MCAS Orientation Advising and Registration
Information for Incoming First-Year and Transfer Students
The Associate Deans for the incoming first-year class (Class of 2028) and transfer students would like to welcome you to the Heights. We look forward to supporting you in the Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences.
If you have any questions about advising and course registration this summer, please email:
Dean's Welcome - Class of 2028
On behalf of Fr. Greg Kalscheur, S.J., Dean, I am delighted to welcome you to Boston College!
Your years at BC will allow you to grow intellectually, spiritually, and socially. Here you will find a college dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge, active engagement in the classroom, and service to others within and beyond our campus. I encourage you to embrace the many possibilities that are ahead of you. This is, after all, precisely what an authentic Catholic and Jesuit university is all about.
We are pleased to dedicate this webpage to the Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences Class of 2028. Here you will find the necessary academic detail to help prepare for orientation and the start of the fall 2024 semester. I encourage you to engage in the enterprise of scholarship right away. In other words, acquaint yourself with all that BC–your university–has to offer. It is important to stay informed by full participation in the orientation activities and be sure to ask questions when you have them. The future belongs to those who prepare for it!
I hope you enjoy the summer recess and take the time to celebrate your accomplishments. We eagerly await your welcome arrival on The Heights.
For Boston!
Joseph B. Desciak, Ph.D.
Associate Dean
Joseph B. Desciak, Ph.D.
Associate Dean
Class of 2028
Dean's Welcome - Transfer Students
On behalf of the Morrissey College administration, faculty and staff, I extend a warm welcome to our transfer students.
We are delighted you have decided to join us here on the Heights. As transfer students, you have already begun the Jesuit process of discernment in your education, which includes attentiveness, reflection and loving action. We are here to support you as you continue this process on our campus.
I encourage you to explore the many resources that are available through this website, as you prepare for your designated Orientation Session on July 21-23. Your faculty advisor and the Academic Advising Center staff will help you continue to make thoughtful decisions around course planning and registration. Whether you have already started on an academic major, or are still exploring your options, we have experts here to help. We look forward to answering your questions, and making you feel at home on this next stage of your journey.
Boston College also offers many opportunities for involvement on campus, and as part of the broader Boston community. Orientation will provide you with some sense of those possibilities as well. Our students use their gifts and talents to serve the needs of the world. We look forward to getting to know you, and what you will bring to our campus and beyond when we meet you in person in a few weeks.
Treseanne K. Ainsworth, Ph.D.
Associate Dean
Treseanne K. Ainsworth, Ph.D.
Associate Dean
Class of 2027 & Transfer Students
Summer Academic Advising
PrintBefore Orientation
Before you arrive for your on-campus Orientation Session, you will need to have completed the following:
- Language Placement Exam: Take your language placement exam (if applicable). Some placement exams can be taken prior to Orientation and others may need to be taken once you arrive on campus in August. Refer to the Language Placement tab in the Frequently Asked Quesions section below for more information about each language offered at Boston College.
- Academic Planning Workbook: Review the Academic Planning Workbook, which will help you prepare for advising and registration. The workbook was sent as an attachment to your BC email address.
Academic Planning Workbook
- EagleApps: Watch tutorial videos on how to use EagleApps to register for courses so that you are well-prepared for course registration during Orientation.
- Focus 2 Assessment (for first-years only): Complete your Focus 2 assessment from the Boston College Career Center before you attend your orientation session. Instructions were sent to your BC email address and can also be found on the Career Center website. The Focus 2 access code is Eagles. Deadline to complete your assessment: July 29, 2024. If you have any questions regarding Focus 2, please email Tara Raposa (raposata@xgcr.net) in the Career Center.
During Orientation
On Monday and Tuesday of your Orientation Session, you will have the opportunity to meet with a faculty advisor to discuss your academic interests and plan for course registration. If you have any questions about degree requirements, AP scores, majors, etc, please bring them to your meeting on Monday.
Monday: Meet with your assigned summer faculty advisor in a small group to review your degree requirements and begin your course selection and planning process.
Tuesday: You will sit with your faculty advisor in Lyons Hall and register for your Fall 2024 courses. You will also have the opportunity to connect with various on-campus resources and departments to discuss proper course/level placement, living and learning communities, etc.
Note: In some cases, the schedule you put together on Tuesday of your Orientation Session will not be your final schedule. You will have until Wednesday, September 4, 2024 to make any changes to your schedule as seats in courses continue to open/close.
For a schedule and a list of what to bring on Monday/Tuesday, head over to the FAQ section and click on Course Registration.
After Orientation
Your course registration window will be open from Tuesday morning to Friday at 3:00pm ET of your Orientation Session. You will not be able to make changes to your Fall 2024 schedule again until August 1, 2024.
