What does Boston College look for in transfer applicants besides meeting the basic application requirements?

Boston College looks most closely at how well you’ve performed in college and whether your academic path fits what you want to study there. Strong transfer applicants usually have a solid college GPA in rigorous courses, especially classes that show readiness for BC’s curriculum. Your recent college work matters more than high school once you have a meaningful amount of college coursework completed.

Your high school record still matters, but usually as supporting context rather than the main factor.

Your reason for transferring matters quite a bit, but not in the sense of needing a dramatic story. BC wants to see a clear academic and personal rationale: why your current college is not the right fit, why Boston College specifically is, and how its programs, values, or opportunities connect to your goals. The strongest answers are specific and forward-looking, not just negative about the current school.

They also care about whether you seem likely to contribute to the campus community and take advantage of what BC offers. Involvement, work experience, leadership, and recommendations can help show maturity, initiative, and how you engage outside the classroom.