topic is to pick an issue that is near and dear to you. Ideally, this should be something you either have prior experience with from an extracurricular or volunteer work, or it should be a topic that affects you or your community that you can speak extensively about.

Avoid choosing an issue as broad as climate change or world hunger. Instead, narrow these down into more manageable issues like rising sea levels or food deserts in rural communities. By staying focused on a sub-issue, you can really delve into the causes and solutions for that particular topic—resulting in a more cohesive and engaging essay.

Explain Your Connection to the Issue

This part of the essay is incredibly important; it’s basically the “so what?” for why you care about this topic and others should too. It’s a good idea to include an anecdote to demonstrate how you have experienced this issue in your life.

For example, a student who is writing about high incarceration rates in the U.S.might write about friends and community members who have been incarcerated and how angry that made them feel. Another student might choose to write about the issue of deforestation and how he’s been volunteering to plant trees since he was 12 to try and combat the issue.

Whatever your connection is to the topic, make sure that your response covers the personal impact the issue has on you. In the case of the student writing about incarceration, they should definitely describe how members of their community have been affected, but this is their college essay, so we want to know how they have been affected. How do they feel knowing their community is being ravaged by this issue? What did it feel like to lose a friend to the justice system for a crime they didn’t commit? By highlighting the personal effects, you will make your essay stand out.

How Have You Addressed This Issue Already

Since you are picking a local or global issue that is in some way relevant to your life, chances are you’ve probably already taken some action to try and find solutions. Show the admissions committee that you are a driven individual who’s committed to doing good through your past actions.

Include how you collect old computer parts and repurpose them in your repair business to cut down on technological waste. Explain how you organized donation drives at your school and church to collect essentials for Ukrainian refugees. Demonstrate your commitment to improving female literacy through your work as a volunteer tutor at a local children’s center.

Discuss BC Resources

This is where the “Why This College” part of the essay comes into play, and since BC doesn’t give you another opportunity to explain what specific programs and resources appeal to you, make sure to highlight that in this essay.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when discussing college-specific resources

• Do your research: It only takes a bit of your time to look up the special programs, classes, professors, and clubs offered at a school, but it makes a world of difference in making your essay stand out. Demonstrate your interest to the admissions committee by including details you could only find on a specific webpage or by attending an info session.
• Don’t namedrop: Saying you want to work with X Professor or take these three classes is meaningless if we don’t know why. When you are including the names of school-specific opportunities, back it up with details. 
• Connect the resources back to you: How does this professor’s research relate to your interests? How will working in this lab help you get closer to your goals? Make sure that every school opportunity you discuss is tied back to you in some way.
• Less is more: It’s far more effective to find three or four resources at the school that align perfectly with your interests and you can thoroughly explain rather than squeezing five or more in without giving any explanation to their importance.

The resources that you pick should align in some way to the issue you discussed. For instance, if the topic you want ot address is the Black Lives Matter movement, it would be a good idea to say something like, “ The Comparative Social Movements class will help me understand the tactics past movements used to succeed, while helping Professor McGuffey with his research on race, gender, and sex will help me better understand the ways intersectionality defines the Black experience. ”

Wrapping It Up

For an essay about addressing a societal issue, you’ll want to end on a positive note. Show admissions officers that you are forward-thinking and know exactly how you can solve a pressing issue with the resources BC has to offer. 

Option 5: (Human-Centered Engineering (HCE) Applicants)

One goal of a jesuit education is to prepare students to serve the common good. human-centered engineering at boston college integrates technical knowledge, creativity, and a humanistic perspective to address societal challenges and opportunities. what societal problems are important to you and how will you use your hce education to solve them (400 words).

In this essay, your primary goal is to explain how you will use Boston College’s engineering education to “serve the Common Good” (i.e. address issues in society). In essence, this prompt is a variation on the “Why This College/Program?” essay.

One important piece of advice is to remember that this essay is about you and the program. Don’t just name aspects of the program you’re excited about; make sure you tie them into your story, values, aspirations, or other qualities.

There’s a lot to consider in this essay, but don’t be intimidated! Dedicating a healthy amount of time to brainstorming and planning will make your essay much stronger. Before you begin to tackle this multifaceted prompt, remember that the structure of your essay doesn’t have to mirror the order in which you brainstorm. 

Start by familiarizing yourself with the goals and requirements of the program. Boston College’s Human-Centered Engineering program is a brand-new, interdisciplinary program that gives students a strong foundation in the liberal arts and rigorously prepares them to engineer solutions to global problems. It requires 120 credits, two-thirds of which must be STEM-focused, and one-third of which must be in the liberal arts and humanities. You can read more about the program on the BC website . 

During the brainstorming stage, pick several specific features of the program that catch your interest: perhaps the idea of working with stakeholder groups on design solutions appeals to your creative quest to solve real-world problems. Or, maybe the idea of a weekly reflection on the ethics of engineering strikes you as an important practice for keeping yourself accountable to a humanistic perspective. You’ll come back to these components of the program once you’ve identified a central problem around which to base your essay.

Next, think about your goals in conjunction with engineering–this is the first stage of framing that central problem for your essay. Why are you interested in engineering, from a human-impact perspective? What broad human issues do you find most urgent? Although the prompt doesn’t ask you to pick just one societal challenge or opportunity to address in your essay, we advise you to choose one central theme around which to base your essay. Boston College’s Human-Centered Engineering program aims to put human concerns at the center of its training. 

To get a better understanding of the program’s objectives, it can help to consider what this program strives not to be (and, by extension, what you should focus on avoiding or going beyond in your essay). One page on the Human-Centered Engineering website highlights a couple of contrasting concepts on engineering’s objectives: 

• “The engineers of the future will be asked to do more than build bridges. We’re educating innovative thinkers whose broad knowledge and passion for helping others will set them apart in whatever career they pursue.” Boston College’s engineering program strives to get at issues that have a greater human impact than functional design.
• “This is not engineering for engineering’s sake—this is engineering for impact.” As a graduate of the program, you’re not just inheriting engineering endeavors passed down for generations. You’re innovating and creating solutions to problems that today’s engineers might not yet know how to approach–hence the emphasis on creativity and humanistic perspective.

At this point, you should identify a pressing global or community-based human problem you’d like to address. This should be the focus of your brainstorming efforts. Here are a few things to consider when choosing a problem to discuss:

• Personal impact. Your essay will be much more cohesive and strong if you choose a topic that has affected you or a community you’re part of. For example, if your family owned a farm in Texas, where droughts are a recurring issue, you might be passionate about finding engineering solutions to the issue of water conservation. By framing the global issue of water shortage around your family’s experience, you can more effectively argue for the human impact of the issue. 
• Breadth. You should choose an example that is broad enough to fall into the category of “societal challenge,” but not too broad. If you choose an example that is too broad or vague, like “world peace,” you will come across as out of touch with the goals of the program. If your first thought was world peace, or some other broad human problem, don’t despair! Focus on finding a more specific concern within that broad context. In the case of world peace, think about a concrete problem that causes wars and disputes between human communities. Maybe it’s access to the internet. Then you can frame this issue as worldwide connectivity and access to technology. You don’t need to know all the details of your solution’s mechanism–that’s the purpose of your education–but your central problem should lend itself to an interdisciplinary, engineering-based solution.
• Current Global Crises. The Human-Centered Engineering website gives you a few ideas for relevant human problems: environment (their example being access to clean water), health (with exposure to air pollution as an example), and energy (exemplified by a shift to renewable energy). It would be a good idea to choose a more specific concern within one of these sectors, but if you have a great idea that isn’t related to any of these ideas, that’s okay! The more creative and specific your idea, the better.

Once you’ve chosen a central problem, go back to the concrete aspects of the Boston College’s program that you found most noteworthy. How can these features support your goals? 

You will probably need to go back to the program website and find some more specific resources that will help you achieve your goals. 

Let’s take access to technology and connectivity as our example. You might point out that the liberal arts core will help you gain empathy and perspective on the issue; there is an abundance of literature and psychological studies on the ways in which being left behind technologically creates tensions and war. 

You might also argue that the weekly ethical reflections will help you consider the human needs that you can address within the issue of access to technology–why should we endeavor to bring up-to-date technology across the globe? 

Lastly, the design-thinking modules with stakeholders will help you learn to work with affected parties to create reliable solutions, and this ability to work with stakeholders means you can customize access to technology based on location and connectivity needs. 

Note that the prompt mentions how the program “strives to develop people who will integrate technical knowledge, creativity, and a humanistic perspective” to societal problems. Make sure you address how the program will help you develop each of these qualities when it comes to addressing the societal problem you’ve chosen.

Where to Get Your BC Essay Edited 

Do you want feedback on your BC essays? After rereading your essays countless times, it can be difficult to evaluate your writing objectively. That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays. 

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools.  Find the right advisor for you  to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, 4 tips for writing a stellar boston college essay.

College Admissions , College Essays

Ranked among the top 40 colleges nationwide , Boston College is an excellent college choice, especially if you're hoping to attend a Jesuit institution. As part of the application process, you'll need to submit a Boston College essay. So what should you write about in your essay to raise your chances of getting admitted here?

In this guide, we closely analyze all Boston College essay prompts, providing you with our best tips and advice. We'll also take a look at real Boston College essay examples to give you an idea of what a successful Boston College essay can look like.

So let's get started!

What Is the Boston College Essay?

In addition to the Common Application essay prompts , Boston College requires all first-year applicants to submit a separate essay as part of the Boston College Supplement (which you can find in the Common App under the heading "Writing Supplement").

With this writing supplement, you have six possible essay prompts to choose from:

#1: Students at Boston College are encouraged to consider critical questions as they pursue lives of meaning and purpose. What is a question that matters to you and how do you hope Boston College will help you answer it?

#2: In 2020, we faced a national reckoning on racial injustice in America – a reckoning that continues today. Discuss how this has affected you, what you have learned, or how you have been inspired to be a change agent around this important issue.

#3: At Boston College, we hope to draw on the Jesuit tradition of finding conversation partners to discuss issues and problems facing society. Who is your favorite conversation partner? What do you discuss with that person?

#4: Socrates stated that "the unexamined life is not worth living." Discuss a time when reflection, prayer, or introspection led to clarity or understanding of an issue that is important to you.

#5: Each year at University Convocation, the incoming class engages in reflective dialogue around a common text. What book would you recommend for your class to read and explore together – and why?

#6: [Open to Human-Centered Engineering Applicants only] One goal of a Jesuit education is to prepare students to serve the Common Good. Human-Centered Engineering at Boston College integrates technical knowledge, creativity, and a humanistic perspective to address societal challenges and opportunities. What societal problems are important to you and how will you use your HCE education to solve them?

Each essay prompt expects you to give specific details and a unique, compelling story of who you are, how you came to be this way, and what you hope to do with your education at Boston College.

Regardless of the essay prompt you choose, your Boston College essay must be no longer than 400 words, making it a little shorter than a typical application college essay, which is 500-600 words long.

The good news is you only have to answer one of the prompts listed above. But how can you choose the best essay prompt for you? Read on as we examine all the Boston College essay prompts, one by one.

All Boston College Essay Prompts, Analyzed

In order to submit a great Boston College essay, you'll need to know what each prompt is asking you to do and which one will work best based on your personality, experiences, and/or interests. Below, we offer a close analysis of all four Boston College essay prompts.

Boston College Essay Prompt 1

Students at Boston College are encouraged to consider critical questions as they pursue lives of meaning and purpose. What is a question that matters to you and how do you hope Boston College will help you answer it?

This first Boston College essay prompt looks a little inscrutable at first: you’re being asked to provide not an answer, but a question. However, what Boston College is asking from you here is to talk about academic fields or social issues you’re interested in, and why Boston College is the place to explore them.

This essay is a great opportunity for you to delve into a specific idea or problem you want to learn more about in college. The topic you choose for your essay can be pretty much anything, from an ancient philosophical theory to how smart phones impact American culture.

In short, what excites, interests, or captivates you intellectually? And why?

Before tackling this question, take time to consider what you're passionate about. That can be an academic field you want to study, a challenging problem in your future career field, or a contemporary social issue.

Should You Choose This Prompt?

Most applicants have some idea of what they want to study in college. So if there's a particular field you're interested in, you can use this as a jumping-off point. Narrow your topic so you'll be discussing a very specific question. For example, if you plan to major in psychology, you might frame your essay around the question, “How is our increased reliance on social media changing our behaviors?” 

You can also approach this prompt from a social perspective. Are there any problems in contemporary society that you want to study further? For example, perhaps you’re concerned about wealth inequality in the United States. You could create a question that asks how wealth inequality has changed over the past fifty years, and what we might do to counter it.

With this topic, the sky's pretty much the limit. Here are some other potential topics you could create questions around:

• Environmental issues or climate change
• Political/economic instability or other problems in a country/area
• Discrimination, stigmas, or other issues relating to inequality
• Potential challenges facing technology, science, the arts, specific industries, etc.

The main thing here is that you do not need to answer your question! Instead, you’ll devote a significant part of your essay to saying why Boston College is the best place for you to find answers to your question. Here’s your chance to show that you’ve done your research: bring up relevant departments, faculty members, current research projects, individual courses, and campus groups that will help you with your goal. Clearly show how Boston College will help you answer your question.

Tips for Answering This Prompt

• Explain why you are so invested in your question. Do you have direct experience with the issue you're focusing on? How did (or does) it make you feel? This is a place to show off your intellectual curiosity , and that you’re interested in the Big Questions.
• Connect your question to Boston College as specifically as possible. Boston College admissions counselors want to know that your application is purposeful. You don’t, and shouldn’t, have an answer to your question, but you should have a very clear idea on why Boston College is the best place to find answers.

Boston College Essay Prompt 2

In 2020, we faced a national reckoning on racial injustice in America - a reckoning that continues today. Discuss how this has affected you, what you have learned, or how you have been inspired to be a change agent around this important issue.

This second Boston College essay prompt is very specific, and asks you to do some pretty serious reflecting. You have options: you could discuss your personal experience with racial injustice or what you’ve seen in your community. Perhaps you’ve been personally affected, or perhaps your loved ones have. Maybe something happened in your town that forced you to confront racial injustice on a much more personal level than you expected.

Note, too, that the prompt asks what you have learned and how you’ve been inspired to be a change agent —in other words, if you haven’t yet been able to act on your desire to challenge racial injustice on a larger level, you should still consider this prompt. Ultimately, Boston College wants you to reflect on yourself and your relationship to larger concepts of societal injustice. It’s a tall order, and you’ll need to stay as personal, honest, and specific as possible.

There are, unfortunately, many ways to write about racial injustice in America right now. Here are some examples:

• Your personal experience with racial injustice
• A loved one’s experience with racial injustice
• Specific examples of racial injustice in your community
• The first (or the most vivid) time you recognized racial injustice
• Be as specific as possible . Boston College doesn’t want to just know your opinion on racial injustice—they want to see you, and how you work with difficult, systemic issues. Use concrete examples, and show your innermost self (or as much of it as you’re comfortable sharing).
• Relate your experience to your college career. Boston College clearly cares about racial justice. Their Campus Ministry page on racial justice links to many campus resources to combat racial injustice. Mention specific programs and groups that you want to engage with while you’re in college, and show that Boston College is the best place for you to continue to learn about and fight racial injustice.

Boston College Essay Prompt 3

At Boston College, we hope to draw on the Jesuit tradition of finding conversation partners to discuss issues and problems facing society. Who is your favorite conversation partner? What do you discuss with that person?

This prompt is another great way to show Boston College who you are and what you value . They’re also reminding you pretty clearly here that Boston College is a Jesuit school that values intellectual growth, character formation, and dedication to positive social change. In short, this isn’t the place to talk about the Star Wars fan theories you share with your dad (no matter how cool they are). Instead, think about the person you have deep conversations with. Maybe it’s your best friend, your partner, or a family member. Maybe you’ve bonded with one of your teachers, and you meet up to talk about saving the world, one conversation at a time. This prompt is in two parts: describe your conversation partner, and describe what you discuss. Make sure to paint a clear picture of your conversation partner—why they’re your favorite person to talk to, and what they bring to the table—but also leave room not only for what you talk about, but why you talk about it. Finally, find a way to relate your conversations to your future studies at Boston College. Maybe you bonded with a youth minister and still routinely talk about social change; connect this to similar campus organizations and programs.

This prompt is a great way for you to show Boston College who you are, what you value, and how you connect with others.  

Consider writing about someone you routinely discuss related values with, like:

• Morality/ethics
• Empathy/compassion for others
• Societal issues
• The “big questions” in life
• Choose an appropriate conversation partner. It doesn’t have to be someone you know in real life—pen pals can be just as influential as the people we talk to! But you should make sure that the person you’re writing about is someone that you engage in deep, meaningful conversation with.
• Explain your discussion topics and their importance in detail. This is your chance to share your passion for service, big ideas, and community! Make sure to share why you talk about these subjects with your partner, and why they’re important to you.

Boston College Essay Prompt 4

Socrates stated that “the unexamined life is not worth living.” Discuss a time when reflection, prayer, or introspection led to clarity or understanding of an issue that is important to you.

Boston College is a highly ranked Jesuit institution , so it's not surprising that the school is curious about applicants' values. The purpose of this prompt is to help Boston College understand how your own values will fit with and further promote the Jesuit principles of ethics and community service.

This essay prompt can be broken down into two basic questions:

• What issues are most important to you?
• How do you approach big subjects in your inner world?

If you’re the introspective type, this is an excellent prompt for you. As a prominent Jesuit institution, Boston College highly values service, reflection, and morality. This is the perfect prompt to show them that you do, too.

Some topics you could write about in your essay include the following:

• Changing your mind about a subject you’re passionate about
• Realizing your values have changed
• Realizing your beliefs no longer match up with your family’s
• Your thought process after a major event/life change
• Focus on one specific issue. For instance, you might talk about your complicated feelings about eating meat, and factory farming, and the decisions you made regarding what you are and are not willing to eat and why.
• Make sure the issue is important, and aligns with Boston College’s values. In other words, this isn’t the place to write about how you agonized over changing your starter word in Wordle. Show Boston College your deepest thoughts. They want to see them!

Boston College Essay Prompt 5

Each year at University Convocation, the incoming class engages in reflective dialogue around a common text. What book would you recommend for your class to read and explore together – and why?

This is a prompt you may have seen from other schools as well—Boston College is asking you to discuss a book that you care about. However, this is not about your favorite book. Instead, they want to know which book you think is so important that the entire first-year class at BC reads and discusses it. That means you need to choose a book for more than just how much pleasure it brings you. It also needs to have some intellectual heft to it. That is, pick a book that makes you think, and, ideally, has changed you as a person.

Maybe you read a novel in sophomore English that hit you so hard it restructured your DNA. Or maybe you found a book through a podcast (or BookTok!) that you’d never heard of, and opened your eyes to a new way of seeing the world. You have a lot of options here—just make sure you pick something that you care about that aligns with Boston College’s values. Don’t forget to check their list of previous University Convocation books to get a good idea of what they want.

This prompt is asking you to do two things:

• Choose a book for convocation
• Say why you chose it

This is a great prompt to show off your exquisite taste in books as well as your knowledge and understanding of Boston College’s values.

Consider books that:

• Introduced you to a new culture, subculture, or nationality
• Made you reevaluate the way you see your world
• Told a powerful story, fiction or nonfiction
• Choose an appropriate book. Remember: Boston College doesn’t want to know your favorite book. They want you to talk about a book that affected you so profoundly that you want to share it with the entire incoming class.
• State explicitly why you chose it. Make sure that your text aligns with Boston College’s values. Show that you know what Boston College wants by recommending a book that’s perfect for them!

Boston College Essay Prompt 6

For Human-Centered Engineering major applicants only: One goal of a Jesuit education is to prepare students to serve the Common Good. Human-Centered Engineering at Boston College integrates technical knowledge, creativity, and a humanistic perspective to address societal challenges and opportunities. What societal problems are important to you and how will you use your HCE education to solve them?

First off, you should only choose this prompt if you’re majoring in Human-Centered Engineering. If you are, read on! Otherwise, you’re all done!

Human-Centered Engineering is one of BC’s newest programs, which combines engineering with liberal arts. This prompt is asking you to show that you’re an excellent fit through:

• Choosing an appropriately-sized problem (or problems)
• Saying why they’re important to you
• Saying how you want to solve them
• Showing Boston College that the HCE program is necessary to your solution

No problem, right? You got this! Now’s your chance to show Boston College that you can dream a little bigger, and that your values align with theirs. Because Boston College is a Jesuit school that values service to the community, you should think about societal issues that appeal specifically to them. For example, you may be interested in studying racial discrimination in housing developments or interstate highway projects; you could absolutely mention Boston College’s Racial Justice program and how it will be integral to your future work.

Remember: this is a highly-specialized engineering program that requires connection to the liberal arts and to service. Show that you care about all three in your answer!

If you’re applying to the HCE program, you have no choice—you’re required to choose this one! But it’s a pretty neat prompt that allows you to specifically tell Boston College why you’re a perfect fit for one another. Consider choosing a problem that:

• Has a large impact on your community, or a community you care about
• Has been historically underserved
• Is solvable, and specific
• Choose a specific problem that you care about. The trick here is to describe a problem that you can feasibly help end. This means you need to be as specific as you can. For example, “world hunger,” while a significant problem, is too broad of a subject; instead, you could look at food deserts in your community.
• State explicitly why the HCE program is the only one that will help you solve it. This is the “Why Boston College” essay—it’s your time to show that you’ve done your homework and know the HCE program inside and out.That means you should specifically mention professors, projects, and courses that you think will help you achieve your goal

Boston College Essay Examples

Now, let's take a look at two real Boston College essay examples written by admitted applicants.

Note that since the Boston College essay prompts change frequently, so these essays might not correspond directly to one of the four prompts listed above. But you'll still get a sense for what makes a good Boston College essay and what admissions counselors are looking for. 

Boston College Essay Example 1

This first Boston College essay we'll look at could have easily been written for the second prompt described above (the diversity essay prompt) as it focuses on the applicant's unique multicultural background.

Note that this sample essay is more than 550 words, whereas the current Boston College essay requirements state that essays may not exceed 400 words.

Here is the essay:

"Happy birthday!" "Feliz cumpleanos!" "Kol sana wa enta tayyab!" After my family sings me happy birthday in English, Spanish, and Arabic, I blow out the candles on my cake amidst thunderous cheers that reverberate throughout the five boroughs of New York City. My birthday celebrations, likened by my friends to United Nations assemblies, feature my one, cohesive, yet ever so dissimilar, family, stepping out of their respective Ecuadorian and Egyptian roles to further thrust upon me their expectations. Some would fold under this pressure, but I embrace this trust. While they have not always been able to put me in optimal positions, it has all congregated to a driving force in my cultured and diverse mind.

My never ending quest to achieve success for my family began at a young age, through my trips to Ecuador and Egypt. I not only grew fond of their eloquent languages, but of their modest values. On my first trip to Ecuador as a toddler, my Uncle Guillermo was found dead in an alley one morning, no cause, no explanation. Instead of shielding me from the forlorn passing of one of my heroes, my relatives used this as an opportunity to develop my value for awareness. They told me that Guillermo's death was linked to his severe alcoholism. He had been afflicted for decades, all while selling away the family's possessions to fuel his addiction. He, like many from the impoverished, drug ridden country, knew no better. Some would view a traumatizing event like this as an excuse to end up along a similar path, but it immediately ingrained in me the farsighted principles that I maintain to this day. There are no excuses for me to approach education halfheartedly, for I have witnessed the malevolent effects of ignorance.

