How to Apply to Mathematics at Boston College: Applying to the Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences Without Choosing a Major, with BA and BS Degrees, for Domestic, International (Including Chinese) and Transfer Applicants

At Boston College (BC), undergraduate mathematics is offered by the Department of Mathematics in the Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences, with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) and a Bachelor of Science (BS) in mathematics. Here is what you need to know, based on the department’s and the Office of Undergraduate Admission’s websites, organised for US domestic applicants, international applicants and applicants from China, followed by transfer students. Computer science is not covered here; this site has a separate article on it, and the Mathematics/Computer Science B.A. that the admission majors page lists in the Lynch School of Education and Human Development is not covered either.

1. Degrees and areas

• Size: the department says more than 250 undergraduates major in math at BC and about 60 minor in it; in recent years about 65% of math majors pursued the BA track and about 35% the BS track.
• BA in Mathematics: designed to give a solid foundation in the main areas of mathematics and its applications, preparing students for quantitative fields such as actuarial science, finance and data science, further study in fields such as statistics or computational biology, or careers in education, law and medicine. It requires at least 33 credits depending on calculus preparation. Required courses: multivariable calculus (MATH 2202, or honors 2203), linear algebra (MATH 2210, or honors 2211), MATH 2216 Introduction to Abstract Mathematics, MATH 3310 Introduction to Abstract Algebra and MATH 3320 Introduction to Analysis, plus 18 elective credits in MATH 3312, 3322 or courses numbered 4000 and above. If needed, MATH 1102 and 1103 (Calculus I and II for math and science majors) come first, or an equivalent such as a 4 or higher on the AP Calculus exam.
• BS in Mathematics: designed to give further theoretical experience and “strongly recommended” for students considering graduate study in mathematics. It requires at least 36 credits. The core is two year-long sequences, Algebra (MATH 3311–3312) and Analysis (MATH 3321–3322), plus Complex Variables (MATH 4460), 12 elective credits in MATH courses numbered 4000 and above, and 12 credits in natural science, computer science or economics courses with substantial mathematical content (the page lists courses in biology, chemistry, computer science, economics, earth sciences and physics). The multivariable calculus, linear algebra and MATH 2216 requirements are the same as for the BA.
• Flexibility: with the approval of the Assistant Chair for Undergraduate Programs, advanced students may omit required courses and substitute three credits in MATH courses numbered 4000 or higher for each; students who complete the honors linear algebra course MATH 2211 can substitute an additional 4000-level course for MATH 2216.
• Minor: multivariable calculus, linear algebra and 12 elective credits; AP credit cannot be used toward the minor. The department groups the 4000-level electives roughly into theoretical math, applied math and probability/statistics; the course chart is in a PDF that this guide did not use.
• Honors: honors versions of multivariable calculus and linear algebra (MATH 2203, 2211) exist; a separate departmental honors degree is not described in the pages read.

2. How admission to the major works: apply to a division, no major needed

• At application: the Office of Undergraduate Admission says applicants must apply to one of four undergraduate divisions (the Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences, the Carroll School of Management, the Lynch School of Education and Human Development and the Connell School of Nursing) and are considered only for the division they applied to. Apart from engineering (Human-Centered Engineering) and nursing, no major is declared at application. Mathematics is in the Morrissey College, and the admission FAQ recommends the Morrissey College to students whose interests lie in the arts, the humanities and/or the sciences but who are undecided.
• When to choose: the FAQ says that except for nursing and engineering, you do not have to choose your major until the end of the sophomore year, and selecting “undecided” has no bearing on admission. The math department says that anyone starting the major later than the fall of sophomore year, or switching from the BA to the BS, should meet its Assistant Chair for Undergraduates.
• Conditions and capacity: the pages read do not state a grade requirement or a cap for the math major; please ask the department’s Assistant Chair for Undergraduates (contact details are on the department page).
• Moving between divisions: students may not change divisions after admission, but may apply for an internal transfer to the Morrissey College or the Lynch School after one semester, and to the Connell School of Nursing after two; enrolment is limited in the professional schools, so internal transfer may not be possible in a given year. Students in other divisions may take a second major in the Morrissey College, but Morrissey students cannot take a second major in one of the three professional divisions.

