PUBLISHED BY THE BOSTON COLLEGE OFFICE OF UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS
APRIL 9, 2026 VOL. 33 NO. 15
The Sporting Life Class of 2030 Is Most Competitive In BC History BY SEAN SMITH CHRONICLE EDITOR
Boston College will welcome the most competitive class of undergraduates in University history, reflecting BC’s continued success in attracting outstanding students from the United States and elsewhere in the world. The Office of Undergraduate Admission reported that the University has offered admission to 12.7 percent of a record 41,898 applicants for the Class of 2030. The number of applicants, surpassing the previous high of 40,477—set four years ago by this year’s graduating class—represents a 5.6 percent increase over last year. The admitted students come from all 50 states and Washington, D.C., as well as Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and 89 countries. Nine percent are international citizens, and 11 percent will be the first in their family to attend college. The gender
ratio of 52 percent female to 48 percent male continues recent trends. Students who were offered admission for the Class of 2030 also represent the strong academic profile of recent classes, with 95 percent ranking within the top 10 percent of their high school class and average SAT/ACT scores of admitted students at 1500 and 34, respectively. Dean of Undergraduate Admission and Financial Aid Grant Gosselin said BC’s ability to garner the interest of high-achieving students stems from its propensity to locate the classic Jesuit, Catholic liberal arts tradition in a modern setting. “Prospective students and their families resonate with BC’s conviction that college is not simply a means to an end,” he explained. “They appreciate that BC values intellectual, personal, and moral development for its own sake, and that a foundation of the BC education is its cura
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Recent Boston College sports action included a thrilling 13-11 win by the women’s lacrosse team over highly-ranked Stanford on March 26 in Alumni Stadium. Among the stars of the game was junior Marissa White (right), who contributed two goals and an assist. BC also announced the hiring of new coaches for men’s and women’s basketball [see page 7]. photos by matthew healey
A Focus on AI at the Heights An array of events and resources is available to help BC faculty and staff learn more about generative artificial intelligence BY ELLEN SEAWARD SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE
Generative artificial intelligence is in the spotlight at Boston College, with a wide range of events and resources providing opportunities for faculty and staff to explore and experiment with the technology, from ongoing information sessions to a handson AI “test kitchen” series. As the technology continues to grow rapidly, a collaboration between the AI Campus Steering Committee—which consists of faculty, staff, and students—Information Technology Services (ITS), the Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE), and the Center for Digital Innovation in Learning (CDIL) invites faculty and staff to shape the future of generative artificial intelligence at BC. The goal is a communityoriented approach with different kinds of
programs that meet faculty where they are, said Vice Provost for Faculties Billy Soo. “Everyone has different levels of knowledge and comfort with AI. Everyone, regardless of whether they consider themselves a novice, expert, advocate, or opponent, can be involved with discussions on how to best use AI.” AI Lunch & Learn An AI Lunch and Learn series hosted by the Campus AI Steering Committee showcases how faculty are attending to the challenges of teaching and working in the AI context. “Working at BC in an Age of AI: Using AI for Productivity,” on April 15 at noon in Gasson 100, invites faculty and staff to share examples of how they are using AI in their work to streamline repetitive tasks and assist with complex challenges.
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Finance and Economics Remain BC’s Top Majors BY PHIL GLOUDEMANS STAFF WRITER
The profile of Boston College’s most popular undergraduate majors echoes national trends, according to annual statistics recently released by the University’s Office of Institutional Research and Planning. Finance—with 1,552 majors—is in the top spot for the fourth consecutive year, a figure that mirrors the nearly 19 percent of all United States undergraduate degrees conferred in 2021-2022 that were either for finance, marketing, or management, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Economics—which relinquished the top spot to finance in 2022 after 15 years—held steady in its strong runner-up position with 1,474 majors. “The Seidner Department of Finance has a lot going for it: Elite faculty, great students, a superior location—given the Boston-New York corridor’s position as a global center of excellence for finance—plus extremely loyal and suc-
cessful alumni,” said Andy Boynton, the John and Linda Powers Family Dean of the Carroll School of Management. “The icing on the cake is that more than half of our finance majors are also earning minors or majors in the liberal arts, blending the best of a Boston College educational, formative experience.” For the 10th consecutive year, biology
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INSIDE 2 Farewell
Clough School’s Bader to retire.
3 Positive trends
BC continues to do well in U.S. News, QS rankings.
8 Arts Festival
The annual showcase will have “Artchella” as this year’s theme.