Early Decision at BC Law
When is the deadline to apply Early Decision?
Early Decision applications must be submitted by December 1 of each application cycle.
Is this program binding?
Yes. By applying Early Decision to BC Law, you are committing to matriculate in the fall should you be accepted.
What outcomes are there for applicants applying Early Decision?
Early Decision applications have four outcomes: admit, waitlist, deny, or a forward to regular decision. Applicants who are forwarded to our regular decision process or waitlisted will be released from our Early Decision commitments.
Is there an advantage to applying Early Decision?
Applicants who apply Early Decision will receive an expedited decision by December 15. For applicants who select the Dean’s Scholars or BC Scholars option, a scholarship award will accompany the offer. Further information regarding these options may be found on our Early Decision webpage.
Are there any additional requirements for applying Early Decision?
The admissions committee reserves the right to request an online or in-person interview for any applicant applying Early Decision. Otherwise, all requirements for applicants applying Early Decision remain the same as for applicants applying for regular decision.
Can I apply Early Decision to multiple schools?
No. If you apply Early Decision to BC Law, you are not allowed to apply Early Decision to other schools.
Am I able to defer an Early Decision admit?
Applicants who are admitted Early Decision are not allowed to defer admission.
When will decisions be released?
The admissions committee will release Early Decision notifications by December 15. Applicants who are admitted Early Decision must pay a $1,000 deposit by December 20 and matriculate in the fall term with no deferral option.
What happens if I am not admitted Early Decision?
If your application has not been selected during the Early Decision process, you will be notified and released from our Early Decision program requirements. Applicants who are forwarded to our regular decision process will be considered by the admissions committee during the same time that we consider regular decision applications.
If you are denied during the Early Decision process, you will not be considered during our regular decision process. All admissions decisions are final.
Can I apply for a dual degree program concurrently with Early Decision?
Applicants who wish to pursue a dual degree are welcome to apply Early Decision.
Can LLM applicants apply Early Decision?
No. The Early Decision program is designed for our applicants applying to our JD program. We encourage LLM applicants who are interested in applying to BC Law to apply early in the cycle.
Can 3+3 applicants apply Early Decision?
Yes. 3+3 applicants are eligible to apply Early Decision.
Can international applicants apply Early Decision?
Yes. BC Law welcomes all JD Program applicants who are interested in applying Early Decision.
Standardized Testing and Early Decision
Do you accept the GRE for Early Decision?
Yes. The admissions committee will accept the GRE if the applicant does not have a valid, existing LSAT score from the past five years. The admissions committee prefers that applicants applying Early Decision take the GRE exam by November 12 (or have an existing, valid score).
If I apply Early Decision, what is the latest date I can take the LSAT?
The admissions committee prefers that applicants applying Early Decision take the November LSAT (or have an existing, valid score).
Financial Aid and Scholarship Awards
How are scholarships awarded under the Early Decision program?
Applicants who apply Early Decision will select one of three award options: Dean's Scholars, BC Scholars, and Eagle Track. Further information about our three options may be found on this page.
Can I apply to more than one award option under the Early Decision program?
No. Applicants must select one award option (Dean's Scholars, BC Scholars, or Eagle Track). Further information regarding these options may be found on the Early Decision webpage.
Financial aid is a priority for me. Should I apply Early Decision?
Applying Early Decision means that you are committing to BC Law should you be accepted, and you will not be able to compare scholarship offers from other institutions. To support an applicant's choice to apply Early Decision, the admissions committee has provided two options that have a scholarship award: Dean’s Scholars and BC Scholars. Further information regarding these options may be found on the Early Decision webpage.
Can I apply to both Early Decision and the Public Service Scholarship (PSS) program?
Yes. Please note that if you are admitted Early Decision and are subsequently selected as a Public Service Scholarship scholar, the PSS scholarship will supersede the Early Decision scholarship award, if any. Further information about the Public Service Scholarship program may be found on our Tuition and Aid page.
How do scholarships work with Early Decision and dual degree programs?
Applicants who wish to pursue a dual degree program are welcome to apply to our Early Decision program. As with all dual degree programs at BC Law, applicants will need to apply independently to both programs, and admissions decisions and procedures will vary depending on the other school. Your Early Decision scholarship award, if any, will not affect the scholarship determination made from the other school. When a student is enrolled at one of Boston College's other graduate schools as a dual degree candidate, their scholarship for the semester(s) is determined by that other graduate school at Boston College.
