Can I get into Boston College?

Desired school: Boston College, Carroll School of Management
Background: White male from very competitive public high school in MA
Major: Finance
Minor: Theology
Applying: Early Action
Legacy: Both parents attended Carroll School of Management for undergrad (father for grad school as well), both of my father’s parents attended Lynch School of Education
GPA: 3.83 (School has major grade deflation, I am in the top 20% of my class) with an extreme upward trend due to poor freshman year
ACT: 32
AP Classes: 6 (Literature, US History, European History, Statistics, Microeconomics, Psychology)
Academic Awards: Economics Student of the Year for my junior year, Honor Roll my freshman year, High Honors every year since
ECs: 1x ICDC qualifier for DECA (Top 4 in state for Principles of Finance), 2x state finalist (Top 10 finish in the state for Business Finance), Office assistant at an accounting firm for 25 hours a week during the school year, soon-to-be Eagle Scout, National Honor Society (Fundraising committee), Volunteer at youth church camp for the last 6 summers, active in my local Roman Catholic church, certifications in Excel/Word/PowerPoint

My son was accepted last year early action to the School of Management and he had a 3.7 gpa and 32 ACT and same # of AP classes, similar awards and extra curriculars. I also graduated from BC. Good luck!

Thank you! This is encouraging to hear!

It was my sons #1 choice but since they give very few merit scholarships it just was not affordable ($70k per year - ouch!). They are much better with need based aid if you qualify. For business majors I would also highly recommend Northeastern, Bentley and Fairfield Univ. At Bentley & Fairfield you most like would get scholarships.

It’s really hard to chance someone. S was deferred then declined. 3.95 UW GPA, all APs, honors, etc. 1410 SAT, class president, captain of baseball team, student ambassador, etc. Very well rounded kid. From FL and I thought that would help as they look to become more nationally recognized. Was accepted to Bentley with very generous scholarship. Chose to stay in the south.

@MassHSGuy77
I agree with rickle1.

If you read through the past years of decision threads on this Boston College forum, you’ll see many with higher academic profiles and ECs who were not accepted, and you’ll see many with lower academics and ECs who were accepted.

If your heart is set on BC, (and it’s an awesome school btw), then do give it your all. But be certain to keep your “plan b” school applications in top order.

There is a dad who used to post here with the screen name of “scottj”. He’s posted many valuable replies discussing the importance of understanding “Why do you want BC? What will your application show that you’ll be bringing to the incoming class?” I encourage you to see out his replies and read through them.

All the best.

@jpm50 has a great suggestion. Review that those posts.

Just so you know, BC was my son’s first choice. We visited many schools and everything always came back to BC. He was pretty disappointed when he was rejected. However, there are MANY great schools so look at others with similar qualities. What do you like about BC? I assure you there are others with similar feel and attributes. Make sure you apply to them too. Hopefully BC accepts you but if they don’t, you’ll be fine.

S is VERY pleased with his “2nd choice” and can’t imagine being anywhere else (current sophomore) so things tend to work out. You’ve done great work in high school. Continue that and finish strong. Enjoy your senior yr and I’m sure you’ll get in to several great schools.

Best of luck.

@rickle1 perfectly said. My son chose his “3rd choice” school and he is very happy.

Legacy is a small plus, as is upward trend. But note top quintile with a 3.8 is the opposite of grade deflation.

I think you have a solid chance.I’d be surprised if you don’t get in. HOWEVER, there were plenty of 4.00’s + and 1500 SAT students who were rejected…so…its a crap shoot.

I’m sure that absolutely nobody here cares, but I did end up getting in.

Congrats @MassHSGuy77! BC is an excellent school and seems to get harder to get in every year. You should be proud of your accomplishment.

Congrats! It’s always nice to see someone get into a school he really wants to go to, and it’s even better when you can carry on a family tradition.

By the way, I have a relative who’s a feshman at Notre Dame this year. Over the Christmas break, I talked to the young man about his experiences, and didn’t hear one thing that made ND sound like a better experience than BC…boring nightlife, bad food, politically apathetic students, etc.