When my grandma, Anisa Saad, told me that she views my future with the same reverence that she views the Egyptian Revolution of 2011, I finally realized how delicate my actions are. I knew that making something out of myself meant just as much to my family as it did to me. The Egyptian Revolution was the first time since 1981 that Egyptians had a voice. As they overthrew President Hosni Mubarak, they created an irrevocable identity. They proved that regardless what comprises your past or your background, your impact on the world is only what you make of it. My grandma told me that all she could think about as she cast her vote in the first ever democratic election was that she was changing the world. She said that if a 78-year-old widow living with three of her children and a bad back could change the world, a prioritized pupil with a keen understanding of different societies has boundless potential.

In New York City, the quintessential hub of culture, I found it easier to expand on my expectations and values. I am most people's culturally passionate friend rather than the kid whose ethnicity is indeterminable. I am a New Yorker's idea of a New Yorker; an assiduous product of the "melting pot." No idea is too farfetched to believe, no goal too unattainable. With my grandma's words in mind, I face any problem that the Concrete Jungle throws at me. I seek to make sure the Salazar's of Ecuador and the Badran's of Egypt finally have significant names in the world. I want to blow out my birthday candles with a family proud that I made it, not hoping that I do.

Here's what makes this Boston College essay work:

• It has a compelling hook. The first few sentences about the applicant's multicultural and multilingual family immediately draw us in. It makes you want to learn more about why this applicant gets told happy birthday in three languages, and how their experience shapes their values.
• It's highly specific and detailed. We're given people's actual names, from Uncle Guillermo to Anisa Saad. These concrete details ground us readers in the story while highlighting clear connections between the applicant's life experiences and values.

Boston College Essay Example 2

This next real Boston College essay example is less focused on diversity and more on community service, a major Jesuit value that Boston College would be more than happy to read about in your essay!

At just under 400 words, this essay should help give you an idea of about how long your Boston College essay can be.

"Can you teach me how to tie my shoes?" I looked down. There was Miguel. He pointed at his untied shoelaces. "Come sit down over here," I said as I pulled over a chair. "Just remember this: Loop, Swoop, and Pull." I tied his shoelace. "Now you try on the other." He bent down. "Loop ... Swoop, and ... Pull." He completed a perfect bow.

Later on in that day, Thomas came over to me. "Can you help me tie my sneaker?" Miguel was next to me. I was helping him learn the letters of the alphabet. "I think Miguel can help you." I looked down at him and he nodded. He brought Thomas to the side. "Just remember, Loop, Swoop, and Pull."

In-between studying for the SATs and preparing for my varsity basketball season, I volunteered in a local preschool for Head Start and Special Needs Children in the summer before my junior year. I worked with students who were attending their first year of the school during that year. I was invited back to volunteer again the next summer. I was with the second-year students and Miguel and Thomas were again in my class.

"Do you want to see me write my name?" Miguel asked the first day of my second summer at the school. He used a purple marker and a blank piece of white paper and clearly wrote "Miguel." Thomas approached me. "Look, I can tie my shoes now." He bent down. "Loop, Swoop, and Pull," he whispered as he completed a perfect bow. "It's great to see you guys again. I'll be here the whole summer."

The goal of the program is to prepare the students for success in kindergarten. The best thing about going to the school for two years was to see the progress Miguel, Thomas, and the other kids made. I saw the children walk on the stage at the graduation ceremony at the end of the summer term. I know they will be able to excel in kindergarten.

I began to visualize Thomas and Miguel being at the top of their class in kindergarten next year. I am proud of the work the school does for the children and the progress the children make in the school. I look forward to returning to volunteer next summer.

• It tells a detailed, interesting story. Many students have volunteered at schools or helped out younger children, but this Boston College essay lets readers really see the uniqueness of the applicant's experience. We learn about two children, Thomas and Miguel, and how the process of helping them fundamentally shaped the applicant.
• It's highly focused. No part of this essay feels extraneous or as if it doesn't belong. It uses a well-organized structure that's easy to follow. We also learn through small details that the applicant successfully maintains other commitments, too, such as varsity basketball. So not only is this person caring, they're also a great multitasker!
• It focuses on a key Jesuit value: giving back to others. If you plan to respond to Prompt 4, this is a great essay to look to for tips. It's all about helping the common good and highlights the applicant's desire to continue helping the community.

How to Write a Great Boston College Essay: 4 Tips

Before we wrap up, here are four general tips to help you write a great Boston College essay.

#1: Be Clear and Specific

Your Boston College essay should be clear and have specific, concrete details that tell a compelling narrative about you and what you value. Your essay will have more personal impact if you can incorporate critical details, such as the names of people, your reactions/emotions to events or actions, etc.

In addition, make sure your story is focused and doesn't meander onto less relevant, less interesting, or less significant topics.

For instance, if you're writing about how you enjoy volunteering at retirement homes, there's no point in elaborating on other values you have or other service projects you're involved in since doing so will take away from the main focus of your essay.

#2: Speak Honestly About Embracing Jesuit Values

As with any college essay, be authentic. Exaggerations and lies are pretty easy for admissions committees to detect, so don't bother trying to make a particular experience in your life seem more significant than it really was.

Be honest with yourself: what's important to you? What do you believe Boston College must know about you? And what do you feel defines who you are and what you want to do?

Remember that Boston College is a Jesuit school that strongly values specific qualities, including morality, honesty, and community service. If you have a strong passion for any Jesuit values and often exercise them in your life, make sure you're talking about them to emphasize how Boston College is an ideal fit for you.

#3: Don't Repeat What You Wrote for the Common App Essay

All Boston College applicants must write a separate personal statement that responds to one of the Common App prompts . Since many of the Common App prompts are similar to the Boston College essay prompts listed above, it's critical that you do not repeat any major themes or topics in your two essays.

Each essay is meant to showcase a different side of you, and if you're simply repeating yourself, you won't be revealing new and interesting aspects of your personality—which will not impress the Boston College admissions committee!

#4: Edit and Proofread Multiple Times

You'll want to spend a good amount of time editing and proofreading your Boston College essay.

The best way to do this is to write a rough draft and then put it away for a few days. After some time has passed, take out your essay so you can look it over with a fresh perspective. Note any areas that are irrelevant, awkward, or grammatically incorrect.

Once you've done this a few times, give your essay to someone else to read, such as a teacher, parent, or older sibling. Ask for feedback on what you can improve in terms of flow, organization, and overall story.

Now should now have an excellent Boston College essay ready to submit!

What's Next?

If you're applying to Boston College, you're likely applying to other colleges on the East Coast, too. Check out our expert guides to the Duke essay , the Tufts essays , and the Harvard essay .

Need help writing your Common App essay? Our tips will show you how to write a Common App essay guaranteed to make you stand out from other applicants!

To learn more about Boston College, including what GPA and SAT/ACT scores you'll need to get in, check out our Boston College admission requirements page .

Hannah received her MA in Japanese Studies from the University of Michigan and holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Southern California. From 2013 to 2015, she taught English in Japan via the JET Program. She is passionate about education, writing, and travel.

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How to Write the Boston College Supplemental Essays + Examples

Reviewed by:

Former Admissions Committee Member, Columbia University

Reviewed: 11/8/23

Getting ready to write your Boston College supplemental essays? Read on to learn how to make your essays stand out!Hey, future Eagles!

Feeling stuck on your Boston College supplemental essays ? Unsure of where to start or what to share? This guide has got you covered! We’ll go over each Boston College supplemental essay, break down how to approach them, and provide you with winning examples to use as your muse!

Boston College Supplemental Essay Prompts 2023-2024

Let’s begin with the basics: how many supplemental essays do you need for Boston College ? Fortunately, you’ll only need to answer one of the BC supplemental essays . You’ll be given the following five prompts to choose from:

“Each year at University Convocation, our incoming class engages in reflective dialogue with the author of a common text. What book by a living author would you recommend for your incoming class to read, and why would this be an important shared text?”

“At Boston College, we draw upon the Jesuit tradition of finding worthwhile conversation partners. Some support our viewpoints while others challenge them. Who fulfills this role in your life? Please cite a specific conversation you had where this conversation partner challenged your perspective or you challenged theirs.”

“In her November 2019 Ted Talk, “ The Danger of a Single Story ,” Chimamanda Ngozi Adichi warned viewers against assigning people a “single story” through assumptions about their nationality, appearance, or background. Discuss a time when someone defined you by a single story. What challenges did this present and how did you overcome them?”

“Boston College’s founding in 1863 was in response to society’s call. That call came from an immigrant community in Boston seeking a Jesuit education to foster social mobility. Still today, the University empowers its students to use their education to address society’s greatest needs. Which of today’s local or global issues is of particular concern to you and how might you use your Boston College education to address it?”

Prompt #5 - HCE Applicants

“Human-Centered Engineering (HCE) Applicants only: One goal of a Jesuit education is to prepare students to serve the Common Good. Human-Centered Engineering at Boston College integrates technical knowledge, creativity, and a humanistic perspective to address societal challenges and opportunities. What societal problems are important to you and how will you use your HCE education to solve them?”

These questions aim to get personal, which means you could probably ramble on and on about each of them if you had the chance. But here's the kicker: you have to keep your response to a maximum of 400 words! So, stay on point, keep it snappy, and get to the heart of what matters most. No room for rambling here!

How to Write Each Essay Prompt for Boston College

If you’re intimidated by these prompts and wondering how to write a fantastic college essay , you’re in the right place. Here’s how to ensure all of your BC supplemental essays are concise, compelling, and captivating! 

How to Write Boston College Supplemental Essay #1 + Analysis and Tips

Analysis of prompt #1 : This prompt is focused on the importance of a shared text and how it fosters a sense of unity and understanding among incoming students. Boston College wants to see what kind of literature you consider good for fostering unity. 

This prompt also allows the admissions committee to learn more about your interests. The book you choose will say a lot about you! 

Follow these suggestions if you choose to respond to the first prompt:

• Tip #1: Choose the Right Book : Don’t fall into the trap of thinking you need to discuss a highly complex book to impress the admissions committee. Select a book that you truly believe would be a valuable shared text. Mention some themes or messages that you think could spark meaningful discussions. 
• Tip #2: Share Your Personal Connections to the Book : Show the admissions committee how this book has influenced your perspective. Why does this book resonate with you more than others? You might consider even starting your essay with one of your favorite lines in the book. 
• Tip #3: Connect to the University Convocation : End your essay by explaining how this book would contribute to a meaningful and engaging University Convocation experience. How would it inspire reflective dialogue among your incoming class? 

How to Write Boston College Supplemental Essay #2 + Analysis and Tips

Analysis of prompt #2 : BC asks this prompt because they want to see a willingness to grow and to learn from other perspectives. A mark of a great student is a sense of humility and openness to listening to what others have to say. 

If you’ve had a few notable experiences where your beliefs were challenged, this could be a great prompt for you to respond to! Here are some tips to get you started: 

• Tip #1: Identify a Strong Conversation Partner : Think about a conversation that truly had an impact on you, not just someone disagreeing with your top horror movie choice. Who is someone in your life who has really challenged your perspective or brought fresh insights to the table?
• Tip #2: Be Vulnerable and Specific : Include details of your conversation with this person, including the thoughts and emotions you experienced. Don't shy away from discussing how this conversation challenged you. Were you initially resistant to their ideas? Did it force you to reevaluate your beliefs?
• Tip #3: Share Your Insights : Show the reader how this conversation impacted you. Did it open your mind to new possibilities? Did you gain a deeper understanding of yourself or the world around you? Be authentic and express the lessons you learned from this experience.

How to Write Boston College Supplemental Essay #3 + Analysis and Tips

Analysis of prompt #3 : This prompt deals with the impact of making assumptions. This essay asks you to get personal and describe an instance where you faced prejudice of some kind. By asking this, BC wants to see how you have overcome obstacles as well as how you align with their values of diversity. 

If this prompt interests you, here are some tips on how to answer it: 

• Tip #1: Consider Watching the TED Talk : While you don’t have to watch the TED Talk referenced in this essay prompt, doing so can inspire you and help you brainstorm. You may even want to quote the speaker within your own essay to show you went above and beyond by watching the TED Talk. 
• Tip #2: Stay Humble : Feel free to share in detail about the prejudice you faced and how it affected you, as well as how you broke free from the single narrative. However, be sure not to display arrogance or a superiority complex. Focus on your own growth and the importance of diversity instead.
• Tip #3: Connect to BC : Connect your story to Boston College's values of embracing diversity and fostering inclusivity. Express your eagerness to continue these conversations at BC and learn from a community that values every person's unique narrative.

How to Write Boston College Supplemental Essay #4 + Analysis and Tips

Analysis of prompt #4 : This prompt integrates the history of Boston College with the issues facing the world today. BC wants to see that you are committed to the same values as they are; namely, fighting for social issues and using education to address needs that are prevalent in the world. 

Let’s tackle how to respond to this fourth prompt:

• Tip #1: Choose an Issue Close to Your Heart : If you choose an issue that you’re genuinely passionate about, it will be far easier to write this essay! Admissions committees can always tell when applicants are being authentic, so if you choose a topic you truly care about, your passion will shine through.
• Tip #2: Connect to BC’s Founding Values : This prompt specifically asks you to connect back to BC’s roots. Show how BC's founding mission resonates with your desire to make a difference in the world and emphasize how your BC education will enable you to continue this legacy.
• Tip #3: Demonstrate Your Commitment : Discuss why this issue is so important to you and share your specific vision of how you'll engage with the issue both on and off campus. Highlight any volunteer work, advocacy, or initiatives you've been involved in related to the issue to demonstrate your dedication to change. 

How to Write Boston College Supplemental Essay #5 + Analysis and Tips

Analysis of prompt #5 : This prompt is somewhat similar to prompt #4, as it asks students to analyze. However, as this prompt is specific to HCE applicants, that means that Boston College is looking for specific responses regarding the HCE program. BC wants to see your passion and why you truly want to study HCE. 

Here are some tips to tackle this prompt: 

• Tip #1: Pinpoint Your Passion : Identify the specific societal problems that ignite your passion. Considering this is a question for engineering, the issue you choose should be related to this field. Explain why these issues are meaningful to you and share any personal experiences or encounters with them. 
• Tip #2: Be Specific : Highlight how Human-Centered Engineering at Boston College perfectly aligns with your goals. Share any relevant projects or initiatives you’ve been a part of, especially leadership experiences, related to your chosen issue. Describe innovative engineering approaches you envision tackling at BC. 
• Tip #3: Tie It to the Common Good : Connect your solutions to the Jesuit value of serving the Common Good. Explain how your Human-Centered Engineering education will empower you to serve society and create a positive impact.

Examples of Boston College Supplemental Essays That Worked

There’s no better way to grasp how to write the Boston College supplemental essays than to learn by example! Here are some sample essays written by admitted students at Boston College. 

Sample Essay #1

Prompt : “Each year at University Convocation, our incoming class engages in reflective dialogue with the author of a common text. What book by a living author would you recommend for your incoming class to read, and why would this be an important shared text?”

Take a look at this example essay responding to prompt #1: 

"‘A boy who won't stand up for himself becomes a man who can't stand up for anything.’ This compelling quote from ‘The Kite Runner’ by Khaled Hosseini serves as a poignant reminder of the valuable lesson this book imparts to students.

As students, we often encounter challenges, both academically and personally. This book can remind us of the powerful significance of advocating for our beliefs and values. By learning to assert ourselves and confront our fears, we cultivate the confidence and resilience necessary to address societal issues and make positive contributions to our communities.

Consequently, for our incoming class at University Convocation, I wholeheartedly recommend ‘The Kite Runner’ as our shared text. This novel takes readers on an emotional journey of self-discovery, forgiveness, and redemption. Through Amir's experiences, we learn the importance of standing up for ourselves and others, even in the face of adversity.

‘The Kite Runner’ not only inspires self-reflection but also fosters empathy and understanding. The novel delves into cultural complexities, providing a window into Afghanistan's history and the impact of personal choices on individuals and society. As we engage in reflective dialogue during University Convocation, this shared text will encourage open discussions about diverse perspectives, nurturing a more inclusive and compassionate community.

Moreover, Khaled Hosseini's masterful storytelling captivated me, evoking emotions and allowing me to build connections with the characters. This shared experience can unite our class, forging a shared bond that extends beyond the pages of the book.

As we embark on our exciting academic journey, ‘The Kite Runner’ will serve as a timeless reminder of the value of empathy, resilience, and the power of standing up for what we believe in. It will inspire us to be active participants in shaping a more just and compassionate world, embodying the Jesuit values that Boston College holds dear.”

Why Essay #1 Works

This BC supplemental essay response works for several reasons. It begins with a compelling hook - a powerful quote from "The Kite Runner" - that immediately captures the reader's attention and sets the tone for the essay's central theme. 

The student then demonstrates a genuine and personal connection to the book by discussing academic and personal challenges. The essay highlights the importance of advocating for beliefs and values and explicitly connects the book's lessons to Boston College’s Jesuit values, showing their alignment with the university's mission.

Sample Essay #2

Prompt : “At Boston College, we draw upon the Jesuit tradition of finding worthwhile conversation partners. Some support our viewpoints while others challenge them. Who fulfills this role in your life? Please cite a specific conversation you had where this conversation partner challenged your perspective or you challenged theirs.”

Take a look at this sample essay for some inspiration: 

“‘It’s murder—plain and simple,’ my best friend Emily proclaimed with unwavering conviction. 

With a fiery passion for justice and a fierce dedication to her beliefs, Emily is never afraid to challenge the status quo and speak her mind. As such, we’ve always had lively discussions on various topics, but one particular conversation stands out vividly in my memory. 

In our sophomore year, we were discussing a news article detailing the story of a terminally ill patient who had opted for medical assistance to end their life peacefully. As a staunch advocate for individual autonomy and the right to make end-of-life decisions, I expressed my support for medical-assisted dying, believing that it offers compassionate choices for those facing unbearable suffering.

However, Emily's bold statement gave me pause. I respected her deeply-held beliefs, but I felt the need to question her stance and challenge her perspective and the broader implications of prohibiting medical-assisted dying altogether. I highlighted the anguish that some terminally ill patients might experience when they are denied the choice to control the manner and timing of their death. I also stressed the importance of compassionate end-of-life care, including palliative options, to ensure that individuals facing terminal illnesses have the support they need to make informed decisions.

As our conversation evolved, Emily's arguments made me pause and reflect on the complexity of the issue. While I still valued individual autonomy and compassion, her viewpoints challenged me to consider the potential unintended consequences of medical-assisted dying and the importance of striking a delicate balance between individual choice and societal well-being.

Throughout this conversation, Emily and I maintained a deep respect for each other's beliefs and approached the topic with an openness to learn from one another. The experience taught me the value of engaging in conversations with worthwhile partners who challenge my views, as it broadens my understanding of complex issues and helps me become a more empathetic and well-informed individual.

As I embark on my new journey at Boston College, I will embrace my role as a conversation partner, and support and challenge myself to have a more profound understanding of the world around me. Keeping with the Jesuit tradition Boston College embodies, I look forward to conversing with all intellectual partners I’ll meet at BC, as we collectively strive to enhance our empathy, wisdom, and social consciousness.” 

Why Essay #2 Works

The essay shares a specific and vivid memory of a conversation between the student and Emily during their sophomore year, adding depth and authenticity to the essay. It delves into a complex and controversial issue, demonstrating the student's ability to engage in thoughtful discussions on important societal matters.

This essay also showcases the student's willingness to consider alternative viewpoints, highlighting their intellectual curiosity and open-mindedness. The student then explicitly connects their essay to the BC’s Jesuit tradition, emphasizing the importance of engaging in meaningful conversations to enhance empathy and wisdom. 

Sample Essay #3

Prompt : “In her November 2019 Ted Talk, “ The Danger of a Single Story ,” Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie warned viewers against assigning people a “single story” through assumptions about their nationality, appearance, or background. Discuss a time when someone defined you by a single story. What challenges did this present and how did you overcome them?”

Here is a great example of an essay responding to Adichie’s Ted Talk: 

“Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's Ted Talk on ‘The Danger of a Single Story’ struck a chord with me, as I've personally experienced being defined by a single narrative. During my high school years, I relocated to a new town, and my accent immediately labeled me as ‘the foreign kid.’ People assumed I couldn't speak English fluently and knew nothing about their culture, reducing my identity to a mere stereotype.

This presented several challenges. I felt the constant need to prove myself, academically and socially, and struggled to fit in and be accepted. The isolation and misunderstanding affected my confidence and made it difficult to connect with others.

However, I was determined not to be confined by that single narrative. I actively immersed myself in clubs and extracurricular activities, striving to showcase my multifaceted self. By participating and engaging in conversations, I revealed my diverse experiences, perspectives, and passions. Gradually, I noticed a change in how people perceived me. They began to see beyond the initial assumptions and recognize my individuality. 

Overcoming these challenges required time and resilience. I learned the value of asserting my voice and sharing my authentic stories, which allowed others to understand me beyond the surface level. Breaking free from the constraints of the single story empowered me to build better connections and find like-minded individuals who appreciated me for my true self.

My experience of being defined by a single story during my high school years has had a lasting impact on my outlook and values, which align closely with the principles upheld by Boston College. Boston College's commitment to a Jesuit education, founded on the pursuit of knowledge and understanding, resonates with my journey of breaking free from stereotypes and embracing diverse narratives.

Adichie's Ted Talk holds even greater significance now, as I'm reminded of the importance of avoiding simplistic judgments about others based on appearances or backgrounds. I understand the power of embracing diverse narratives and perspectives, fostering empathy, and recognizing the richness that each individual brings to the table.”

Why Essay #3 Works

The student first demonstrates a connection to the Ted Talk and then shares a vulnerable personal experience of being defined by a single narrative during their high school years, making the essay authentic and compelling. The essay demonstrates the author’s resilience by describing how they overcame various challenges.

The essay also effectively connects the student’s experience to Boston College’s principles, emphasizing the alignment with the university’s commitment to a Jesuit education. The student reflects on the lasting impact of their experience, showing depth of thought and self-awareness and how it aligns with Boston College's values.

Sample Essay #4

Prompt : “Boston College’s founding in 1863 was in response to society’s call. That call came from an immigrant community in Boston seeking a Jesuit education to foster social mobility. Still today, the University empowers its students to use their education to address society’s greatest needs. Which of today’s local or global issues is of particular concern to you and how might you use your Boston College education to address it?”

Take a look at this sample essay discussing the issue of climate change: 

“The magnitude of climate change requires comprehensive and collaborative efforts from individuals, communities, and institutions. As a student at Boston College, I aspire to leverage my education to address this critical global issue and contribute to sustainable solutions.

While I already volunteer at my local recycling facility, participate in beach clean-up events, and am an executive member of my school’s environmental club, I plan on doing even more at Boston College and beyond. First, I intend to pursue a degree in Environmental Studies, combining scientific knowledge with social and policy perspectives. Through interdisciplinary coursework, research opportunities, and engagement with faculty, I aim to develop a deep understanding of the complexities of climate change and its multifaceted implications.

