Boston College Supplemental Essays (Pro Tips, Essay Examples & More)

At Boston College, the supplemental essays provide an opportunity for applicants to showcase their unique perspectives, values, and aspirations.

Through these essays, applicants have a chance to demonstrate their readiness to contribute to the vibrant community and mission of Boston College.

With straightforward prompts and a focus on authenticity, these essays allow applicants to share their stories and aspirations in a clear and compelling manner.

Let’s get into the nitty-gritty of these prompts along with some essay examples:

Boston College Supplemental Essay Prompts 2023-2024

Here are the top 5 Boston College essay prompts for the season 2023-2024

1. 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?

2. 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.

3. 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?

4. 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?

5. For Human-Centered Engineering major 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?

Boston College Supplemental Essay Prompts Guide

Now, we’re going to write an example essay along with the tips and tricks for all 5 prompts that are mentioned above:

Boston College Supplemental Essay Prompt #1

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?

Pro Tips About The 1^st Prompt

Here are our pro insights on what to keep in mind while writing an essay for this prompt:

• Understanding the Prompt

Begin by carefully reading and understanding the prompt. Note the key elements: recommending a book by a living author for the incoming class to read, and explaining why this book would be an important shared text.

• Choosing the Book

Select a book that you believe would resonate with a diverse audience and spark meaningful discussions. Consider books that address universal themes, current issues, or topics relevant to the college experience.

• Identifying the Book’s Significance

Think about why the book you’ve chosen is important and how it aligns with the values and mission of Boston College. Consider the themes, messages, and lessons conveyed in the book, and how they can contribute to the intellectual and personal growth of incoming students.

• Explaining the Book’s Relevance

Articulate why the book would be an important shared text for the incoming class. Discuss how it can foster reflection, dialogue, and understanding among students, and how it can contribute to building a sense of community and shared experience.

• Supporting Your Recommendation

Provide evidence and examples from the book to support your recommendation. Highlight specific passages, characters, or themes that illustrate why the book is impactful and relevant.

• Addressing Potential Objections

Anticipate potential objections or counterarguments to your recommendation and address them in your essay. Explain why you believe the benefits of the book outweigh any potential drawbacks or criticisms.

• Reflecting on Personal Connection

Share any personal connections or experiences you have with the book, if applicable. Explain how reading the book has influenced your own perspective or shaped your understanding of the world.

Emphasizing the Importance of Shared

• Experience

Stress the significance of reading the book as a shared experience among incoming students. Discuss how engaging in reflective dialogue with the author can enhance the college experience and contribute to intellectual and personal development.

• Concluding with Impact

Conclude your essay by summarizing the importance of your recommended book as a shared text for the incoming class. Emphasize the potential for meaningful dialogue, growth, and community-building that can result from reading and discussing the book together.

Boston College Supplemental Essay Example For Prompt #1

At Boston College’s University Convocation, incoming students come together to discuss a book by a living author. If I were to recommend a book for this shared experience, I would choose “Wonder” by R.J. Palacio. This novel tells the story of August Pullman, a young boy with a facial deformity who faces the challenges of starting fifth grade at a mainstream school.

“Wonder” would be an important shared text for our incoming class because it teaches valuable lessons about empathy, kindness, and acceptance. In today’s world, it’s crucial for us to understand and appreciate people’s differences. August’s story encourages us to look beyond appearances and to see the beauty within each individual.

By reading “Wonder” together, our incoming class can engage in meaningful discussions about inclusivity and compassion. We can explore how we can create a more inclusive community where everyone feels valued and accepted for who they are. Through dialogue and reflection, we can learn from August’s experiences and apply these lessons to our own lives.

Furthermore, “Wonder” promotes the idea that small acts of kindness can make a big difference. In the novel, August’s classmates learn to stand up for him and take him as a friend. This reminds us that we all have the power to make a positive impact on others, no matter how small our actions may seem.

Additionally, “Wonder” addresses important themes such as friendship, and the power of love and family support. These are universal themes that resonate with people of all ages and backgrounds. By exploring these themes together, our incoming class can forge deeper connections and develop a sense of camaraderie.

All in all, “Wonder” would be an ideal shared text for our incoming class at Boston College. Through its powerful storytelling and meaningful themes, it has the potential to bring us together, brings empathy and understanding, and inspire us to create a more compassionate and inclusive community.

Boston College Supplemental Essay Prompt #2

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.

Pro Tips About The 2^nd Prompt

Here are our pro insights on what to keep in mind while writing an essay for this prompt:

• Identifying Your Conversation Partner

Reflect on your personal experiences and relationships to identify someone who serves as a conversation partner in your life. This could be a friend, family member, teacher, mentor, or colleague.

