<p>My daughter will be applying to BC this year. She will graduate with 10 APs, 1 Dual Credit, a 4.11 GPA (4.0 UW) at the point the app is submitted this fall (current), a 2300 on her SAT I (790 Chem, 750 Math 2, 650 US Hist on SAT IIs --plans to retake Math I, Math II, and Latin), most likely NMF and quite a few awards and ECs. Do you know if she might be a considered candidate for BC Honors Program? I realize the website states that students will be notified with their acceptances if they were selected; however, I was wondering if anyone had knowledge of specific qualifications they’re seeking. Thanks!</p>
<p>Your daughter will mostly likely be invited to join the honors program if she is admitted.</p>
<p>She doesn’t need to retake those SAT’s in my opinion, and I think she should take either the Math I or II, not both. But, she would definitely be invited to the Honor’s Program I believe. </p>
<p>And p.s. if she applies Early they choose 10-15 Presidential Scholars and I believe they either get a full ride or half ride regardless of need. The students selected are at the TOP of the applicants, but why not try if she’s ready.</p>
<p>Thank you so much for the feedback. She’s visited BC twice and loves it. She had always planned on applying EA; however, we just discovered that unlike most schools, BC’s EA is actually MORE selective than RD, so I guess it really doesn’t give you an advantage. (I know her stats are competitive, but so are everyone’s who applies to BC, and we just want to maximize her chance of acceptance.) I didn’t know about the Presidential Scholars opportunity though. Perhaps it would be worth the gamble for her to apply EA.</p>
<p>Your daughter should apply EA to BC this fall if her application is as good as it is going to grt and from her stats it certainly sounds like this may be the case. If she does not apply EA she cannot be considered for the presidential scholars and she should not let that pass. Good luck but it sounds like she has it made!</p>
<p>btw: you cannot apply EA to BC and ED anywhere else…</p>
<p>She will very likely get invited to the Honors program, which she should accept since it has far more upsides (their own library; honors housing if she wants it; 4 yrs guaranteed housing even if she doesn’t choose honors housing; very small core classes) than downsides (cores all mashed into one overview course combining theology/philosophy/english/history but who cares it’s probably cooler that way anyway and it takes up less creits in the end). So she will hopefully get invited and IMO should accept, as I did for this coming Fall.</p>
<p>Far as EA goes, yes bluebayou is right…watch out for the ED landmines – educate yourselves – you and daughter – on how that all works. Only thing I’ll say is that anecdotal evidence suggests that BC FA awards may be less for EA students than for RD. They have been called out on it this year and i think they may be fixing that, but I would not hesitate to call Admissions and say you are considering no applying for EA because you hear they withhold $$ for EA in favor of RD. See what they say, since like I said I have been told they are leveling EA and RD FA awards starting next year so it is probably not as big an issue for you. BUT, on the flip side,I got into BC via EA and it was effing awesome to know by Christmas time that I already had a world-class college in my corner, so that makes it something to think about.</p>
<p>Tell her good luck and tell her to enjoy her senior year. It FLIES BY.</p>
<p>Thanks SO much for the advice everyone! I did indeed know that BC’s EA is restrictive (similar to SCEA). We looked up the Presidential Scholar info on the website and although I’m very doubtful she’ll be chosen (15 only!!! Highly unlikely!!!) we recognize if she doesn’t atleast try and apply EA, she’ll never know if it’s something she could have achieved. It’s highly unlikely she’ll even fill out the FA paperwork b/c I’m almost 100% positive our family is not eligible for anything; hence, that’s not a consideration. </p>
<p>On a slightly different note, do you know if BC accepts AP credits and if so, how many? She took 5 tests this past spring and will take 5 more next spring. (She just called CB and got her scores – all 5s. She’s thrilled!) She wants to pursue a career in medicine, and if she can shave a little time off her BS, that would me great. If not, oh well! I’ve explained to her that she should enjoy her college years as much as possible b/c afterward, life changes dramatically. </p>
<p>Again, thanks for the feedback.</p>
<p>BC takes almost all AP credits for core requirements but not for credit. For example, I tested entirely out of the social studies, history, and english core requirements, but still have to take 40 total courses at BC. They allow you take more electives, which is definitely an advantage for somebody pursuing pre-med which takes up a lot of courses. AP US does not get you out of core, it only fulfills part the requirements for the History major.</p>