Beyond the academic realm, Boston College's commitment to fostering a caring and inclusive community aligns perfectly with my vision of creating positive change. By actively participating in student-led environmental organizations and joining forces with like-minded peers, I hope to cultivate a vibrant campus environment that values sustainability and collective action.

Moreover, I will have access to valuable internships and networking opportunities that will enable me to collaborate with organizations dedicated to environmental conservation and advocacy. By interning with environmental NGOs and participating in climate-related policy discussions, I hope to contribute to impactful projects and support the creation of policies that drive positive change.

Climate change, as a global issue, requires collaboration and engagement on an international scale. Boston College's global perspective will offer me the chance to connect with students from diverse backgrounds, enriching my understanding of environmental challenges across different regions and cultures. By embracing this multicultural environment, I can foster a broader perspective and contribute to innovative solutions that transcend borders.

By pursuing an education in Environmental Studies, actively engaging in student-led initiatives, advocating for sustainable policies, and embracing Boston College's inclusive community, I hope to make a meaningful contribution to addressing climate change and shaping a more sustainable and resilient future for all. With the support and resources provided by Boston College, I am confident in my ability to make a lasting impact in the fight against climate change and fulfill my commitment to addressing society's greatest needs.”

Why Essay #4 Works

In this essay, this student gets very specific, providing concrete examples of their current involvement in environmental initiatives and outlining their plan to continue making a difference at BC, adding credibility to their commitment. The student also demonstrates confidence and ambition in their commitment to addressing society’s needs.

With a strong emphasis on collaboration and collective action, the student shows an understanding of the need for comprehensive efforts to tackle climate change. They also convey a strong passion for making a positive impact, leaving an impression as a driven, socially conscious, and ambitious individual.

Sample Essay #5

Prompt : “One goal of a Jesuit education is to prepare students to serve the Common Good. Human-Centered Engineering at Boston College integrates technical knowledge, creativity, and a humanistic perspective to address societal challenges and opportunities. What societal problems are important to you and how will you use your HCE education to solve them?” 

Here is an example you can use to get started on your HCE essay: 

“In a world that faces ever-evolving societal challenges, I am deeply drawn to the field of Human-Centered Engineering (HCE) for its potential to enact positive change and serve the common good. As a prospective HCE student at Boston College, I am committed to using my education to address two critical societal problems that are of utmost importance to me: healthcare accessibility and sustainable infrastructure development.

First and foremost, healthcare accessibility remains a pressing concern globally. Many communities, particularly in underserved regions, lack adequate access to essential healthcare services. I am determined to use my HCE education to bridge this gap and improve healthcare delivery systems for vulnerable populations.

Drawing on the technical knowledge and humanistic perspective emphasized in the HCE program, I aspire to design and implement innovative healthcare solutions. By collaborating with healthcare professionals and community members, I aim to develop technologies and systems that are tailored to the specific needs and challenges faced by these communities. Whether it be telemedicine solutions to reach remote areas or the development of affordable medical devices, I envision contributing to the improvement of healthcare accessibility and making a tangible impact on people's lives.

Integrating the principles of sustainability and creativity into my engineering solutions, I seek to minimize the ecological footprint of infrastructure projects. I plan to advocate for the adoption of renewable energy sources and the implementation of green building practices. By prioritizing environmentally friendly technologies and materials, I aim to contribute to the creation of resilient and sustainable urban environments that harmonize with nature rather than deplete it.

Boston College's emphasis on serving the common good aligns perfectly with my vision for using HCE to tackle these societal problems. Additionally, the Jesuit values of social responsibility and ethical leadership will guide me in my professional journey.

I am eager to take advantage of Boston College's resources and engage in service-oriented initiatives to implement real-world solutions and make a difference in the lives of those who need it most.”

Why Essay #5 Works

This essay appropriately focuses strongly on the HCE program and demonstrates the student’s passion for the possibilities found in HCE. The student provides concrete examples of how they plan to use their HCE education to make a difference and demonstrates a well-rounded awareness of global issues. 

The applicant also references the Jesuit values that BC holds and articulates how Boston College's resources and service-oriented initiatives will support the student in implementing real-world solutions. This emphasizes a strong fit between the student's aspirations and the university's offerings.

Get More Sample Essays Here! 

If reading these essays was helpful for you, good news! You can get inspired by tons of sample supplemental essays using our extensive essay database down below. 

FAQs: Boston College Essays

You can find the answers to any remaining questions about the Boston College supplemental essays below:

1. How Many Supplemental Essays Do I Need for Boston College?

You only need to write one Boston College supplemental essay, but you will be given five prompts to choose from.

2. How Long Should Boston College Essays Be?

Your BC supplemental essay should not exceed 400 words. Having said that, you also do not need to meet this maximum. Aim for quality over quantity. Ensure you answer the prompt completely, but do not add any fluff to make your response longer, as it will only reduce the efficacy of your writing.

Final Thoughts

Remember, the Boston College supplemental essays provide an opportunity to showcase your unique qualities and aspirations. Share meaningful insights, experiences, and how your goals align with Boston College's values. 

Make a strong impression, take your time, edit diligently, and let your passion and intellect shine through!

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Boston College Supplemental Essays 2023-2024

Boston college supplemental essays 2023–2024.

A private liberal arts college in the town of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, Boston College is ranked among America’s top 50 colleges by U.S. News. This top school has secured a place on many college lists due to its urban location and world-class academics. If you’re wondering how to get into Boston College, a standout application starts with well-crafted Boston College supplemental essays. 

Successful Boston College applications feature strong Boston College essays—just one, to be exact. Boston College supplemental essays respond to one of five Boston College essay prompts. We have provided the Boston College essay prompts for 2023-2024 Boston College essays below.

Here, you’ll learn how to approach the Boston College essay prompts, plus some brainstorming exercises to help you get writing. We’ll also discuss additional tips for writing Boston College supplemental essays.

Given the low Boston College acceptance rate, you should do all you can to stand out. We hope this guide helps you learn how to approach the Boston College supplemental essays with confidence.

Quick Facts: Boston College Supplemental Essays

• Boston College Acceptance Rate: 19%— U.S. News ranks Boston College as a most selective school.
• 1 (400-word) essay
• Boston College application: Boston College admissions accepts the Common Application , which includes both your personal statement and your Boston College essay. Boston College is also part of Questbridge .
• #1 Boston College Essays Tip: You should read the Boston College essay prompts carefully, choosing one you can answer thoroughly in your Boston College essays. This will maximize your chances against the relatively low Boston College acceptance rate.

Please note that essay requirements are subject to change each admissions cycle, and portions of this article may have been written before the final publication of the most recent guidelines. For the most up-to-date information on essay requirements, check the university’s admissions website. 

Does Boston College require a supplemental essay?

Yes. Along with your Common App personal statement , you must complete one of five possible Boston College supplemental essays.

To complete the Boston College essays, you will select just one of several Boston College essay prompts. However, while you’ll only complete one supplementary essay, that doesn’t mean Boston College cares any less about your supplements. In fact, students’ responses to the Boston College essay prompts play a critical role in admissions decisions. 

Boston College admissions uses a holistic application review process. In other words, extracurriculars, academic achievements, and Boston College essays all impact a student’s admissions prospects. While the low Boston College acceptance rate might seem intimidating , well-crafted Boston College supplemental essays can make a huge difference.

The power of a single essay

The Boston College application isn’t necessarily easier just because there’s a single essay. After all, how hard was it to write your Common App personal statement? Even choosing one of the Boston College essay prompts can be challenging.

To start your writing process, think critically about the prompts available. Which of the Boston College essay prompts speaks to you? Moreover, can you write a compelling essay in response? Well-written Boston College supplemental essays come from carefully selected prompts. Students should write Boston College essays that reflect their most impactful moments of self-realization and personal growth. 

Not sure how to start writing your Boston College essays? Keep reading to learn more about Boston College admissions, including tips on how to approach Boston College essays and overcome the Boston College acceptance rate.

What are the Boston College essay prompts?

Students have options when it comes to the Boston College supplemental essays. There are five Boston College essay prompts to choose from for the 2023-2024 application cycle (400 words or less):

Boston College Supplemental Essay Prompts:

1. each year at university convocation, our incoming class engages in reflective dialogue with the author of a common text. what book by a living author would you recommend for your incoming class to read, and why would this be an important shared text , 2. at boston college, we draw upon the jesuit tradition of finding worthwhile conversation partners. some support our viewpoints while others challenge them. who fulfills this role in your life please cite a specific conversation you had where this conversation partner challenged your perspective or you challenged theirs., 3. in her november 2019 ted talk, “ the danger of a single story ,” chimamanda ngozi adichie warned viewers against assigning people a “single story” through assumptions about their nationality, appearance, or background.  discuss a time when someone defined you by a single story. what challenges did this present and how did you overcome them, 4. boston college’s founding in 1863 was in response to society’s call. that call came from an immigrant community in boston seeking a jesuit education to foster social mobility. still today, the university empowers its students to use their education to address society’s greatest needs. which of today’s local or global issues is of particular concern to you and how might you use your boston college education to address it, 5. for human-centered engineering major applicants only: one goal of a jesuit education is to prepare students to serve the common good. human-centered engineering at boston college integrates technical knowledge, creativity, and a humanistic perspective to address societal challenges and opportunities. what societal problems are important to you and how will you use your hce education to solve them, choosing a prompt.

Aside from applicants for the Human-Centered Engineering (HCE) major, everyone should respond to one of the Boston College essay prompts. Students applying to the HCE major must respond only to the last of the Boston College essay prompts. So, students will just write two Boston College essays in their application: one school-specific supplemental essay and the Common App personal essay. 

The first step towards completing Boston College supplemental essays is to review each of the Boston College essay prompts. So, let’s examine the Boston College essay prompts and the questions you’ll need to answer in your response. We’ll also provide some reflection questions for each of the Boston College essay prompts. 

Refer to these questions as you’re drafting your Boston College essays. These prompt-specific reflection questions will help keep you on track as you draft and revise. 

Boston College Essay Prompts #1

Each year at university convocation, our incoming class engages in reflective dialogue with the author of a common text. what book by a living author would you recommend for your incoming class to read, and why would this be an important shared text.

The first of the Boston College essay prompts asks you to choose a book you’d like to share with your peers. Strong Boston College supplemental essays will recommend a book that embodies the tradition of Boston College’s First Year Academic Convocation . This event asks students to reflect upon their faith and engage in conversation with others. However, this doesn’t mean that Boston College supplemental essays must focus on a religious text. Instead, simply choose a text that speaks to how you engage with the world.

Books for these Boston College supplemental essays should be rich enough to spark and support a deep discussion. After all, the most important part of these Boston College essays is not which book you choose, but why. So, what important questions does this book raise, and how would you investigate them with your peers?

Drafting your response

If you are having trouble narrowing down your book selection, take a look at Boston College’s past common texts. Consider why they were chosen and why your book matters to you. How can you include admirable qualities in Boston College supplemental essays?

However, be sure that if you decide to respond to the first of the Boston College supplemental essays, you fulfill the requirements. That means that you must choose a book by a living author. By adding this requisite to the prompt, students are forced to choose a book that is likely more relevant to current societal issues. So, use this opportunity to choose a book that truly means something to you and show why it’s important to share with your peers. How has it impacted you? Moreover, what might your peers gain from reading it? 

Reflection Questions for Boston College Essays

• Do you choose a book that you genuinely enjoy and wish to share?
• Does your chosen book reflect the values behind the First Year Academic Convocation?
• Do you provide a compelling argument for why this book is worthy of discussion?

Boston College Essay Prompt #2

At boston college, we draw upon the jesuit tradition of finding worthwhile conversation partners. some support our viewpoints while others challenge them. who fulfills this role in your life please cite a specific conversation you had where this conversation partner challenged your perspective or you challenged theirs..

Boston College supplemental essays responding to the second prompt will talk about a favorite conversation partner. Strong Boston College supplemental essays show the author engages deeply with their world and share that engagement with others. While some Boston College essay prompts ask about your engagement with Boston College resources, this prompt centers around how you think and express your beliefs.

Boston College supplemental essays answering the second of the Boston College essay prompts must reflect on a specific conversation and conversation partner. The prompt offers you two approaches: show a moment you challenged another’s perspective or one when your perspective was challenged.

Of course, make sure to choose a conversation where this happened. Basically, don’t choose a moment in which you had a beautiful conversation with zero disagreement or discussion. A well-written response to the second of the Boston College essay prompts will show how you eloquently supported or discussed your perspective. You could also write about how your perspective changed through a meaningful discussion. 

Choosing your topic

When considering who to write about, think about who shares difficult discussions with you. Sure, you might love talking to your friend about your favorite TV show. But would you talk with them about the social problems that make your palms itch? In addition, think about what your discussions with this person says about you and your reasoning skills.

These Boston College supplemental essays should still center around you, the author. Before choosing a prompt for any essay, consider whether you have a personal connection that you can write about. In this case, the discussion needs to be meaningful while also fully answering the prompt. 

One important question to consider for the second of the Boston College essay prompts is: can you answer the prompt directly and adequately while keeping yourself at its center? The same applies when considering any of the Boston College essay prompts.

Once again, remember that good Boston College supplemental essays center around the author. Whoever you write about, don’t spend too much time describing that person. Rather, focus on the ideas you discuss, the dynamics of your conversation, and how it inspires your own reflection. Show the Boston College admissions team that you’re a critical thinker who engages deeply with those around you.

• Do your Boston College essays address both your partner and what you discussed in a specific conversation?
• Do you keep yourself—not your conversation partner—at the center of your essay?
• Does your essay show that you enjoy critical thinking and in-depth discussion about complex subjects?

Boston College Essay Prompt #3

In her November 2019 Ted Talk, “ The Danger of a Single Story ,” Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie warned viewers against assigning people a “single story” through assumptions about their nationality, appearance, or background.  Discuss a time when someone defined you by a single story. What challenges did this present and how did you overcome them?

The third of the Boston College supplemental essays may seem similar to other college essays you’ve encountered. It’s a unique spin on the diversity and culture essay. In the third of the Boston College essay prompts, students are asked to recall a moment in their lives when they’ve been boxed into a “single story.”

As the prompt mentions, students might discuss themes like nationality, appearance, or background. However, the term “single story” leaves things quite open-ended. Students could choose to respond using any instance in which they’ve been defined or judged by a certain label or visible aspect. 

Remember that like all of the other Boston College supplemental essays, your response should focus on you and your personal growth. So, while the moment itself is important, what’s more important is your learning from that experience. Successful responses to the third of the Boston College essay prompts will briefly describe the moment when the student was placed in a particular box. Then, they’ll focus on how the student reacted and moved forward from the situation. 

Preparing to respond

Additionally, it would be wise to actually watch this particular TED Talk if you choose to respond to this prompt. Your Boston College supplemental essays will benefit from inspiration. After watching the TED Talk, you’ll have a better understanding of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s main point. That way, you’ll know how to use Adichie’s ideas to contextualize your own experiences. 

Like some of the other Boston College essay prompts, this question asks you to show the Boston College admissions team that you think deeply and critically about yourself and the world around you. Effective Boston College supplemental essays should address how your own thinking and reflection changed based on the experience. How did being defined as a “single story” affect you? Try to make connections between your experience, your realization, and how it changed you.

• Is your “single story” experience clearly defined?
• Do you expand on how being labeled a certain way impacted you?
• Is it clear how you’ve personally grown from the experience? What realizations were made, and how will they impact your future?

Boston College Essay Prompt #4

Boston college’s founding in 1863 was in response to society’s call. that call came from an immigrant community in boston seeking a jesuit education to foster social mobility. still today, the university empowers its students to use their education to address society’s greatest needs. which of today’s local or global issues is of particular concern to you and how might you use your boston college education to address it.

Boston College supplemental essays for the fourth of our Boston College essay prompts have to discuss a personally important societal issue. So, your response should consider society as a whole–locally or globally. Whatever issue you choose, make sure it is something that an education at Boston College can help answer.

Connect your chosen issue to specific departments, learning styles, school values, or aspects of the Boston College community. These should have come up while you were searching for colleges and researching Boston College. This will help demonstrate why Boston College is the best place for you to explore your curiosities.

Once again, strong Boston College supplemental essays are both specific with the features they highlight and personal in connecting them to the author. So, use this prompt to highlight what makes your perspective unique.

Keep it personal

However, don’t get too hung up on trying to describe Boston College and its offerings. At the end of the day, once again, effective Boston College supplemental essays are about the author. The question you discuss should help the Boston College admissions team learn something important about you. How will you engage with opportunities and communities on campus to address the societal issue at hand?

• Do you clearly state a problem and why it matters to you?
• Strong Boston College supplemental essays give specific details about the school: do you show that you did your research?
• Do you connect facts or features of the school with your interests and background?
• Do you present new information not included elsewhere in your Boston College application? If not, do you expand on something you’ve mentioned before?

Boston College Essay Prompt #6

For human-centered engineering major applicants only: one goal of a jesuit education is to prepare students to serve the common good. human-centered engineering at boston college integrates technical knowledge, creativity, and a humanistic perspective to address societal challenges and opportunities. what societal problems are important to you and how will you use your hce education to solve them.

The fifth of the Boston College essay prompts asks about problems you are passionate about solving. Impactful Boston College supplemental essays focus on societal issues—in other words, conditions or behaviors with wide-reaching negative consequences. This might include poverty, racism, or climate change. Boston College supplemental essays should be genuine and passionate; choose an issue you’re really concerned about.

These Boston College supplemental essays should reflect, in specific terms, why this issue matters to you. As with all strong Boston college essays, give concrete reasoning and use specific examples. Moreover, make sure to tie your argument to your own experiences or values. Readers of these Boston College supplemental essays should understand exactly why and how deeply the author cares.

Do your research

The last of the Boston College essay prompts asks how your HCE education will help you solve these issues. These Boston College essays, therefore, share some qualities with a “Why Boston College” essay.

So, do your research. Check out the HCE Program page to learn about the structure, curriculum, and unique features HCE offers students. What puts this program over other colleges on your list? Remember, applicants outside of Human-Centered Engineering applicants should answer other Boston College essay prompts.

By integrating specific facts about Boston College’s HCE program into your response, you can show the Boston College admissions team you’ve done your research. This can give your Boston College application an edge, especially given the low Boston College acceptance rate. 

• Are you applying for the HCE program? If not, you must choose one of the other Boston College essay prompts.
• Effective Boston College supplemental essays are direct: do you state clearly the societal issue you care about?
• Similar to the first of our Boston College essay prompts, do you give concrete examples of HCE resources?

Selecting a prompt & drafting your Boston College essay

So, after reading the Boston College essay prompts, it’s time to choose. Which one speaks to you? Of the Boston College essay prompts, yours should best showcase you and why you’re a good fit at Boston College. If you’re stuck between several Boston College essay prompts, you might try your hand at a ten-minute free-write .

You should also highlight why Boston College is a good fit for you. Why is it on your college list ? At the end of the day, you’re the one who’ll ultimately accept an offer and attend. Why do you feel Boston College is a place you want to be? Whichever one of the Boston College essay prompts you select, ensure you can answer every part of it. 

Starting the writing process

Once you’ve read the Boston College essay prompts and selected yours, it’s time to start writing. Sitting down and writing your first draft is the hardest part. So, don’t worry about making your Boston College supplemental essays perfect—just focus on getting words on paper. In fact, you might draft several Boston College supplemental essays for different Boston College essay prompts. That’s fine, too!

Start by addressing the big ideas, then go back and make sure you’ve answered the Boston College essay prompts entirely. Then, you can start fine-tuning your Boston College supplemental essays. Review each paragraph—does every part of your Boston College essays connect to you, your worldview, or your beliefs? Remember, effective Boston College supplemental essays put the author and their passions or interests at the center.

Last, but certainly not least, make time to review your Boston College essays thoroughly. Do you have any spelling or grammar mistakes that might distract your reader from the content of your essay? Do you have any logical errors or awkward turns of phrase? Revising—not just drafting—is the key to impactful, unique Boston College supplemental essays. So, the more your revise, the stronger your essays will be. You can also ask a trusted adult to help review your essay.

How do I write the Boston College supplemental essay?

Boston College supplemental essays show Boston College admissions what kind of student you are and what kind you can become. Moreover, the low Boston College acceptance rate makes standout Boston College supplemental essays even more important. However, don’t let the Boston College acceptance rate scare you. Just as there isn’t one formula to impress Boston College admissions, there isn’t one correct way to write Boston College supplemental essays.

Before beginning your Boston College application, consider experiences that have shaped who you are and how you see the world. Reflect on your accomplishments, the challenges you’ve faced, your successes, and your failures. While the low Boston College acceptance rate might seem discouraging, you can create a Boston College application that stands out .

Getting started

Before tackling Boston College essays, brainstorm two lists: things that are and aren’t reflected on your Boston College application. Experiences related to your classes or extracurriculars will be on your transcript or activities section . These can go under “Things reflected in my application.” If you’ve already written your personal statement for the Common App, put that topic in this list, too. Put other experiences regarding your family, your beliefs, or anything else under “Things that are not reflected in my application.”

Boston College essays that introduce new topics should be very clear about why these topics matter matter. As always, give discrete details about Boston College that are relevant to whichever of the Boston College prompts you chose. At the same time, don’t just throw course names and faculty titles around without context. Instead, relate those details to the interests and identities that you consider most important.

Highlight new aspects of yourself

It’s absolutely fine to write Boston College essays on topics mentioned elsewhere in your application. However, if you try to draft Boston College supplemental essays like this, build on the story your application already tells. Remember, Boston College supplemental essays should share something new with the Boston College admissions team. If you’re not giving entirely new information, be sure your Boston College essays provide a new perspective.

As you’re drafting Boston College supplemental essays—perhaps trying multiple Boston College essay prompts—consider the following questions.

Reflection Questions for BC Essays:

• Do my Boston College supplemental essays answer all elements of the prompt?
• Do my Boston College essays engage the reader with specific details about myself and about Boston College?
• Do my Boston College supplemental essays tell my story in a unique and compelling way?
• Do my Boston College essays answer the question “Why Boston College?”
• Do my Boston College supplemental essays have spelling/grammatical errors?

Don’t skip the editing phase

Especially if writing Boston College supplemental essays is really challenging, it can be tempting to submit a first draft. Forget editing, you’re tired of looking at this thing! But if you know the first thing about how to get into Boston College, you’ll know editing is crucial. Make plenty of time to leave your drafts alone before returning to them for the editing round. Then, you’ll be able to look at your writing with fresh eyes.

Don’t just fix technical errors: review your essays for content to make them shine . Additionally, read essay examples to see what worked well and how you can improve your own essays. Moreover, ask someone you trust, like a family member or teacher, if your essays portray you accurately. Reflect on the questions included with the Boston College supplemental essays above when revising.

Is the Boston College essay important?

Absolutely. Along with personal statements, Boston College essays provide Boston College admissions an opportunity to hear about you through your own perspective. They should give a fuller picture of you than your transcript and activities lists. Ideally, your Boston College supplemental essays will show your ability to reflect and learn from certain experiences. In fact, all of the Boston College essay prompts allow students to showcase their personal growth. By highlighting your growth mindset, you can ensure your application stands out. 

Boston College supplemental essays also let you reflect on a key aspect of your life. Read each of the Boston College essay prompts, selecting the prompt for which you can draft effective Boston College essays. Starting off on the right foot will help you overcome the low Boston College acceptance rate.

