Rachel Evans
Boston College is a private Catholic Jesuit research university in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. It was founded in 1863 by the Society of Jesus, a Catholic religious order. The college was originally located in the South End of Boston before moving most of its campus to Chestnut Hill in 1907. Boston College holds close to its Jesuit values but is open to students of all religious backgrounds. While the majority of the student body is Catholic, the college has been criticised for downplaying its Catholic identity. Various sources state that 70% of students identify as Catholic, although some students have questioned the veracity of this claim.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of University | Private Catholic Jesuit research university |
| Year Founded | 1863 |
| Location | Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts |
| Number of Students | More than 15,000 |
| Percentage of Catholic Students | 70% |
| Religious Affiliation | Takes students' religious affiliation into account during admissions |
| Student Perception | Becoming a secular university with a Catholic subculture |
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What You'll Learn
Boston College is a Catholic university, founded by Jesuits
Boston College (BC) is a private Catholic Jesuit research university in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. It was founded in 1863 by the Society of Jesus, a Catholic religious order, and is the oldest Catholic university in the Boston area. The college was originally located in the South End of Boston before moving most of its campus to Chestnut Hill in 1907. Its main campus is a historic district and features some of the earliest examples of collegiate gothic architecture in North America. The campus is 6 miles west of downtown Boston.
The college was founded through the efforts of the first Jesuit community in New England, which was established at St. Mary's Church in Boston in 1849. Jesuit priest John McElroy played a key role in the college's founding, recognising the need for an educational institution for the Irish Catholic immigrant population. With the approval of his Jesuit superiors, McElroy raised funds and purchased land for "The Boston College" in the Hudson neighbourhood of South End, Boston, in 1857. On April 1, 1863, the college was granted a university charter by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, allowing it to confer degrees.
Boston College has more than 15,000 total students, about 70% of whom identify as Catholic. The college's curriculum was based on the Jesuit Ratio Studiorum, emphasising Latin, Greek, philosophy, and theology. Campus life also focused heavily on religious activities, requiring Catholic students to attend Mass, partake in confession, and join devotional societies. The college's student newspaper, The Torch, covers Catholic news on campus and around the world, as well as student faith reflections.
While Boston College is rooted in Catholic traditions and values, it welcomes and embraces students from diverse faith backgrounds. The college's admissions department emphasises that faith "won't be pushed" on students, and students are judged holistically during the admissions process. However, some have observed that the college is becoming increasingly secular, with a Catholic subculture.
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Around 70% of students identify as Catholic
Boston College is a private Catholic Jesuit research university in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. It was founded in 1863 by the Society of Jesus, a Catholic religious order, and is the oldest Catholic university in the Boston area. The university has more than 15,000 students in total.
The student body at Boston College originally consisted mainly of local boys from greater Boston parishes, some of whom were scholarship recipients. Campus life was heavily focused on religious activities, with Catholic students being required to attend Mass, partake in confession, and join devotional societies. The curriculum was based on the Jesuit Ratio Studiorum, emphasising Latin, Greek, philosophy, and theology.
Today, Boston College is open to students of all religious backgrounds. However, the university still takes students' religious affiliations into account when making admissions decisions. While the majority of the student body is Catholic, with around 70% of students identifying as Catholic, there is a perception that the college is becoming increasingly secular, with a Catholic subculture.
The university continues to emphasise its Jesuit values of service and community engagement, and around 58% of undergraduates participate in international volunteer or academic experiences by the time they graduate. However, some commentators have noted a disconnect between the religious identity promoted by the university and the actual beliefs and behaviours of its students, with a perception that the number of students who actively practise their Catholic faith may be lower than the statistics suggest.
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The college welcomes students from all religious backgrounds
Boston College is a private Catholic Jesuit research university in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, founded in 1863 by the Society of Jesus, a Catholic religious order. The college was originally intended to educate the Irish Catholic immigrant population, and the student body consisted mainly of local boys from greater Boston parishes.
