Waiting for college admissions decisions is nerve-wracking, especially when you’ve spent months perfecting your application. If you’ve applied to Boston College, you’re probably wondering exactly when Boston College decisions come out and what to expect during the waiting period.
For the Class of 2030, Boston College will release Early Decision I results by December 15, 2025, Early Decision II results by February 15, 2026, and Regular Decision results by April 1, 2026. Transfer applicants can expect fall admission decisions by late May 2026, and waitlist updates typically begin rolling out in May after Regular Decision notifications.
Boston College is one of the most selective universities in the country, with an acceptance rate that’s dropped to 12% for Class 2029, making the wait incredibly intense. Here, we’ll break down this year’s release dates in detail. Knowing when Boston College decisions come out helps you prepare mentally and plan your next steps.
- When Does Boston College Release Decisions?
- When Do Boston College Early Decisions Come Out?
- When Do Boston College Regular Decisions Come Out?
- When Do Boston College Waitlist Decisions Come Out?
- When Do Boston College Transfer Decisions Come Out?
- What to Do After Receiving Your Boston College Admissions Decision
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Takeaways
When Does Boston College Release Decisions?
Boston College decisions come out on different schedules depending on which application route you chose. Here’s a quick breakdown of the notification dates:
| Application Route | Notification Date | Decision Types |
| Early Decision I | December 15 | Admit, Defer, Deny |
| Early Decision II | February 15 | Admit, Defer, Deny |
| Regular Decision | April 1 | Admit, Waitlist, Deny |
If you apply Early Decision I, you’ll hear back first in mid-December, followed by Early Decision II and Regular Decision applicants in February and April, respectively.
All decisions are posted through your Applicant Portal (also called the Applicant Status Portal), which you can access after you submit your application through the Common Application or QuestBridge. You’ll also receive an email notification when your decision is available to view.
Boston College generally sticks to a consistent admissions calendar year after year, so these dates are pretty reliable. We’ll cover waitlist and transfer timelines separately since they follow different patterns.
When Do Boston College Early Decision Decisions Come Out?
Boston College decisions come out by December 15 for Early Decision I (ED I) applicants and by February 15 for Early Decision II (ED II) applicants. Here’s the complete timeline for the Early Decision applications and decision release process:
| Date | Event |
| August 1 | Application portal opens |
| November 1 | Early Decision I application deadline |
| December 15 | Early Decision I notification released |
| January 1 | Deadline for admitted ED I students to reply |
| January 2 | Early Decision II application deadline |
| February 15 | Early Decision II notification released |
| March 1 | Deadline for admitted students to reply |
The Early Decision I deadline falls on November 1, with admission decisions released by December 15. If you’re admitted through ED I, you must respond by January 1. For Early Decision II, you must apply by January 2 and will receive your decision by February 15, with a March 1 reply deadline.
What is Boston College Early Decision?
Boston College offers Early Decision (ED), a binding admissions program designed for students who are absolutely certain that BC is their top choice. The college provides two ED rounds, ED I and ED II, to give students flexibility in timing while maintaining the same binding commitment.
When you apply ED, you’re making a commitment: if you get accepted, you’re going to Boston College. That means withdrawing all other applications and committing before you see other financial aid offers or acceptance letters from other schools. This binding commitment is what separates ED from Regular Decision or Early Action programs at other universities.
Applying Early Decision can sometimes boost your chances of admission since colleges appreciate knowing you’ll definitely enroll if accepted. However, it only makes sense if you’re 100% sure Boston College is where you want to spend the next four years.
Is there a difference between ED I and ED II? Yes, timing. ED I is for students who know early in their senior year that BC is their first choice. ED II exists for several reasons:
- You applied to another school Early Decision or Early Action and didn’t get in, and now BC has become your top choice
- You needed more time to strengthen your application with the Fall semester grades
- You initially planned to apply Regular Decision, but later realized Boston College is definitely where you want to be.
If you submit your Regular Decision application early but later decide that Boston College is your first-choice college, you may even convert your application to Early Decision II.
Boston College Early Decision results
When Boston College decisions come out, Early Decision applicants can expect one of three possible outcomes:
- Accepted. You’re admitted to Boston College and must enroll since ED is binding.
- Deferred. Your application is moved to the Regular Decision round for review in the spring.
- Denied. Your application is not accepted, and you cannot reapply until the following year.
