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Are you looking to apply to Boston College and are unsure how to approach writing the supplemental essays? Look no further, as this post is here to provide you with their essay prompts and some tips on how to answer each question effectively. See the tips below to ensure you target all aspects of the question adequately in your essays!
Boston College Essay Prompts
Answer only 1 out of the following prompts
Each year at University Convocation, our incoming class engages in reflective dialogue with the author of a common text. What book by a living author would you recommend for your incoming class to read, and why would this be an important shared text? (400 words)
Choose a book by a living author that is thought-provoking, relevant, and likely to stimulate discussion.
Consider books that address current social issues, cultural themes, or personal growth.
Explain why the book would be an important shared text for the incoming class.
Discuss how the book's themes or messages can promote empathy, understanding, and critical thinking among students.
Consider the author's availability and willingness to engage with students in a meaningful way.
Highlight any unique perspectives or experiences the author can bring to the discussion.
Describe how reading and discussing the book as a class can help incoming students bond, share perspectives, and develop a sense of community.
Explain how the book can set a positive tone for their university experience and encourage open-mindedness and growth.
At Boston College, we draw upon the Jesuit tradition of finding worthwhile conversation partners. Some support our viewpoints while others challenge them. Who fulfils this role in your life? Please cite a specific conversation you had where this conversation partner challenged your perspective or you challenged theirs. (400 words)
Choose someone in your life who has played a significant role in challenging or supporting your viewpoints. This could be a friend, family member, teacher, mentor, or anyone else who has influenced your thinking.
Explain your relationship with this person and why you consider them a valuable conversation partner.
Discuss how they have supported or challenged your viewpoints in the past.
Provide a detailed example of a specific conversation you had with this person where they challenged your perspective or you challenged theirs.
Describe the context of the conversation, the viewpoints involved, and the outcome.
Reflect on how this conversation impacted you and your thinking.
Discuss what you learned from the experience and how it influenced your future interactions and viewpoints.
Explain how this relationship and conversation align with the Jesuit tradition of finding worthwhile conversation partners.
Discuss how this experience has shaped your approach to engaging with differing viewpoints.
In her November 2019 Ted Talk, “The Danger of a Single Story,” Chimamanda Ngozi Adichi warned viewers against assigning people a “single story” through assumptions about their nationality, appearance, or background. Discuss a time when someone defined you by a single story. What challenges did this present and how did you overcome them? (400 words)
Explain the situation where someone defined you by a single story, such as assumptions about your nationality, appearance, or background.
Provide details about how this affected your interactions or how you were perceived.
Discuss the challenges presented by being defined by this single story, such as stereotypes or misunderstandings.
Explain any limitations or barriers this imposed on you.
Describe how you challenged or overcame these assumptions.
Discuss any actions you took to correct misunderstandings or change perceptions.
Reflect on how this experience impacted you personally and what you learned from it.
Explain how this experience has influenced your views on stereotypes and assumptions.
Discuss how your experience relates to the broader issue of stereotyping and the importance of recognizing individual complexity.
Boston College’s founding in 1863 was in response to society’s call. That call came from an immigrant community in Boston seeking a Jesuit education to foster social mobility. Still today, the University empowers its students to use their education to address society’s greatest needs. Which of today’s local or global issues is of particular concern to you and how might you use your Boston College education to address it? (400 words)
Choose a specific local or global issue that is of particular concern to you. This could be a social, environmental, political, or economic issue.
Describe why this issue is important to you and why you feel compelled to address it.
Discuss any personal experiences or values that influence your perspective on this issue.
Explain how your education at Boston College will equip you to address this issue.
Discuss specific skills, knowledge, or resources you will gain from your education that will help you tackle the issue.
Outline potential ways you could address the issue, either through direct action, advocacy, research, or other means.
Explain how you envision using your education and skills to make a meaningful impact.
Link your chosen issue and proposed actions to Boston College's mission of empowering students to address society's greatest needs.
Discuss how your efforts align with the university's founding principles and values.
Human-Centered Engineering (HCE) Applicants only: One goal of a Jesuit education is to prepare students to serve the Common Good. Human-Centered Engineering at Boston College integrates technical knowledge, creativity, and a humanistic perspective to address societal challenges and opportunities. What societal problems are important to you and how will you use your HCE education to solve them? (400 words)
Choose specific societal problems that are important to you.
These could be related to healthcare, sustainability, accessibility, poverty, or any other pressing issue.
Describe why these problems are important to you and why you are passionate about addressing them.
Discuss any personal experiences or values that influence your choice of societal problems.
Explain how your Human-Centered Engineering education at Boston College will help you solve these problems.
Highlight the interdisciplinary approach of HCE and how it will enable you to integrate technical knowledge, creativity, and a humanistic perspective.
Outline potential solutions or approaches you could take to address these societal problems.
Discuss how you will apply your HCE education to develop innovative and effective solutions.
Explain how your efforts align with the Jesuit mission of serving the Common Good.
Discuss how your approach to solving societal problems reflects Jesuit values of social justice, compassion, and ethical responsibility.
Boston College also requires the Common App supplemental essay and the prompts for the Common App essays can be found here.
We hope that this guide has helped you start planning and writing your essay prompts. Good luck with your applications!
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