Despite its Catholic roots, Boston College welcomes students from all religious backgrounds. While the majority of the student body is Catholic, with sources estimating around 70% of students identifying as Catholic, the college does not push its religious views on students. In fact, Boston College is rapidly becoming a secular university with a Catholic subculture. During tours of the campus, guides explain to prospective students that faith "won't be pushed on you".
However, the college does consider students' religious affiliation during the admissions process. The curriculum is also heavily influenced by the Jesuit Ratio Studiorum, emphasizing Latin, Greek, philosophy, and theology. Students are required to take a writing workshop and must show proficiency in a modern foreign or classical language before graduation. Additionally, the college offers a PULSE program that allows participants to fulfill their philosophy and theology requirements while engaging in social-service fieldwork.
Boston College's academic and societal mission is inspired by its religious and intellectual heritage. The college is committed to leading its students on a comprehensive journey of discovery that integrates their intellectual, personal, ethical, and religious formation.
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Religious affiliation is considered in the admissions process
Boston College is a private Catholic Jesuit research university in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. It was founded in 1863 by the Society of Jesus, a Catholic religious order. The college was originally intended to educate the Irish Catholic immigrant population. As a result, the student body consisted mainly of local boys from greater Boston parishes.
Today, Boston College is open to students of all religious backgrounds. However, it is important to note that the college does consider religious affiliation in the admissions process. While it welcomes students from all religious traditions, the majority of the student body is Catholic, with about 70% of students identifying as Catholic.
The college's Jesuit influence provides a guiding spirit for campus life. For example, campus life used to focus heavily on religious activities, requiring Catholic students to attend Mass, partake in confession, and join devotional societies. While this is no longer mandatory, the college continues to offer a rich array of religious activities and resources for students who are interested. For example, students can participate in the PULSE program, which allows them to fulfil their philosophy and theology requirements while engaging in social-service fieldwork at various Boston organizations. Additionally, Boston College offers a Freshman-Year Experience program that helps students adjust to college life and take advantage of the school and the city.
Boston College's religious affiliation and values are an important part of its identity and history. However, the college also strives to create an inclusive environment for students from all faith traditions. While some students may choose to actively engage in religious activities, it is not a requirement, and students are free to participate as they see fit. Overall, Boston College aims to provide a well-rounded and enriching educational experience for its diverse student body.
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Boston College is becoming more secular, with a Catholic subculture
Boston College, a private Catholic Jesuit research university in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, was founded in 1863 by the Society of Jesus, a Catholic religious order. The college was originally intended to educate the Irish Catholic immigrant population and was heavily focused on religious activities, requiring Catholic students to attend Mass and take part in confession.
Today, Boston College welcomes students from all religious backgrounds and is committed to embracing the contributions of a diverse student body. While the college has maintained its Jesuit values, with around 70% of students identifying as Catholic, it is rapidly becoming more secular. This shift can be attributed to a loss of confidence in the Catholic Church and a desire to avoid pushing religious beliefs on students.
The college's admissions department has been observed to downplay the role of faith, assuring prospective students that religion will not be forced upon them. This approach may be influenced by a belief that students should discover their own truths and make their own judgments, rather than having religious doctrines imposed on them.
However, some members of the college community feel that Boston College should do more to preserve its Catholic identity. They argue that the university has compromised its religious values by prioritizing secular ideals over its Catholic foundations. This includes concerns about hiring practices and teaching methods that may dilute the Catholic perspective.
Boston College's transformation reflects a broader trend of secularization in higher education, where religious institutions strive to balance their traditional values with the diverse beliefs and expectations of modern student bodies. While the college continues to embrace its Jesuit heritage, the increasing secularization and the presence of a Catholic subculture among students and faculty present a complex dynamic in the institution's evolving religious landscape.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Boston College is a private Catholic Jesuit research university.
Around 70% of students at Boston College identify as Catholic.
No, Boston College admits students from all religious backgrounds. However, the college does consider religious affiliation during the admissions process.
Campus life at Boston College heavily focuses on religious activities. Catholic students are required to attend Mass and confession and join devotional societies.
Boston College is rapidly becoming a secular university with a Catholic subculture. The college's admissions department has been observed to downplay the faith.