• Describing the Relationship

Provide context about your relationship with the conversation partner you’ve chosen. Explain why this person is significant to you and how they contribute to your intellectual and personal growth.

• Explaining Their Role

Discuss how this conversation partner supports or challenges your viewpoints. Describe instances where they have engaged you in meaningful conversations that have led to reflection, learning, or growth.

• Citing a Specific Conversation

Select a specific conversation or exchange with your conversation partner to highlight in your essay. Choose a conversation where either you challenged their perspective or they challenged yours, leading to a significant exchange of ideas.

• Setting the Scene

Provide context for the conversation, including where and when it took place, and any relevant circumstances or events that contributed to the discussion.

• Exploring the Impact

Reflect on the impact of the conversation on you and your conversation partner. Discuss how it influenced your thinking, feelings, or actions, and whether it led to any changes in your beliefs or behaviors.

• Highlighting Growth and Learning

Emphasize what you learned from the conversation and how it contributed to your personal or intellectual development. Discuss any insights or realizations that resulted from engaging with your conversation partner.

• Concluding with Reflection

Conclude your essay by reflecting on the importance of having conversation partners who challenge your viewpoints. Discuss the value of engaging in meaningful dialogue with others and how it contributes to your growth as a person.

Boston College Supplemental Essay Example For Prompt #2

At Boston College, we like talking to people who both agree and disagree with us. In my life, my friend Sarah is someone who often makes me think differently, helping me understand things better.

One time, Sarah and I talked about cultural appropriation, which is when people from one culture use things from another culture. I used to think it was okay for people to borrow stuff from other cultures without worrying too much about it. But Sarah told me how it can hurt people from those cultures.

She shared her own experiences and explained how cultural appropriation can spread bad ideas about certain cultures and make them seem less important. I felt a bit uncomfortable at first, but Sarah was patient and kept talking to me.

As we talked more, I started to see things from her point of view. I realized it’s important to be careful about how we use things from other cultures and to think about how it might affect people. Our conversation made me think about things in a new way, and I’m grateful to Sarah for helping me understand better.

Talking with Sarah helped me become more understanding and open-minded. She’s always willing to have tough conversations, and I’ve learned a lot from her.

In college, I’m excited to talk to more people who have different ideas. I know it’ll help me grow and learn even more. Boston College, where having meaningful conversations is encouraged, is a great place to engage with diverse viewpoints and continue to challenge and expand my understanding.

I believe that talking to people like Sarah, who aren’t afraid to question my ideas and push me to think more deeply, will be an important part of my college experience. By being open to different perspectives and engaging in respectful dialogue, I hope to continue learning and growing as a person.

Boston College Supplemental Essay Prompt #3

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?

Pro Tips About The 3^rd Prompt

Here are our pro insights on what to keep in mind while writing an essay for this prompt:

• Understanding the Prompt

Begin by understanding the essence of the prompt, which asks you to discuss a time when someone defined you by a single story. You’ll need to reflect on a specific experience where you felt misunderstood or misrepresented due to assumptions made about you based on your nationality, appearance, or background.

• Selecting an Experience

Reflect on your personal experiences to identify a specific instance where someone defined you by a single story. This could be a situation where someone made assumptions about you based on stereotypes or preconceived notions.

• Describing the Situation

Provide context for the experience by describing the circumstances in which it occurred. Explain who the person was who defined you by a single story and what led to their assumptions about you.

• Detailing the Single Story

Describe how the person defined you by a single story based on their assumptions about your nationality, appearance, or background. Provide specific examples of the stereotypes or misconceptions they applied to you.

• Discussing the Challenges

Explain the challenges you faced as a result of being defined by a single story. Discuss how it made you feel misunderstood, misrepresented, or marginalized, and how it affected your sense of identity and belonging.

• Exploring Overcoming Challenges

Describe how you overcame the challenges presented by being defined by a single story. Discuss any strategies or actions you took to challenge stereotypes, educate others about your true identity, or assert your own narrative.

• Highlighting Personal Growth

Reflect on how the experience of being defined by a single story contributed to your personal growth and development. Discuss any insights or lessons you gained from the experience and how it shaped your understanding of identity and diversity.

• Concluding with Reflection

Conclude your essay by reflecting on the importance of challenging single stories and grabbing diversity and complexity in people’s identities. Discuss the value of recognizing and celebrating the richness of individual experiences and perspectives.