Showcase writing ability

Personal statements and Boston College supplemental essays also give Boston College admissions a sense of your writing ability. After all, any school matching the Boston College acceptance rate will have a rigorous curriculum. Furthermore, as a liberal arts college, Boston College will certainly call upon your writing skills regardless of your major. Can you efficiently and clearly convey ideas? Additionally, can you engage readers of your Boston College essays?

If you enroll at Boston College, you’ll have a lot of writing ahead of you. Therefore, Boston College admissions wants strong Boston College supplemental essays that show evidence of drafting, editing, and proofreading. These are all skills that you will use if you attend Boston College. So, effective Boston College supplemental essays show that the author has what it takes to succeed at Boston College.

Overcoming the Low Boston College Acceptance Rate

As mentioned in the Quick Facts, the Boston College acceptance rate for the class of 2025 was 19%. The Boston College acceptance rate places Boston College among the top 100 most selective colleges and universities in the country. As the Boston College acceptance rate suggests, Boston College is a competitive school.

In light of the low Boston College acceptance rate, you should think critically about how to get into Boston College. High test scores won’t necessarily be enough. According to the U.S. News report of Boston College admissions, half of admitted applicants had an SAT score between 1420 and 1530 or an ACT score between 33 and 34. The decreasing Boston College acceptance rate reflects these competitive scores.

Given the low Boston College acceptance rate, Boston College supplemental essays are extremely important to every Boston College application. While the Boston College acceptance rate may seem intimidating, there’s one thing every admitted student has in common: they impressed Boston College admissions by writing compelling Boston College supplemental essays. For your best chance against the Boston College acceptance rate, you should craft unique, authentic, and engaging Boston College essays.

What are the admission requirements for Boston College?

Remember, prospective students can complete a Boston College application using the Common Application or Questbridge Application. Note that Boston College does not accept the Coalition Application. An application must include:

Boston College Admission Requirements:

• An official transcript
• Letters of recommendation
• A personal statement
• One of your drafted Boston College supplemental essays.

As you can see, Boston College supplemental essays are just one aspect of your application. However, Boston College essays are essential to the Boston College admissions process, especially as the Boston College acceptance rate declines.

Declining acceptance rates

The Boston College acceptance rate has steadily decreased over the past five years. As more students have begun applying to more schools, acceptance rates across the nation have become more competitive. On top of that, the pandemic forced many colleges and universities to adopt test-optional policies. Consequently, even more students applied to college, especially competitive schools like Boston College and the Ivies . The Boston College acceptance rate from last year definitely reflects this uptick in applicants.

Boston College admissions has made their 2023-2024 admissions cycle test-optional as well. If you so choose —or, of course, are unable—you don’t need to submit SAT or ACT scores. However, if you don’t submit test scores, Boston College admissions will place greater emphasis on the rest of your application. This includes Boston College essays, so make your choice wisely. Even if your standardized test scores are solidly in the middle—or even slightly below average—submitting them may not hurt.

Additional Tips for the Boston College essay

Boston college supplemental essays top tips, #1- mark your calendar.

Make sure you give yourself adequate time to complete your application and write your Boston College supplemental essays. Try making an application calendar including the Boston College admissions deadlines . The November 1st deadline for Early Decision I has already passed for 2022. However, Early Decision II and Regular Decision are both due  January 1st. From there, work backward and set deadlines for choosing a prompt, completing your first draft, second draft, and so on. Be sure to plan ahead so you don’t have to spend all of winter break drafting Boston College supplemental essays.

#2- Create a checklist

As you respond to the  Boston College essay prompts, see if you can successfully answer the reflection questions for each one. And here are some more general questions:

• Do I answer every part of the Boston College essay prompts?
• Does my essay reflect my experiences and how they’ve contributed to who I am? 
• Have I included specific details in my essay?
• Do I avoid any spelling/grammar errors?
• Does my essay tell a clear and compelling story?

#3- Get a second opinion

Once you have some solid drafts of your Boston College essays, ask someone you trust to look over it. This might be a guardian, a counselor, a neighbor, or a teacher. Another reader will be able to catch grammar or spelling errors you might have missed. They can also give feedback on clarity, flow, and style . Moreover, if you’re stuck between two responses to Boston College essay prompts, maybe they can tell you which they prefer. Be sure to complete drafts well ahead of the deadline to give them plenty of time to give you thoughtful feedback.

Boston College Admissions

Want to hear more from Boston College’s undergraduate admissions team on approaching the Boston College supplemental essay? Check out this video from the senior assistant director below.

Boston College Supplemental Essay: Final Thoughts

When thinking about how to get into Boston College, well-crafted Boston College supplemental essays should be top of your list. As you review and respond to the Boston College essay prompts, don’t let the low Boston College acceptance rate deter you from applying. If you believe Boston College’s Jesuit Catholic education will help you achieve your goals, submit the strongest application you can.

The more you edit your Boston College supplemental essays, the stronger they will be. Take your time with the Boston College essay prompts and remember to draft, revise, and proofread. Whichever one of the Boston College essay prompts you choose, your Boston College essays should answer, “Why Boston College?”

Look on the bright side!

Once again, don’t let the low Boston College acceptance rate discourage you. Boston College admissions wants to accept students from a diverse range of backgrounds who will enrich their campus community and make a positive difference in the world. Don’t be afraid to dream about the kind of future you want to build for yourself. If you can imagine how Boston College will help you reach it, you can better show why you deserve admission. Remember to be yourself and take pride in your experiences. If you’re genuine and authentic in your Boston College supplemental essay, your personality will shine through.

This Boston College supplemental essays guide was written by Sarah Kaminski and Gina Goosby.   Looking for more admissions support? Click  here  to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. I n fact, d uring your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how  CollegeAdvisor.com  can support you in the college application process.

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How to Respond to the 2023/2024 Boston College Supplemental Essay Prompts

Cece Gilmore is a Content Writer at Scholarships360. Cece earned her undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from Arizona State University. While at ASU, she was the education editor as well as a published staff reporter at Downtown Devil. Cece was also the co-host of her own radio show on Blaze Radio ASU.

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Boston College is a Jesuit private research university located in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. Boston College is located a short distance from Downtown Boston which makes it an extremely desirable place to learn. Therefore, BC’s acceptance rate is around 19%, meaning your application will really need to stand out! In order to apply, students must complete one of the five prompt options for the BC supplemental essays. 

Here’s our guide for how to ace the Boston College supplemental essay questions!

Also see: Scholarships360’s free scholarship search tool

Before answering the BC supplemental essays

All Boston College applicants, should respond to one of the following four prompts except for those applying for the Human-Centered Engineering major. Those applying for the Human-Centered Engineering major will need to reply to ONLY the fifth Boston College essay question. 

All of the Boston College supplemental essay questions have a 400 word limit . 400 words may sound like a lot but once you start writing you will realize that getting your personality on the page will take a few more words than 400. Do not stress! This just means you will have to be precise and direct with your answers. Do not drag on or use filler words! Just remember to be yourself in your response. 

Don’t miss: How to respond to the Common App essay prompts

Essay option #1

“Each year at University Convocation, our incoming class engages in reflective dialogue with the author of a common text. What book by a living author would you recommend for your incoming class to read, and why would this be an important shared text?”

If you are a bookworm this is the prompt for you! This prompt is an opportunity to be creative in your response. 

Before answering this prompt – brainstorm! What book has impacted your life to this day? You should try to choose a work of literature that has sparked something inside of you. Meaning, choose a book that has given you valuable insight or changed your outlook on life. I know the second you read this prompt you had a book in mind so don’t hesitate to write about it! 

However, since this prompt is allowing for creative freedom try to choose a unique book. Refrain from choosing a novel such as Harry Potter since it is extremely popular and will probably be written about a lot by applicants. (Even though the Harry Potter series is one of my favorites.) 

Although, if you are dying to choose an extremely popular book or a classic make sure to then write from a new and different perspective or take. Once you have selected a book, go into detail about how it has impacted your life. This should go without saying but choose a book you have read and are familiar with! Emphasize why it would be a good fit for your class to read. What will your fellow peers learn from this novel? 

Questions to consider

• What is your favorite book? 
• How would Boston College benefit from reading this book? 
• How has this book influenced your outlooks? 

Don’t miss: Top 10 books to read before college

Essay option #2

“At Boston College, we draw upon the Jesuit tradition of finding worthwhile conversation partners. Some support our viewpoints while others challenge them. Who fulfills this role in your life? Please cite a specific conversation you had where this conversation partner challenged your perspective or you challenged theirs.”

I know once you read this prompt you immediately thought of someone. So who was it? Who do you talk to about anything? 

Once you have identified your favorite conversation partner, write a brief few sentences about them. How do you know them? Are they related to you? 

Now, you should reflect on past conversations you have had with this person. What do you usually talk about?

To stand out from other responses, do not simply list everything you and this person have ever talked about. Rather, find a common theme in your conversations. Maybe you always talk about music with them or maybe they act as your therapist when you are having relationship issues. 

Be sure to reflect on this person and your conversations. What have you learned from them? Emphasize how crucial conversations are. Stress how finding that right person to have a conversation with is so important. 

• Who do you have the best conversations with? 
• What do you learn from your conversations with this person? 
• How are conversations important for fixing problems in society? 

Don’t miss: What to include on college applications

Essay option #3

“In her November 2019 Ted Talk, “ The Danger of a Single Story, ” Chimamanda Ngozi Adichi warned viewers against assigning people a “single story” through assumptions about their nationality, appearance, or background. Discuss a time when someone defined you by a single story. What challenges did this present and how did you overcome them?” 

To begin this prompt, brainstorm things someone may assume about you. Although being stereotyped or discussing racial or ethnic diversity is a great thing to do here, you can also discuss other aspects of your appearance or background. Some examples could include being labeled a dumb blonde or being assumed you are a member of the LGBTQ+ community due to a pin on your backpack. Detail this challenge in a story format to allow the admissions committee to truly understand how this experience made you feel. 

Whatever your challenge is, the most important thing in this response is that you describe how you have overcome them. Focus most of your response on this part of the prompt. Be sure to focus on how you were emotionally and mentally impacted by this challenge to demonstrate your resilience and ability to overcome a difficult situation. Remember to be as detailed as possible! The admissions committee wants to see what you did and most importantly why you did.

Lastly, for some brownie points, finish your response by connecting what you have learned back to Boston College! Describe what you have learned from this experience and what you hope to take with you on your next academic journey. In fact, try to describe specific aspects of Boston College that you will take advantage of. For example, perhaps there’s a BC club for minorities similar to you and you know you want to be a part of people who understand the challenges you’ve been through because of your minority status. 

Ultimately, make sure your response comes full circle! This will show the admissions committee your train of thought and see what you will bring to the BC community. 

• What is an assumption someone has made about you? 
• How do you overcome tough challenges? 
• How has your personality been shaped by your experiences? 

Don’t miss: How to write an essay about yourself

Essay option #4

“Boston College’s founding in 1863 was in response to society’s call. That call came from an immigrant community in Boston seeking a Jesuit education to foster social mobility. Still today, the University empowers its students to use their education to address society’s greatest needs. Which of today’s local or global issues is of particular concern to you and how might you use your Boston College education to address it?”

If you are an activist, this is the prompt for you! Think about a local or global issue that you are extremely passionate about. This could be anything from recycling to a more controversial opinion. Make sure you are picking a topic you truly are interested and passionate about – it does not have to be a world-changing issue, all that matters is that your passion is there! However, try to avoid choosing a broad topic such as world hunger rather you should narrow it down. 

Next, you should describe your connection to the issue. Why is this issue important to you? What have you done to support this cause? Whatever your connection to the issue, make sure that you are highlighting your passion and concern for the cause as well as why you are passionate about this issue. 

Lastly, connect back to BC! Research and describe aspects of BC that align in some way to the issue you were discussing. Try and name specific professors, classes, clubs, etc that you are excited to interact with and why. Make sure you are describing how BC will better your fight for justice and how you will better your BC community. 

Tips for responding to this prompt

• Avoid triggering responses such as detailing extreme violence.
• Do not write about anything incriminating to yourself.
• Be specific! Write about specific protests attended or organizations you supported.
• Remember even the smallest change you were a part of can have big impacts.
• Do not write about stereotypes. (unless you are discussing overcoming them) 
• Exercise best judgment when using certain language. 

Related: How to write a 500 word essay

Essay option #5 (For human-centered engineering applicants only)

“One goal of a Jesuit education is to prepare students to serve the Common Good. Human-Centered Engineering at Boston College integrates technical knowledge, creativity, and a humanistic perspective to address societal challenges and opportunities. What societal problems are important to you and how will you use your HCE education to solve them?”

This essay prompt is essentially asking you to explain how you will use an engineering degree from Boston College to serve the “Common Good.” 

To begin, research the Human-Centered Engineering program at Boston College. What programs and aspects of the program stick out to you? 

After familiarizing yourself with their program, now brainstorm a societal problem facing us right now. Try to narrow it down to one issue.

Focus on an issue that has a personal impact. For example, maybe solar electricity is not used widely in your community and you would like to see that transition. By using your own experiences, you can make your response stronger and reveal pieces of your personality. 

If you are struggling to pick a problem, the Human-Centered Engineering website has some examples you can choose from. 

Throughout this essay, make sure to tie back to how the programs at Boston College can help you solve this main problem. Be sure to include specifics about the program that can only be found at Boston College. 

• Why are you interested in engineering? 
• What issues do you find most important? 
• How can engineering aid these issues? 

Also see: Top Massachusetts scholarships

What makes Boston College unique?

When applying to any school, it’s a good idea to learn about what makes them unique before you start writing your supplemental essays. Once you find the unique characteristics about a school, you can describe the ones that interest you the most and explain why you will find success at a school that offers these features. This demonstrates your interest in and commitment to the school as well as your potential to perform well if admitted. Here are a couple of unique characteristics about Boston College that can help you write your best essays possible.

Being located in the Boston area is a major factor in the experience of students at BC. Boston is a huge city which is home to a wide range of prestigious universities. So, you’ll be in a bustling city full of other people your age receiving great college educations. You can write about how you are prepared to take advantage of this resource by visiting museums, utilizing city libraries, applying for internships, and more.

The Disney Class

One of Boston College’s most famous courses is the Disney Class . This course, officially titled, Studies in Children’s Literature, goes in-depth on the stories behind major Disney films throughout the history of the company, including how they changed popular fairy tales to create marketable movies. Professor Bonnie Rudner teaches the class, and adamant Disney fans and critics will both find something interesting from the course and learn to contextualize these canonical movies in a whole new light.

Impressive philosophy department

Boston College is especially renowned for its philosophy department, known for pushing barriers and including extensive coursework in the field of continental philosophy. Several faculty members at the college are well-known around the world, including prominent Heidegger scholar William J Richardson .

Next steps after applying to Boston College

So that’s what you should know about the BC supplemental essays! Now that the hard part is over and your application is flawless and submitted – take a deep breath! Congratulations, you did it! The hard part is now over! 

Continue to show demonstrated interest in Boston College so they know you are committed and prioritizing their school (even if you have a few other top choices.) 

This can be done by:

• following their social media accounts
• reaching out to admissions officers
• scheduling an in-person or virtual tour
• reading up on what you want to get involved in on campus 

Essentially, showing interest and staying connected will allow you to get that extra foot in the door and make your name known. Exploring your interest in Boston College will also help solidify if it is the best university for you. 

Additional resources

As a student working on college applications, you’ve got a lot on your plate. There are many decisions to make along every step of the way – fortunately, we can help you through them. Check out our guides on how many schools to apply to and how to find safety, reach, and match schools .

If you’re wondering whether to send test scores to test-optional schools , we’ve got a guide for that as well. And once you start hearing back, we can help you create a college comparison spreadsheet to make your college choice. Finally, check out our free scholarship search tool to help fund your education and keep all of your college options open. Good luck!

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How to Write the Boston College Supplemental Essays: Examples + Guide 2023/2024

TABLE OF CONTENTS

What are the boston college supplemental essay prompts.

• How to write each supplemental essay prompt for Boston College
• Option #1: “Book recommendation” essay
• Option #2: “Challenged beliefs” essay
• Option #3: “Identity” essay
• Option #4: “Global perspective & societal responsibility” essay
• Option #5: “Human-Centered Engineering Major Applicants” essay

For the Boston College supplemental essay, you have a great opportunity to demonstrate how BC’s  key values—personal growth/development and service to others—reflect your own ideals, and how they’ve shown up in your life, through your experiences, talents, and lessons learned.

Before you dive right in, take a minute to learn more about how BC envisions its mission, purpose, and opportunities, and how it wants to grow and evolve, by combing through its strategic plan . You’ll also find an extensive, by-the-numbers look at BC’s offerings, from enrollment and tuition statistics to student life and financial aid information, on its Common Data Set .

We would like to get a better sense of you. Please respond to one of the following prompts (400 word limit). Applicants to the Human-Centered Engineering major will select the fifth prompt.

Boston College Supplemental Essay Prompt #1

Each year at University Convocation, our incoming class engages in reflective dialogue with the author of a common text. What book by a living author would you recommend for your incoming class to read, and why would this be an important shared text? (400 words) At Boston College, we draw upon the Jesuit tradition of finding worthwhile conversation partners. Some support our viewpoints while others challenge them. Who fulfills this role in your life? Please cite a specific conversation you had where this conversation partner challenged your perspective or you challenged theirs. (400 words) In her November 2019 Ted Talk, “The Danger of a Single Story,” Chimamanda Ngozi Adichi warned viewers against assigning people a “single story” through assumptions about their nationality, appearance, or background. Discuss a time when someone defined you by a single story. What challenges did this present and how did you overcome them? (400 words) Boston College’s founding in 1863 was in response to society’s call. That call came from an immigrant community in Boston seeking a Jesuit education to foster social mobility. Still today, the University empowers its students to use their education to address society’s greatest needs. Which of today’s local or global issues is of particular concern to you and how might you use your Boston College education to address it? (400 words) Human-Centered Engineering (HCE) Applicants only: One goal of a Jesuit education is to prepare students to serve the Common Good. Human-Centered Engineering at Boston College integrates technical knowledge, creativity, and a humanistic perspective to address societal challenges and opportunities. What societal problems are important to you and how will you use your HCE education to solve them? (400 words)

How to Write the Supplemental Essay Prompt for Boston College

How to write boston college supplemental essay prompt #1.

Each year at University Convocation, our incoming class engages in reflective dialogue with the author of a common text. What book by a living author would you recommend for your incoming class to read, and why would this be an important shared text? (400 words)

It doesn’t matter if you’ve always got your Kindle by your side, downloading and reading the latest additions to the New York Times Best Sellers list, or you’re more of a casual beach reader. If you’ve got a favorite, impactful book, BC wants to hear (well, read) about why. And that’s really the meat of the question—the why. Maybe reading The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue made you realize we shouldn’t underestimate the impact we can make on others (or that others make on us) after one singular, fleeting meeting. And now you’re more aware of how you interact with strangers, and you want others to be too. 

In particular, think about works that have been meaningful to you. In other words, this essay should still be about you, not simply an analysis of the artwork itself. What lessons have you learned from reading/hearing the piece that you’ve been able to apply elsewhere in your life? Did it challenge preconceived ideas or beliefs? Did it inspire you in some meaningful way?

This is the stuff of a great BC essay.

If you have answers to any of the questions above, chances are this may be a great prompt for you. Another way to evaluate whether it’s the right choice is to consider your Common App application as a whole—your personal statement, Activities List, and Additional Information section. Is there an important side of you, a critical experience, subject, or activity, that isn’t coming through as strongly as it should? If your answer is yes, ask yourself: Can I demonstrate that in a meaningful way through a specific song, poem, speech, or novel? If so, read the example and Tips + Analysis below.

Whatever text you choose, BC is really looking to learn how you might start lively discussions on campus and encourage fellow students to expand their horizons and push their limits.

Pro tip: If you do choose this prompt, try not to write about widely popular or obvious choices—like, say, the classics or anything in the Harry Potter series. Not because they’re not wonderful reads (they’re well-known for a reason), but because other students are likely to write about them, which will make it more difficult for you to stand out. On top of that, note that this prompt specifies ‘living author’, so be sure to double check that information if you’re not 100% sure. 

Here’s a strong example for this prompt from previous years (when BC didn’t specify ‘living author’):

In history class, the dialogue surrounding the Civil Rights Movement often presents African Americans as a unified group fighting to resist racist policies. But James Baldwin’s The Fire Next Time, written in 1963, helped me understand that the nuances of African American resistance have often involved strained personal relationships within African American families. Early in this book, Baldwin retells a childhood experience where his father discouraged him from staying in school because he thought a higher level of education didn’t help African Americans enter the professional sphere. Baldwin recalls encountering “too many college-graduate handymen,” but refuses to drop out of school, mostly as an act of defiance towards his father.  Baldwin continues to describe experiences that heightened the tension between him and his father—particularly regarding religion, parental control, and life on the streets.  Although resisting white oppression was difficult for Baldwin, resistance often caused divides in his personal relationships, which was more draining. Before reading this book, it had never occurred to me that overcoming the barriers perpetuated by racism in some cases involved taking a break from one’s traumatized community, which in this case was Baldwin’s own father. I can relate. My father and I have differing methodologies for informing ourselves of current events and choosing to support a political candidate. My father makes his decision based on the political party, overall impact the candidate will have in the government, and major news headlines, while I believe in learning all the details about the candidate, doing extensive research on their speeches and personal history, looking at which influencers support them, and following their updates on social media. These small differences have caused my father and I to disagree in some political conversations. I used to doubt my own perspective when my father and I discussed politics, but Baldwin’s essay taught me to hold my own ground while also respecting my father’s opinion. It also taught me to critically reflect upon my own values. Social problems play out in personal ways. The Fire Next Time has helped me find the balance between acknowledging strains in personal relationships while learning how to grow as an activist. Reading about Baldwin’s experience has helped me draw parallels to my personal struggles, and helped me combat my unconscious assumption that all African Americans have experienced the consequences of white oppression in the same way.   — — —

Tips + Analysis

Show how the piece changed, broadened, or challenged previously held beliefs. The key to this essay is to show how the work of art you chose to write about contributed to your growth—how it gave you “insight or inspiration.” So, think about doing that in two parts: first by describing the belief or perspective you started with (the status quo), then by explaining how your viewpoint evolved. In her intro, this student starts right out with a summary of both: “In history class, the dialogue surrounding the Civil Rights Movement often presents African Americans as a unified group fighting to resist racist policies. But James Baldwin’s The Fire Next Time, written in 1963, helped me understand that the nuances of African American resistance have often involved strained personal relationships within African American families.” That’s a nice way to establish the essay’s theme from the beginning. 

Make it personal. Remember, this is an essay about you, not so much the work you chose. You will, naturally, have to spend some of your word budget talking about the piece, especially as it relates to the idea or perspective that inspired or enlightened you. This student spent 100 words on Baldwin’s perspective—a quarter of the essay. We wouldn’t recommend using much more than that. But the student then quickly dives into the insight she gained, how “overcoming the barriers perpetuated by racism in some cases involved taking a break from one’s traumatized community.” Even more instrumental was showing how she related to Baldwin’s experience, through her political disagreements with her own father. But she doesn’t stop there. In demonstrating her growth, the student is clear about how she applied what she learned: “Baldwin’s essay taught me to hold my own ground while also respecting my father’s opinion. It also taught me to critically reflect upon my own values.” 

