<p>Feel free to ask me anything about life at BC – except what your chances are!!</p>
<p>Do different races mingle? Is there any hostility?</p>
<p>How is the business school, computer science, and English department?</p>
<p>How large is the minority population?</p>
<p>I haven't visited, and probably won't unless I'm admitted, so is urban, or is it right in boston?</p>
<p>We've all heard the good things, but what are things you don't like about it</p>
<p>Thanks, and I'm sure to have more</p>
<p>hey you said in my other thread that you transfered in...i was looking over the application and it seems very detailed...(midterm reports from curren teachers, teacher recomendations, transfer essay and common application essay, reports from deans of other schools)..did you find it overwhelming?</p>
<p>Also, at my first school i got suspension of visiting privelages in the dorms when an RA wrote me up for coming back to school drunk after a night out in NYC during my orientation week b efore classes (I went to FIT and it was a completely dry campus, yet somehow coming back drunk and getting caught with alcohol in your room had the same exact consequences), should i put this in the part where they ask if i've been disciplined? Is my old school likely to put this on the form and even if they don't will BC (being a Jesuit university) think highly of me for admitting to my record or is it more likely to count against me? </p>
<p>Sorry for all of the questions but it's been hell trying to figure out where i want to transfer, between many colleges only taking fall transfers into their business schools and having to go to county school for a semester instead of going back to fashion school hell i'm all sorts of flabergasted.</p>
<p>How is BC for math/science?</p>
<p>celebrian, I would say race relations are the most divisive issue on campus. Races def mingle on an individual level, but there is a lot of hostility--not so much between students but with the administration. Part of it is just representation. The student body is almost 1/3 minority, while the administration is almost all white males. Another part is institutional. Minority students at BC are called AHANA (a term invented at BC in the 1970's to refer to African-American, Hispanic, Asian and Native-American). BC has made a big push to increase the number of AHANA students since the 1970s. In addition to just recruiting them in large numbers, part of that effort has been to provide special services to AHANA students (mentoring programs, tutoring, career counseling, job placement, etc) once they enroll. The side effect of this has been a kind of self-segregation. Also, greater student diversity hasn't necessarily corresponded with more diversity in the faculty/admin, so this is often a point of tension. There have been protest movements in effect since I've been here about getting the Black Studies, Asian Studies, Latin American Studies, etc. programs elevated to department status. And I can't say it looks like things are improving. In the past few years, the deans of the law school, business school, ed school, and social work school--all who were minority/women/both--have been replaced with white males. On the other hand, the new provost who was just announced a few weeks ago is latino. So we'll see. </p>
<p>I don't know much about the business and computer science programs, but the English program is top-notch. Small classes, very personalized and incredible faculty, with many of them well published and publicized. Are you more interested in lit or writing? Either way, its a pretty big department so there is a wide selection of classes and concentrations.</p>
<p>The minority population is about 30%. I think this year's freshman class was a bit higher.</p>
<p>Boston College is not actually in Boston. Its in an area called Chestnut Hill, about five miles west of Boston. So its not urban at all. But its not really suburban either. I would say it has an almost rural feel, especially down by St. John's and around the reservoir, but it has an urban area (Cleveland Circle) to the east and a suburban area (Newton) to the west. I think many people who come here think that it is the ideal combination of a beautiful campus but also near a great city. I went to Cornell for my first year, and as much as I absolutely loved the natural beauty of the campus, part of my reason for leaving was the sense of isolation there. One of the things I love most about BC is the fact that you can take a walk through parts of the campus and totally forget you are anywhere near a city, and then hop on the T and be in the middle of the bustle of Copley Square a half hour later.</p>
<p>Aside from race relations (def my biggest gripe), here are a few other things that come to mind:
The B-line: its SO slow. If I hadn't ended up living on College Road my first year, I probably wouldn't have discovered the D-line.
Dining: the food is usually good but way over-priced.
