I understand that this might be a peculiar question, but on their CDS, Boston College had listed “Religious affiliation/commitment” as “Important”. As someone who has zero engagement, and limited knowledge regarding with any religion, would it negatively impact my chance of admission? Would it be advisable to put some form of religion on the application form (BC specific questions) or discuss those in the application essay? Would have a religion of some kind increase the admissibility? Thank you for any insight in advance.
BC is a Jesuit institution and around 70% of the students identify as catholic (according to Google). You don’t need to be catholic to attend (though it clearly helps), but some kind of service ECs, whether religious or otherwise, that fit with the Jesuit philosophy is likely to be helpful. However, don’t pretend to have a religion if you are agnostic/atheist etc. You don’t need to have a religion to be compatible with their philosophy.
5 Likes
they care more about Service to Others as opposed to just checking the box as a member of an organized religion.
5 Likes
It is a catholic school and they do give a thumb on the scale to catholic applicants. Remember that many of those are from catholic high schools or are already in religious life (nuns priests, brothers) and continuing their education, so statistically that’s going to show up on the CDS. Many counselors at Catholic high school (especially Jesuit ones) have connections in admissions at the Catholic colleges around the US and those high school students are highly represented at Catholic colleges, especially at the popular ones like Notre Dame, G’town, BC.
It is not held against you if you aren’t religious, just like not having played basketball isn’t a negative. You have to show who you are by your application. Do not put a religious affiliation if you don’t have one. They aren’t looking for a check mark that you are Catholic (or Methodist, or Muslim). They are looking for why that’s important to you or how you incorporated religion in your life (they know the organizations, retreats, awards). You can show why you want to go to BC though other things - you like their mission of service (and show how you’ve done service), you like their offerings in Latin, chemistry, dance…and what you hope to do with that.
3 Likes
Thank you all for these valuable insights and commentaries.
1 Like