Show how your growth has impacted your life in other ways. If you can demonstrate that the lessons you took away from the piece inspired you in multiple ways, all the better. For this student, in addition to having a new outlook on her political conversations with her father, she learned to “find the balance between acknowledging strains in personal relationships while learning how to grow as an activist,” while also learning to “draw parallels to my personal struggles,” and “combat my unconscious assumption that all African Americans have experienced the consequences of white oppression in the same way.”

Convey key values you want BC to see. One of the most important goals of this essay is to show BC what’s meaningful to you and why. That means conveying key values, especially those you share with BC. This essay is teeming with strong values: empathy, compassion, social change, curiosity, accountability, diversity, quality relationships, respect, love.

Consider being vulnerable. Expressing vulnerability makes the essay more relatable, allowing the reader to connect with you on a more personal level. You can show vulnerability in multiple ways—with self-deprecating humor, by revealing embarrassing details, by sharing secrets or deeply personal information. This student is vulnerable in describing some over-generalized beliefs she had about the African-American experience, which some people may be shy about revealing for fear of judgment. Sharing that perspective makes her growth, and her willingness to embrace it, all the more meaningful.

Of all the books I've read, none left a bigger impact on me than Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea. The book tells the stories of six North Koreans that lead very different lives but all eventually affected. When reading this book, I felt immense pity for these people and was reminded that, while North Korea is viewed only as a political aggressor, it is still comprised of people. I was shocked at how easily I saw North Korea as a conglomerate of individuals who are completely indistinct from their country—all villains. By reading this novel, I was reminded how easy it is to judge or condemn people without truly understanding the reasons underlying who they are. These North Koreans did not choose their birthplace nor did they embody the ideology of their nation in the slightest—thinking this way changed my image of them entirely. Having read the book recently, I built upon this mindset during my Kairos (Catholic retreat), and I’ve been putting it into practice ever since. I believe this novel would inspire similar revelations in many readers. A mindset like this is not only beneficial in the social realm, but the business one as well. (200 words) — — —

Tips + Analysis:

Identify the group benefit. As with your responses to any supplemental essay, it’s important you understand and address each part of the prompt. While we mentioned that answering the “why” is important to explaining your book selection, just as important is explaining the benefit of reading it together as a class. What might be gained through this shared experience? What impact could you make as a group that you might be unable to accomplish on your own? To better fit the response to BC’s prompt, this student would’ve needed to dig a little deeper to justify the importance of reading and analyzing this book together and illustrate the potential end result.

Don’t be someone you’re not. It’s tempting to guess at what admission officers want to hear and craft a response based on a book that sounds good but that you have no connection to (or, even worse, didn’t actually read). Don’t. It’s not so much the actual book that’s important, but how (and why) a piece of literature changed the way you think or opened your eyes to something you’d never considered before—and how it might do the same for others. While we don’t know how this student happened upon this book, it’s clear what takeaways come from reading it. 

Offer a fresh perspective. We often caution against writing about common experiences in college essays because they can make it harder for you to stand out. The same goes for common books. While you may feel very strongly that everyone should read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone because it was the first book that got you excited about reading and you believe you can tell a lot about a person based on the house they’d belong to. But is it a truly standout topic? Probably not. But is there a deeper, more subtle insight you can tease out from your reading? We encourage you to give it a try. We doubt many others would be casually picking up Nothing to Envy, but knowing how it impacted this student, we now just might. 

How to Write Boston College Supplemental Essay Prompt #2

At Boston College, we draw upon the Jesuit tradition of finding worthwhile conversation partners. Some support our viewpoints while others challenge them. Who fulfills this role in your life? Please cite a specific conversation you had where this conversation partner challenged your perspective or you challenged theirs. (400 words)

If there was an impactful conversation you remember having when you didn’t agree with someone or when someone didn’t agree with you, this prompt gives you a chance to answer that, plus a little more. 

While the question directly asks two things

Who is your conversation partner? and 

What was a specific conversation where views were challenged?

there is a third element that you should consider including:  

How did this influence you, or how did you handle this difference in views?  

In other words, what did you learn or gain from this conversation? While things gained from this conversation could be, for example, a new way of seeing the topic at hand, a lesson, or new values, this is a great place to show how you handle difficult moments and what values you gain through interacting with those who hold different perspectives. 

Another thing to consider is what else you’ve already written about in your application (personal statement, other supplemental essays, activities list)—have you already covered how you handle challenging moments? If not, responding to this prompt can demonstrate this side of you. If so, you might have more of an opportunity to show something new with a different prompt.

What BC is ultimately looking for in this response is to see how you navigate challenging moments, especially on a college campus where people from various backgrounds are coming together and finding new conversation partners within the BC community.

To see how other students responded to the prompt, you can keep reading the examples and Tips + Analysis below.

The following example, written for an almost identical prompt from Brown, nicely illustrates how you can approach this BC prompt.

The perspective of my father consistently challenges me. He lives in Missouri and does not believe the government should issue mask mandates and that as long as we take vitamins we will be alright. He believes that the government is trying to manipulate the general public with restrictions that neglect the individual freedoms of the people. I, on the other hand, believe that mask mandates are essential to ensure that the general public is better protected.  He wanted me to visit him in Missouri for our usual slate of activities—the State Fair, ComicCon, water park, and World War II museum—and I wasn’t sure what to do: I wanted to make good on my plans with my dad, but also wanted to stay true to what I knew was right.  In the end, I decided to go and see him, but laid out clear rules and conditions that would make me comfortable. Personal relationships are important to me, and I want to maintain a connection with my dad despite the fact that we live far away from each other and it is hard for us to accept our differences in ideas.  At the same time, I needed to draw healthy boundaries that would make me feel comfortable and respected. I’m invested in public health, and want to be a model of doing the right thing, even if it would have been a blast to whoop my dad’s butt in the Magic the Gathering tournament at Comic Con. (246 words) — — —

Clearly provide context. This student spends the first few sentences setting up the scenario for the reader–we know who the conversation partner is and that they didn’t see eye to eye on mask mandates–which makes the rest of the reading experience easy to read and understand. Your readers will (mentally) thank you for giving them a clear sense of what the essay will cover and how you are addressing the prompt. 

Show (don’t just tell) your values. This student’s essay is not only filled with values, but concrete evidence to back it up (which is key). For example, the student writes that “personal relationships are important to [them]” but shows this first through details and reflection in the second paragraph.. The student also says that they “laid out clear rules and conditions that would make [them] feel comfortable”, which is evidence for values later touched on in the last paragraph: healthy boundaries, comfort, and respect. 

Don’t be afraid of vulnerability. The student wasn’t afraid to say that they weren’t sure what to do, which gave them an opportunity to write about how they thought through the difference in beliefs. Through their consideration of whether to visit their dad or stay true to their beliefs, we see that healthy compromise was something important to the student: they visited their dad, but gave rules and conditions that would make them comfortable. 

Sprinkle in details. While supplemental essays may be shorter on word count, finding ways to sprinkle in details gives readers even more of an opportunity to get to know you. For example, this student’s “usual slate of activities” with their dad included the State Fair, ComicCon, the water park, and the WWII museum, and at the end, we learn that they like Magic the Gathering and that the student is invested in public health. While another student could’ve had a similar experience with a parent where they had different viewpoints regarding the mask mandate, these extra details are what make the essay uniquely this student’s. Each gives us a little window into who the student is and whom they will be on campus. 

Stay true to your voice. The nature of this prompt can result in some not-so-lighthearted experiences, but this student was able to infuse some humor at the end of her essay by saying “it would have been a blast to whoop my dad’s butt in the Magic the Gathering tournament at Comic Con.” While you don’t have to inject humor into your essay, humor was this student’s way of adding in some personality. By letting your voice and personality shine through in your responses, it’ll make your responses more memorable. 

And this Princeton essay (written for a very similar prompt) is a great start that could be improved with some key revisions.

I probably argue with my grandfather more than I do with most other people combined. It’s not because we’re at odds. We just have different perspectives, influenced by our experiences—his as a life-long resident of India, mine as a first-generation American.  One pretty common argument we have is over Eastern vs. Western medicine. My solution to a headache, for example, is to take Advil. His is to rub Tiger Balm on his forehead and coconut oil on the soles of his feet. I try to convince him of the benefits of taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory, describing how it can reduce inflammation by blocking the production of certain chemicals. He tries to convince me that the balm creates a cooling effect, distracting the brain from pain and relaxing the muscles. Rather than becoming sore at or resentful of each other, we’ve grown closer through these debates, and I’ve learned how to disagree without letting the situation get acrimonious. Through these interactions, I’ve learned that a discussion shouldn’t be confrontational. The purpose isn’t to win, but to share my knowledge with the other party and learn from them as well. So rather than saying, “Rubbing balm on your forehead is stupid; you should just take Advil,” I say, “While rubbing balm on your forehead seems to work, I’ve noticed that taking an Advil has a stronger and more immediate effect.” Respecting the opposing party makes them more willing to hear you out.  I’ve also learned there’s a fine line between logic and emotion. I try not to take personally the things my grandfather says in an argument. Just because he doesn’t think taking Advil is the better solution doesn’t mean he thinks I’m stupid. If I take it that way, we begin to move away from what the argument really was about—the facts.  I’ll continue to apply these learnings in discussions and debates I have with others, realizing that having  a “successful argument” isn’t about winning. It’s about sharing my opinion and learning from theirs, expanding our perspectives without alienating each other. — — —

Read beyond the prompt. There are two explicitly stated parts to this prompt: Your favorite conversation partner and what you discuss with them. For the first part, don’t just name the person and call it a day. Instead, go a step further and elaborate on what makes this conversation partner the right one, both for you and for the topic. Their childhood? Their communication style? Their career? Their accessibility? Their understanding of you? This student does a great job at expounding on “what you discuss,” but we don’t know why that makes HIS grandfather, out of all the people with  differing perspectives, the conversation partner of choice. Had he been writing to this prompt, that aspect would likely have been made clearer.

Follow the conversation’s history. If you’ve chosen your mom, your coach, or your best friend as your conversation partner, you’ve done so for a reason: You talk with each other. A lot. Can you detail several of these individual conversations—where you were and what you talked about? Do you always have similar conversations with them, or are they your go-to person for exploring new topics? While this student chose to focus on one specific East vs. West difference in his response, another effective approach could’ve involved a second cultural difference he’d noticed—or another time the difference in medicinal approaches caused friction.

Track the change. Not explicitly stated in the prompt but of great interest to BC is how those conversations have shaped you: Have they altered how you feel about a topic? Made you consider a new perspective? This student doesn’t have a change of heart regarding the efficacy of Tiger Balm and coconut oil; instead, he conveys his newfound understanding of how logic, respect, and an open mind strengthen not just the relationship with his grandfather, but also with anyone he may have a difference in opinion with. Exactly the kind of growth BC wants to see. 

And here’s one more example without analysis, just to illustrate ways to approach this prompt:

Growing up in the historically conservative South shaped many of my early political beliefs. Most came from my dad; I took every word he said as gospel and was proud to repeat whatever he told me to my friends because I wanted to be just like him.  In many ways I still do.  But I am very lucky to have surrounded myself with diverse friends who are happy to talk to me about their personal experiences to help me gain perspective. One friend who is undocumented shared her family’s struggle to find a better life in the US and completely changed my opinions about immigration policies. Another friend helped me realize just how much our police system is stacked against minorities. In addition to personal anecdotes, they encouraged me to do my own research and form opinions without them or my dad telling me what to think.  I no longer repeat my dad’s ideas but now challenge him to have conversations that might broaden his beliefs. At first we left these conversations frustrated and upset, and sometimes still do. But over time we have been able to find middle ground and I have changed his thinking about some topics. He’s grown in his views about LGBTQ+ rights and women’s health, while staying put on immigration and healthcare. Actively seeking to understand the views of others and standing my ground has given me confidence that I can navigate disagreements with respect and encourage others to be open to different perspectives.  (249 words) — — —

How to Write Boston College Supplemental Essay Prompt #3

In her November 2019 Ted Talk, “The Danger of a Single Story,” Chimamanda Ngozi Adichi warned viewers against assigning people a “single story” through assumptions about their nationality, appearance, or background. Discuss a time when someone defined you by a single story. What challenges did this present and how did you overcome them? (400 words)

Prompt 3 invites you to write an essay that focuses on how someone else has perceived you based on nationality, appearance, or (an aspect of your) background. Apart from just responding to the questions provided in the prompt (challenges and how you overcame them), you’ll want to dig a little deeper and expand on what you learned from the challenge. 

To respond to this prompt, you’ll want to include:  

The context for the challenge: who defined you by a single story, how did they define you

The challenges + effects it presented for you 

The steps you took to overcome these challenges + effects and 

What you learned from this experience. 

While the context and challenges are important for the readers to understand the situation, what you did in response to the experience and what you learned from this experience are what they’re really interested in, as those show your values and how you handle challenging situations.

That should influence what you choose to write about and how you write about it: If you’re considering responding to this prompt, you’ll want to make sure you have a specific, concrete experience that you’ve been able to take steps to overcome . While some people could have had multiple experiences of being assigned a “single story,” if it was something that happened in passing (e.g. receiving remarks by someone passing on the street) or was a situation that wasn’t confronted, then this prompt would be difficult to respond to well. 

And while it’s not required, if you still have some left over words before hitting the target word count, you could also sprinkle in a relevant activity you’ve participated in where you’ve been able to further apply what you’ve learned from the experience, or even how you hope to contribute to BC based on what you’ve learned from these experiences. This isn’t mandatory, but shows commitment through action. After all, BC’s Mission & History page tells us that they welcome and embrace the contributions of a diverse student body from many faith traditions.  

Please note that because this prompt is new this year, we don’t have an example written for BC’s version, but the below example, written for a similar prompt from USC, would work nicely (though it would need big word count cuts—more on that in the Tips + Analysis).

“If you were a kitchen utensil, which one would you be?” As silent awkwardness fills the breakout room, I warily click the unmute button and toss out cheesy Google conversation starters. For better or for worse, 30 minutes of small talk with my teammates yield a consensus: Forks are the superior utensil. With a new sense of camaraderie, we’re prepared for the real work to begin.  Our final project at Asian Diversity Incorporated (ADI), a leadership program for Asian youth, required us to answer this question: How can the next generation of Asian-Americans advocate for the AAPI community’s history, present, and future?  Inspired by Generation Z’s influence over social media, we chose to create an Instagram account debunking the racial stereotypes and myths surrounding the AAPI community: cultural appropriation in fashion, misrepresentation in the film industry, Asian defamation in Western politics. Navigating different time zones, schedules, and skills, I saw my role as team leader put to the test by the conditions forced on us by the pandemic. Nonetheless, through weekly Zoom meetings, Emma’s evocative graphic designs, Drew’s thought-provoking articles, Justin’s insight on Instagram’s algorithms, and my extensive research, we were able to capture the attention of over 15,000 users. Comments of gratitude and encouragement, like “Excited to see this coming out to the world!”—along with frequent reposts and shares—reassured us that our message was beginning to resonate. With an open heart and mind, and a willingness to compromise, we formed a united front around a shared mission: to make an impact on others. Not only did I gain a valuable community of friends and mentors, but I was also able to cultivate my voice as an activist during the rise of anti-Asian rhetoric and hate crimes.  I had the polar-opposite experience while on tech crew for the musical production, All Shook Up, when our team was tasked with creating a billboard for the main stage’s set. As the only POC woman in a crew of six white males, I was often subjected to derogatory name-calling and objectifying comments. My ideas and opinions were routinely undermined or dismissed, whether it involved a bigger responsibility, like creating sketch designs, or more menial tasks, like selecting materials from the woodshop. This toxic culture became even more apparent when the team leader started assigning crew roles. I soon realized that my lack of opportunities in the construction workshop was not a coincidence. The tech head decided that “heavy-lifting” work, like sawing and drilling the wooden boards, was off-limits for me, while deeming more passive roles, such as gluing or cutting paper shapes, a better fit.  When I confronted one of my teammates, he dismissed me with empty excuses like “it’s not intentional” and “it’s better for you to leave the handiwork to the bigger guys.” In order to protect future POC, female techies to come, I was determined to have a much-needed conversation with the leaders. When I began the discussion, I first laid out my concerns about the boys’ sexually demeaning comments, as well as harmful racial and gender stereotyping. I then shared the toll this behavior took on my dignity and how the environment threatened the safety and security of all women of color. At the same time, I was adamant about facilitating a space that would not only allow the boys to acknowledge their mistakes but to begin growing from them. In order to keep myself composed, and to not put them on the defensive, I heard their perspectives, and offered to work with theater instructors to implement a training program focusing on cultivating respect. Ultimately, we were able to complete the billboard, but the crew’s behaviors didn’t change much, and there would be no training program, leaving a bitter aftertaste in my mouth.  Both experiences underscored for me the gravity of my actions and to be intentional in uplifting the voices of myself and others. Working with my teammates at ADI introduced me to the beauty of intercontinental collaboration, especially in our new virtual settings. It’s taught me how to bring together diverse individuals, with unique perspectives and skills, to contribute to a greater purpose and mission. Having a freed mind and being open to new ideas, while striving to navigate a middle ground, allowed us to learn while doing. My experiences in theater tech, meanwhile, emphasized the importance of speaking up and being heard, even if I don’t see an immediate impact. When we empower others by acknowledging their right to be seen and recognized, we begin to build and cultivate trust. Informed by these lessons, I hope to promote artistic climates that allow all members to thrive and embrace their identities through empathy, trust, and constructive compromise. All while developing healthy relationships and having fun along the way. Filmmaking lacks luster without collaboration. It requires a culmination of voices, and as each team member is heard, we’re able to further amplify the story and voices of the characters on screen. In my future workspaces, I envision working with my peers to craft potent films, empowered by USC’s determination to foster a collaborative environment where persistence, discipline, and most of all, imagination are celebrated and encouraged. (860 words) — — —

Jump straight to the point. Since this essay was originally written for a different school, prompt, and word count, it includes a few things you wouldn’t need to address for BC. While this student focuses on two experiences, one inclusive and one challenging, for BC you would ideally jump straight to the point by setting up context for the challenging experience (in this case, working as part of the tech crew for the musical production). At the very least, you’d want to minimize the word count dedicated to the inclusive experience, using it only to set up framing for the other story. Similarly, for the second to last paragraph, this student describes lessons learned from each experience–for BC, you would focus on lessons learned from the challenging experience. By taking out or minimizing the inclusive experience and lessons learned from it, that significantly reduces the number of words and should set this essay much closer to the target word count. 

Strike a balance. While responding to a prompt like this may elicit painful memories, the student in this example was able to clearly offer context and state the facts by including direct quotes and taking the reader step by step through the events that occurred. However, this student doesn’t simply disregard her emotions; she isn’t afraid to be vulnerable, and tells readers that “In order to keep myself composed, and to not put them on the defensive…,” she heard their side and asked for a training program to be implemented. The way she handled her experience demonstrates an admirable ability to find balance between not simply shoving her emotions down, but also finding a way to engage that leads to growth and progress. 

Look beyond the scope of the challenge. After writing about the challenge, how she handled it, and the lessons she’s learned, this student takes it one step further by expanding on how she hopes to make an impact in her future communities by promoting inclusive artistic climates while developing healthy relationships and having fun. While this isn’t mandatory, it’s great to see this added since it shows forward thinking and how she might want to contribute to the university’s community.  

Bonus! Add in an element of ‘Why Us’. Again, not mandatory, but it’s generally great to sprinkle in elements of why you want to attend a certain university since it shows enthusiasm and your alignment with their values. At the end, this student talks about how she hopes to be “empowered by USC’s determination to foster a collaborative environment where persistence, discipline, and most of all, imagination are celebrated and encouraged.” To find more information on a university and/or specific department’s values, you can visit their website (search for about pages and/or ‘mission’). 

And this essay, written for Yale, nicely answers a similar prompt. 

Yet again, I sat dumbstruck in the cafeteria with my friends after hearing about a video of students at our school chanting the n-word. Yet again, our principal walked up on stage asking us to forgive. Until we’d had enough. Sixty of us locked ourselves in a school building. Our principal had refused to act on our demands to reform the disciplinary process and curriculum to prevent this blatantly racist activity from reoccurring. For three nights, we slept on classroom floors. Both a teacher and a parent tried to barge in, each assaulting a student. I met with supportive faculty to draft out concrete modifications to the school. As the New York Times covered our journey, our school board was finally pressured into implementing our pre-drafted proposals. We had stirred up some good trouble to bring racism to the forefront of the conversation. Yet the protest was just the beginning. We were still at step zero of successfully implementing anti-racism education to reframe our mindsets towards achieving social justice. I see it as our responsibility to light the spark that will start the fire. We shouldn’t wait for “our turn.”  Black rights are Asian rights are women’s rights are LGBTQ+ rights are human rights. This is a collective journey. If we all attack oppression individually, we will never win. We must charge from all directions, together, in order to defeat systemic racism. We need to show up for each other. — — —

Be specific about your experiences. If you respond to this prompt, it’s important you’ve had at least one specific experience that’s fundamentally changed you. This probably isn’t the right prompt for you if you have strong opinions on racial injustices but lack the firsthand experience to support the impact on you or can’t show how you’ve been a change agent (e.g., your essay details only the one Black Lives Matter event you attended but lacks insight or forward movement). This student doesn’t just talk about her feelings regarding fellow students “chanting the n-word.” She shares how she took action—sleeping in the school for three nights, getting press coverage, and drafting anti-racism policies with faculty. We’re left with a concrete sense for how she took action to create change in their school.

But be mindful of what you share. Efforts to enact change come in many forms—from online petitions to large in-person protests. Emotions can run high, and tensions can flare. Reconsider telling any story that describes you participating in any gray-area activities, like violence or vandalism, no matter how well-intentioned. Instead, keep your focus on positive, nonviolent efforts. Yes, this student does mention assault. But that physical violence was instigated by neither the student nor her fellow classmates, and it’s just a very brief mention in a larger (nonviolent) story. 

Watch your tone. While helping others in a time of need is usually a good thing, if you’re not a member of the BIPOC community, make sure you’re helping for the right reasons. In your essay, don’t oversimplify the problem (or the solution) or assume you know what the community needs. Doing so runs the risk of coming off as condescending or naive. Instead, make sure you’re sharing when you’ve been a respectful ally who’s amplifying their voice, not yours. While it’s not clear whether a BIPOC student is authoring this essay, we see her playing an active role in a thoughtful, nonviolent group effort to outline and implement anti-racism education.

Don’t minimize your contributions. It’s easy to think you’re not really making a mark in the efforts toward racial equality if you aren’t spearheading big changes on a community or state level. But big changes often start with small steps—especially when those small steps are taken honestly and authentically. What are the small but meaningful actions you’ve taken to initiate change? While this student engaged in some larger activities within her school community, your small act may be no less meaningful.

How to Write Boston College Supplemental Essay Prompt #4

Boston College’s founding in 1863 was in response to society’s call. That call came from an immigrant community in Boston seeking a Jesuit education to foster social mobility. Still today, the University empowers its students to use their education to address society’s greatest needs. Which of today’s local or global issues is of particular concern to you and how might you use your Boston College education to address it? (400 words)

As you consider your answer for this prompt, let’s re-emphasize two key parts: the critical issue that matters to you and the role BC plays in answering it. Here’s how you can formulate a solid response. 