3. Prerequisites and placement

• High school courses: the Office of Admission says its most competitive applicants tend to have four years of each of the five main subjects (English, math, social science, natural science and foreign language) and the most challenging courses available at their school. Any additional high school math requirement for the math major is not stated in the pages read.
• Calculus Placement Test (CPT): the department says students who have not taken calculus, who took calculus without an AP Calculus AB or BC exam, or who scored 3 or below on those exams, take the online CPT, which recommends starting in MATH 1102 (Calculus I for math, computer science and physical science majors) or MATH 1000 (Precalculus, which does not satisfy the Math Core). Students from IB and other non-AP calculus courses also take it.
• AP calculus and recommended course (for mathematics, computer science and physical science majors): BC 5 – MATH 2202 or 2203; BC 4 – MATH 1103 or 2202; AB 5 – MATH 1103; AB 4 – MATH 1102 or 1103; AB or BC 3 or lower – take the CPT. Where two courses are suggested, the department says to almost always take the higher-numbered one if you have a positive attitude towards mathematics and are motivated to pursue a demanding program.
• AP and IB credit: a 4 or higher on AP Calculus AB or BC fulfils the University Math Core requirement and some major requirements (the majors page allows MATH 1102 and 1103 to be replaced by equivalents such as a 4 or higher on AP Calculus); AP Statistics, IB examinations and other placement exams do not fulfil the Math Core. How many credits are awarded is not stated in the pages read; please see the Office of Admission’s Advanced Placement page.
• Math competitions: how they are viewed in admission is not stated in the pages read.

4. Deadlines and application materials

• Deadlines: Early Decision I (binding) is due 1 November, with notification by 15 December; Early Decision II (binding) is due 4 January, notification by 15 February; Regular Decision is due 4 January, notification by 1 April, and is non-binding. Spring first-year applicants apply by 1 November, with notification by 15 December. 1 November is also the Priority Scholarship Deadline. The pages show no year, so check that they apply to fall 2027 entry.
• How to apply: the Common Application; the application fee is $85, and a U.S. citizen or permanent resident in financial hardship may request a fee waiver.
• Essay: the 2026–27 BC Writing Supplement asks for one response of up to 400 words to one of four prompts: a meaningful family or community tradition; your most meaningful conversation partner and the questions you considered together; a time someone defined you by a “single story”; or a fourth “Be” to add to the Jesuit “three Be’s” (be attentive, be reflective, be loving).
• Recommendations and transcripts: two teacher evaluations (recommended from teachers in English, social studies, science, math or foreign language, so the pages do not require a math teacher); the school report and counselor recommendation; a mid-year grade report for Regular Decision and deferred Early Decision applicants; a final high school transcript before enrolling.
• Testing: test optional, with full consideration for students who do not submit scores. SAT/ACT results are superscored. The admission page says about two-thirds of the Class of 2030 submitted scores, with submitter SAT scores ranging from 1200 to 1600 and ACT scores from 28 to 36. Scores can be self-reported, with official scores required on enrolling.
• Interview: the transfer page says BC does not conduct interviews as part of the admission process; the optional InitialView interview for international applicants is described in section 6.

5. US domestic applicants

• Tuition (2026–27): the tuition and aid page lists a single undergraduate tuition, with no in-state or out-of-state distinction: tuition $75,070 and mandatory fees $1,354; housing (Newton Campus, Upper Campus) $11,270 and food $7,564 (adjustable between $6,934 and $8,600); first-year students also pay a one-time $670 orientation fee and $50 student ID fee. The international applicant page lists tuition for the same year as $75,075, a $5 difference between the two pages. The rates for fall 2027 entry are not stated in the pages read.
• Aid: the Office of Admission says BC practises need-blind admission and is committed to meeting demonstrated need. For 2026–27 it lists a need-based aid budget of $197.7M+ and an average need-based package of $65,000; first-year students are offered a $3,500 loan and a $3,000 work-study opportunity. BC is a QuestBridge partner.
• Scholarships: the Gabelli Presidential Scholars Program is a four-year full-tuition scholarship for 18 incoming first-year students; ED and RD applicants who apply by 1 November are considered with no additional materials, and applicants who do not submit test scores are eligible.
• In-state priority or guaranteed admission: not stated in the pages read.

6. International applicants

• English requirements: non-U.S. citizens submit the TOEFL iBT (test center or Home Edition), IELTS or Duolingo English Test. Recommended minimum scores are IELTS 7.5, Duolingo 130 and TOEFL 100 (5.0 on the new scale); the page says TOEFL reports both scales until January 2028 and that admitted students typically average 5.5 on the new scale. BC does not superscore English proficiency exams and does not consider TOEFL MyBest. The test-optional policy does not cover English exams.
• Waiver: any one of: English is your native language; at least three years at a U.S. high school or another majority native-English country without ESOL coursework; or an SAT EBRW of 650+ or ACT English of 29+.
• Materials: the same credentials as other first-year applicants; the application page says transcripts must be sent by the high school and BC does not accept academic credentials from students. Credential evaluation and proof-of-funds details are not stated in the pages read; the Certification of Finances form is sent only after admission.
• Funding: BC cannot provide need-based financial aid to students who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents, so international students should be prepared to finance the full cost. I-20 forms are not mailed until an admitted student verifies that they can meet the costs on the Certification of Finances. Listed 2026–27 costs: tuition $75,075, mandatory fees $1,354, room and board $18,834, total $95,978; first-year students also pay $670 for orientation and $50 for a student ID; books and incidentals are estimated at $3,250. The Gabelli scholarship FAQ says all applicants who apply by 1 November are eligible.