Starting on August 1, 2024, you will be able to add and drop courses on your own on EagleApps until the add/drop deadline on Wednesday, September 6th. If you are accessing EagleApps from an off-campus location, remember that you will need to connect to BC VPN.
Seats in previously closed courses often open up during this period so you can add any open, unrestricted course to your schedule. The Academic Advising Center will also host drop-in advising hours starting the first day of classes until the add/drop deadline (Wednesday, September 4, 2024) if you need help making adjustments to your schedule.
Note: Seats in some courses will be reserved for students attending Orientation Session 7 in August.
Add/Drop Period
You will be able to add and drop courses on your own via EagleApps until the end of the add/drop period (Wednesday, September 4, 2024). Seats in previously closed courses often open up during this period so you can add any open, unrestricted course to your schedule.
The Academic Advising Center will also host drop-in advising hours during the add/drop period if you need help making adjustments to your schedule.
Drop-In Advising Hours:
- Monday, August 26, 2024 - Wednesday, September 4, 2024
- 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
- Stokes South 139 (in-person)
Drop-ins are on a first-come, first-served basis and no appointments are necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
For questions about summer courses, acceleration, advanced standing, and other academic policies, please refer to the Academic Policies page.
You may satisfy a Core requirement with a qualifying score on AP, IB, and other exams. For a full list of exams and qualifying scores, visit the Advanced Placement page.
Yes. If you have not done so already, you will need to send your scores to Boston College. If you recently took an exam this past spring, you may need to order a new score report and have it sent to Boston College. For those who are sending AP scores from the College Board, our code is 3083.
The Advanced Placement page provides a full list of exams and the qualifying scores that would fulfill specific Core requirements. Qualifying AP scores may fulfill some major requirements or inform you on proper placement in courses for your major. Please see your individual major department’s website for more information.
If you are certain that you have sent your scores to Boston College, you do not need to worry. It may take some time for the scores to get sent, reviewed, and applied to your degree audit. If you do not see your AP/IB scores reflected on your degree audit by the end of your first year at Boston College, you can follow-up with the Office of Admission.
Advanced placement units can be earned for college courses taken during high school according to the following guidelines per the Office of Admission:
Students enrolled in courses designated as “college courses” that are taken at the high school with a high school teacher may only earn advanced placement units if corresponding College Board AP exams are taken and qualifying scores are earned. A college transcript alone cannot be used to earn advanced placement units for these courses.
College coursework taken on a college campus with a college professor and with other college students either during the academic year or over the summer may be evaluated for advanced placement units. Only courses that are deemed equal in depth and breadth to coursework taught at Boston College and are being used to supplement high school coursework (and not to fulfill high school requirements) will be considered.
Each 3 or 4 credit course with a grade of B or better will earn 3 advanced placement units. Students will still be required to take the full 120 credits necessary for graduation, unless they have the equivalency of 30 credits, in which case they may qualify for Advanced Standing and would be eligible to graduate from Boston College in 3 years. College transcripts as well as the verification form signed by a high school administrator for these courses should be submitted to the Office of Transfer Admission by August 1. Students who enroll at a local college to satisfy high school graduation requirements are not eligible for advanced placement units unless they take the corresponding College Board AP exams and earn qualifying scores.
Here is a snapshot of your academic advising and course registration schedule during your Orientation Session.
| Day of the Week | What To Expect | What to Bring |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Meet with your summer faculty advisor to review degree requirements, academic interests, and the course registration process. Advisors will help you add courses to your registration plan in EagleApps. To Do: View EagleApps video tutorials to prepare for course registration. | Laptop and charger |
| Tuesday | Register for courses using EagleApps during one of three morning rotations (in Lyons Hall). You may visit resource tables during your rotation if you have questions about specific courses, course sequencing, or levels. | Laptop and charger |
Use the buttons below to search for courses that fulfill Core Requirements and/or information about Complex Problems and Enduring Questions courses.
During course registration on Tuesday of your Orientation Session, there will be resource tables available for you to visit if you have any questions about proper course placement, course sequencing, etc.
The following departments and offices will be represented at resource advising:
- Biology Department
- Computer Science Department
- Core (Enduring Questions & Complex Problems courses)
- Cornerstone (Courage to Know, First-Year Topic Seminars, Advising Sections for select Perspectives and First-Year Writing Seminars)
- English Department
- Foreign Languages
- Mathematics Department
- Perspectives Living & Learning Community
- PULSE
- Spanish
- Student Athlete Academic Services (SAAS)
First-year students interested in enrolling in PULSE should submit an Interest Form indicating their interest in enrolling in PULSE.
A QR Code for the form will be provided in the Student Planning Guide that you will receive from your summer faculty advisor on Monday. If you are selected, you will receive an email from the PULSE office confirming your enrollment in the course prior to registration on Tuesday. When registering for courses on Tuesday morning, you should plan the rest of your schedule around your registered PULSE section.