The deferral option gives some ED applicants a second chance to be considered alongside the larger Regular Decision pool. Keep in mind that most seats are already filled by that point, so Regular Decision becomes more competitive for deferred students.
Because ED II decisions come out in mid-February and Regular Decision results are released in early April, deferred ED II applicants have only about six weeks before receiving their final decision.
Boston College Early Decision acceptance rate
Boston College’s Early Decision acceptance rate for the Class of 2028 was approximately 30%, significantly higher than the Regular Decision acceptance rate of about 14%. This difference reflects that Early Decision applicants apply earlier and demonstrate a strong commitment to attend, which Boston College favors in its admissions process.
The Early Decision rounds fill part of the class early, making Regular Decision admission more competitive since fewer spots remain. This structure encourages students who are sure Boston College is their first choice to apply Early Decision to maximize their admission chances.
When Do Boston College Regular Decisions Come Out?
Boston College decisions come out by April 1 for Regular Decision (RD) applicants. Here’s the RD timeline for the current admission cycle:
| Date | Event |
| August 1 | Application portal opens |
| January 2 | Regular Decision application deadline |
| January 3 – March 31 | Application review period |
| April 1 | Regular Decision decisions released |
| May 1 | Deadline to accept the offer and confirm enrollment |
All Regular Decision applicants will receive their admission decisions by April 1. Admitted students must reply by May 1, the National College Decision Day.
What is Boston College Regular Decision?
Regular Decision (RD) is the standard application process at Boston College and is non-binding. This means you can apply to multiple colleges, compare all your admission offers and financial aid packages, and decide later where you want to enroll. For many students, RD is the better option if they need more time to strengthen their application or want to keep their options open.
Unlike Early Decision, Regular Decision gives you complete flexibility. You’re not committing to anything until May 1, which gives you time to visit accepted student days, compare financial aid offers, and make an informed decision about where you’ll spend the next four years.
Boston College Regular Decision results
When Boston College decisions come out, Regular Decision applicants can expect one of three outcomes:
- Accepted. You’re admitted to Boston College and have until May 1 to decide whether to enroll.
- Waitlisted. You’re not admitted right away, but you may be offered a spot later if space opens up.
- Denied. Your application is not accepted, and you’ll need to pursue other options.
Because Regular Decision includes the largest applicant pool and many spots are already filled through both Early Decision rounds, this round tends to be the most competitive. Students admitted during Regular Decision fill the remaining seats after Boston College accounts for ED I and ED II enrollments.
Boston College Regular Decision acceptance rate
Boston College’s Regular Decision acceptance rate for the Class of 2028 is approximately 14%. It is lower than the Early Decision rate because a large portion of the class is already filled during the Early Decision rounds.b
When Do Boston College Waitlist Decisions Come Out?
Boston College waitlist decisions come out typically after Regular Decision results on April 1 and students must respond by early May to confirm interest. Here’s a look at the typical Boston College waitlist timeline:
| Date | Event |
| Early April | Waitlist placement |
| Early May | Deadline to accept waitlist spot |
| May – June | Waitlist decisions released |
If you’re placed on Boston College’s waitlist, it means you’re a qualified applicant but were not initially offered admission due to space limitations. When Boston College decisions come out for the waitlist, and you’ve been notified, you must confirm your interest by responding to the college by early May.
The total number of students on the Boston College waiting list varies each year but typically includes several hundred applicants. For the Class 2028, for example, only 352 were admitted out of the 4,139 who confirmed their waitlist spots. This results in a waitlist admission rate of about 8.5%, indicating that being waitlisted does not guarantee admission.
Because of this low rate and the unpredictability of openings, it is strongly recommended that you accept another college offer by the May 1 deadline to secure enrollment.
When Do Boston College Transfer Decisions Come Out?
Boston College decisions come out by May 20 for Fall transfer applicants and by November 15 for Spring transfer applicants. Here’s the transfer decision timeline for the current admission cycle:
| Date | Event |
| March 15 | Fall Transfer Application Deadline |
| November 1 | Spring Transfer Application Deadline |
| May 20 | Fall Transfer Decision Notification |
| December 15 | Spring Transfer Decision Notification |
| June 1 | Fall Transfer Reply Deadline |
Transfer students at Boston College are evaluated holistically, with a strong focus on college academic performance, reasons for transferring, and how they’ll contribute to the campus community.