Mixed up priorities: In general I often question BC's financial priorities. The dining halls are just one example: they frequently bring in guest chefs from fancy Boston restaurants or have theme nights, etc. Is this really money well spent? Another example: there is an endowment especially for the all the flowers on campus. I'm sure the alumna/us would donated this was a very philanthropic person, but how many scholarships could this endowment fund??</p>
<p>Pixie, I can't say I found it any more overwhelming than freshman applications. But I was on good terms with my teachers and kept in touch with teachers from hs so asking for recs was pretty easy. In my case I was only applying to BC and my reasons were very clear so even writing my transfer essay was easier than my freshman essay. I also have to say that it was all a little less stressful the second time around since I knew I had options and wasn't even sure I'd come to BC if accepted. So I guess I was more laid back about it.</p>
<p>OK, this is just my opinion but if they ask if you've been disciplined, I think you should answer truthfully. That said, I wouldn't just answer yes and leave it at that which would alarm the adcom unnecessarily. I'd put it in context, maybe even write about it in your essay? Maybe not. But at least explain it. You can always add a short blurb, even if it doesn't confirm to a specific part of the application if you dont want it to be the focus of a whole essay. I wouldn't worry about if the school will report it or not (I have no idea), since thats out of your control. Jesuit or not, I think any school will respect you for owning up to your record. Try giving it a positive spin. I think it could only really count against you if you keep quite and then BC or whoever else finds out about it some other way. Again, just my opinion here. I would ask around on this one. </p>
<p>apmcavoy, Sorry but I don't know much firsthand here. I know pre-med is very strong, but thats not your question. I see posters for Nobel prize winners speaking at the Physics department often and chemistry is supposed to be strong. Geology is often in the news since they track earthquakes, beyond that not much else I can add sorry.</p>
<p>Okay, I have some more questions.
1. How do you feel about the housing you've had? I won't be able to visit the school for a while, and the website is horrible for housing, so I was wondering if they were horrendous, average, quite good</p>
<p>2.If I start out in Arts&Sciences but decide as soon as I get there or like a semester later is it possible to transfer to another school? </p>
<p>3.During the drop/add period is that through an online program?</p>
<p>4.You mentioned how the administration was doing great with AHANA, but do the students tend to get along? Sorry for the minority questions, but it pertains to me</p>
<p>I guess that's all for now</p>
<p>Oh! And as of right now I'm more interested in the literature side of English, but I wouldn't say I'm not interested in creative writing. I'm probably closer to liking them equally and hoping to sort out which I prefer sometime</p>
<p>BC was my first choice for a while but I've had some concerns about it lately. So a few questions:
-How big is religion on campus? Do Catholics and non-Catholics get along? Do non-Catholics feel out of place? Are religion classes required?
-I've also kind of been thinking that BC is too much of a preppy, rich-kid school for me. Any comments on the student body and whether it really is like this?</p>
<p>celebrian, </p>
<ol>
<li><p>Did you see the ueber-cheezy Freshman First Peek videos on the Res Life website? The first one (Newton vs. Upper) has some accurate pictures of what freshman rooms and bathrooms look like. I'd say freshman housing is pretty standard/average and upperclass housing is very good. I actually got a chance to experience both this past year. Initially I was placed in suite in Vanderslice on lower campus. The room itself was very nice with a lot of space, a common room with a big bay window, air conditioning, private bathrooms and a small kitchenette. But socially it was not that great. The other girls already knew each other and spoke Korean amongst themselves. They weren't unfriendly or anything, but I just found it hard to fit in. Because the rooms are so nice people generally hang out in their own common rooms and don't use the communal lounges/game rooms so its very hard to meet people. The doors also close automatically so hallways are totally empty. This is very different from freshman dorms. I requested a change of dorm and was placed in Williams on College Road. Although the dorm itself was not even half as nice as Vanderslice I was much happier, since I got to meet other students, and even some other transfers. College/Upper campus is also a 5-10 minute walk to the Chestnut Hill stop on the D-line which gets you into Boston in about 20 minutes (vs. the B-line which takes an eternity). I think all the freshman dorms have been renovated in the past few years, but the rooms are still small and there is no a/c. </p></li>