If you have a significant time conflict with your registered PULSE section or have any questions, please see the PULSE resource table in Lyons during course registration. If you have any questions, you can email pulse@xgcr.net.
Pre-Health (pre-med, pre-vet, pre-dental) students should refer to the Academic Preparation section of the Pre-Health website for a full listing of required and recommended courses for medical schools, dental schools, and other health profession graduate programs. For additional questions, please email prehealth@xgcr.net.
Yes. Your registration window opens on Tuesday morning of your Orientation Session and will close at 3:00pm ET on Friday of the same week. After your registration window closes, you will not be able to make any changes to your schedule. Your registration window will reopen on August 1, 2024 and will continue to remain open until the end of the add/drop period on September 4, 2024.
The Advising Fellows in the Academic Advising Center will host drop-in advising hours starting the first day of classes and through the add/drop period if you need any help making adjustments to your schedule.
It is possible; however, it is always wisest to prepare for some courses not to be available. Courses typically taken by first-year students (eg First-Year Writing Seminar, Literature Core, Perspectives, Courage to Know, etc) will have seats allocated between all 7 orientation sessions to ensure fairness for all incoming students. Spaces in other courses have been open and available since Fall 2024 registration began in April. These will remain so throughout the summer until closed. All students are encouraged to research a variety of classes and to be prepared with alternative plans for registration in the event that courses in your primary plan are not available.
While you are able to view course offerings for the Fall 2024 semester at any time, the EagleApps planning module will not open until Monday of your Orientation Session. Beginning on Monday, you will be able to add courses to your registration plan(s) in preparation for course registration on Tuesday. You will learn more about Core and degree requirements and have time to add courses to your plan(s) when you meet with your advisor on Monday morning.
Course offerings can be viewed via the EagleApps Course Information and Schedule link in your Agora Portal (you will need to be connected to BC VPN to access) or you can view the public version of the Course Information and Schedule.
EagleApps Registration and Planning Guide
(Click on EagleApps Resources for Students)
The Cornerstone Seminar Programs at Boston College offer first-year students unique courses for which the instructor in the course is also the academic advisor to the students in that course until they are assigned a major advisor sometime in their sophomore year. Students may register for only one Cornerstone option.
*Cornerstone courses are open to first-year students only.
Complex Problems and Enduring Questions are open only to the incoming first-year Class of 2027. Each course is collaboratively taught by two faculty members from different academic disciplines and designed to engage students in interdisciplinary explorations of topics of critical importance.
*Complex Problems and Enduring Questions courses are open to first-year students only.
If you are a multilingual speaker and you have additional questions about which Writing or Literature Core sections to enroll in, please contact Prof. Lynne Anderson at lynne.anderson@xgcr.net.
All international students who submitted language scores (TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo) to Boston College are required to take the on-line English Writing Assessment in June. (They will receive an email with assessment log-in information in May.) This assessment is designed to place international multilingual students in the Core English sections that will best support their needs.
After completing the assessment, students will receive an email identifying which sections of the two Core English courses (Writing and Literature) they will be required to take. If students are required to take Core English courses with multilingual support, ENGL 1009 (Writing Core offered in Fall) and ENGL 1079 (Literature Core offered in Spring), they will be enrolled in a year-long sequence which will fulfill the two Core English requirements. Please note, these courses require department permission and students will be automatically registered for these sections if their English Writing Assessment determines they need support.
During their summer registration session, these students will see these courses listed on their Fall and Spring course audits. They should schedule their other courses around ENGL 1009 (Fall) and keep in mind they have already been registered for ENGL 1079 (Literature Core) in the Spring. If students are not required to take English courses with multilingual support, they may register on their own for Writing Core and/or Literature Core (without multilingual support) during their summer registration period. Please note: International students who have submitted language scores to BC should NOT register for Core English courses before taking the English Writing Assessment.
For information about the assessment and/or support for multilingual students at BC, please contact Lynne Anderson at lynne.anderson@xgcr.net.
For those students who live in the U.S. and speak a language other than English at home (heritage language), they have the option of taking sections of the two Core English courses (Writing and Literature) designed for multilingual speakers, ENGL 1009 and ENGL 1079. An email will be sent to students who listed a heritage language in their summer orientation registration with information about the courses and an invitation to register. Please note, these courses require department permission to register.
Multilingual heritage speakers who believe they do not face challenges in writing and reading English should register for the regular Core English courses to fulfill their requirements.
For information about these courses and support for multilingual students at BC, please contact Lynne Anderson at lynne.anderson@xgcr.net.
