Boston College vs Carleton College

Boston College is the more selective of the two at 15%, versus 16% at Carleton College. Here is how they compare on selectivity, test scores, and what they weigh, plus a free way to estimate your odds at each.

Boston College
Highly selective
15%
acceptance rate
SAT 75th pct: 1520
Private · Massachusetts
Carleton College
Highly selective
16%
acceptance rate
SAT 75th pct: 1510
Private · Minnesota

Boston College vs Carleton College: the differences that matter

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

Boston College and Carleton College are almost equally selective (15% vs 16%), 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. Boston College leans more on alumni / legacy relation, while Carleton College puts more weight on interview, level of applicant interest. The same profile can land differently at each, which is why a per-school estimate matters more than a single GPA.

On test scores, Boston College's admitted 75th-percentile SAT is around 1520 and Carleton College's is around 1510. 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.

FactorBoston CollegeCarleton College
Rigor of secondary school recordvery importantvery important
Academic GPAvery importantvery important
Standardized test scoresimportantimportant
Application essayvery importantvery important
Recommendationsvery importantvery important
Extracurricular activitiesvery importantvery important
Talent / abilityvery importantvery important
Character / personal qualitiesvery importantvery important
Calculate your chances at both →

Frequently asked questions

Is Boston College or Carleton College harder to get into?

Boston College is harder to get into, with a 15% acceptance rate versus 16% at Carleton College.

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

Boston College's admitted 75th-percentile SAT is around 1520, and Carleton College's is around 1510.

What are my chances at Boston College and Carleton College?

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