Boston College Supplemental Essay Example For Prompt #3

In her Ted Talk, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie talked about the danger of judging people based on just one story about them. It got me thinking about a time when someone did that to me.

I grew up in a small town where most people knew each other. I was always seen as the quiet kid who liked to read. But one day, a new person moved to town and started spreading rumors about me. They said I was stuck-up and unfriendly because I didn’t talk much.

At first, I didn’t think much of it. But soon, I noticed that people were treating me differently. Some stopped talking to me altogether, while others would give me strange looks when I passed by. It was like they had already decided who I was without even getting to know me.

This presented a big challenge for me because I felt misunderstood and isolated. It was hard to make friends or even just have normal conversations with people. I started to doubt myself and wonder if there was something wrong with me.

But then I remembered Chimamanda’s talk about the danger of single stories. I realized that the rumors about me were just one person’s opinion, and they didn’t define who I was. I decided to take control of my own story and show people the real me.

I started reaching out to people and making an effort to be more outgoing. I joined clubs and activities where I could meet new people and show them that I wasn’t stuck-up or unfriendly at all. Slowly but surely, I started to break free from the single story that had been assigned to me.

One book that really helped me during this time was “Educated” by Tara Westover. It’s a memoir about a girl who grew up in a strict, isolated family but managed to break free and get an education. Reading her story reminded me that I had the power to change my own narrative and overcome the challenges I faced.

In the end, I was able to overcome the single story that had been assigned to me by showing people who I really was. I learned that it’s important not to judge others based on just one story about them and to give everyone a chance to show their true selves.

Boston College Supplemental Essay Prompt #4

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?

Pro Tips About The 4^th Prompt

Here are our pro insights on what to keep in mind while writing an essay for this prompt:

• Understanding the Prompt

Begin by understanding the main components of the prompt. It asks you to identify a local or global issue that is of particular concern to you and discuss how you might use your Boston College education to address it.

• Selecting an Issue

Reflect on your personal values, interests, and experiences to identify a local or global issue that resonates with you. Consider issues related to social justice, inequality, environmental sustainability, education, healthcare, or human rights.

• Researching the Issue

Conduct research to gain a deeper understanding of the chosen issue. Learn about its root causes, impacts, and potential solutions. Explore different perspectives and consider the ways in which the issue intersects with other societal challenges.

• Explaining Your Concern

Clearly articulate why the chosen issue is of particular concern to you. Describe how it aligns with your values, beliefs, and personal experiences. Discuss the significance of addressing the issue for the well-being of individuals and communities.

• Discussing Relevant Skills and Knowledge

Consider how your Boston College education has equipped you with skills, knowledge, and resources to address the chosen issue. Highlight relevant coursework, extracurricular activities, internships, or research experiences that have prepared you to tackle the issue effectively.

• Identifying Potential Solutions

Brainstorm potential ways in which you could contribute to addressing the chosen issue. Consider how your unique strengths, interests, and experiences could be leveraged to make a positive impact. Think creatively and explore innovative approaches to addressing the issue.

• Exploring Community Engagement Opportunities

Investigate opportunities for community engagement and collaboration related to the chosen issue. Consider partnering with local organizations, nonprofits, or advocacy groups working to address the issue. Explore ways to mobilize resources and build coalitions to amplify your impact.

• Reflecting on the Jesuit Mission

Reflect on how the Jesuit values of social justice, service, and solidarity inform your approach to addressing the chosen issue. Consider how you can integrate these values into your efforts to promote positive change and foster social mobility.

• Concluding with Impact

Conclude your essay by summarizing your commitment to addressing the chosen issue and the potential impact of your efforts. Emphasize your belief in the power of education to drive social change and express your readiness to leverage your Boston College education to address society’s greatest needs.

Boston College Supplemental Essay Example For Prompt #4

Boston College was founded to help immigrant communities get a good education and move up in society. Today, the university still wants students to use their education to help others. One big problem I care about is climate change.

Climate change is a big deal because it affects everyone, everywhere. It’s making the weather more extreme, causing sea levels to rise, and hurting animals and plants. If we don’t do something about it, things could get a lot worse.

I want to use my Boston College education to help fight climate change. One way I can do this is by learning more about the science behind it. By studying things like environmental science and renewable energy, I can understand how climate change works and what we can do to stop it.

But it’s not just about knowing the science. I also want to learn how to make a real difference in the world. Boston College offers lots of opportunities for students to get involved in community service and social justice. I can volunteer with organizations that are working to protect the environment and advocate for policies that will help fight climate change.