One way you can fulfill the Literature Core requirement is to enroll in ENGL1080 Literature Core. If you plan to take First-Year Writing Seminar (FWS), you can take your Literature Core course before or after FWS. We strongly encourage you to take ENGL1080 during your first year at BC.
The Literature Core course is designed to introduce first-year students to the study of literature at the college level. Each section focuses on a different topic – such as family relations, social outcasts, or world building-- which allows you to find a section that fits your interests. Over the course of the semester, you will read a diverse selection of texts written in different time periods and multiple genres. You will learn how to interpret literary language at a sophisticated level and to appreciate literature as a window onto your own and other cultures. The course is designed to foster a sense of social connection among students as you share your ideas and take intellectual risks within a small community of learners. You will engage with literature through various types of writing, including an analytical essay, personal reflection, and creative projects. This variety allows all students to find away to engage with literature that fits their own interests and aptitudes.
Students can also fulfill the Literature Core requirement through select courses in Classics, Slavic and Eastern European Languages, Romance Languages and Literatures, and German. Woods College ADEN English courses will not be counted for the Literature Core requirement.
Students who need to enroll in a language course to either further their language studies or to fulfill the MCAS language proficiency requirement may need to take a placement exam. Each language/department has their own process and can assist you with proper placement.
Language: Arabic
Department: Eastern, Slavic, and German Studies
Placement Exam: To schedule a placement exam, contact Dr. Atef Ghobrial, ghobrial@xgcr.net
Who should take a placement exam?
- Students who studied Modern Standard Arabic before coming to Boston College
- Students who never studied Arabic, but learned a variant (Syrian, Egyptian, Iraqi etc..) in a family setting (“heritage speaker”)
Who does not need to take a placement exam?
- Students who never studied Modern Standard Arabic
If you are not required to take a placement exam, please register for Elementary Arabic I (3 credits) and its co-requisite Elementary Arabic I Practicum (3 credits).
Due to the Practicum requirement for Arabic, students only need to complete Elementary Arabic I (Lecture + Practium, 6 credits) and Elementary Arabic II (Lecture + Practicum, 6 credits) to fulfill the MCAS language proficiency requirement.
Language: Chinese
Department: Eastern, Slavic, and German Studies
Placement Exam: Online; Contact Prof. Fang Lu, luf@xgcr.net
Who should take a placement exam?
- Students who are from a Chinese heritage family
- Students who have learned Chinese in middle and/or high school
- Students who have stayed in China or Chinese-speaking countries/regions for significant amounts of time
- Students who recently took the AP Chinese Language and Culture Exam should wait until they receive their AP exam results before contacting Prof. Fang Lu about the placement exam
Who does not need to take a placement exam?
- Students who have never studied Chinese
- Students who have never spoken Chinese at home
If you are not required to take the placement exam, please enroll in EALC1121 Elementary Chinese I (Lecture + Practicum, 6 credits).
Due to the Practicum requirement for Chinese, students only need to complete Elementary Chinese I (Lecture + Practium, 6 credits) and Elementary Chinese II (Lecture + Practicum, 6 credits) to fulfill the language proficiency requirement.
Students who scored a 4 or 5 on the AP Chinese Language and Culture exam have fulfilled the MCAS language proficiency requirement. Please contact the Academic Advising Center (aac@xgcr.net) for assistance in applying for an exemption based on your score.
The Chinese Placement Test consists of three parts: A. Listening Comprehension; B. Grammar & Reading Comprehension + Writing; C. Oral Interview.
- The sections of Listening Comprehension and Grammar & Reading Comprehension consist of multiple-choice questions online. Please make sure you have headphones for listening or a quiet place to play audio recordings from your computer.
- In the section of Writing, you will be asked to handwrite a very short composition. Please make sure that you have paper and pencil for writing. You also need a smartphone or other device to photograph and upload your writing sample.
- After finishing parts A and B, you will be contacted to set up a time for your Oral Interview, either on Zoom or in-person. The oral interview will most likely be on your first day of class.
Students who missed the test prior to the beginning of the fall semester and need to take it during the regular semester OR students who seek to satisfy the language requirement by proof of native proficiency, please contact Prof. Fang Lu at luf@xgcr.net.
Language: French
Department: Romance Languages and Literatures
Placement Exam: Online *see instructions below
Contacts:
- Prof. Andréa Javel, javel@xgcr.net, Elementary French I and II (FREN1009 / FREN1010); Intermediate French I and II (FREN1109 / FREN1109)
- Prof. Maribel Valdes, valdesmc@xgcr.net, Administrative Assistant, RLL
Who should take a placement exam?
- Students who have studied French before at the middle school, high school or college level
- Students who scored less than 3 on the AP French Language exam
- Students who have lived in a francophone country for a significant period of time and have studied French formally
- Students who speak French at home
Who does not need to take a placement exam?
