Boston College merit scholarships for international students

I’m curious about the merit scholarships offered by Boston College specifically for international students. Do these scholarships cover a significant portion of tuition, and what are the requirements? Any tips from someone who's been through the process would be awesome.

At Boston College, international students are certainly eligible for merit scholarships. One of the most prestigious is the Presidential Scholars Program, which is a full-tuition scholarship and even comes with summer programs in locations like Paris, Ecuador, and Washington D.C. This scholarship is highly competitive and requires a separate application, so students need to submit their materials for this scholarship by January 1st.

In addition to this, there are the Gabelli Presidential Scholars Program, and a host of other named scholarships that are available to all students, including international students. These scholarships typically cover significant portions of tuition, with many being full-tuition scholarships.

While exact requirements can depend on the specific scholarship, all merit scholarships at Boston College involve a holistic review of the applicant's profile. Alongside academic achievement, the review committees put a strong emphasis on extracurricular involvement and leadership. So, your involvement, initiative, and impact outside the classroom would be key considerations.

In terms of tips, I would suggest thoroughly doing your research, and making sure to submit a thoughtful, well-crafted application. Inclusion of any international or cross-cultural experiences can showcase your unique perspective as an international student. Also, if potential future contributions to the Boston College community could be demonstrated through your past activities and commitment, that can help in making your application stand out.

Always remember, the goal is to convey your passion, commitment, and potential throughout every component of your application, be it the essays, recommendation letters, the list of extracurricular activities, and so on. Best of luck with your application!