How to Apply to Computer Science at Boston College: Apply to the Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences and Declare the Computer Science BA or BS, with Courses, Math Requirements, AI and Software Engineering Concentrations, and Requirements and Timeline for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

At Boston College (BC), computer science is taught by the Computer Science Department in the Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences, which offers a Bachelor of Arts (BA) and a Bachelor of Science (BS). Here is what you need to know for fall 2027 entry, based on BC’s official information, for students at high schools in China (including A-Level, IB and AP students), students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver), and transfer students.

1. Apply to a school, not a major

• Choosing a school: applicants choose one of four undergraduate divisions (Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences, Carroll School of Management, Lynch School of Education and Human Development, Connell School of Nursing) and are considered only for that division. Except for Engineering and Nursing, you do not declare a major when applying. Both computer science degrees are in the Morrissey College.
• Declaring after enrolling: the department FAQ advises most students to take Computer Science 1 (CSCI1101) in the fall and Computer Science 2 (CSCI1102) in the spring, along with Calculus I and II for science majors (MATH1102, MATH1103). The website does not mention a cap or separate entry threshold for the major.
• GPA rule: students who declare a CS major or minor after spring 2023 must keep a GPA of 1.67 or above in the CSCI courses counted toward the program.
• Switching late: the FAQ says CS is not a two-year major. Juniors who want to switch must have finished CSCI1101, CSCI1102 and Calculus II for science majors before the first semester of junior year, then meet the Undergraduate Program Director with a two-year plan of at most three CS courses per semester. Without those two courses you cannot finish in time, and no exceptions are made.
• From another BC school: you cannot change divisions on admission, but you can apply for an internal transfer to the Morrissey College after one semester (two semesters for Carroll). Students in the other three schools can also take a second major in the Morrissey College.

2. What you study

• Core (eight courses for both degrees): Computer Science 1, Computer Science 2, Data Structures, Computer Systems, Computer Organization, Logic and Computation, Randomness and Computation, and Algorithms. The first four and the last three must be taken in order; Logic and Computation and Randomness and Computation are usually taken sophomore year.
• BA: 9 more CS credits (3 at the 2000 level or above, 6 at the 3000 level or above); math is Calculus II for science majors and Linear Algebra (class of 2028 onward). Students who took CS2 before fall 2025 follow an older set of requirements (no Data Structures, 12 elective credits).
• BS: 12 more CS credits (3 from the Social and Ethical Issues cluster plus 9 elective credits at the 3000 level or above); 12 math credits: Calculus II, Multivariable Calculus, Linear Algebra and one math course at 3000 or above (not MATH 4426 Probability); and a two-semester lab science sequence in biology, chemistry, physics or earth and environmental sciences, taken in college (AP credit does not count).
• BA vs BS: the department says the BS adds a CS ethics course, a science component and three more math courses, and suits students considering graduate school or a more technical career.
• Concentrations: CS students can add an Artificial Intelligence concentration (six courses, including Machine Learning, Deep Learning, an AI ethics course and a senior spring capstone) or a Software Engineering concentration (six courses, including Databases, Software Engineering and a capstone); major courses can count toward both.
• Other: double majors and minors are possible; the department also offers Computer Science and Data Science minors and a Bioinformatics concentration with Biology and Mathematics. Total degree credits are not given on the department pages read here; see the BC University Catalog.

3. Deadlines and decisions

• Early Decision I (binding): deadline 1 November, decisions by 15 December.
• Early Decision II (binding): deadline 4 January, decisions by 15 February.
• Regular Decision: deadline 4 January, decisions by 1 April.
• Scholarships: to be considered for the Gabelli Presidential Scholars Program, apply by 1 November (ED or RD).
• Apply through the Common App with an $85 fee and two teacher evaluations (BC recommends teachers of English, social studies, science, math or a foreign language).

4. Testing and English

• Test-optional: this applies to international students too; applicants without scores receive full consideration. About two-thirds of the enrolled Class of 2030 submitted scores, with SAT scores from 1200 to 1600 and ACT from 28 to 36.
• English is required: non-US citizens submit TOEFL iBT, IELTS or Duolingo. Recommended minimums are IELTS 7.5, Duolingo 130 and TOEFL 100 (5.0 on the new scale); admitted students average 5.5 on the new TOEFL scale. BC does not superscore English tests and does not consider TOEFL MyBest.
• Waivers: English is your native language; three or more years at a high school in the US or another majority native English-speaking country without ESOL coursework; or SAT EBRW 650+ or ACT English 29+.
• InitialView: students at national schools in China are encouraged to do an InitialView video interview. It is optional and does not replace English scores; submit results by 15 November for ED I and 15 January for ED II and RD.

5. Students at high schools in China

• Gaokao: BC does not publish how Gaokao results are used. This is not published; ask the Office of Undergraduate Admission.
• AP: students with a 5 on AP Computer Science A, or significant programming experience, can consult the Undergraduate Program Director about starting with Computer Science 2 (CSCI1102). Calculus placement uses the Mathematics Department’s placement page, based on AP scores and high school courses.
• A-Level and IB: credit for CS courses is not published; ask the department.

6. Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver)

• BC does not publish grade requirements for Canadian or BC curricula; this is not published.
• Non-US citizens must submit English scores unless they meet a waiver above; ask admissions whether high school in Canada counts as a majority native English-speaking country.

7. Costs and aid

• 2026-27 (USD): tuition 75,075, mandatory fees 1,354, room and board 18,834, total 95,978. First-year students also pay a one-time orientation charge of 670 and a student ID charge of 50; books and incidentals are estimated at 3,250.
• No need-based aid for international students: BC does not provide need-based aid to students who are not US citizens or permanent residents, so international students should be ready to cover the full cost.

8. Transfer students

• Deadlines: fall entry closes 15 March with decisions by 20 May; spring entry closes 1 November with decisions by 15 December. First-semester freshmen usually cannot apply for spring transfer.
• Eligibility: at least nine credits completed before the deadline; transfer applicants also choose one of the four schools, which for computer science is the Morrissey College.
• Recommended courses: about 30 credits after one year or 60 after two. The Morrissey College recommends core-style courses in math (calculus, finite math, linear algebra or computer science), English, natural science, modern world history, fine arts, social science, theology and philosophy, and only three or four courses in the intended major, since most departments require most major courses at BC. The Morrissey College also requires intermediate proficiency in a foreign language.
• Credit: courses must match BC courses in depth and breadth with a C- or better; up to 60 credits transfer, and you must spend at least four semesters at BC.
• Testing: the transfer page says BC remains test-optional for transfers, but the same page says international applicants must submit TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo “in addition to the ACT or SAT”. The pages are inconsistent; confirm with transfer@bc.edu.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Apply to the Morrissey College on the Common App by 1 November (ED I and scholarship deadline) or 4 January (ED II, RD)
• TOEFL 5.0 on the new scale (100 on the old), IELTS 7.5 or Duolingo 130; optional InitialView interview
• Build strong math, since calculus starts in the first year; a 5 on AP Computer Science A may let you skip Computer Science 1
• Be ready to cover about $95,978 a year

Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver):

• Same deadlines; ask admissions whether you qualify for an English waiver

Transfer students:

• Fall deadline 15 March, at least nine credits, apply to the Morrissey College
• Take Computer Science 1 and 2 and calculus early; switching as a junior makes on-time graduation hard

Sources: Boston College, Computer Science undergraduate programs; Computer Science FAQ; Application instructions and deadlines; International applicants; Test-optional policy; Transfer admission; Admission FAQ. Information is for fall 2027 entry (costs are 2026-27 figures). Check Boston College for the latest details.