- Students with no previous knowledge of French should enroll in FREN1009 Elementary French I
- Students who have never spoken French at home.
French Placement Test Instructions
The French Placement Test is offered online and can be taken at any time from anywhere. It has two parts, a reading test and a listening test. Both must be completed in order to receive a course placement recommendation. Students can sign up for the test by clicking the link below.
French Placement Test Sign-Up Form
Once students are signed up, they will receive an email with information on how to access the reading and the listening placement tests online. It is not necessary to access Canvas, Boston College's Learning Management System, to take the tests. Students will receive their results via the email address they included on the sign-up form. The test can be taken more than once, with department permission.
Students who have taken the AP French Language exam should determine their placement based on the following recommendations.
- If you scored 3 on the AP French Language exam, the department recommends: FREN2209 Conversation, Composition, and Reading 1 (CCR 1)
- If you scored a 4 or 5 on the AP French Language exam, please visit the Foreign Languages resource table during course registration on Tuesday of your Orientation Session this summer OR email Prof. Kevin Newmark (kevin.newmark@xgcr.net).
ACTFL’s (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) online Proficiency Placement test (APPT) is designed to help you determine the most appropriate course level for your ongoing studies in French. A demo test is available online. Students will receive their results at the end of the test.
*For any combinations not listed below, email Prof. Andréa Javel at javel@xgcr.net.
| Rating on Reading Test (RPT) | Rating on Listening Test (LPT) | Recommended Course |
| Novice Low (NL) - Novice Mid (NM) | Novice Low (NL) - Novice Mid (NM) | Elementary French I, FREN1009 |
| Novice Low (NL) - Novice Mid (NM) | Novice High (NH) | Elementary French I, FREN1009 |
| Novice High (NH) | Novice Low (NL) - Novice Mid (NM) | Elementary French I, FREN1009 |
| Novice High (NH) | Novice High (NH) | Elementary French II, FREN1010 (offered only in the spring) |
| Intermediate Low (IL) - Intermediate Mid (IM) | Intermediate Low (NL) - Intermediate Mid (IM) | Intermediate French I, FREN1109 |
| Intermediate Low (IL) - Intermediate Mid (IM) | Intermediate High (IH) | Intermediate French I, FREN1109 |
| Intermediate High (IH) | Intermediate Low (NL) - Intermediate Mid (IM) | Intermediate French I, FREN1109 |
| Intermediate High (IH) | Intermediate High (IH) | Intermediate French II, FREN1110 (offered in the fall and spring) |
| Intermediate High (IH) - Advanced Low (AL) | Intermediate High (IH) Advanced Low (AL) | CCR I, French Conversation, Composition, and Reading FREN2209 |
| Advanced Low (AL) and above | Advanced Low (AL) and above | You may be ready for French courses at the 3000 level, especially if you had more than 4 years of a solid high school program in French and have had some experience studying abroad in France or a Francophone country. |
For further help in determining your placement, see the list of French language advisors below:
- Elementary and Intermediate French: Prof. Andrea Javel, javel@xgcr.net
- French CCR: Prof. Franco Mormando, mormando@xgcr.net
- All French courses above CCR: Prof. Kevin Newmark, kevin.newmark@xgcr.net
If you scored a 4 or 5 on the AP French Language exam, please visit the Foreign Languages resource table during course registration on Tuesday of your Orientation Session this summer OR email Prof. Kevin Newmark (kevin.newmark@xgcr.net).
Language: German
Department: Eastern, Slavic, and German Studies
Contact: Prof. Daniel Bowles, daniel.bowles@xgcr.net
Placement Exam: Take the placement test by enrolling here with your Boston College log-in credentials: http://bostoncollege.instructure.com/enroll/FHNXDG
Who should take a placement exam?
Students who have learned any German prior to enrolling at Boston College (e.g. in elementary, middle, or high school, at a foreign institution, during a stay abroad, or informally with your family) MUST take the German Placement Test.
Who does not need to take a placement exam?
- Students who have never studied German. You should plan to enroll in GERM1001: Elementary German I.
- Students who earned a 4 or 5 on the AP German exam
Language: Ancient Greek
Department: Classical Studies
Placement Exam: Contact Prof. Christopher Polt, polt@xgcr.net
For students wishing to begin language study, the department provides elementary and intermediate courses in Ancient Greek. These courses aim at preparing a student for more advanced study of ancient literature in the original languages.
Language: Modern Greek
Department: Eastern, Slavic, and German Studies
Placement Exam: Contact Prof. Franck Salameh, franck.salameh@xgcr.net
For students wishing to begin language study, the department provides elementary and intermediate courses in Modern Greek. These courses may be counted towards satisfying the University's undergraduate language requirement.