By asking about a question that matters to you, BC wants to learn in what ways you’re the kind of critical, insightful thinker they want on campus, leading the drive for future change. They also know that being able to formulate and ask critical questions is as (if not more) important than having the answers. After all, what’s college for if not to widen your thinking and give you the resources and confidence to help you solve the unsolvable? So don’t feel as though you have to have all the answers—raising interesting, complex questions that BC can help you explore can be just as (or more) useful. 

And note that while your issue doesn’t necessarily have to relate to your major or future career path, that can make it easier.

The second half of the question is a sort of “Why us?” prompt. (For a step-by-step guide on the “Why us?” essay and how to write it, head here .) But instead of using this essay to more broadly show how your interests, values, and goals merge perfectly with BC’s, you’ll keep it focused on how BC will let you explore and help to address the issue you raise. So, say your burning issue relates to how to create and implement sustainable health systems for under-resourced communities—your response might include how getting involved with the Global Medical Brigades of BC while taking Obesity Epidemiology and Prevention will offer nuanced instruction on the socioeconomic determinants of health and wellness.

Whatever issue you raise, convey in your answer how your interest in the topic—combined with the opportunities only BC offers—will help you live a life of “meaning and purpose.”

Here’s an essay that was written for Brown, but would work nicely for BC (with some word count space to expand):

Cutting into the intestinal tract of the pig, the odor of the formaldehyde seemed to dissipate as I stared in awe at the usually invisible world of vertebrate anatomy. My passion further developed through studying plant life and human pollution. In Tanzania, on a community service trip, I planted acacia trees and surveyed the health of the forest. Unfortunately, I also learned there that double bonds allow greenhouse gasses to retain more heat and create obstacles in reversing their destruction. Technological advancements and the enormous cost of CO2 reversal requires global government commitment and economic  planning. My Summer Program in Economics at Oxford clarified the complexity of fiscal policy decisions between satisfying immediate human demands and preserving the long-term health of our ecosystem. Through Brown’s Open Curriculum, I will dive deeper into biology, chemistry, and economics to solve environmental issues. Specifically, the Environmental Studies curriculum, with courses such as Environmental Issues in Development Economics, Economics of Global Warming, and the Burden of Disease in Developing Countries, emphasizes the intersection of science and economics to determine how to allocate finite resources to meet current needs and use technology to address public health. Through the Summer Research Early Identification Program and Undergraduate Teaching and Research Award, I can work on creative projects furthering my understanding and connection with science. Additionally, I will join a concentration DUG to develop my abilities as a student organizer, broaden my community outreach, and gain insight from research faculty. (242 words) — — —

Make sure your issue is clear and specific. While this student was writing a response to a similar prompt for Brown, one way to make it more fitting to answer BC’s prompt is to use some of the available word count space to make the issue clearer earlier in the essay (like after the first or second sentence). What we do know is that this student is interested in the environment and many aspects related to it: plant life, human pollution, and economics. In the second paragraph, we learn that certain classes at Brown will help this student learn more about the intersection of science and economics, as well as technology and public health. We do get a sense for what this student is interested in studying and have a sense of what some of these environmental issues might be, but asking a series of your own questions or naming specific issues from the get go will make it immediately clear to the reader what you’ll be covering in the rest of your essay. 

Include examples or activities to illustrate your interest. In this student’s first paragraph, they mention their community service trip to Tanzania and their economics summer program at Oxford in the context of how these activities supported and expanded their interests. This is a great way to add new information beyond the activities list, as well as connecting the dots between your past (what you’ve done) and your future (what you want to do in college). While listing off activities can often come off as a rehashing of your activities list (which you don’t want to do), this student creates a narrative arc around how their activities have helped them further these interests or learn more about these issues, which they can continue to learn more about at the university level. 

Do your research and elaborate. This student’s last paragraph makes it really clear that they did their research on how Brown would help them answer their questions. Be sure to demonstrate how BC offers classes, professors, programs, etc that will help you develop and grow in ways that will make you better able to address the issue you’ve raised. And dig into why: For example, the student lists a series of classes, then elaborates by saying these classes emphasize “the intersection of science and economics to determine how to allocate finite resources to meet current needs and use technology to address public health.” This shows how you’re going to use your college education to explore these issues, that you know your stuff, and are enthusiastic about the possibility of attending that school.

How to Write Boston College Supplemental Essay Prompt #5

For Human-Centered Engineering major applicants only: One goal of a Jesuit education is to prepare students to serve the Common Good. Human-Centered Engineering at Boston College integrates technical knowledge, creativity, and a humanistic perspective to address societal challenges and opportunities. What societal problems are important to you and how will you use your HCE education to solve them? (400 words)

Engineering students, this is your only choice for your one BC supplemental essay, and by asking you to write about how you envision yourself using a BC education to contribute to the Common Good, this proud Jesuit school is showing just how important those ideals (and how they breed action) are. New to the prompt this year is the request for you to explore how an HCE education is uniquely qualified to help you solve what you view as society’s most pressing issues.. So keep that in mind as you write!

Think of this essay in two parts. The first is the “Why Major.” Here’s a guide to writing that portion. The second part is the “Why us?” Here’s a guide for that type of essay. We’d recommend dedicating about the first 200 words of the essay to your interest in engineering, especially how it connects to your “humanistic” values and what pressing societal problems you’ve identified, then segueing into the “Why BC,” spending the other 200 words on how its programs, courses, clubs, activities, and other aspects of campus life will help you identify opportunities for resolving those challenges. 

Just imagine melding the two together with a relevant transition—or a soldering iron. Whatever works!

To give you an idea of what that looks like in action, here’s a combined “Why Major” + “Why us?” essay written for BC, but for the Carroll School of Management. It does a nice job of weaving both essentials together with some heavy “why me” examples, as we’ll explain further in the Tips + Analysis.

Empathy.  Fairness.  Education. These are the values that have been emphasized in my family, and that have guided my decisions and actions in life.  Every year, my family and I visit rural areas in Vietnam to donate money and essentials to disadvantaged families and orphans. Each time I witness their circumstances, my heart aches. I’ve known since my first service trip there at eleven years old that I needed to do more to improve the circumstances of their lives. During my junior year at my new high school, I established the Vietnamese Student Association (VSA) and seized the opportunity to fundraise for the orphanages in my hometown, Da Nang City. Besides organizing fundraisers, I partnered with the Yarn Club to make keychains to sell. The $800 we raised helped provide the children with new clothes and school supplies.  I often think about these children, and how unfair it is that they were born into a life of poverty. At Boston College, I want to continue to help kids in Vietnam through VSA, and maybe even establish a club that helps support disadvantaged children from all around the world.   However, I realize now that helping individual children and families won’t solve the problem of systemic poverty.  That’s why I want to become a social entrepreneur: to use business principles to find solutions for a more just world.  At the Carroll School of Management, I want to pursue Leadership and Management as my first concentration, and Managing for Social Impact and the Public Good as my co-concentration. Utilizing research opportunities and taking courses like Social Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Leading for Social Impact and Global Inequalities, I hope to gain skills that will allow me to address the inequalities associated with poverty and parentlessness. While I do want to start a social enterprise, I also want to establish a traditional non-profit that will help provide free education for underprivileged children. There is an old saying in my family: “No matter how poor you are, you have to succeed in education.” Through education, my parents and their families were able to overcome poverty, and they have inspired me to succeed, and to one day pay it forward to others. Empathy, Fairness, and Education. These are the values that I’ll bring to Boston College, and I hope that Boston College will teach me how to bring these values to the world.  — — —

Connect “why me?” with “why BC?” One effective way of doing this involves using the first half of your essay to lay out your “Common Good” values and beliefs, the examples that reflect how you serve them, and the societal issues that most resonate with you. Then use the second half—the “Why BC?” portion—to lay out how BC will give you the education, tools, and connections to solve those problems. BC admission officials want to know you’re familiar with and excited about the opportunities their school offers, and a great way to show that is to write about those specifics. Name the courses you’d want to take, what you’d expect to learn from the professors who teach them, the clubs and activities you envision yourself joining, and the research opportunities you’d pursue. Then name the takeaways you’ll get from each to help you solve your societal problems. And it may seem obvious, but it’s worth repeating: Make sure to spell the names of these clubs, courses, and professors correctly. This essay is a good example of this approach: At the beginning, the student clearly spells out her values (empathy, fairness, and education) and how she’s embraced them, while the second half clearly details what BC clubs and courses will help her continue her efforts and leave a lasting mark on society.

Show how you’re a student who’ll “serve the Common Good.” Yes, this is a key part of the prompt, but it’s also a great opportunity to show how you share BC’s values (check out their mission statement if you don’t know what they are). Can you connect the problem you want to solve with the values you’re going to develop at BC? This student clearly describes how she’s giving back, founding the VSA and wanting to continue the organization at BC—even outlining how her chosen career path dovetails with her passion for “paying it forward.”

Show a diverse range of interests. Yes, it’s important to write about the courses, programs, and majors/minors you’re interested in—after all, this is a college education we’re talking about. But BC officials know college is about more than book work. They want you to have a well-rounded experience, and showing you’re interested in opportunities outside the classroom will show your depth and range. Even better: Those details will give admission reps a nice glimpse of what life as an Eagle would look like for you. This student does a nice job of connecting the BC educational and extracurricular opportunities that’ll help her achieve her goal of becoming a social entrepreneur. She could’ve strengthened her essay further by identifying additional opportunities that would help her develop other sides of herself that’ll foster leadership in new, unexpected ways.

Special thanks to Elica Sue for contributing to this post

Want advice on dozens of other supplemental essays? Click here

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5 Successful Boston College Essay Examples

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Are you applying to Boston College this fall? This Jesuit-affiliated college is one of few schools that don’t require any supplemental essays, which puts more emphasis on your personal statement. Here are 5 essay intro examples that were successful:

When describing my home of—-, I would define it as a typical English village. But what is typical for me is not normal to everyone else. My normal is growing up in a village with a pub that can fit only ten people. It is going to boarding school in an area of ‘outstanding natural beauty’. Normal is joining a primary school, attended by Winston Churchill, which was built around a 14th century manor house, and had only 138 students. It is having the closest town of—- being named ‘one of the strangest places to live’ due to its many converging religions. Some might not call this normal, but I’ve always called it home. Keep reading .

A frizzy mane of unruly ringlets crowns me as the owner of the Hair That Cannot Be Tamed. With corkscrew curls poking out freely from every inch of my head, I am quickly given the nickname “Fro-Fro”—half lovingly and half mockingly—by the children in my 5th grade class. Believing that there is truth in their ridicule, I decide to try out a new ‘do. I make a valiant attempt to tame my curls by creating two buns atop my head in a Minnie Mouse-like fashion, in what I thought would become the be-all and end-all fad of 2007: View full essay .

Eringriffin

From the bright orange Indian tapestry and the intricately woven Iranian prayer mat hanging on the wall to the Romanian tea kettle perched precariously among piles of ungraded papers and tests, Ms. Moore’s World Literature classroom can more accurately be likened to a room in the Museum of Natural History than a 10th grade English classroom. Contrasting with the typical “hang in there” and “math is fun!” posters plastered on the walls of my other high school classrooms, the unconventional décor of Ms. Moore’s room is the first clue to any visitor that Room 187 is a unique learning environment. Darting from one end of the room to the other, a just under five-foot woman with cropped brown hair and glasses greets me as soon as I walk in the door. Calling me a biscuit, a nickname she reserves for her students, Ms. Moore makes coming into English feel like coming home. The room is warm and filled with excitement, a community of people passionate about literature and global issues presented in our readings. Although 10th grade has come and passed, the room and its owner still welcome me and all other students. The room itself, the teacher, and the community of Room 187 make it a place where I was and still am completely content. Read more . 

As I slow my stride to look around, I see others on my track team working through their exhaustion and keeping a steady pace. Most of the time I can push forward, as the track is where I find solace and really feel alive. Sports have always been a large part of my life, but today I can’t help imagine running off the track straight into my home to fill the mold of my bed. I normally don’t concede to my fatigue, but sometimes the early wake ups, long train rides, and hours of work at school leave me wanting nothing more than to go home to recharge and come back rejuvenated another day. Unfortunately, home has not always been the best place for me to do this. Continue reading . 

I’m afraid of everything. I’m afraid of the dark. I’m afraid of getting sick. I’m afraid of ghosts in my basement. I’m even afraid to eat my Grandma’s cooking – those expiration dates are there for a reason! Being home alone frightens me because I never know what could happen. A robber could break in. A tree could fall and crash through the roof. The electricity could go out and I could fall down the stairs in the dark. I was never afraid of elevators until I went on the Tower of Terror at MGM Studios. Now I’m afraid of ending up in the “Twilight Zone” instead of the hotel lobby. All of these fears paralyzed me for years and I was unable to fully enjoy life. View full . 

Are you looking to apply to Boston College  or just starting to build out  your college list ? Make sure to search through  profiles of students  accepted to see essays, stats, and advice. See how they got in, and how you can too!

About The Author

Frances was born in Hong Kong and received her bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University. She loves super sad drama television, cooking, and reading. Her favorite person on Earth isn’t actually a member of the AdmitSee team - it’s her dog Cooper.

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Real College Essays That Work: Boston College

Going Beyond The Resume

When it comes to writing college application essays, most students want to play it safe. They often approach the task like they do a test, where there’s a right answer to give, and they merely need to tick off the boxes to cover all the points. 

This often leads to an essay that’s simply a rehash of their resumes: explaining what they learned in their favorite AP classes, talking about their favorite sports and activities, and trying to cram as many accomplishments into 650 words as they can.

This is a mistake. College admissions officers already have all of that information, so your essay is an incredible opportunity to show them not just that you can write well, but also to provide insight into your true personality. Rather than focus on something they already know about you, it’s a much better idea to reveal something that wouldn’t otherwise be obvious from your application.

I recently helped one student develop and refine his essay to address this issue. N. was a soccer and tennis player in high school, and these were his main extra-curricular activities. He was not, however, being recruited to play in college, and he was interested in selective schools. For this reason, I encouraged him to scrap his first soccer-related essay to embrace a topic that highlighted an intellectual interest and let readers know that he was more than just an athlete, and more than just an item on his resume.

The Student: N.S.

Accepted to: Boston College (attending), Tufts University, Washington University of St. Louis

The Common App Prompt 7: Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

I have never seen a Disney film. The Lion King and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs slipped through the cracks of my childhood. Most of my friends tell me I missed out, but I don’t think so. Even as a seven-year-old, I loved visiting museums, watching history documentaries, and reading historical accounts of people achieving unimaginable feats of bravery. Walking through the halls of the American Museum of Natural History, I would pour over every description card, wanting to learn more about the treasured artifacts. I imagined the Great Canoe slicing through the waters off the coast of North America and the Rapa Nui moving the monumental Moai statues across the vast grasslands on Easter Island. These historical treasures sparked my imagination, evoking images of powerful civilizations. Yet, these cultures and historical episodes seemed so far removed from my own that they felt impersonal. It was not until I began delving into my own family’s history, that I realized that I also had ties to the history depicted in museums and documentaries. 

Having a Danish father and a Japanese mother, I’ve been immersed in two very diverse and rich histories my entire life. During summers in Denmark, my Danish grandparents have recounted their own stories of heroism. As a member of the Danish resistance movement during the German occupation of Denmark, my grandfather risked his life to help Danish Jews escape by sea to neutral Sweden. My Japanese grandfather described the bombing raids in Tokyo in 1945 that decimated his school and killed many of his teachers and classmates. The connections I felt with my grandparents and with my own past deepened when I envisioned the history I had read about in textbooks through their eyes. I began to appreciate what their lives were like when they were my age, and I felt admiration and pride for their own small “feats” of bravery. I felt closer to them in a way that I now find invaluable. Moreover, listening to my grandparents’ very personal wartime stories helped me develop a more nuanced understanding of the WWII events I had learned about in classes. 

Now, when I read about historical events, I delve into the people behind the stories. And when I meet people, I share my own history and ask about theirs. Last year, when meeting with my AP U.S. History teacher and advisor, Mr. _____, I shared some of these stories about my grandparents’ lives during WWII and I also asked him about his childhood and his interest in history. I was intrigued to learn that Mr. _____ had worked at Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, which sparked his desire to study history at the University of Virginia. But even more fascinating was learning that he had studied Japanese history and language in depth and is now an expert on Japanese pop culture. I no longer view Mr. _____ solely as an educator, but as someone I can relate to and connect with about our shared stories and interests. As I learned from my grandparents, what makes history special is not the spectacular events, but the individual narratives and experiences. And by sharing stories of our pasts - history - we can bring people closer together in the present. 

For me, history is not merely a compilation of dates and facts of hard-won battles and ground-breaking inventions; it is about people and their everyday stories. It is the magic of stories that can evoke memories and emotions and take you out of your own world. It is the connections between diverse individuals, past and present, that make me love history. History is constantly evolving, but I know that no matter what happens in the future, we will always be tied to the past and to each other. 

Why It Works

When N. let go of the idea that he had to write about his main sports activities, he was freed up to show off a whole other aspect of his life. Here’s why his new idea for an essay was such a success:  

1. Goes Beyond the Obvious Extra-curricular/resume list

The words “soccer,” “tennis,” and “sports” appear zero times in this essay, and that’s a good thing. Not because writing about sports is inherently a bad idea, but because these activities were already all over the rest of the application, highlighted in the awards and activities entries on the Common App. The essay is the perfect place to write about something completely different.

In writing about his love of history, Nick didn’t rely on his grades to get this point across. Instead, he provided interesting facts about his family heritage and personal anecdotes about how he relates to other people through discussions of history. These details provide much deeper insight into how the writer thinks and interacts with the world — exactly the sort of information admissions officers want to know as they build a new class of students.  

2. Paints a vivid Picture using great details

This essay follows a classic rule of creative writing: Show, don’t tell. That means that, instead of just saying, “I like museums,” the essay shows the reader what that looks like in actions with carefully chosen details. For example, the reader can feel N’s genuine excitement as he wanders the museum’s corridors and imagines “people achieving unimaginable feats of bravery.”

Descriptions such as the “Great Canoe slicing through the waters off the coast of North America and the Rapa Nui moving the monumental Moai statues across the vast grasslands on Easter Island" provide fascinating detail that help us “visit” the museum with him.

Later on in the essay, N. also lets us into his head, by including details from the writer’s personal conversations really bring the essay to life. He also did a great job choosing the most interesting and important details of his family’s history, which makes the essay irresistible to the reader, who will definitely want to know more. This is a breath of fresh air for admissions officers, who read dozens of essays every day and are just waiting for something unique and interesting to capture their attention. 

3. Explaining the significance and making connections

Because N. is so interested in history, it would be tempting for him to just fill up his word allotment with family details and “fun facts.” But this would not make for a complete essay. Good writing doesn’t just rest on vivid details — it also puts those details into context for the reader by explaining what all of these details mean and how it connects to the present.

In this essay, the final paragraph ties everything together by explaining why he loves history so much. He connects the intellectual pursuit (“dates and facts”) to his emotions and big-picture sense of his place in the world. This careful conclusion lets the reader know that he has thought deeply about the topic and developed a cohesive philosophy — a great way to highlight the intellectual development that colleges are looking for.    

The Bottom Line

In the end, turning away from writing about soccer and instead embracing the more personal details of his love of history allowed N. to show a lot more of his personality in his writing. He was able to highlight facets of his intellectual growth and his unique personality in ways that may not come through via his transcript alone. It’s a lot to ask of just 650 words, but this essay hits all the marks. 

If you need help boosting your general writing skills, or want help with college essays and supplements  please reach out ! It’s never too early to shore up the basics in preparation for those all-important Common App. essays in your senior year.

Boston College (BC) 2023-24 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

Early Decision: Nov 1

Regular Decision Deadline: Jan 2

You Have: 

Boston College 2023-24 Application Essay Question Explanations

The Requirements: 1 essay of 400 words Supplemental Essay Type(s): Oddball , Community, Why

The writing supplement topics for the 2023-24 application cycle (400 word limit):

*please select one topic, each year at university convocation, our incoming class engages in reflective dialogue with the author of a common text. what book by a living author would you recommend for your incoming class to read, and why would this be an important shared text .

Calling all bookworms! This prompt asks you to discuss a book by a living author that has made a big enough impression on you to warrant your recommendation to others. At CEA, we always recommend that you choose an unexpected work in order to stand out from the pack. So, you might want to steer clear of books that were assigned reading in school. What have you read that stuck with you because of who you are and what you care about? Which characters did you relate to? Maybe you recently read a memoir that changed the way you approach presence. Why would your peers benefit from a new perspective on living in the moment? Perhaps the thriller you read last summer explores nuanced ethical dilemmas, a conversation-starter you think everyone should engage with. Try to be as creative as possible with your selection here and think about which books have really struck you at your core and why.

At Boston College, we draw upon the Jesuit tradition of finding worthwhile conversation partners. Some support our viewpoints while others challenge them. Who fulfills this role in your life? Please cite a specific conversation you had where this conversation partner challenged your perspective or you challenged theirs.

Whether you cherish early-morning car rides to school with your dad, late-night conversations with your sister on the couch, or chatting with your extended family over Zoom, we’re willing to bet there’s at least one person in your life who has challenged your perspectives or vice versa. And Boston College wants to hear all about it.

To make sure your response stands out from the pack, be as specific and purposeful as possible. Boston College has even gone so far as to ask you to cite a specific conversation, so follow through with a detailed account. Maybe you’ve had your beliefs challenged by a cousin who leads a very different lifestyle from you over Thanksgiving dinner. Or, perhaps, you’ve asked probing questions about your dad’s beliefs in order to better understand his worldview during a game of golf. If you can’t recall where you were at the time, no problem; but details are your friend here to add credibility. Whatever conversation you decide to write about, remember that BC is looking to accept thoughtful students to campus who are open to new ideas and engaging with diverse viewpoints.

In her November 2019 Ted Talk, “ The Danger of a Single Story ,” Chimamanda Ngozi Adichi warned viewers against assigning people a “single story” through assumptions about their nationality, appearance, or background.  Discuss a time when someone defined you by a single story. What challenges did this present and how did you overcome them?

This prompt will likely stick out to students who know what it’s like to be reduced to one aspect of their background or identity, and odds are, you’d have a specific memory in mind. As you write your response, you’ll want to make sure you summarize your account as succinctly as possible; that way, you can dedicate most of your words to discussing how you felt, how you responded, and how you overcame these challenges. You only have 400 words to work with, so you won’t be able to write a thesis on the general public’s preconceived notions about people living with a disability or women who choose to wear hijabs, but you can reveal more information about your background and experiences living in a world where stories are often assigned to you before you have the chance to introduce yourself.

Boston College’s founding in 1863 was in response to society’s call. That call came from an immigrant community in Boston seeking a Jesuit education to foster social mobility. Still today, the University empowers its students to use their education to address society’s greatest needs. Which of today’s local or global issues is of particular concern to you and how might you use your Boston College education to address it?