Another thing I can do is use my voice to raise awareness about climate change. I can write articles, give presentations, and use social media to share information about why it’s important and what people can do to help. By spreading the word and getting more people involved, we can make a bigger impact together.

Finally, I can use my Boston College education to come up with new solutions to the problem of climate change. Whether it’s inventing new technology, designing sustainable buildings, or finding better ways to use resources, there’s a lot of room for innovation in this field.

All in all, climate change is a big issue that I care about, and I want to use my education from Boston College to help address it. By learning about the science, getting involved in the community, raising awareness, and finding new solutions, I believe I can make a real difference in the fight against climate change.

Boston College Supplemental Essay Prompt #5

For Human-Centered Engineering major 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?

Pro Tips About The 5^th Prompt

Here are our pro insights on what to keep in mind while writing an essay for this prompt:

• Understanding the Prompt

Start by understanding the key components of the prompt. It asks you to identify societal problems that are important to you and explain how you will use your Human-Centered Engineering (HCE) education at Boston College to address them.

• Selecting Societal Problems

Reflect on your personal values, interests, and experiences to identify societal problems that resonate with you. Consider issues such as access to clean water, renewable energy, healthcare, education, poverty alleviation, or sustainable infrastructure.

• Researching the Problems

Conduct research to gain a deeper understanding of the chosen societal problems. Learn about their root causes, impacts, and potential solutions. Explore different perspectives and consider the ways in which the problems intersect with other societal challenges.

• Explaining Importance

Clearly articulate why the chosen societal problems are important to you. Describe how they align with your values, beliefs, and personal experiences. Discuss the significance of addressing the problems for the well-being of individuals and communities.

• Connecting to HCE Education

Consider how your HCE education at Boston College can be applied to address the chosen societal problems. Highlight the technical knowledge, creativity, and humanistic perspective that you will leverage to develop innovative solutions.

• Identifying Solutions

Brainstorm potential solutions to the chosen societal problems. Consider how you can apply engineering principles, design thinking, and interdisciplinary approaches to develop practical and sustainable solutions.

• Exploring Community Engagement

Investigate opportunities for community engagement and collaboration related to the chosen societal problems. Consider partnering with local organizations, nonprofits, or government agencies working to address the problems. Explore ways to mobilize resources and build coalitions to amplify your impact.

• Reflecting on Jesuit Values

Reflect on how the Jesuit values of social justice, service, and solidarity inform your approach to addressing the chosen societal problems. Consider how you can integrate these values into your engineering practice to promote equity, inclusivity, and human flourishing.

• Concluding with Impact

Conclude your essay by summarizing your commitment to addressing the chosen societal problems and the potential impact of your efforts. Emphasize your belief in the power of Human-Centered Engineering to drive social change and express your readiness to leverage your education to serve the common good.

Boston College Supplemental Essay For Prompt #5

One thing I care a lot about is making sure everyone has access to clean water. It’s something most of us take for granted, but millions of people around the world don’t have clean water to drink, cook with, or bathe in.

I want to use my Human-Centered Engineering (HCE) education from Boston College to help solve this problem. HCE is all about using technical knowledge, creativity, and a humanistic perspective to tackle societal challenges, and clean water is definitely a big challenge.

One way I can do this is by designing better water filtration systems. By using my engineering skills, I can come up with new ways to remove contaminants from water and make it safe to drink. This could involve things like developing new materials, improving existing technologies, or designing more efficient filtration processes.

But it’s not just about the technical stuff. I also want to make sure my solutions are practical and accessible to everyone who needs them. That means considering things like cost, ease of use, and cultural preferences. By taking a human-centered approach, I can ensure that my designs meet the needs of the people who will be using them.

Another thing I can do is work with communities to help them maintain and sustain their water systems. This might involve training local people to operate and maintain the systems, teaching them about water conservation, or helping them develop policies and practices to protect their water sources.

By using my HCE education to address the problem of clean water access, I believe I can make a real difference in the world. Not only will I be helping to improve people’s health and quality of life, but I’ll also be contributing to the common good by serving those in need.

To sum it up, clean water access is a societal problem that’s important to me, and I’m excited to use my HCE education from Boston College to help solve it. By combining technical knowledge with a humanistic perspective, I believe I can develop innovative solutions that make a positive impact on people’s lives.

Conclusion:

The supplemental essays for Boston College offer applicants a chance to convey their passion, experiences, and potential contributions to the university community.

By providing thoughtful responses to the prompts, applicants can showcase their readiness to engage in meaningful dialogue, pursue academic excellence, and serve the common good as members of the Boston College community.