Boston College, a prestigious institution rooted in the Jesuit tradition, is excited to announce its new set of supplemental essay prompts for the 2024-2025 application cycle. These prompts are designed to help the admissions team get a better sense of who you are as an individual. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through each essay prompt, offering tips and insights on how to craft a compelling response.
Here are the Boston College supplemental essay 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?
At Boston College, we draw upon the Jesuit tradition of finding worthwhile conversation partners. Some support our viewpoints while others challenge them. Who fulfills this role in your life? Please cite a specific conversation you had where this conversation partner challenged your perspective or you challenged theirs.
In her November 2019 Ted Talk, “The Danger of a Single Story,” Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie 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?
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?
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?
Respond to one of these prompts with a maximum of 400 words. For applicants to the Human-Centered Engineering major, be sure to select the fifth prompt.
Approaching the Boston College Supplemental Essays
Understanding the Prompts
Before diving into writing, it's essential to thoroughly understand each prompt. Reflect on the core question being asked and analyze how it aligns with your personal experiences and values. Boston College is looking for authenticity, reflection, and a demonstration of your unique perspective.
Prompt 1: Recommending a Book
Think about a book by a living author that has profoundly impacted you. Consider why this book would be a meaningful shared text for your incoming class. Discuss themes, lessons, or discussions the book could inspire. Be specific about its relevance to contemporary issues or universal human experiences.
Prompt 2: Worthwhile Conversation Partners
Identify someone in your life who challenges your viewpoints. This person could be a friend, family member, teacher, or mentor. Describe a specific conversation that was transformative or enlightening. Reflect on the Jesuit tradition of engaging with diverse perspectives. How did this conversation shape your understanding or beliefs?
Prompt 3: The Danger of a Single Story
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s concept of a "single story" revolves around how narrow perceptions can influence our understanding of individuals and groups. Reflect on a time when you were defined by a single story. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience? Explore how you overcame these assumptions and grew from the challenge.
Prompt 4: Addressing Societal Needs
Boston College has a long-standing commitment to social justice and community engagement. Identify a local or global issue that resonates with you. Explain why this issue is significant and how you envision using your education at Boston College to make a difference. Be specific about your goals and the resources and opportunities you plan to leverage.
Prompt 5: Human-Centered Engineering
This prompt is exclusive to Human-Centered Engineering applicants. Reflect on societal challenges or opportunities that you are passionate about. Discuss how you will use your Boston College education to address these issues through the lens of engineering, integrating technical skills with a humanistic approach. Highlight your creativity, problem-solving abilities, and dedication to serving the common good.
Writing Tips and Tricks
When writing your Boston College supplemental essays, keep the following tips in mind:
Be Authentic: Let your true self shine through your writing. The admissions team wants to see the real you.
Show Reflection: Demonstrate your ability to reflect on your experiences and draw meaningful insights.
Be Specific: Use concrete examples to illustrate your points. Avoid vague statements.
Stay Focused: Keep your responses focused on the prompt and within the 400-word limit.
Seek Feedback: Use tools like Sups AI for brainstorming and feedback. Sups AI can connect you with current students for one-on-one chats and personalized advice.
Boston College's supplemental essays offer a unique opportunity to showcase your personality and values. By thoughtfully responding to these prompts, you'll provide the admissions committee with a deeper understanding of who you are. Utilize resources like Sups AI to refine your essays and present your best self. Good luck!
