Boston College ACT: Average Scores, Ranges, and What You Need to Know

With an average composite score of 34 and a range spanning from 33 to 35, Boston College represents a highly selective institution where test scores play an important role in the admissions process. The school has become increasingly competitive over the past decade, with an acceptance rate that has dropped to around 14-16%, meaning the vast majority of admitted students have achieved scores within or above this range. Meeting or exceeding the average is an essential first step, but it is far from a guarantee of admission at a school this selective, as these numbers reflect only the academic testing component of an enormously competitive applicant pool.

A good ACT score for Boston College typically means scoring in the range of 33 to 35, with 34 being the target that places you in the middle of admitted students. However, it is crucial to understand that a high ACT score does not guarantee your admission to Boston College. Many applicants with scores of 35 or higher are rejected each year because the school evaluates you holistically as an individual applicant, not simply as a test score. Your essays, extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation, academic rigor, demonstrated interest, and personal background all matter significantly in the decision.

While there is no official minimum ACT score required by the university, you should aim for at least a 33 to have a realistic chance of being considered. Scoring below 33 would put you well below the 25th percentile, and an ACT score in the low 30s or below would make acceptance quite unlikely unless you have truly exceptional qualities elsewhere in your application. That said, Boston College explicitly states they conduct a comprehensive review process and consider multiple factors beyond test scores, so if your ACT falls short but you have other significant strengths like exceptional extracurriculars or overcoming major obstacles, do not rule out applying. Just be realistic about your odds if your score is notably below their typical range.

Boston College maintains a test-optional admission policy, meaning you are not required to submit an ACT or SAT score when applying to the university. Students who opt not to submit test scores will receive full consideration during the selection process and will not be at a disadvantage compared to those who do submit. However, Boston College has found through internal research that test scores add measurable value when used alongside other factors like grades, curriculum rigor, essays, extracurricular involvement, and recommendations in predicting academic success. For this reason, students who complete the ACT are encouraged to submit their scores if those scores are competitive. During recent application cycles, approximately two-thirds of admitted students submitted standardized test scores, showing that most competitive applicants still choose to submit their results.

Boston College employs a superscoring method for the ACT that works to your advantage if you take the exam multiple times. If you sit for the ACT more than once, the school considers your highest individual section scores across all test dates you submit and combines them into your best possible composite score. This means you can take the test multiple times, improve a weak Math section on one attempt and strengthen an English section on another, and Boston College will piece together your strongest composite score. You also have the flexibility to use the ACT equivalent of College Board's Score Choice option, allowing you to select which test dates you would like the school to consider. Additionally, the Science section of the ACT is completely optional, and if you choose not to submit it, that section will not be included in your composite score calculation.

Understanding how Boston College evaluates your ACT score requires recognizing that standardized testing is just one component of a holistic admissions review process. Your test score helps the admissions committee confirm that you possess the academic capability to handle Boston College's demanding coursework, but it does not make the case for admission on its own. Admissions officers examine your high school grades, the rigor of your curriculum, your essays, letters of recommendation, involvement in your community and school, and your personal qualities alongside your test score. They want to understand your intellectual curiosity, what drives your passions, what challenges you have overcome, and how you will contribute meaningfully to the Boston College community.

At a school as selective as Boston College, having a strong test score actually narrows down the applicant pool but does not separate you from other high-scoring applicants who also meet the academic threshold. Instead, admissions officers focus on what makes you distinctive as a person and learner. They want to read about your voice in your essays, understand your growth through your teachers' recommendations, and see evidence of your impact through your extracurricular commitments. Your ACT score signals that you have the intellectual capability to succeed academically at Boston College, but the rest of your application demonstrates whether you deserve one of the roughly 5,000 spots the university offers each year. This is why students with a 33 ACT score sometimes get accepted while students with a perfect 36 ACT score are denied.

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