Campus Spotlight: Boston College

After a recent visit to campus, College Solutions Counselor Taylor Conti brings back insights and impressions from Boston College. From academics to traditions, she highlights what makes BC stand out and why it might be a great fit for your college list.

Boston. College. A college in Boston, right?  Not quite. Despite its name, I learned that Boston College isn’t technically in Boston, and it’s not just a college. Sitting between Chestnut Hill and Newton, Massachusetts, Boston College may be a few T (metro) stops outside the city, but students tap into all that the city has to offer.

Bapst Library interior

If Goldilocks applied to college, Boston College might be where she ended up. It’s not a huge urban school with city chaos out your window… but it’s not in the middle of nowhere, either. It lives right in that “just right” zone: mid-sized, serene yet buzzing, full of school spirit (go Eagles!), and deeply connected to a mission-driven education.

The 9,500 undergraduates at BC can choose to study within one of their four academic divisions: Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences, Carroll School of Management (CSOM), Lynch School of Education and Human Development and Connell School of Nursing, where students are learning from the best of the best at Mass General, Beth Israel Medical Center and Boston Children's Hospital.

One of the most iconic spots on campus is Bapst Library (pictured at left and below). I stepped inside, and it was like I walked straight into Hogwarts. With its soaring ceilings, stained-glass windows, and long wooden desks, it’s a favorite quiet study spot for students.

Bapst Library exterior

As a Jesuit institution, BC focuses on the “care of the whole person” and forming “men and women for and with others.” These aren’t just phrases: They shape the entire experience. One of the student admission representatives shared that through his volunteer experiences, he truly felt this core value.  Students are encouraged to succeed intellectually and ethically, through service learning, volunteer work, and reflective academics.

Devlin Hall Boston College

Our guide told us his favorite day at BC is MarMon: a shortened term for Marathon Monday and a celebration for Boston Marathon runners (and one of the most exciting days of the year). Since the campus sits right at Mile 21 of the Boston Marathon, students line the streets in BC gear, cheering on runners with tons of energy and school spirit. Classes are canceled, the vibe is electric, and it’s a true community celebration. 

If you’re looking for a mission-driven, mid-sized university with academic rigor, service at its core, and a strong community just outside Boston’s city lights, add Boston College to your college list!