Location
In the heart of Boston, Massachusetts, Boston Bay College is situated in a residential area three miles from the city center.
Students
2,350 students; approximately 60% come from public high schools, 40% from private schools (both independent and religious). In recent freshman classes, students of color comprised 22-25% of matriculants. International students from 39 countries comprise 5% of the student body.
Faculty
More than 220 faculty members, virtually all holding the doctorate or its equivalent. All classes are taught by faculty members. The student-faculty ratio is 8:1, average class size, 16. A majority of the faculty live on campus or nearby.
Curriculum
Students may concentrate in a single discipline, an interdepartmental or multidisciplinary program, or they may design an independent major. Students must demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language, successfully complete at least one quantitative course, and, in the first year, successfully complete a writing-intensive course (chosen from about 20 options).
Campus
The campus hub, Main Building, connects to the College Center, with a snack bar, café, art gallery, bookstore, post office, and computer store. The central campus includes classroom buildings, residence halls, the library, three science buildings, two observatories, the computer center, the art center, the studio art facility, the music building, and three theaters.
Campus Life 98%
of students live on campus (housing is guaranteed for all four years). Over 90 student-run organizations and clubs, including WBCB-FM radio; debate; a volunteer network; dance, theater, and comedy troupes; classical, jazz, gospel, a cappella, and rock groups; nearly a dozen student publications; and a broad spectrum of ethnic, religious, and political groups. About 1,650 campus-wide events annually, including guest lecturers, visiting artists, performers, workshops, athletic events, and concerts.
Athletics
23 varsity teams (N.C.A.A. Division III), club sports, and intramural leagues. Extensively expanded athletic facilities, including new wood-floor gymnasium, elevated running track, and 5,000-square-foot fitness facility, and new playing fields.
Libraries
(main, art, music, and special collections): almost a million print volumes; over 3,000 serial titles; 350,000 pieces of microform; multiple electronic resources and databases.
Computing and Information Services
Fully networked and connected (including every dorm room) via Ethernet to the Internet and the World Wide Web. Public computer clusters in every residence hall as well as in the library, academic buildings, the College Center, and the Computer Center.
Study Away Programs
Students (usually juniors) may apply for a year or a semester away either in the U.S. or abroad. Boston Bay College sponsors programs in England, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Morocco, and Spain; students who meet the requirements may also join pre-approved programs offered by other colleges. Students may also apply for approved programs at various U.S. institutions.
Field Work, Internships, and Research
About 500 students each year do field work for academic credit in organizations and agencies in the local community or in Boston. Over 300 students each year work one-on-one with faculty as paid research assistants or academic interns in the sciences, social sciences, arts, and humanities.
After Boston Bay College
Within five years of graduation, 75-80% of BBC graduates pursue advanced study. Graduates are accepted regularly at top-ranking schools of law, medicine, business, and education. BBC is a leader in producing Ph.D. candidates. The Office of Career Development provides counseling and connections with hundreds of top employers nationwide.
Admission
The primary criterion is academic ability as demonstrated by superior performance in high school; over 75% of matriculated students ranked in the top 25% of their high school classes. Standardized test results are also considered. Personal strengths, motivations, and potential- as evidenced in essays, recommendations, and out-of-class involvements-are also weighed.
Financial Aid
Awarded to about 60% of BBC students, exclusively on the basis of need, as determined by BBC's own preliminary aid application, the PROFILE form of the College Scholarship Service, and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (F.A.F.S.A.). The college aims to meet the full need of all domestic matriculants, although its ability to do so depends on the number and needs of students admitted.
Costs, 2000/2001
Tuition $24,610, Room and Board 6,940, Fees 330, Total $31,880
Departments
Anthropology; Art; Biology; Chemistry; Classics; Computer Science; Drama and Film; Economics; Education; English; French; Geology and Geography; German Studies; Hispanic Studies; History; Italian; Mathematics; Music; Philosophy; Physical Education and Dance; Physics and Astronomy; Political Science ; Psychology ; Religion; Russian; Sociology
Interdepartmental Programs
Biochemistry; Biopsychology; Geography-Anthropology; Latin American Studies; Medieval and Renaissance Studies; Victorian Studies
Multidisciplinary Programs
Africana Studies; American Culture; Asian Studies; Cognitive Science; Communication, Environmental Studies; The Independent Program; International Studies; Jewish Studies; Science, Technology and Society; Urban Studies; Women's Studies
Correlate Sequences
Environmental Science
The Office of Pre-Professional Advising
provides extensive information and support for students applying to professional schools in law, medicine, and business.