For the Class of 2028, Boston College received 1,480 transfer applications and admitted 410 transfer students, resulting in an acceptance rate of about 28%. Of those admitted, 181 enrolled as transfer students.
What to Do After Receiving Your Boston College Admissions Decision
Getting your Boston College decision, whether it’s the outcome you hoped for or not, can be overwhelming. When Boston College decisions come out, the key is knowing how to respond quickly and thoughtfully to each possible result.
If you’re accepted
Congratulations on your acceptance to Boston College! Here are some important steps to take as you prepare to join the Boston College community:
- Carefully review your admission letter and financial aid package, making sure to meet all deadlines and follow instructions for enrollment.
- Consider attending admitted student events like Keith A. Francis Discovery Weekend and Admitted Eagle Day to get a feel for campus life and connect with current students
- Submit your enrollment deposit and other remaining requirements by the deadline.
- Begin looking into housing options, course offerings, and campus resources to get ready for your first semester.
- Engage with fellow admitted students through official social media groups or the admitted student portal to start building your BC network.
If you’re deferred
Being deferred isn’t a rejection. It means the admissions committee wants more time to evaluate your application. Consider these actions to strengthen your case:
- Provide updates on new accomplishments, improved grades, or awards since you applied.
- Write a concise letter expressing your continued interest in Boston College and highlighting recent achievements.
- Ask your counselor to share updated recommendations or information if relevant.
- Keep up your academic and extracurricular efforts during your senior year.
- Avoid sending too many updates; focus on impactful information that enhances your application.
If you’re waitlisted
When placed on the waitlist, you should respond quickly and consider these steps to remain in good standing:
- Accept or decline your waitlist spot quickly to keep your options open.
- If you remain interested, send a thoughtful letter of continued interest showing your dedication to Boston College.
- Submit deposits to other colleges by May 1 to ensure you have a backup plan.
- Maintain strong academic performance through your final semester as final transcripts may affect your chances.
If you’re denied
Rejection from a highly selective school doesn’t reflect your worth or potential. Keep these points in mind:
- Focus on making the most of your other college admissions and opportunities.
- Many successful individuals thrived outside their first-choice schools. Your path is defined by what you make of it.
- You can reapply as a transfer student after building your academic record elsewhere.
- Take time to process the decision, but stay excited about your future and the opportunities ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When do Boston College decisions come out for Early Decision I?
Boston College releases Early Decision I notifications by December 15. If admitted, you commit to attending and must withdraw applications to other schools.
2. When do Boston College decisions come out for Early Decision II?
Early Decision II applicants are notified by February 15. Like ED I, this is a binding decision requiring you to enroll if admitted.
3. When do Boston College decisions come out for Regular Decision?
Regular Decision decisions are sent by April 1. This round is non-binding, allowing you until May 1 (National College Decision Day) to make your final choice.
4. When do Boston College transfer applicants receive their admissions decisions?
Transfer decision notifications arrive by May 20 for fall entrants and by December 15 for spring entrants, giving you time to prepare for your transfer.
5. How does the Boston College waitlist process work?
Waitlist notifications typically come in mid-to-late April. If you accept a waitlist spot by early May, final admissions decisions may continue on a rolling basis through June. Admission from the waitlist depends on enrollment yield and varies by year.
6. Can I apply to more than one Early Decision program?
No. You may apply to only one Early Decision program at Boston College, either ED I or ED II. Regular Decision and transfer admissions are separate and non-binding processes.
Takeaways
- When Boston College decisions come out varies by application type, but knowing the timeline helps you plan ahead and manage expectations during this stressful waiting period.
- Boston College releases Early Decision I results by December 15, giving early applicants a binding admission decision before the holidays.
- Early Decision II decisions are released by February 15, offering another binding option for students who need more time or want to convert from Regular Decision.
- Regular Decision decisions are typically released by April 1, following the early January application deadline and offering non-binding admission with more flexibility.
- Transfer admission decisions are communicated by late May for fall applicants and mid-December for spring applicants, after the March and November deadlines, respectively.
- Waitlist notifications follow Regular Decision results, with responses due by early May and final admissions rolling through June, depending on yield.
- Working with a college admissions consultant can provide personalized guidance, improve your application strategy, and boost your chances of admission to competitive universities like Boston College.