Please carefully read the Admission Information Page; in most cases the information found there is applicable to international students. You'll find exceptions and additional information noted below:

Application Form
Application Fee

College Transcripts

Evidence of English Proficiency

Admission Decisions & Visa Authorization

Non-degree Students

Certification of Finances

Application Form
If you do not have a U.S. Social Security Number, do not enter one on the application. You will be assigned an Applicant ID number to use to identify your other application materials.  Please keep the name you use as your Lastname the same on everything you submit to the Graduate School.  Back to top

Application Fee of $70
Your application will not be reviewed without the application fee. Acceptable payment methods include check, money order, or bank draft in U.S. dollars drawn on an American bank. If a friend or relative in the U.S. is able to pay this fee for you, it's best to include the check with your application. If that is not possible, please ask your sponsor to write "Application fee for (your full name)" on the check before mailing it to the Office of Graduate Admission.  Back to top

College Transcripts

Submit official academic records (transcripts or mark-sheets) for each year of post-secondary education (college/university), as well as official copies of degrees awarded. Copies of credentials must be validated by a school administrative officer such as a registrar or an official of the issuing body, and must be attached to a certified English translation. Back to top

Evidence of English Proficiency

Students who speak a native language other than English must provide evidence of English proficiency. A score of 550 on the paper-based test, 213 on the CBT test (computer-based test), or 79 on the new iBT test (internet-based test) or higher on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required. Remember to enter the Boston College School Code 3083 to ensure that the score report is sent to us, student copies or photocopies of TOEFL scores are not accepted.

You can get application forms and information about testing dates for the TOEFL from many U.S. consulates, USIA Centers, and TOEFL centers overseas by writing to: TOEFL Registration CN 6152 Princeton, New Jersey 08541 USA, or www.toefl.org.  Back to top

Admission Decisions and Visa Authorizations

Official offers of admission and the award of Graduate School financial aid, if any, will be conveyed by letter. Note: Your application for admission also serves as your application for department-based financial aid. Admitted students must then notify the Graduate School of their intention to attend BC, and must submit a Certification of Finances Form verifying the student's ability to cover his/her educational and living expenses. The Graduate School will supply this form upon offer of admission. Provided all is in order, BC will issue a Certificate of Eligibility Form for the student's use in obtaining a Visa. Do not submit this form until you have received an offer of admission form the Graduate School.  Back to top

Special Students

Only international applicants who are currently enrolled full-time at another U.S. institution will be considered for admission as a Special Student.  Back to top

Finances

Estimated school and living expenses for the 2008-2009 academic year are $49,132 exclusive of travel expenses. In order to attend the Graduate School you must certify that you will have this sum on hand. Upon admission, the student will need to complete the Confidential Declaration and Certification of Finances Form. This form requires you to specify the amounts and sources of funds including any BC financial aid, accompanied by documentation. Generally, not all expenses can be covered by BC financial aid; therefore, students must have personal resources to support their graduate study.

The Graduate School will not issue a Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20 for an F-1 Student Visa or a Form DS2019 for a J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa) unless this form is completed and the necessary certifications are obtained and returned by the date requested. In computing expenses and funds, please note:

For the academic year 2009-2008 the estimate of student expenses will increase by approximately 5%.

If your spouse will be joining you in the United States you will need to add at least $5,000 to the amount you will be required to certify; if your children will be joining you add at least $3,000 per child.

Students holding the Student (F-1) or Exchange Visitor (J-1) Visas will not be authorized to work except under extraordinary circumstances; therefore, theapplicant should not look to employment, either part-time during the academic year or full-time during the summer, as a means of support while at BC. Spouses who accompany students to the U.S. on the F-2 Visa are not permitted to accept any kind of employment in the U.S.  Back to top

Estimate of Student Expenses for the

2008-2009 Academic Year