7. Applicants from China

• Gaokao: the pages read do not say how Gaokao results are used and give no China-specific guidance. This is not published in the pages read, so please contact the admissions office.
• InitialView interview: the application page says students attending a national school in China are encouraged to schedule an InitialView video interview to demonstrate English proficiency and communication skills; it is not required and does not replace the English proficiency requirement. Results are due 15 November for Early Decision I and 15 January for Early Decision II and Regular Decision.
• Transcripts and school-leaving materials: no China-specific requirements are published in the pages read; the general international requirements are in section 6.
• International curricula: IB students take the Calculus Placement Test, since IB exams do not fulfil the Math Core; AP students follow the rules in section 3.

8. Costs, scholarships and outcomes

• Costs: see sections 5 and 6.
• Department research: the department says later-year majors may take a Readings and Research course (MATH 4901) with a professor. The Undergraduate Research Fellowships (URF) program gives grants to faculty to pay undergraduate research assistants; students should first contact a professor, only faculty can apply, and grants are made in fall, spring and summer (summer deadline in early March). The department also lists an Experimental Mathematics and Machine Learning Laboratory, and notes that outside summer REU applications are mostly due in the second half of February or early March. Math-specific scholarships are not described in the pages read.
• Outcomes: the tuition and aid page says 97% of the Class of 2025 are employed, in graduate school, or engaged in a fellowship or meaningful volunteer experience; this is a University-wide figure, not one for mathematics. The department says math BA and BS graduates are in demand in a wide range of job areas and links to professional societies and the BC Career Center; it prints no outcomes data specific to mathematics.

9. Transfer students

• Who counts as a transfer: students who have completed at least nine credits before the admission deadline for the semester they want to enter. About 200 students transfer in each year, most in the fall and about 50 each January.
• Division: transfer applicants also choose one of the four divisions without declaring a major (except nursing), and BC strongly encourages applying to the first-choice division because it is hard to change later. Transfer applications to the Connell School of Nursing are not currently accepted.
• Deadlines: fall entry 15 March, notification by 20 May; spring entry 1 November, notification by 15 December. The pages show no year, so check. First-semester freshmen are generally not allowed to apply for January admission; sophomore and junior candidates are eligible.
• Materials: the Common Application; the $85 application fee (automatically waived for applicants eligible for a federal Pell Grant); a personal statement of up to 650 words on why you are transferring and why you chose BC; the high school transcript and official transcripts from all colleges attended; one instructor recommendation; an academic and disciplinary report from the Dean of Students at each institution attended full time; and a recommended mid-term report. Testing stays optional; international applicants also submit English proficiency results.
• Credit transfer: policies are set by the deans and faculty of each division. Courses must be equal in depth and breadth to BC courses with a grade of C- or better; at most 60 credits transfer; transfer students must enrol full time and spend at least four semesters at BC to earn a degree. Calculus and linear algebra requirements specific to the math major are not stated in the pages read; the transfer page links division-specific course selection guides and a database of courses approved in the past, and the contact is transfer@bc.edu.

Checklist

US domestic applicants:

• ED I 1 November; ED II and Regular 4 January; $85 fee; apply to the Morrissey College with no major needed; two teacher evaluations and the 400-word supplement; testing optional
• Apply by 1 November to be considered for the Gabelli Presidential Scholars Program

International applicants (including China):

• IELTS 7.5, Duolingo 130 or TOEFL 100 / 5.0 (or meet a waiver); be ready to finance the full cost and submit the Certification of Finances after admission
• Applicants at schools in China may consider an InitialView interview; ask the admissions office how the Gaokao is used

After entry:

• Take the Calculus Placement Test (or use your AP result) to choose a course; choose the major by the end of sophomore year, and meet the department’s Assistant Chair for Undergraduates if starting the math major after the fall of sophomore year

Transfer students:

• Fall 15 March, spring 1 November; 650-word statement; at least four semesters at BC and at most 60 transferable credits

Sources: Boston College, Mathematics: undergraduate; Mathematics: majors and minors; Mathematics: courses; Mathematics: selecting courses and placement; Mathematics: undergraduate research; Mathematics: careers and opportunities; Application instructions and deadlines; International applicants; Test-optional policy; Transfer applicants; Admission FAQ; Tuition and financial aid; Admission: majors and minors. The deadlines on the admission pages show no year (the supplement prompts are labelled 2026-27 and the transfer page mentions spring 2027), so check that they apply to fall 2027 entry and see Boston College’s website for the latest.