Admissions wants to know how you plan to use a BC education to address issues dear to your heart. What you focus on here can be reflective of larger cultural constructs or specific to your city or town. Maybe you have experienced environmental racism firsthand, having had your community’s air and water supply polluted by nearby factory farms for decades. Are you pursuing an Environmental Geoscience degree in hopes of eventually changing laws to improve the health of your community and others experiencing similar injustices? Perhaps you’ve been filming your family and friends since you could wrap your fingers around a camera, so you’re pursuing a degree in Film Studies in hopes of changing peoples’ hearts and minds about your community, however large or small that may be, through powerful documentary storytelling. Whatever path you’re on and issue you’re hoping to address in your career, be sure to use specific examples—both from your own past and from BC’s offerings—to distinguish yourself.

Human-Centered Engineering (HCE) Applicants only : One goal of a Jesuit education is to prepare students to serve the Common Good. Human-Centered Engineering at Boston College integrates technical knowledge, creativity, and a humanistic perspective to address societal challenges and opportunities. What societal problems are important to you and how will you use your HCE education to solve them?

This prompt, exclusively for Human-Centered Engineering Applicants, is incredibly similar to prompt #3, and our advice is the same: select at least one societal problem that weighs on your heart, explain its significance to you, and describe how you will take advantage of an HCE education to find a solution. You’d be wise to spend some time exploring the HCE program and BC’s offerings at large to show that you’ve done your research and dedicated time to thinking about your future goals and the steps you will take to achieve them.

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Unlocking the Boston College Supplemental Essays 2023-2024

Hello, future Eagles! If Boston College is your dream school, you're at the right place. We're here to guide you through the Boston College supplemental essays for the 2023-2024 admissions cycle.

Boston College Supplemental Essay Prompts

• Great art evokes a sense of wonder. It nourishes the mind and spirit. Is there a particular song, poem, speech, or novel from which you have drawn insight or inspiration? (400 words)

This prompt asks you to delve into your connection with art, however, you define it. You can write about any piece of art that had a significant impact on you. Ensure to discuss why it resonates with you and how it has influenced your perspectives or actions.

The Beatles’ song "Let It Be" has served as a beacon of hope in my life, providing solace in difficult times. Its simplistic message of surrendering to the flow of life resonates with me, teaching me the importance of acceptance and patience.

Growing up, I was a perfectionist, often overwhelmed by my own expectations. When things didn’t go as planned, I’d blame myself, causing great stress. The first time I listened to "Let It Be", I felt a sense of calm wash over me. The lyrics, "When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me, Speaking words of wisdom, let it be", taught me to embrace life’s uncertainties and have faith in the process.

This change in perspective allowed me to take setbacks in stride, turning them into learning opportunities. Now, whenever I face adversity, I take a moment to internalize the situation and echo the words, "Let it be". It has made me more resilient and adaptable, enhancing my personal and academic life.

• When you choose a college, you will join a new community of people who have different backgrounds, experiences, and stories. What is it about your background, your experiences, or your story, that will enrich Boston College’s community? (400 words)

Boston College values diversity, and through this prompt, they want to know what unique aspects you'd bring to their community. Reflect on your life experiences, family background, culture, or personal interests and how these will add to the Boston College environment.

Growing up in a bilingual household, I had a unique experience of embracing two cultures simultaneously. Being an American with Argentinian roots, I learned to blend the American way of individuality with the Argentinian tradition of communal living. This dual perspective has taught me to value diversity and fostered in me a global mindset.

My multicultural background has sparked a deep interest in international relations, driving me to initiate a Model United Nations club at my high school. As president, I aimed to create a platform that encourages open dialogue about global issues and appreciates diverse viewpoints.

At Boston College, I aspire to continue fostering this appreciation for diversity and open dialogue. I aim to join clubs like the Model UN and International Club to share my unique insights and learn from others. By fostering an inclusive and globally conscious environment, I hope to enrich the Boston College community.

• Boston College strives to provide an undergraduate learning experience emphasizing the liberal arts, quality teaching, personal formation, and engagement of critical issues. If you had the opportunity to create your own college course, what enduring question or contemporary problem would you address and why? (400 words)

This question gives you the chance to showcase your academic interests, creativity, and critical thinking skills. Consider a question or issue that genuinely fascinates you, aligns with your academic interests, and holds enduring significance.

Here are some strategies for crafting compelling responses:

Be Authentic : Your essays should reflect who you are. Avoid writing what you think the admission officers want to hear. Instead, let your personality and voice shine through.

Show, Don’t Tell : Use vivid descriptions, anecdotes, or examples to convey your points. They make your essays more engaging and convincing.

Be Specific : Specificity is key in these essays. It makes your essays more compelling and demonstrates that you've done your research about Boston College.

Reflect and Connect : For each essay, ensure to reflect on your experiences or the chosen piece of art and connect them back to Boston College. Explain how your experiences or insights align with Boston College’s values or environment, or how they would contribute to the university.

Proofread : After writing, proofread your essays for grammatical errors and clarity. Consider having someone else look at them as well. They might spot errors you overlooked.

If I had the opportunity to create a college course, I would address the enduring question of “How does language shape our perception of the world?”

Language, as a vehicle of thought, has a profound impact on our perception of reality. Studying this topic would offer insights into the connection between language, thought, and culture, shedding light on our understanding of the world.

The course would explore theories like linguistic relativity and how language influences cognitive processes. We would delve into diverse linguistic structures and their cultural implications, fostering a deeper understanding of cross-cultural communication and perceptions.

In our increasingly globalized world, understanding the interplay between language and perception is crucial for fostering empathy and mutual understanding among diverse cultures. This course would not only contribute to the liberal arts curriculum of Boston College but also align with its commitment to engaging with critical and complex issues.

Remember, the Boston College supplemental essays are your opportunity to stand out from other applicants and show the admissions committee why you would be a great fit for the university. Good luck, and go Eagles!

Related posts

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Mastering the Boston University Supplemental Essays 2023-2024

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Boston College Requirements for Admission

Choose your test.

What are Boston College's admission requirements? While there are a lot of pieces that go into a college application, you should focus on only a few critical things:

• GPA requirements
• Testing requirements, including SAT and ACT requirements
• Application requirements

In this guide we'll cover what you need to get into Boston College and build a strong application.

School location: Chestnut Hill, MA

This school is also known as: BC

Admissions Rate: 16.7%

If you want to get in, the first thing to look at is the acceptance rate. This tells you how competitive the school is and how serious their requirements are.

The acceptance rate at Boston College is 16.7% . For every 100 applicants, only 17 are admitted.

This means the school is extremely selective . Meeting their GPA requirements and SAT/ACT requirements is very important to getting past their first round of filters and proving your academic preparation. If you don't meet their expectations, your chance of getting in is nearly zero.

After crossing this hurdle, you'll need to impress Boston College application readers through their other application requirements, including extracurriculars, essays, and letters of recommendation. We'll cover more below.

We can help. PrepScholar Admissions is the world's best admissions consulting service. We combine world-class admissions counselors with our data-driven, proprietary admissions strategies . We've overseen thousands of students get into their top choice schools , from state colleges to the Ivy League.

We know what kinds of students colleges want to admit. We want to get you admitted to your dream schools.

Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in.

Boston College GPA Requirements

Many schools specify a minimum GPA requirement, but this is often just the bare minimum to submit an application without immediately getting rejected.

The GPA requirement that really matters is the GPA you need for a real chance of getting in. For this, we look at the school's average GPA for its current students.

Average GPA: 3.99

The average GPA at Boston College is 3.99 .

(Most schools use a weighted GPA out of 4.0, though some report an unweighted GPA. This school did not officially report its average GPA, but we've estimated it here using data from over 1,000 schools.)

With a GPA of 3.99, Boston College requires you to be at the top of your class . You'll need nearly straight A's in all your classes to compete with other applicants. Furthermore, you should be taking hard classes - AP or IB courses - to show that college-level academics is a breeze.

If you're currently a junior or senior, your GPA is hard to change in time for college applications. If your GPA is at or below the school average of 3.99, you'll need a higher SAT or ACT score to compensate . This will help you compete effectively against other applicants who have higher GPAs than you.

SAT and ACT Requirements

Each school has different requirements for standardized testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them.

Boston College hasn't explicitly named a policy on SAT/ACT requirements, but because it's published average SAT or ACT scores (we'll cover this next), it's likely test flexible. Typically, these schools say, "if you feel your SAT or ACT score represents you well as a student, submit them. Otherwise, don't."

Despite this policy, the truth is that most students still take the SAT or ACT, and most applicants to Boston College will submit their scores. If you don't submit scores, you'll have one fewer dimension to show that you're worthy of being admitted, compared to other students. We therefore recommend that you consider taking the SAT or ACT, and doing well.

Boston College SAT Requirements

Many schools say they have no SAT score cutoff, but the truth is that there is a hidden SAT requirement. This is based on the school's average score.

Average SAT: 1435

The average SAT score composite at Boston College is a 1435 on the 1600 SAT scale.

This score makes Boston College Strongly Competitive for SAT test scores.

Boston College SAT Score Analysis (New 1600 SAT)

The 25th percentile SAT score is 1450, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1520. In other words, a 1450 on the SAT places you below average, while a 1520 will move you up to above average .

Here's the breakdown of SAT scores by section:

SAT Score Choice Policy

The Score Choice policy at your school is an important part of your testing strategy.

Boston College has the Score Choice policy of "Highest Section."

This is also known as "superscoring." This means that you can choose which SAT tests you want to send to the school. Of all the scores they receive, your application readers will consider your highest section scores across all SAT test dates you submit .

Click below to learn more about how superscoring critically affects your test strategy.

For example, say you submit the following 3 test scores:

Even though the highest total you scored on any one test date was 1000, Boston College will take your highest section score from all your test dates, then combine them to form your Superscore. You can raise your composite score from 1000 to 1400 in this example.

This is important for your testing strategy. Because you can choose which tests to send in, and Boston College forms your Superscore, you can take the SAT as many times as you want, then submit only the tests that give you the highest Superscore. Your application readers will only see that one score.

Therefore, if your SAT superscore is currently below a 1520, we strongly recommend that you consider prepping for the SAT and retaking it . You have a very good chance of raising your score, which will significantly boost your chances of getting in.

Even better, because of the Superscore, you can focus all your energy on a single section at a time. If your Reading score is lower than your other sections, prep only for the Reading section, then take the SAT. Then focus on Math for the next test, and so on. This will give you the highest Superscore possible.

Download our free guide on the top 5 strategies you must be using to improve your score. This guide was written by Harvard graduates and SAT perfect scorers. If you apply the strategies in this guide, you'll study smarter and make huge score improvements.

Boston College ACT Requirements

Just like for the SAT, Boston College likely doesn't have a hard ACT cutoff, but if you score too low, your application will get tossed in the trash.

Average ACT: 33

The average ACT score at Boston College is 33. This score makes Boston College Strongly Competitive for ACT scores.

The 25th percentile ACT score is 33, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 35.

Even though Boston College likely says they have no minimum ACT requirement, if you apply with a 33 or below, you'll have a very hard time getting in, unless you have something else very impressive in your application. There are so many applicants scoring 33 and above that a 33 will look academically weak.

ACT Score Sending Policy

If you're taking the ACT as opposed to the SAT, you have a huge advantage in how you send scores, and this dramatically affects your testing strategy.

Here it is: when you send ACT scores to colleges, you have absolute control over which tests you send. You could take 10 tests, and only send your highest one. This is unlike the SAT, where many schools require you to send all your tests ever taken.

This means that you have more chances than you think to improve your ACT score. To try to aim for the school's ACT requirement of 35 and above, you should try to take the ACT as many times as you can. When you have the final score that you're happy with, you can then send only that score to all your schools.

ACT Superscore Policy

By and large, most colleges do not superscore the ACT. (Superscore means that the school takes your best section scores from all the test dates you submit, and then combines them into the best possible composite score). Thus, most schools will just take your highest ACT score from a single sitting.

However, in our research, we found that Boston College does in fact offer an ACT superscore policy . To quote their Admissions Office:

For the ACT, Boston College will take your highest individual section scores and average them together, also known as "superscoring."

Superscoring is powerful to your testing strategy, and you need to make sure you plan your testing accordingly. Of all the scores that Boston College receives, your application readers will consider your highest section scores across all ACT test dates you submit .

For example, say you submit the following 4 test scores:

Even though the highest ACT composite you scored on any one test date was 20, Boston College will take your highest section score from all your test dates, then combine them to form your Superscore. You can raise your composite score from 20 to 32 in this example.

This is important for your testing strategy. Because you can choose which tests to send in, and Boston College forms your Superscore, you can take the ACT as many times as you want, then submit only the tests that give you the highest Superscore. Your application readers will only see that one score.

Therefore, if your ACT score is currently below a 35, we strongly recommend that you consider prepping for the ACT and retaking it . You have a very good chance of raising your score, which will significantly boost your chances of getting in.

Even better, because of the Superscore, you can focus all your energy on a single section at a time. If your Reading score is lower than your other sections, prep only for the Reading section, then take the ACT. Then focus on Math for the next test, and so on. This will give you the highest Superscore possible.

Download our free guide on the top 5 strategies you must be using to improve your score. This guide was written by Harvard graduates and ACT perfect scorers. If you apply the strategies in this guide, you'll study smarter and make huge score improvements.

SAT/ACT Writing Section Requirements

Currently, only the ACT has an optional essay section that all students can take. The SAT used to also have an optional Essay section, but since June 2021, this has been discontinued unless you are taking the test as part of school-day testing in a few states. Because of this, no school requires the SAT Essay or ACT Writing section, but some schools do recommend certain students submit their results if they have them.

Boston College considers the SAT Essay/ACT Writing section optional and may not include it as part of their admissions consideration. You don't need to worry too much about Writing for this school, but other schools you're applying to may require it.

Final Admissions Verdict

Because this school is extremely selective, getting a high SAT/ACT score and GPA is vital to having a chance at getting in . If you don't pass their SAT/ACT and GPA requirements, they'll likely reject you without much consideration.

To have the best shot of getting in, you should aim for the 75th percentile, with a 1520 SAT or a 35 ACT . You should also have a 3.99 GPA or higher. If your GPA is lower than this, you need to compensate with a higher SAT/ACT score.

For a school as selective as Boston College, you'll also need to impress them with the rest of your application. We'll cover those details next.

But if you apply with a score below a 1520 SAT or a 35 ACT, you unfortunately start out with the odds against you and have a tiny chance of getting in. There are just too many students with high SAT/ACT scores and strong applications, and you need to compete against them.

Admissions Calculator

Here's our custom admissions calculator. Plug in your numbers to see what your chances of getting in are. Pick your test: SAT ACT

• 80-100%: Safety school: Strong chance of getting in
• 50-80%: More likely than not getting in
• 20-50%: Lower but still good chance of getting in
• 5-20%: Reach school: Unlikely to get in, but still have a shot
• 0-5%: Hard reach school: Very difficult to get in

How would your chances improve with a better score?

Take your current SAT score and add 160 points (or take your ACT score and add 4 points) to the calculator above. See how much your chances improve?

At PrepScholar, we've created the leading online SAT/ACT prep program . We guarantee an improvement of 160 SAT points or 4 ACT points on your score, or your money back.

Here's a summary of why we're so much more effective than other prep programs:

• PrepScholar customizes your prep to your strengths and weaknesses . You don't waste time working on areas you already know, so you get more results in less time.
• We guide you through your program step-by-step so that you're never confused about what you should be studying. Focus all your time learning, not worrying about what to learn.
• Our team is made of national SAT/ACT experts . PrepScholar's founders are Harvard graduates and SAT perfect scorers . You'll be studying using the strategies that actually worked for them.
• We've gotten tremendous results with thousands of students across the country. Read about our score results and reviews from our happy customers .

There's a lot more to PrepScholar that makes it the best SAT/ACT prep program. Click to learn more about our program , or sign up for our 5-day free trial to check out PrepScholar for yourself:

Application Requirements

Every school requires an application with the bare essentials - high school transcript and GPA, application form, and other core information. Many schools, as explained above, also require SAT and ACT scores, as well as letters of recommendation, application essays, and interviews. We'll cover the exact requirements of Boston College here.

Application Requirements Overview

• Common Application Accepted, supplemental forms required
• Electronic Application Available
• Essay or Personal Statement Required for all freshmen
• Letters of Recommendation 2
• Interview Not required
• Application Fee $80
• Fee Waiver Available? Available
• Other Notes

Testing Requirements

• SAT or ACT Considered if submitted
• SAT Essay or ACT Writing Optional
• SAT Subject Tests Optional
• Scores Due in Office January 1

Coursework Requirements

• Subject Required Years
• Foreign Language
• Social Studies

Deadlines and Early Admissions

• Offered? Deadline Notification
• Yes January 1 April 1
• Yes November 1 December 25
• Yes November 1 December 15

Admissions Office Information

• Address: 140 Chestnut Hill, MA 02467-3800
• Phone: (617) 552-8000 x8000
• Fax: (617) 552-0798
• Email: [email protected]

Our Expert's Notes

We did more detailed research into this school's admissions process and found the following information:

You have to apply to one of Boston College's four undergraduate schools -- Arts and Sciences, Management, Nursing, or Education. This choice is fairly binding, because internal transfers are possible but not always probable, especially if you want to transfer into management or nursing.

Other Schools For You

If you're interested in Boston College, you'll probably be interested in these schools as well. We've divided them into 3 categories depending on how hard they are to get into, relative to Boston College.

Reach Schools: Harder to Get Into

These schools are have higher average SAT scores than Boston College. If you improve your SAT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.

Same Level: Equally Hard to Get Into

If you're competitive for Boston College, these schools will offer you a similar chance of admission.

Safety Schools: Easier to Get Into

If you're currently competitive for Boston College, you should have no problem getting into these schools. If Boston College is currently out of your reach, you might already be competitive for these schools.

Data on this page is sourced from Peterson's Databases © 2023 (Peterson's LLC. All rights reserved.) as well as additional publicly available sources.

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Boston College Undergraduate College Application Essays

These Boston College college application essays were written by students accepted at Boston College. All of our sample college essays include the question prompt and the year written. Please use these sample admission essays responsibly.

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College Application Essays accepted by Boston College

The absurd, the prom anthony haddad, boston college.

In ninth grade, we learned that Voltaire's Candide was a satire on society, expressed through the absurd extremities Candide must face. In "What Befell Candide among the Bulgarians", 'our hero' must 'run the gauntlet six and thirty times through...

An Academic Affair Anthony Haddad

Oh, you naughty girl you! NO, I can't spend the night, I have so much work to do. I'm sorry...look...I promise I'll make it up to you on the weekend. I won't even go see my friends on Friday. Yeah, I promise. Sure, of course I think about you...I...

College Diet Renata De Sousa

Why do most diets fail? As a veteran dieter with nearly eight years' experience, I have acquired enough knowledge to answer this question. Those who readily jump into new diets are looking to realize possible goals through impossible methodology....

Wanting to be a Nurse Meghan Crann

I can remember as a little kid that when someone would get hurt on the playground, everyone would get upset at the sight of blood. Unlike everyone else, I would be the first to offer to bring them to the nurse and sit with them as the nurse...

"All That Matters" Anonymous

No matter how old I grow, the meaning of friendship has always remained the same - loyalty, sympathy, understanding, and unwavering support. I learned this lesson early in life, back when my best friend's trampoline was the cornerstone of my...

Thursday Mentoring Anonymous

Every Thursday, my classmates and I mount the small yellow school bus and travel to South Orange. While some students run onto the fields, dressed in soccer gear, I sit back and anxiously wait to arrive at the foster home. While others rush home...

Pressure Anonymous

"Pressure is the amount of force exerted on an object by the air above it," my physics teacher explained. I jotted down the definition but then began to think...if only it were that simple.

So what is pressure really? Pressure is juggling three...

The Loss Edgard Duche

Sweat poured down my face as I struggled to breathe. I was dehydrated and exhausted, and I was trying as hard as I could not to give up. From the bleachers and the sidelines, the eyes of every member of the crowd were focused intently on me. One...

Watch Me Callie Adam

I'm sure I have the visiting team's attention by the time I finish my first lap around the soccer field. Standing in a circle, contemplating my presence, they venture guesses quietly, "Cross country? Lost? Girl's soccer?" Finishing my second lap,...

Experience Anonymous

When I started high school, like most freshmen, I was unsure of what I wanted to study in college. I knew that I needed a major that I was interested in and excited me. It had to be something that drove me to be better everyday than I was the...

From Charity Case to Friend Anonymous

Harlan County, Kentucky, deemed the poorest in the United States, hosts the Capuchin Youth and Family Ministries' (CYFM) Appalachian Mission Program every July. For the past two years I have been a participant. The first year I worked as a manual...

A New Life Konstantin Drabkin

I still remember it like it was yesterday. After seven days of grueling labor pushing my body to its limits, I was proudly walking - no, strutting. As my clean and pressed uniform held my new ribbons for the world to see, I looked up to the stands...

Piano Conquest Anonymous

It was a crisp, clear January day in Park Ridge, New Jersey, a few miles from the middle of nowhere. Before me stood an imposing sight: Schubert’s Impromptu. With a length of fourteen pages and a required foundation of meticulous technical skills,...

Lesson Well Learned Anonymous

The black and white keys mesmerized me, as always. They were of another ancestry - Steinway – different from the Yamaha I owned; but as I sat on the meticulously handcrafted ebony bench, I felt at home. My hands floated effortlessly upward, and...

A Newfound Nostalgia Katherine Perry

Describe an aspect of your childhood/upbringing that shaped the person you are today.

In a navy blue Volvo station wagon my entire childhood evolved. Inside, memories rested alongside the hardened French fries and squashed fruit snacks that lined...

“Buenos días, ¿cómo estás?” Anonymous

When my dad first began working in Mexico, I nonchalantly changed my schedule to include seventh grade “Intro to Spanish.” Naturally, I didn’t think twice about what would later prove a crucial decision—few seventh graders realize how such simple...

Me in 1000 words Anonymous

I shop at the local thrift store often. I know its six sections of racks and shelves as if they were in my own closet. I don’t shop there for financial reasons, nor do I shop there for trendy fashion finds. I shop there for the stories the...

A Man of Convictions Eric Tracz

I am well known for having many strongly held personal convictions. Whether people look fondly on my convictions or harness utter disdain for them is a completely different story. Some are seen to be outrageous, such as believing that dipping...

From Tackle Practice to the Barre Anonymous

I lead a double life. You don’t often find someone who both dances and plays football. I suppose that makes me a statistical anomaly, because I go to tackle practice at six a.m. and barre class at six p.m. I love dance because it’s art with...

As I Am Michael William Bell

Most people are surprised to find out that I am dyslexic. Of course, most people don’t know. It’s not that I am ashamed of it, just that I don’t like to tell people about my problems. It is hard to hide, however, when a teacher asks me to read...

Sandy's Lesson Michael William Bell

There is a special bond that forms between a dog and its owner. Sandy and I were no exception. That was why I wasn't really surprised when my mom told me the news. In a way, I already knew.

My family got Sandy when I was six, so she was a part of...

Home Run Kevin Tente

“Home run!” my teammate yelled, laughing.

I winced, trying to hide my embarrassment; a home run would have been great if I had been playing baseball, but I was at my first high school tennis practice, and instead of the ball ending up on...