Language: Hebrew
Department: Eastern, Slavic, and German Studies
For questions about Hebrew and other Near and Middle Eastern languages, please contact Prof. Franck Salameh, salameh@xgcr.net.
Language: Modern Irish
Program: Irish Studies Program
Placement Exam: Contact Prof. Joseph Nugent, nugentjf@xgcr.net
Course placement recommendations from the Irish Program:
- If you have never studied Irish or if you have studied it formally or informally for one year or less, take ENGL1093, Introductory Modern Irish 1 (Fall semester).
- If you have studied Irish for two to three years in high school, or in Ireland, take ENGL2097, Intermediate Irish I (Fall semester).
- If you have any doubts, consult Professor Nugent who will arrange a placement exam if it seems necessary.
- Completing the two-semester Elementary and two-semester Intermediate Irish courses will enable you to fulfill the MCAS modern language requirement.
Language: Italian
Department: Romance Languages and Literatures
Placement Exam: Contact Prof. Carmen Merolla, carmen.merolla@xgcr.net
Course placement recommendations from the department:
- If you have never studied Italian or if you have studied it in high school for one year, take ITAL 1003, Elementary Italian I
- If you have studied Italian for two to three years in high school, take ITAL 1004, Elementary Italian II (spring semester).
- If you have studied Italian for three to four years in high school or for two semesters at the college level, take ITAL 1113, Intermediate Italian I.
- If you scored a three on the AP Italian Language exam or have studied Italian in high school for four years or for three semesters at the college level, take ITAL1114, Intermediate Italian II (spring semester).
- If you scored a four or five on the AP Italian Language exam, or studied moe than four years in high school or four semesters at the college level, take ITAL2213, Italian Conversation, Composition and Reading I.
Language: Japanese
Department: Eastern, Slavic, and German Studies
Placement Exam: Online Test (see link below) and Interview
Contact: Prof. Ritsuko Sullivan, sulliadq@xgcr.net
Who should take a placement exam?
- Students who are from a Japanese heritage family
- Students who have learned Japanese in middle and/or high school
- Students who have stayed in Japan for significant amounts of time
- Students who took the AP Japanese Language exam (regardless of score) and wish to continue their language studies
Who does not need to take a placement exam?
- Students who never studied Japanese
- Students who have never spoken Japanese at home
If you are not required to take a placement exam, you can enroll in EALC1221 Elementary Japanese I.
Students who scored a 4 or 5 on the AP Japanese Language and Culture exam have fulfilled the MCAS language requirement. Please contact the Academic Advising Center at aac@xgcr.net for assistance in applying for an exemption based on your score.
To find out about your appropriate placement in the Japanese language curriculum at BC, follow the Three-step process described below:
Step 1. Preliminary Self Sorting
The preliminary self-sorting can be helpful as a first step towards working out the entire Fall schedule for yourself.
The Japanese Language Placement Test at BC consists of a standardized test (Grammar, Reading and Writing) followed by an interview (Listening and Speaking). You will be able to change to a different course later after your placement has been finalized and during the add-and-drop period.
Step 2. Online Test
The Grammar and Reading section will be given in a standard multiple-choice format. You do not need to do any special preparatory study for the test. Depending on the level you are aiming at placing yourself into, the test can last anytime from half an hour to two hours. To take the test, please click on this link: http://bostoncollege.instructure.com/enroll/HD7P64
Step 3. Interview during the First Week or Before
Your online test score will preliminarily place you into a likely level of Japanese course. Attend the first class of the recommended course on Monday, August 26th, where the instructor will finalize your placement based on both the test score and an interview that week.
Language: Korean
Department: Eastern, Slavic, and German Studies
Placement Exam: Online Test and Interview; Contact Prof. Jaehee Ju, jujf@xgcr.net
To find your appropriate placement in the Korean language curriculum at BC, follow this three-step process:
Step 1. Preliminary Self-Evaluation
- If you have never studied Korean or if you studied the language in high school for one to two years, take EALC1311 Elementary Korean I.
- If you studied Korean for 2-3 years in high school or one year at the college level, take EALC2311 Intermediate Korean I.
- If you studied Korean for 3-4 years in high school or 2 years at the college level, take EALC4311 Advanced Korean I.
- If you have received significant exposure to Korean language and culture, and thus have some listening and speaking skills, but haven’t had sufficient opportunity to develop knowledge of basic reading, writing, and grammar in Korean, take EALC1341 Accelerated Elementary Korean.
NB: Please note that you may be required to take the placement test during the add-and-drop period and be redirected to another course.
Step 2. Placement Testing for Fall 2024
Students have the option to take the online placement test beginning the week of August 19. For the most part, the test has a standard multiple-choice format. You do not need to do any preparatory studying for the test. Depending on the level you’re aiming at placing into, the test can last anywhere from a half-hour to two hours.
