Location: southwest
Religion: catholic (jesuit high school)
Race: White/Middle Eastern
ACT : 33 (36 E, 36 R, 33 M, 25 S)
SAT II: 790 US History, 740 Literature
Unweighted GPA: 3.96 Weighted GPA: 4.4
AP Scores: AP English Lang (5), AP United States History (5), AP Macro Economics (5), AP United States Government (5), AP Psychology (5)
Senior Class Load: AP Physics, AP Comparative Government and Politics, AP Calculus, AP English Lit, Honors Band, 1 religion class
9 AP Classes Total in High School
Awards:
admission with honors
ap scholar with distinction
published writing in school magazine
Activities:
president of writing/editing club 3 years
trumpet player 4 years - first chair
leadership of one other club 3 years
2 immersion trips overseas
100+ service hours at food shelter/tutoring
Essays: reasonably interesting, easy to read, nice tone
Recommendations: 2 fire, 1 ordinary
@tsmith21 Which school at Boston College? May be a challenge if you’re trying to get into the Carroll School of Business. Even though the overall acceptance rate at BC is around 35%, it’s only about 20% for the business school. Also, since you say “Jesuit High School,” my guess is that you’re male? I see you have a similar post re: William & Mary. If you are indeed male, it helps your chances at W&M. Also, southwestern states tend to be under-represented at W&M, so that may be another plus for W&M. My DD looked at BC and W&M last year and eventually decided on W&M. She also went to an Ursuline school in the Southwest and her stats were incredibly similar to yours. She absolutely adores W&M and I think she’s getting at least as good if not better of an education there. Additionally, despite paying full out of state tuition in Virginia (no aid whatsoever), we will come out at least $40,000 ahead by attending W&M rather than BC. Another consideration: you have lots of APs, which you really won’t get much credit for at BC. W&M is pretty good about accepting AP credits which will likely result in an additional tens of thousands of dollars savings. Good luck, don’t fret, and let the process work itself out. My last point (since we’re also from the southwest) — you will also want to consider the weather in Boston vs. Williamsburg. Every time I check the weather and hear how cold it is in Boston, I remind my DD that she’s fortunate she chose W&M!!!
thanks for the reply!
arts/sciences
yes, all male high school (nice catch)
i’ve heard about the male benefit for william and mary, def hoping it helps
thanks for the advice re: costs, aps, and weather – will take into account
glad your daughter is happy at w and m
I think you’d be accepted at BC. Just to clarify one issue raised by longhornalum2, BC has an odd policy regarding AP credits. There is just one scenario: you have accumulated at least 24 credits via AP or other tests and/or college classes taken while in high school, and BC will likely let you graduate in 3 years. They don’t grant credit for any more or any less than 24 credits.
I think it is EXTREMELY important to note if applying to the schools of business of these respective schools, CSOM at BC is guaranteed admission as you enter. At WM you have to apply to Mason, their school of business to be accepted during your first year there. You are NOT guaranteed to get a business degree at WM simply because you are accepted.
@Longhornalum2 Do you have a source for your 20% figure?
A close friend of mine attended an admissions presentation last summer and asked the question; admissions responded that the CSOM admit rate is very similar to, or virtually the same as, the overall admit rate. Since admission to CSOM has long had a reputation of being more difficult, I’ve been wondering about differences in the applicant pools. So far, all I have to go on is math achievement.
btw is your daughter single?
@Shade45 Yes, I had forgotten about later admission to the Business School at W&M. Same as UVA and a few others. Something to consider, to be sure. Overall, the biz school at W&M has a 50% acceptance rate so it’s certainly competitive.
@evergreen5 I had to think about where I got my 20% figure. There is a reference on Wikipedia for Carroll which says 25% for 2015. The source of the 20% figure was from reading many posts from last spring about Boston College on College Confidential. For example, back in 2015 @3rdXsTheCharm mentioned “The Carroll School of Management is tougher to get into than the other colleges at Boston College. The overall university acceptance rate was 29% this year, but only 21% for Carroll.” There are numerous other references scattered throughout the BC board - last year I got the info. from reading about RD Class of 2021. Good luck to all!!!
@tsmith21 LOL! At her age, she’d better be!!! In all sincerity, good luck to you. This was a stressful time of year for us last year and I was relieved when it was all over and decisions were made. …and amazingly, she and her fellow high school students ended up where they needed to be. There were a few disappointments, to be sure, but it all worked out in the end.