Conquering the BC Essay Beast: How Many Monsters Do You Slay?
So, you've set your sights on the beautiful campus of Boston College, with its red brick buildings and all the intellectual frisbee you can handle. But before you can sip hot cocoa in the Gasson Hall Reading Room (because, let's be real, that's what college brochures are made of), there's a hurdle to jump: the application essay.
Fear not, intrepid applicant! Unlike some institutions that make you write a novel about your childhood goldfish, Boston College is a bit more chill. Here's the lowdown on the essay situation:
How Many Essays For Boston College |
The Big One: The Required Essay
This is your main event, your chance to shine and show the admissions committee why Boston College is your lobster (or mac and cheese, depending on your dining hall preferences). You get to choose from a selection of prompts, so pick the one that lets you strut your stuff – the intellectual, the artistic, the champion volunteer, whatever makes you YOU.
Tip: Reading twice doubles clarity.
Bonus Round: The Optional Essay
Think of this as your chance to wow the committee even further. Maybe there's something quirky or unique about you that didn't fit the required essay. Did you win a pie-eating contest? Did you invent a revolutionary method for folding socks? Now's the time to tell the world (or at least the admissions committee).
The HCE Exception: Engineers Assemble!
If you're applying for the Human-Centered Engineering program, there's a specific essay question just for you. Consider it your secret handshake into the world of designing for humans (because robots can't write essays... yet).
Tip: Read once for gist, twice for details.
So, How Many Essays Are We Talking About?
For most applicants, it's 1 required + 0-1 optional. Unless you're rocking the HCE path, then it's 1 required + 1 specific.
TL;DR (Too Long; Didn't Read):
- Write 1 killer essay about yourself.
- Optional: Write another essay to show off something extra special.
- Human-Centered Engineers? Write a specific essay about human-centered stuff.
QuickTip: Go back if you lost the thread.
How To Slay the BC Essay Beast: FAQ
How to choose the perfect essay prompt?
Read them all carefully and pick the one that gets you most excited to write!
How long should the essays be?
Aim for around 650 words. Quality over quantity, though!
Tip: Read once for flow, once for detail.
How can I make my essay stand out?
Be yourself, be genuine, and show your passion. A dash of humor never hurts either.
How much time should I spend on the essays?
Start early! Give yourself enough time to brainstorm, write, revise, and polish.
How can I get help with my essays?
Talk to your teachers, counselors, or even a friendly neighborhood writing guru (like maybe a college essay coach).