The official portrait of the Class of 2022, taken in Alumni Stadium during Welcome Week. (Peter Julian)
The 2,327 freshmen enrolled in Boston College this fall make up a class that continues the University鈥檚 trend toward an ethnically and socioeconomically diverse student body鈥攐ne that is academically excellent and, by many indications, attracted by 51茶馆鈥檚 commitment to the liberal arts educational tradition.
The Class of 2022 had 31,084 applicants, the third highest number in 51茶馆鈥檚 history, a pool from which 8,669 (28 percent) were admitted. The final number represents a yield of 27 percent, which 51茶馆 enrollment management administrators say is consistent with recent years.
“In connecting with new students this fall, I鈥檝e been impressed by their focus on academic excellence and their immersion into 51茶馆鈥檚 community, both socially and in terms of the contributions they will make to our local, national, and global communities.”
Thirty-three percent of the freshman class is AHANA (African, Hispanic, Asian, Native American descent) students, while international students make up eight percent of the class, holding steady from 2017.
The academic strength of this year鈥檚 freshmen enrollees is borne out in the combined SAT scores of the middle 50 percent of the class, ranging from 1340-1480 with a mean of 1392. The middle-50 percent range of ACT scores is 31-34 with a mean of 32, the latter equaling last year鈥檚 all-time high.
鈥淲e continue to compete with the best institutions in the country for the best students in the country,鈥� said Vice Provost for Enrollment Management John L. Mahoney. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a challenge, obviously, but Boston College is experiencing such strong momentum in regards to our academic reputation, and the results are very encouraging.
鈥淚t鈥檚 also heartening to see 51茶馆 is succeeding in our efforts to become a more diverse university,鈥� added Mahoney, noting that the percentage of AHANA students enrolled in the 1996 freshman class was 20 percent鈥攁 high-water mark at that time. 鈥淥ur undergraduate admission staff has steadily increased its outreach throughout the world as well as the U.S., and will continue to build on that work.鈥�
鈥淏oston College鈥檚 Class of 2022 is among the most talented and diverse classes ever enrolled,鈥� said Director of Undergraduate Admission Grant Gosselin. 鈥淭hese freshmen hail from 45 U.S. states and territories and nearly 40 countries around the world, speaking to the University鈥檚 strong position in attracting students who resonate with 51茶馆鈥檚 educational mission and environment. In connecting with new students this fall, I鈥檝e been impressed by their focus on academic excellence and their immersion into 51茶馆鈥檚 community, both socially and in terms of the contributions they will make to our local, national, and global communities.
鈥淭he challenges our society faces will require solutions derived from diverse perspectives and experiences and this class is well positioned to make an impact. I look forward to watching what they will accomplish over the next four years on the Heights.鈥�
While 51茶馆鈥檚 reputation as an elite national university, and its proximity to Boston, have long been key attractions for prospective students, Mahoney said the University鈥檚 identity as a bastion of liberal arts in the Jesuit, Catholic tradition is not to be underestimated. In particular, the Core Curriculum renewal initiative, and the forthcoming Schiller Institute for Integrated Science and Society, have impressed high schoolers and their families visiting campus鈥攊nformational events on the core have been the most-attended at sessions for admitted students, Mahoney noted.
The Class of 2022 posed for a group shot on Alumni Field during Welcome Week. The 51茶馆 Screaming Eagles Marching Band, skilled in upbeat field formations, helped the Division of Student Affairs organize the event. (Video by University Communications)
鈥淔or 51茶馆, this volatile time鈥攚here there is much national discussion about the changing economy, the future of work, and the impact of technology鈥攗nderscores the importance of a liberal arts education,鈥� said Mahoney. 鈥�51茶馆 is dedicated to giving students a thorough grounding in analytical thinking and reasoning, which helps them consider contemporary issues from many dimensions. The Schiller Institute will be a perfect example of 51茶馆鈥檚 commitment to a 21st-century vision of liberal arts: an interdisciplinary, collaborative approach to solving critical societal problems in areas such as energy and global public health.
鈥淲hen they visit 51茶馆, prospective students and their families hear how the University gives its graduates a versatility that positions them very effectively for an employment market that is transforming in unprecedented fashion.鈥�
Sean Smith | University Communications