<p>I’m planning on going to tour BC next week but Im alittle bit worried about it. I have a 3.7 unweighted GPA, plan to have 6 APs at graduation, fair amount of ECs and community service, and have grown up on a farm (been told that will help me at some schools because it makes me different).</p>
<p>I know BC is probably a reach for me but I was wondering do you think I have a decent shot there? Enough of a shot to tour it or should I not bother? </p>
<p>(I havent taken my SATs yet but I know that I need around a 2100 to have a chance)</p>
<p>Why are you worried? Are you worried that you’re going to love BC and then won’t get in? Are you worried that you’re going to hate BC and therefore need to expand you’re college list? The average high school GPA at BC is somewhere around 3.75; the mid-point of the SATs is around 2000. From what you’ve told us it looks like you’re going to be an “average” candidate; it strikes me that it’s in your best interest to tour BC so you can make an informed decision should you be accepted. Why eliminate yourself when you don’t have to?</p>
<p>I don’t want to waste time touring BC if theres a zero chance of me getting in. From what Ive read I believe it to be a reach but I dont want me going there to tour and show serious interest be looked at as a joke.</p>
<p>You’ve got a decent shot if you can get a 30+ ACT or 2000+ SAT I believe. I got in EA with a 3.75, 32 ACT, and minimal Community Service (and they actually claim to be tougher for EA than RD).</p>
<p>If it’s high on your list, I’d suggest visiting it and expressing your interest in the school. You can learn many valuable things that may even give you an edge in your application. If it’s out of town, be sure to visit other schools you may be interested in as well that are in the area.</p>
<p>You do NOT have “zero chance.” As vinceh pointed out, your high school GPA is pretty much the average for BC, you’ve taken rigorous classes (6 APs), and you have ECs and community service. All of that puts you in the running, and a good showing on the SAT (2000+) will keep you a credible candidate.</p>
<p>Yes, BC is a reach for you – simply because BC gets 30,000 applicants each year and your stats put you in the middle of the pack, not the top. But it is not inconceivable that you would be admitted. Be assured that no one is going to laugh at you if you express interest in the school.</p>
<p>Thanks all! I am touring a bunch of other schools too that are more matches but I was just alittle concerned about this. I did read that taking the tour helps on the application in some cases so Im hoping that’s true :)</p>
<p>My daughter had a very similar GPA, AP’s etc. as you. We toured, she applied, was waitlisted and then got in. Don’t be discouraged by all the stats that you think are above your level of achievement. I think you have a chance, and you may present great with your essay etc. Good luck, Go Eagles!</p>
<p>You should definitely tour so that you know how you feel about the school after seeing it in person. That being said, touring will not help or hurt your admission chances. BC makes it very clear that they do not care about demonstrated interest. If you happen to be visiting Holy Cross as well, they care a lot about demonstrated interest. Good Luck with all your applications.</p>
<p>There’s no reason to think you have zero chance at getting in. I thought the same thing just because of BC’s reputation in my area, applied with a GPA slightly lower than yours and got in EA, which is supposedly more competitive. Definitely go on a tour, you will learn a lot about BC and will get a sense of whether or not you even want to go. Touring schools also gives you perspective on other places you visit, so there is value added that way.</p>
<p>My son got in EA with a 3.9 GPA, 1930 SAT, several APs (all 4s) modest ECs and the National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar Award. We thought it was a definite reach but we, and his guidance counselor, were more than pleasantly surprised! We received 18,500 in finaid scholarship, 3500 loan and some work-study (2400?) -so still not sure we can pull of the remaining $30,000+. (I recently graduated with my BA and MAT and have $90,000 of student loans of my own as a result). He was also accepted (so far) to Fordham, Fairfield, Loyola, Hofstra, St. John’s, Scranton & Binghamton. </p>
<p>Planning to visit in April, once we hear from a couple others in the Boston area. I have heard that BC is very ‘white’ and snobby, but not sure if that is true or just some sour grapes from those who didn’t get in. My son is VERY interested but hoping we can work it out. I don’t know if we can, unfortunately. He is interested in Politics and would like to study abroad for a semester, possibly, and do an internship.</p>
<p>Your son’s 3.9 GPA is good for BC though. I am alittle bit below their average GPA. Also, he is a minority which helps at all school. I don’t think comparing me and him is fair.</p>
<p>I went and toured and actually the tour gave me more confidence that I could get in. The admissions councelor there talked a lot about how the bigger picture is what we did outside the classroom and all. But, I did not like the school. It was too spread out for me and it lacked a community feel that I wanted.</p>
<p>May want to tour Holy Cross which has a smaller community feel and is all on one hillside campus rather than spread across two separate campuses like BC. HC has 3000 students versus 9000 at BC.</p>
<p>Dear gardy24 : Surprising to read that Boston College felt too spread out and non-community to you as that is not an opinion we often see here on College Confidential. In addition to the Holy Cross option mentioned by 1980collegegrad, have you given any thought to the NESCAC schools which are generally in somewhat rural settings with about 2,000 students each? Please share what schools have met your community feeling criteria and we might be able to offer some other ideas for you.</p>
<p>Well gardy your touring appears to have been worthwhile on two levels. First, you learned that you are a viable candidate for BC. Second, while I disagree with the idea that BC is too spread out, the point of touring schools is to find the place that’s best for you. Good luck.</p>
<p>Villanova is my top choice for school right now. The campus was not too big and I felt like there was such a community feel and everybody was so nice. </p>
<p>I have looked at Holy Cross but not a fan of the location, I do want to be close to a larger city. </p>
<p>I know that almost everybody falls in love with BC, Im an odd one lol</p>
<p>BC sprawls a bit I will definitely agree. But, that is the nature of being in a city. If you want anymore or similar of a city school than BC, you won’t find much different, because the reality is that real estate is tight and expensive in cities. Villanova is very suburban, so they have that luxury of spreading out in a contiguous fashion. I think the separate dorm-areas of campus actually create an additional sense of community, which you won’t see at all on a tour.</p>
<p>I’m not trying to refute your opinion, but I am instead just giving my say as a BC student for other prospectives mozying through this thread.</p>