Diverse Identity Anonymous

“Dinner is ready!” Every Sunday a member of our family takes a turn choosing what we’re having for dinner, and today was my turn. My mother had prepared all of my favorite food, from foie gras to sea urchin sushi to satay. As we began eating, my...

Looking Past the Rearview and into the Future Anonymous

Computers, video games, iPhones. Fuel injected, cereal box import rice rockets dominate the streets. Hybrid cars and green technology. Pop, rap and screamo. For better or for worse, times have changed. While modern applications serve their...

Recent Questions about Boston College

The Question and Answer section for Boston College is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

Japanese Culture

I'm sorry, this is a short-answer literature forum desgined for text specific questions. We are unable to assist students with other subjects.

The author uses the word mensch in paragraph three. Find the meaning and relevance of the word in the context of the essay: 'The Untranslatable word"Macho". Justify your answer

I'm sorry, when you posted your initial question I requested that you provide the text (paragraph) in question. I have not been able to locate a copy of the essay you've cited.

from the essay of ''the untranslatable word macho''identify the thesis statement of the essay. by focusing on the first two paragraphs, explain how the thesis is developed in the central argument to those two paragraphs.

Sorry, I don't have this essay.

Boston College Supplemental Essays 2024 | Strategies and Insights for Success

Boston College’s Class of 2027 saw a significant decrease in acceptance rates, with only 15% of applicants receiving admission, marking a notable shift from previous years. With an average SAT score of 1511 for accepted students, it’s evident that academic excellence is a prerequisite for serious consideration at this prestigious Jesuit institution. Among the crucial components of the Boston College application, crafting compelling essays, both for the Common App and the supplemental essay, holds paramount importance.

In the 2022-23 admissions cycle, Boston College presents applicants with a set of supplemental essay prompts, each offering a unique opportunity to showcase their individuality and suitability for the university. For those applying to Human-Centered Engineering, a specialized prompt is provided, while other applicants can choose from four alternative options.

Now, let’s delve into the Boston College supplemental essay prompts for the upcoming admissions cycle and provide valuable insights on how to craft a winning composition that resonates with the admissions committee’s expectations.

Also read Boston College Acceptance Rate | Strategies and Insights for Admission Success 2024 

Boston College Supplemental Essays

Boston college supplemental essay option #1: each year at university convocation, our incoming class engages in reflective dialogue with the author of a common text. what book by a living author would you recommend for your incoming class to read, and why would this be an important shared text.

In this prompt, you have the opportunity to recommend a book by a living author for the incoming class to read during University Convocation. Whether it’s a cherished fiction novel or a thought-provoking nonfiction work, choose a book that resonates with you deeply and can spark insightful discussions about the human experience. There are no restrictions on genre or theme—what matters most is your ability to articulate why this text would serve as a valuable shared resource for fostering meaningful dialogue among your peers.

Boston College Supplemental Essay Option #2: At Boston College, we draw upon the Jesuit tradition of finding worthwhile conversation partners. Some support our viewpoints while others challenge them. Who fulfills this role in your life? Please cite a specific conversation you had where this conversation partner challenged your perspective or you challenged theirs.

Reflect on individuals in your life who serve as valuable conversation partners, challenging your perspectives and beliefs. Whether it’s a family member, friend, mentor, or teacher, delve into a specific conversation where your viewpoints were challenged or evolved. Use this prompt as an opportunity to explore societal issues and conflicts, drawing upon real-life dialogues to illustrate your capacity for engaging in thoughtful discourse with others.

BC Supplemental Essay Option #3: In her November 2019 Ted Talk, “The Danger of a Single Story,” Chimamanda Ngozi Adichi warned viewers against assigning people a “single story” through assumptions about their nationality, appearance, or background. Discuss a time when someone defined you by a single story. What challenges did this present and how did you overcome them?

Explore instances where you were defined by a single story based on assumptions about your nationality, appearance, or background. Share the challenges you faced and how you overcame them, highlighting your resilience and ability to defy reductive judgments. Whether it’s confronting stereotypes or familial expectations, use this prompt to showcase your personal growth and resilience in the face of adversity.

BC Supplemental Essay Option #4: Boston College’s founding in 1863 was in response to society’s call. That call came from an immigrant community in Boston seeking a Jesuit education to foster social mobility. Still today, the University empowers its students to use their education to address society’s greatest needs. Which of today’s local or global issues is of particular concern to you and how might you use your Boston College education to address it?

Identify a local or global issue that holds personal significance to you and discuss how your Boston College education can empower you to address it. Ground your response in the university’s mission to foster intellectual development and ethical formation, demonstrating your commitment to citizenship, service, and leadership in a global society. Highlight any relevant community service or involvement that aligns with your chosen issue, showcasing your dedication to effecting positive change.

Also see Boston College Transfer Acceptance Rate 2024 | Strategies and Insights for Success

How Important are the Essays at Boston College?

Boston College places considerable weight on various aspects of an applicant’s profile when evaluating candidates for admission. While GPA and the rigor of one’s curriculum are deemed “very important,” the essays are also recognized as a crucial component in the admissions process.

In addition to GPA and curriculum rigor, Boston College considers several other factors as “important” when assessing applicants. These include class rank, recommendations, extracurricular activities, talent/ability, character/personal qualities, legacy status, religious affiliation, and volunteer work. Among these, essays hold a notable position, indicating their significance in shaping the admissions decision.

While Boston College weighs various factors in the admissions process, including GPA, extracurricular activities, and recommendations, the essays remain a critical component. As applicants prepare their applications, they should recognize the significance of crafting compelling and authentic essays that reflect their individuality and aspirations. By doing so, they can enhance their chances of standing out and securing a spot at this esteemed institution.

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• Early Decision vs. Regular Decision

Early Decision I and II

If Boston College is your unequivocal first choice, then we would urge you to consider applying through Early Decision. We expect that your academic credentials, extracurricular engagement, and personal qualities will fit the profile of currently enrolled Boston College students.  

Both Early Decision options are binding . If admitted through Early Decision to Boston College, you must immediately withdraw applications to other institutions and enroll at Boston College. You will be required to submit an Enrollment Confirmation Fee to Boston College within 10 days of receiving your admission offer.

Early Decision I and II vary only in terms of the deadline to apply. For Early Decision I, you must apply by November 1 and will learn of our decision by December 15. For Early Decision II, you must apply by January 2 and will learn of our decision by February 15. 

Due to the binding nature of Early Decision, you are not permitted to apply to other binding Early Decision programs. You are permitted to apply to non-restrictive Early Action programs at other institutions.  

As an Early Decision applicant, in addition to submitting the Common Application and required credentials, you must complete and submit the Common Application Early Decision Agreement form . This will be signed by you, your parent/guardian, and your school counselor.

Regular Decision

If you do not have a first choice college at the time you submit your application and/or if you would like to make your college decision after considering multiple offers of admission and financial aid, we encourage you to apply through Regular Decision.

Regular Decision is a  non-binding  admission process and the option used by most applicants to Boston College. If you apply through Regular Decision, you will learn of our decision by April 1. You will have until May 1 to make your decision and confirm your enrollment.

Regular Decision applicants who wish to be considered for our full-tuition, merit-based scholarship through the  Gabelli Presidential Scholars Program  must submit an application by the  priority scholarship deadline of November 1 . No separate application is required. Finalists will be notified of their status, along with an official offer of admission, by February 1. All other Regular Decision applicants will receive their admission decisions by April 1.

If you submit your Regular Decision application early, but later decide that Boston College is your first-choice college, you may convert your application to Early Decision II. Please complete and sign the  Common Application Early Decision Agreement form  and email it to the Office of Undergraduate Admission by January 8 to make this request. 

Is there an advantage/benefit to applying Early Decision?

Yes. Early Decision applicants are part of a much smaller pool of candidates. Of the more than 36,000 applications Boston College received during the 2022-23 admission cycle, approximately 4,400 students applied via Early Decision I or II. During the Early Decision rounds, 30% of applicants were admitted, compared with an overall admit rate of 15%.

Because Early Decision attracts a small, but competitive pool of candidates, the acceptance rate is higher than at Regular Decision. Early Decision allows you to demonstrate your commitment to enroll at Boston College. It also enhances our ability to enroll students interested in the Jesuit, Catholic approach to education, personal growth, and service of others.

What are the possible Early Decision outcomes?

Should you elect to apply Early Decision to Boston College, you may expect one of three outcomes:  Admit, Defer, or Deny. Highly competitive candidates not admitted through Early Decision will be deferred for additional consideration in our Regular Decision round. Candidates who would not be competitive in our Regular Decision process will be denied admission. This allows them to focus their time and effort on other options for college.

What about financial aid?

Boston College is need blind in the admission process and pledges to meet the full demonstrated need of every admitted student. We are committed to enrolling a student body with a wide range of socio-economic backgrounds. We take pride in making Boston College an affordable option for families, but urge you to use our net price calculators to determine your likelihood of qualifying for financial aid, and what kind of package you might expect to receive if admitted.  

If Boston College is unquestionably your first choice, and you have confidence in your family’s ability to meet the full cost of attendance with or without need-based financial aid, we urge you to use the Early Decision option.

If you have used our net price calculators and have determined that Boston College is financially viable, it is likely that our financial aid award will meet your expectations. Students may only be released from their Early Decision commitment if, after a conversation with our financial aid office, financial factors preclude enrollment.

Admitted Early Decision candidates will be fully considered for one of 18, full-tuition, merit-based scholarships through the Gabelli Presidential Scholars Program . However, please be aware that competition is intense for these scholarships. Candidates whose families will depend on a merit-based scholarship to fund their college experience should not apply Early Decision.

Committed to Affordability

We’re dedicated to providing need-based financial assistance and helping students obtain a variety of aid to meet their full, demonstrated financial need.

The Gabelli Presidential Scholars Program offers a four-year, full-tuition scholarship

How do I apply for a Presidential Scholarship?

Each year, Boston College awards 18 academically merit-based scholarships to incoming freshmen through the Gabelli Presidential Scholars Program .  Both Early Decision and Regular Decision candidates are eligible for Presidential Scholarship consideration as long as they meet the November 1 priority scholarship deadline.  No additional application materials are required for this scholarship.

The Presidential Scholarship is a  four-year, full-tuition scholarship . If a student demonstrates need beyond tuition, as determined by Boston College's institutional analysis, this need would be met with additional scholarship funds.

Finalists for the Gabelli Presidential Scholars Program will be notified of their status in early January. These students will be invited to Boston College at our expense for interviews and evaluation in mid-February. They will be notified of final decisions shortly thereafter. 

Early Decision I

Deadline: november 1.

Early Decision I is a binding admission program for students who view Boston College as their top choice.

Notification: By December 15

Early Decision applicants will be notified of their admission decision no later than December 15.

Early Decision II

Deadline: january 2.

Early Decision II is a binding admission program for students who view Boston College as their top choice.

Notification: By February 15

Early Decision applicants will be notified of their admission decision no later than February 15.

   Deadline:    January 2

Regular Decision is a non-binding admission program and the majority of applicants apply through Regular Decision.

   Notification:    By April 1

Regular Decision applicants will be notified of their admission decision no later than April 1.

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Boston University Supplemental Essay 2023-24 Prompts and Advice

August 14, 2023

With almost 81,000 applications from those wishing to join the Class of 2027, Boston University has entered the realm of the most desirable private universities on the planet. It also continues to climb to new heights in terms of selectivity with just an 11% acceptance rate for entering 2023-24 freshmen. In contrast, just twenty years ago, BU accepted 70% of those who applied. This brings us to the topic of the Boston University supplemental essay.

(Want to learn more about How to Get Into BU? Visit our blog entitled:  How to Get Into Boston University  for all of the most recent admissions data as well as tips for gaining acceptance.)

Boston University has become a school where you may need more than just strong grades and test scores to gain acceptance—the average SAT for those submitting applications last cycle was 1441. Through its one required essay prompt, the BU supplemental essay affords applicants an opportunity to showcase what makes them uniquely qualified for admission. Below are the Boston University supplemental prompt options for the 2023-24 admissions cycle along with tips about how to address them:

2023-2024 Boston University Supplemental Essays

Boston University is dedicated to our founding principles: “that higher education should be accessible to all and that research, scholarship, artistic creation, and professional practice should be conducted in the service of the wider community—local and international. These principles endure in the University’s insistence on the value of diversity in its tradition and standards of excellence and its dynamic engagement with the City of Boston and the world.”  With this mission in mind, please respond to one of the following two questions in 300 words or less:

1. Reflect on a social or community issue that deeply resonates with you. Why is it important to you, and how have you been involved in addressing or raising awareness about it?

2. What about being a student at BU most excites you? How do you hope to contribute to our campus community?

Note regarding word count: Although BU asks you to respond in less than 300 words, the Common App provides 350 words of space.

Prompt Option #1

Reflect on a social or community issue that deeply resonates with you. Why is it important to you, and how have you been involved in addressing or raising awareness about it?

To craft a strong response to this prompt, you’ll first need to choose an issue that is important to you on either a global, regional, or community scale. If you pick something general (and popular), like women’s rights or social media, consider choosing a specific angle that relates to you personally. For example, while tackling “social media” in general would be a daunting proposition, discussing a particular platform or the impact of technology on your interpersonal relationships could be far more specific and accessible.

Boston University Supplemental Essays (Continued)

To answer the second part of the prompt, you’ll need to discuss how you’ve engaged with the issue in real life. Have you attended rallies, protests, or fundraisers? Did you create or join an after-school club or volunteer opportunity? Have you shared your perspective at community or school board meetings? On a smaller scale, have you made an effort to converse with peers and/or adults about your chosen issue? If so, what was the outcome?

This prompt is not asking for a hypothetical answer. Therefore, crafting an effective response will necessitate that you have outwardly engaged with your issue of choice on some level . As such, if you have trouble brainstorming an issue that you have addressed or raised awareness about, you’ll likely want to respond to the second prompt option instead.

Prompt Option #2

What about being a student at BU most excites you? How do you hope to contribute to our campus community?

This is your quintessential “Why Us?” essay which comes with the typical pitfalls you’ll want to avoid. We don’t want to label these as “mistakes” (there is nothing inherently wrong with them). They just don’t add any needle-moving value, which is, of course, the only goal here!

Common components of a vanilla “Why BU?” essay

• Generalities about why Boston is an ideal location for your college experience.
• Generalities about why Boston is an exciting/cosmopolitan/diverse/culture-filled city.
• BU’s ranking, prestige, or reputation.
• Too many generic expressions of feeling (e.g., I know with all my being that BU is the school for me… ).
• Recycled statements from your other “Why Us?” essays that come across as stale, impersonal, or worst of all–irrelevant/inaccurate.
• Lastly (and most importantly), mentioning Fenway Park.

How to write a winning “Why BU?” essay

First things first—consider why you’re excited to become a BU student. Is it the  academic programs , professors,  research opportunities ,  internship/externship programs ,  study abroad programs ,  student-run organizations , mission statement , etc.? Try focusing on 2-3 offerings that feel particularly significant rather than attempting to create a laundry list of everything you might possibly take advantage of. In addition, be sure to address how you will take advantage of the resources you decide to write about.

Secondly, you’ll need to discuss your prospective contribution to the BU campus. How will you be an active community member? Will your past/current endeavors carry over onto BU’s campus? How so? Will you bring special talents or passions?

In any “Why Us?” composition, you need to show that you’ve done your homework on a given school. However, you don’t want it to read like a robotic list of items that you Googled five minutes before writing the essay (even if the timing of the Google search is roughly accurate). In addition to the pure research element, a lot of the time and skill required in creating a stellar BU essay will involve connecting your selected opportunities of interest to your distinct values, talents, aims, proficiencies, and future goals.

Should I answer the optional BU question?

Please use this space if you have additional information, materials, or writing samples you would like us to consider.

When considering whether or not to utilize this inviting blank space, consider that the BU admissions office is deluged with applications and will only want to see highly compelling and essential information included in this section. For more on how to decide whether or not to take advantage of any Additional Information section in an application visit our  blog on the subject .

How important is the essay at BU?

The factors that Boston University weighs as being “very important” in evaluating a candidate are the rigor of your secondary school record, class rank, GPA, standardized test scores, and talent/ability. The essay is “important” and sits alongside letters of recommendation, extracurricular activities, and character/personal qualities.

Boston University Supplemental Essays – Want Personalized Essay Assistance?

In conclusion, if you are interested in working with one of College Transitions’ experienced and knowledgeable essay coaches as you craft your Boston University supplemental essay, we encourage you to  get a quote  today.

• College Essay

Dave Bergman

Dave has over a decade of professional experience that includes work as a teacher, high school administrator, college professor, and independent educational consultant. He is a co-author of the books The Enlightened College Applicant (Rowman & Littlefield, 2016) and Colleges Worth Your Money (Rowman & Littlefield, 2020).

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Beating the Odds: Crimson Education’s Class of 2028 Acceptance Rates

Success by the Numbers

Crimson Ivy League Admit Rates

Excelling Beyond the Ivies

Success Year After Year

Last year marked a significant milestone for Crimson Education — our ten-year anniversary.

While we celebrated this milestone with readers at the end of 2023, the true highlights came from our students and the dedicated team behind them, who experienced remarkable success at the Ivies, at the top 20 US schools (non-Ivies), and even at Cambridge and Oxford.

Now after digesting all the results for the Class of 2028, we’ve got more great news to share, with a spotlight on Crimson student acceptance rates, compared to other students.

Class of 2028 Admissions Success: By the Numbers

In March and April the final admission offers for the Class of 2028 were mailed, opened, and in case after case celebrated by our students.

With our students’ successes now tallied and independently verified by auditors, it’s clear the combined efforts and steadfast dedication of our team members and the students they advise have culminated in extraordinary success.

Below, we’re going to show you exactly how Crimson student acceptance rates for the Class of 2028 stack up compared to general admission rates at some of the best schools in the US.   We think you’ll be amazed at the difference Crimson’s expert advisor network and personalized advising model make in our students’ lives.

For example, Crimson students applying to the Ivy League beat the odds by 6.75x overall, compared to general acceptance rates for the same schools.

We stand by our numbers too. The results we're sharing today come with an impeccable level of assurance, having been independently verified by one of the big four auditing firms.

So keep reading and check out this year's numbers… And, remember, we get results like these for young scholars from more than 100 countries around the globe. That means, in addition to professionalism and transparency, our specialists have valuable knowledge and insights to offer, making Crimson Education the best choice to get tangible results for your own college journey.

Crimson supported me in making every part of my application as good as it could be. It was their engagement that made those acceptances all that more special.

- abby (verified crimson trustpilot review), interested in learning more attend one of our free events, build your application strategy with the latest 2023-24 admissions trends & analysis.

Friday, May 31, 2024 12:00 AM CUT

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Crimson’s Class of 2028 Ivy League Admit Rates

Crimson students performed exceptionally well this year, securing hundreds of offers from top-tier schools during early and regular round application cycles for the Class of 2028.

Offers gained from Ivy League schools were no exception. What’s truly remarkable is the measure by which Crimson students beat the odds overall despite today’s super competitive admissions landscape:

• The number of Crimson students admitted to the Ivy League increased by 33%, compared to last year’s admission statistics.
• The overall Ivy League acceptance rate for Crimson students was around 31%, compared to an average 4.2% Ivy League general admission rate.
• Crimson students applying to the Ivy League for the Class of 2028 beat the odds by 6.75x overall, compared to general acceptance rates for the same schools.

Crimson's USA Class of 2028 Ivy League Admit Rates

While Ivy League schools are often the highlight, our students also excel at top non-Ivy institutions, including schools as selective as Stanford and MIT.

Our network of experienced strategists and Former Admissions Officers can provide expert insights that are also personalized. This ensures every application a student submits, across any number of prestigious universities, both public and private, is tailored to get the best results possible.

Crimson's USA Class of 2028 Top Non-Ivy Admit Rates

Across these eight outstanding universities, Crimson students experienced a 37% acceptance rate compared to the average 6.5% acceptance rate, beating the odds at these highly selective US schools by about 6x.

Crimson's Legacy of Success: Exceptional Results Year After Year

At Crimson Education, our commitment to meeting and beating expectations isn't just a yearly goal — it's a consistent promise upheld across all our years of operation.

That said, we've also raised the bar each year, striving to make every new class surpass the accomplishments of the last. This legacy of success is a testament to our effective strategies, our comprehensive model, and the hard work of our students and their committed advisors, strategists, mentors, and tutors.

Crimson's All-Time Acceptances

Unmatched acceptance rates with unparalleled professionalism and trust.

Crimson Education has an exceptional track record. No other college admissions consultancy can match the outcomes our students experience ; proof that the expertise of our Advisor network, our personalized and holistic approach to application prep, and our students’ high levels of motivation are an unbeatable combination.

Today, our successes and claims are more than just promises; they’re backed by real results and high levels of client satisfaction.

Unparalleled Customer Satisfaction: Across more than 118,000 reviews, Crimson Education has earned an impressive 4.74 out of 5 stars on average. This exceptional score is a testament to the passion we have for helping students around the world overcome impressive odds in pursuit of transformative educational opportunities.

Impeccable Transparency: : We’re immensely proud of the results we get for our students, but in our commitment to transparency,  we’ve gone the extra mile to provide the highest level of assurance possible.

The acceptance rates experienced by our students, like those we've just shared, are now independently verified by one of the big four auditing firms. This makes Crimson Education the only leading college admissions consultancy with independently verified results, ensuring our track record is one you can count on.

Next Steps…

If you’re already part of the Crimson network, you know about our professionalism, comprehensive approach, and personalized strategies.

If not, you may be wondering if partnering with Crimson is right for you. In which case, we want to encourage you to find out more.

Explore Crimson’s Unique Approach

Typically students who get connected with Crimson earlier on their college journey enjoy better outcomes. Start with a free consultation with one of our application specialists. It’s the perfect opportunity to discuss your goals and understand how our tiered and personalized programs and services can work for you .

Consider the Value of Your Future

When evaluating the cost of college planning services, consider it in terms of return on investment . Attending a prestigious university can significantly influence your career and personal growth opportunities. Investing in Crimson’s admissions counseling is not just about gaining admission — it’s about educational opportunity and setting a foundation for other lifetime successes and experiences.

Staying Ahead of the Curve

When aiming for excellence, the importance of strategic preparation is hard to overemphasize. By partnering with Crimson, you benefit from our expertise right from the outset — whether you’re beginning to shape your school list, honing your application profile and materials, or refining your application essays as deadlines approach.

Final Thoughts

Our Class of 2028 students are now poised to turn their dreams into reality, as a result of their hard work and our support. Thanks for celebrating with us!

We hope this glimpse into their success inspires you to consider how Crimson can elevate your college journey.

Whether you're in middle school, starting high school, or soon to be starting your own college applications, we look forward to being a partner on your journey to excellence!

And… Don’t worry. As remarkable as our team members are, they’re easy to talk to and happy to walk you through our many services and resources. So schedule your call today and together let’s put your college journey on a track to success.

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About the Contributor

Arkesh Patel

Arkesh Patel is the Chief Operating Officer of Crimson Education, the world's largest and most successful university admissions consulting firm. Crimson Education has helped thousands of students gain admission into the Ivy League and top universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, Stanford, MIT, and many others. Arkesh graduated from the University of Cambridge with a B.A in Chemistry (First Class Honors) and received his M.B.A with Distinction from Harvard Business School.

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