Bates College vs Boston College

Bates College is the more selective of the two at 14%, versus 15% at Boston College. Here is how they compare on selectivity, test scores, and what they weigh, plus a free way to estimate your odds at each.

Bates College
Highly selective
14%
acceptance rate
SAT 75th pct: 1470
Private · Maine
Boston College
Highly selective
15%
acceptance rate
SAT 75th pct: 1520
Private · Massachusetts

Bates College vs Boston College: the differences that matter

How Bates College and Boston College stack up on selectivity, scores, and what they value.

Bates College and Boston College are almost equally selective (14% vs 15%), so neither is a clear safety relative to the other. Your odds at each come down to fit, not headline difficulty.

The two also read applications a little differently. Bates College leans more on interview, geographical residence, state residency, while Boston College puts more weight on standardized test scores, extracurricular activities, talent / ability. The same profile can land differently at each, which is why a per-school estimate matters more than a single GPA.

On test scores, Bates College's admitted 75th-percentile SAT is around 1470 and Boston College's is around 1520. Admitted students at Boston College post somewhat higher scores. Run your own numbers below to see where you stand at each.

What each school weighs

Factors either school weighs heavily, side by side.

FactorBates CollegeBoston College
Rigor of secondary school recordvery importantvery important
Academic GPAvery importantvery important
Standardized test scoresconsideredimportant
Application essayvery importantvery important
Recommendationsvery importantvery important
Extracurricular activitiesimportantvery important
Talent / abilityimportantvery important
Character / personal qualitiesvery importantvery important
Calculate your chances at both →

Frequently asked questions

Is Bates College or Boston College harder to get into?

Bates College is harder to get into, with a 14% acceptance rate versus 15% at Boston College.

What's the difference in SAT scores between Bates College and Boston College?

Bates College's admitted 75th-percentile SAT is around 1470, and Boston College's is around 1520.

What are my chances at Bates College and Boston College?

That depends on your full profile. CollegeCalcAI gives a free, personalized estimate for each school in a few minutes.