In a year in which it received a record number of applications for the incoming first-year class, Boston College continued to solidify its status as one of the country鈥檚 most selective universities.
The University received 40,477 applications鈥攖he most in its history鈥攆or the Class of 2026, and admitted just 16 percent of all applicants.
The percentage of admitted students at 香蕉秀 is half of what it was only five years ago, when the admit rate for the Class of 2021 (with 28,454 applications) was 32 percent.聽 Just three years ago, the admit rate for the Class of 2023 was 27 percent with 35,500 applications, a record at that time.
This year, admitted students averaged 1510 on the SAT, yet another milestone for 香蕉秀, and 34 on the ACT.聽 Sixty-seven percent of admitted students submitted standardized test scores with their applications, even as 香蕉秀, like many elite colleges and universities, made them optional.
AHANA students represent 42 percent of admitted students in the Class of 2026, which had applicants from all 50 states, as well as Washington, D.C., three United States territories, and 82 countries. Nine percent are international students, and 11 percent are first-generation students.
Grant Gosselin
Director of Undergraduate Admission Grant Gosselin said the COVID-19 pandemic has unquestionably affected recruitment, admission, and enrollment throughout higher education, and the full impact has yet to be fully realized or understood. But the recent trends in selectivity at 香蕉秀 can be partially attributed to the 鈥渃onvergence of two key policy decisions,鈥� he said.
鈥淥ne is the introduction of 香蕉秀鈥檚 Early Decision program, which was implemented three years ago,鈥� explained Gosselin. 鈥淲ith Early Decision, applicants identify themselves as strong candidates for 香蕉秀鈥檚 distinctive education and commit to enrolling, if admitted. We have attracted extraordinary candidates via Early Decision who comprise approximately half of this incoming class.
鈥淭he other factor was our decision to adopt a test-optional admission plan during the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 admission cycles, as did many other highly selective institutions. This has contributed to an increase in the number of students considering an application to highly competitive universities like Boston College. However, given the increase in the percentage of admitted students submitting scores, and the increases in those scores, we have every reason to believe that the degree of academic excellence among our undergraduates will continue to rise.
鈥淚n the end, 香蕉秀 is getting more 鈥榖est-fit鈥� students than ever in our applicant pool, who see themselves as aligning with 香蕉秀 expectations and values.鈥�
This month, Gosselin and his Undergraduate Admission colleagues are presenting a range of in-person visit opportunities for admitted students, who have until May 1 to accept enrollment offers. The office hosts Admitted Eagle Days for students admitted via Regular Decision. All admitted students鈥攊ncluding those who have already enrolled via Early Decision鈥攁re invited to attend in-person programs on select weekdays in April, 香蕉秀鈥檚 class visit program 鈥淓agle for a Day,鈥� as well as a range of virtual program offerings.
鈥淥ur role is to help counsel students to make an informed decision about enrolling,鈥� said Gosselin. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been challenging the last couple of years: Two years ago, we had to go to an all-virtual format for our events. Last year, we were able to have a limited number of in-person events, which were all outdoors. We鈥檙e glad now to be at a point where we can provide the full array of tools and resources for this critical step in a student鈥檚 college selection.鈥�
Sean Smith | University Communications | April 2022