<p>OP:<br>
You should do the FAFSA anyways, since it then allows you to have her possibly get a low-interest Stafford loan, etc, if you so choose. Also, and this is very important in our current economy, if anything changes in your situation 9say you and your husband both get laid off) BC cannot even evaluate you for a change in FA amount if you had never filled out the FAFSA> So it ends up being insurance for possible future need even if you don’t thin kyou will qualify with your current situation.</p>
<p>Regarding AP: As stated above BC dos not always give credits for AP (in other words, you can’t lop off a year of school… they still want their 8 semesters of tuition – although I did hear at orientation that there is ONE exception in one department but I cannot remember which one) but you CAN skip core requirements with AP, or jump into a higher level course if you want.</p>
<p>Check out this link:
[Advanced</a> Placement - Boston College](<a href=“http://www.bc.edu/admission/undergrad/process/advstanding.html#AP]Advanced”>http://www.bc.edu/admission/undergrad/process/advstanding.html#AP)</p>
<p>TVScheer, you have gotten some incorrect info from other posters. BC does indeed have an ADVANCED STANDING program whereby a student can apply AP credit towards course requirements and graduate in 3 years. </p>
<p>From the BC website:
“Students who have taken multiple AP examinations and have earned the equivalent of 8 or more Boston College courses may apply for advanced standing. If granted, credit for these courses would be applied to the student’s transcript, accelerating his/her date of graduation by one year. Students, therefore, who accept this option would graduate in three years.”</p>
<p>There is obviously a cost savings from graduating in 3 years rather than 4, but there are also some downsides. Here are links to a couple of old threads on this issue, which comes up frequently on CC:</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/boston-college/702464-advanced-standing.html?highlight=advanced+standing[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/boston-college/702464-advanced-standing.html?highlight=advanced+standing</a>
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/boston-college/537021-advanced-placement-thru-ap-credits.html?highlight=advanced+standing[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/boston-college/537021-advanced-placement-thru-ap-credits.html?highlight=advanced+standing</a></p>
<p>^ Thanks worried_mom, and sorry for the misinformation OP. I stand corrected.</p>
<p>UPDATE: I just read the links you provied and, ugh, it seems the only upside (albeit a significant one) is financial. Seems like Advance Standing pretty much makes your college experience an exercise in “get me the heck out of here asap”.</p>
<p>Thanks again for the advice. I’m really, really on the fence about even filling out the FAFSA form, Duke. I totally understand and agree with your statement about “insurance”; however, what truly concerns me is that I honestly don’t think we’ll be granted anything (I haven’t filled out the projection/trial form yet but my initial instinct says no), but, more importantly, I am fearful that it might possibly interfere with her being accepted. I’m a realist and recognize that all schools get tons of applications whereby students state they’re applying for FA and tons of these kids do indeed get accepted, right? However, do those who check “no” have a slight advantage? Its appears as though many people on CC say yes. I know her stats are impressive, but I also know that competition is fierce. If there is an edge tipped toward those who show ability to pay without FA, I most likely will simply say it’s not even worth the trouble to fill it out FAFSA, and our family will make the necessary sacrifices. She’s worked SO hard toward her goal, and her father and I don’t want to do anything to jeopardize it.</p>
<p>BC has need blind admissions, so in other words your admissions file and you financial aid app are totally separate. Checking yes has an effect for some schools, but not BC. In fact, even in the schools where they do care, checking yes isn’t a factor, it only matters if you actually qualify. You also can do the fafsa without submitting it, and at the end it will give you an idea of if you potentially qualify for aid.</p>
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<p>Depends on the school’s policy. Colgate is need-aware in admissions, as is Tufts & Reed, among others. They clearly state that applying for finaid can make a difference for those on the “bubble.”</p>
<p>definately apply EA if you can. I got in EA this past year and it made forget about my defferal from Georgetown. Now I’m going to BC and I couldn’t be happier!</p>