Students who have NOT taken a Korean course at Boston College, the AP Language Exam, or the SAT Subject Test in Korean, but believe they have proficiency above the intermediate level, should take an in-person proficiency test. The dates for this exam in the fall are as follows: October 2 (W) and November 15 (F). The exam time for each day will be determined after students contact Professor Rhee.
Step 3. Interview before or during the First Week
All students who have taken the placement test will have a brief interview with an instructor via Zoom at a time mutually arranged on before the first week, after which the instructor will guide them to their final placement, based on the test score and Zoom interview. Alternatively, students can attend the first class on Monday, August 26, where the instructor will guide final placement, based on an interview and, if necessary, a placement test.
Language: Latin
Department: Classical Studies
Placement Exam: Online Test
The Latin placement exam can be taken online: http://bostoncollege.instructure.com/enroll/ETNN3D
To take the exam, students need to enroll in the "course," visit the Placement Exam site in Canvas, and then follow the simple directions posted there. The exam has 2 parts: a multiple choice grammar section and a short translation section. It should take about an hour.
Once students have completed the exam, they must notify either Prof. Polt (polt@xgcr.net) by email.
Language: Portuguese
Department: Romance Languages and Literatures
Placement Exam: There is no placement exam for Portuguese
Currently, the RLL department only offers RLRL1023 Elementary Portuguese (I in the Fall, II in the Spring).
Elementary Portuguese is not sufficient for satisfying the language proficiency requirement for graduation. Students should contact the department at rll@xgcr.net for more information.
In order to complete the language requirement, students will need to cross-register at Boston University to enroll in Intermediate I and Intermediate II.
Language: Russian
Department: Eastern, Slavic, and German Studies
Placement Exam: Written Test and Oral Interview. To schedule a placement test, contact Prof. Tony Lin, tony.h.lin@xgcr.net
The Russian placement test (which lasts approximately 1 hour) consists of 1) a written test focusing on grammar and 2) an oral interview.
Who should take a placement exam?
- Students who have studied Russian in secondary school
- Students who speak Russian at home
- Students who are seeking to fulfill the MCAS language requirement with Russian
Who does not need to take a placement exam?
- Students who have never studied Russian
- Students who have never spoken Russian at home
If you are not required to take a placement exam, you may enroll in SLAV1121 Elementary Russian I and an accompanying practicum section.
For other Slavic languages (Polish, Bulgarian, Ukrainian), please contact Prof. Tony Lin at tony.h.lin@xgcr.net
Language: Spanish
Department: Romance Languages and Literatures
Placement Exam: Online *see instructions below
Contacts:
- Prof. Silvana Falconi, falconis@xgcr.net, Elementary Spanish I and II (SPAN1015 / SPAN1016); Intermediate Spanish I and II (SPAN1115 / SPAN1116)
- Prof. Yohana Gil Berrio, gilberyo@xgcr.net, Spanish CCR1 (SPAN2215); Spanish CCR2 (SPAN2216)
Who should take a placement exam?
- Students who are from a Hispanic heritage family
- Students who have learned Spanish in middle and/or high school or at a foreign institution
- Students who have stayed in a Hispanic country for a significant period of time
Who does not need to take a placement exam?
- Students with no previous knowledge of Spanish should enroll in SPAN1015 Elementary Spanish I
- Students who have never spoken Spanish at home
Spanish Placement Test Instructions
The Spanish Placement Test is offered online and can be taken at any time from anywhere. Students can sign up for the test in one of two ways:
- If you indicated on your Orientation Registration Form that you are interested in taking the placement test for Spanish, you will automatically be sent instructions on how to take the placement test OR
- If you did not indicate your interest in taking the Spanish placement test on your Orientation Registration Form, but would like to take it, you can sign up to receive test instructions
Spanish Placement Test Sign-Up Form
Once students are signed up, they will receive an email with information on how to access the 50-minute placement test in Canvas. The test can be taken only once. Students must have their picture ID and Boston College Agora username and password with them before starting the test. Students will receive their score immediately upon completing the test.
Students who have taken the AP Spanish Language and Culture Exam should determine their placement based on the following recommendations:
- Students who scored a 3 or above on the Spanish Language and Culture AP Exam, or 6/7 on the IB Language Exam (higher level), have fulfilled the language requirement; however, they are encouraged to continue in the Spanish program at the appropriate higher level.
- Students who have taken the AP Exam and have not yet received their score should take the Spanish Placement Test and register for the course recommended when they complete the test. When students receive the AP score, they should do the necessary placement adjustment according to the information provided in the table below.
Guidelines for Spanish Placement
| IB Language Exam in Spanish | AP Exam Scores in Spanish | Language Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| 6/7 higher level | 3 or above | Language requirement fulfilled. Go to chart below |
| IB Language Exam in Spanish | AP Exam Scores in Spanish | Course / Test to be taken / Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Never studied Spanish | Never studied Spanish | Take SPAN1015 Elementary Spanish I |
| Did not take | Did not take | Take the Spanish Placement Test |
| 3 | Take the Placement Test if you wish to continue further studies in Spanish | |
| 6/7 higher level | 4 | SPAN2215 Conversation, Composition and Reading I |
| 5 | SPAN2216 Conversation, Composition and Reading II | |
| Native or heritage speaker | Native or heritage speaker | Consult the Department (rll@xgcr.net) |
If students have taken Elementary or Intermediate Spanish at a 4-year institution of higher education, they should sign up for the next course in sequence without taking the Spanish Placement Test, but must provide proof of past academic performance in the Spanish courses. However, if students did not take Spanish at a 4-year institution of higher education, but did take Spanish in high school, they should take the placement test. Transfer students coming from 2-year institutions should take the placement test.
If special testing accommodations are necessary, DO NOT take the Spanish Placement Test online until you receive the accommodations approval letter. Make sure to submit your request for accommodations as early as possible by registering with either the Disability Services Office or the Connors Family Learning Center, so that they will be able to issue you a letter of accommodation. Students must receive the accommodations approval letter before taking the test. Students will need to contact the test administrator, Prof. Silvana Falconi (falconis@xgcr.net) and attach the letter in order to be able to take the test with special accommodations (e.g. extra time).
Since Boston College does not offer this language through the Intermediate II level, we have partnered with local universities to allow our students to take courses in ASL/Yiddish/Portuguese. Students must commit to taking all four semesters. Please contact the mcasorientation@xgcr.net if you would like to register for one of these options.
All students in the Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences must demonstrate intermediate-level proficiency in a modern or classical language in order to graduate. You can demonstrate proficiency in any of the following three ways:
- AP/IB Test Scores: You can demonstrate proficiency by receiving a qualifying score on an accepted exam, including Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate.
- Completion of Coursework: You must complete the second semester of an intermediate-level modern or classical language course or complete one modern or classical language course beyond the intermediate level. You cannot take foreign language courses on a pass/fail basis until you have completed the University’s language proficiency requirement. Language courses count as MCAS electives. The University currently offers the following courses fulfilling the language proficiency requirement: American Sign Language (ASL)*, Arabic, Bulgarian, Chinese (Mandarin), French, German, Greek (Ancient and Modern), Hebrew, Irish, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latin, Persian (Farsi), Portuguese*, Russian, Spanish, and Yiddish*.
*ASL, Portuguese, and Yiddish are offered at nearby universities through the Boston Consortium Cross-Registration Language Program. Please see your Academic Dean for more information.
- Native proficiency: Students seeking to satisfy the language requirement by documentation of native proficiency should do so no later than fall semester of sophomore year. Postponement can result in a delayed graduation. Documentation of native proficiency ordinarily assumes evidence of post-elementary school education in the native language.
| For Heritage/Native Speakers | Who to Contact | Contact Info |
|---|---|---|
| If you attended school where courses were primarily instructed in non-English language | Contact MCAS Associate Deans' Office | casdean@xgcr.net |
| If your language is offered at BC | Refer to appropriate language department for evaluation | List of Department Contacts |
| If your language is NOT offered at BC | Contact MCAS Associate Deans' Office to inquire about taking an outside comprehensive exam/evaluation | casdean@xgcr.net |
The Morrissey College values the linguistic diversity that our students bring to campus. Knowledge of multiple languages is a valuable asset, both inside and outside the classroom. However, it is not always possible to fulfill the MCAS academic language proficiency requirement as a heritage speaker. Students must test successfully in all language skills (reading, speaking, writing, listening comprehension, and grammar). If after an assessment, students do not demonstrate academic proficiency at the intermediate level, or if an assessment is not available for a particular language, then, in order to fulfill the language requirement, students may need to take the appropriate, or an alternative, language course(s) for a letter grade. For more information regarding fulfillment of the language requirement as a heritage speaker, please refer to the relevant department listed in the previous section. If a related department is not listed, please contact mcasorientation@xgcr.net to discuss your options. Please note that academic assessments are not available for all languages. Students should contact the Academic Advising Center and/or their Associate Dean during their first year of study to determine whether or not fulfillment of this requirement would be possible with a heritage language.
Students who attended a school where all courses were primarily instructed in a non-English language until they were at least 14 years old may satisfy the language proficiency requirement. Please contact your Associate Dean during the first year of study for more information. The Associate Deans may determine additional steps are necessary to fulfill the MCAS requirement, and it is important to allow adequate time for completion.