<li><p>Short answer, yes. You have to spend at least one term in the school to which you were admitted but after that you can make an internal transfer and unless your grades are terrible, it shouldn't be a problem. What you'll want to do is take core classes that will transfer to the new school so that you don't loose any credits and risk having to spend more time to complete your degree. Most people only declare a major during their sophomore year anyway, so you have time to explore your options. I think by the end of your sophomore year you have to have decided on a school/major. </p></li>
<li><p>Not sure what you mean here. Drop/add period is about a week at the beginning of each term where you can basically sit in on any course you want before deciding to register, i.e. you don't have to register for the class to sit in on it. It's like shopping for classes. This is important: I have found that at BC if you really want to get into a class, talk with the professor during drop/add and you WILL get in. Even if the class is over enrolled. Even if there are not enough chairs in the room. He/she will make it happen somehow (change rooms, encourage others to take another class/section). This has happened to me twice. At my previous school, they would just say to try again next term.</p></li>
<li><p>I did NOT say the administration is doing great with AHANA students. What I tried to say was that their efforts have had both positive effects (more diversity) and negative consequences (self-segregation). Ultimately it all comes down to the individual. My experience with my first roommates is an example: its not that I was racist or they were racist, its just that we didn't really have all that much in common, including the language we felt most comfortable speaking in. For the record, I have since made other Korean friends here so I don't think that is even an issue. I think if you get involved in certain clubs/activities, you are bound to meet different kinds of people and get along with them. Many clubs/activities attract students of different backgrounds. UGBC (the undergraduate govt) is a great example. Other clubs (like most of the ethnic clubs), tend to attract only similar kinds of students. So it really depends on you. Like I said before, I think the main racial tensions on campus are NOT among students, but between students and the administration. Among students, I would say politics are more divisive than race. And hey no reason to apologize! </p></li>
</ol>
<p>English: I had an AWESOME creative writing course this past year. Loved the prof, and it was a great group of students. We had dinner at her house a couple times and even went to the movies with her once. Probably my best class so far. </p>
<p>shiningstar,</p>
<p>I just posted my thoughts on religion on another thread ("Religion at BC"). There are a few different perspectives there, so I'd recommend reading that. There is absolutely NO division between Catholics and non-Catholics. Honestly I don't even know what religion most people on my floor/in my classes are. Its a total non-issue. Also there are MANY non-Catholics at BC, so I don't think anyone feels out of place. The only time I can think of when a non-Catholic might feel out of place is at the Mass of the Holy Spirit at the beginning of the school year, but this is not mandatory (no religious activity is) and they go out of their way to use inclusive language (but it is still a Catholic Mass). There are NO required courses in religion. Theology is a core requirement, and it can be filled by taking many non-religion specific courses (comparative theology, question of God) or combining it with philosophy (PULSE, Perspectives). Critical thinking is the point of these classes, not any specific religious agenda. </p>
<p>As for the student body: yes there is def a preppy segment of the student body. I have heard BC called J.CrewU. and apparently that company shot one of its catalogs on campus recently. But its also hard to generalize with 8,000 students. There are many non-preppy types and many people who don't really fit into any type. As for being a rich-kid school, sure there are kids from rich families but there are also many kids from inner city schools, or middle income families like myself. Over 60% are on financial aid. So I don't think rich-kid school is accurate.</p>
<p>Hi.
I am considering applying to BC. However, I visited Providence College, which is also a college affiliated with a religion, and thought that it was WAYY too religious for me. There were friars walking around fully dressed, and whereas some people enjoy that kind of setting, that was a huge turn off for me.
So i guess my questions are is BC THAT religious? And also are there parties at all???</p>
<p>Yeah what is the deal with the parties? Since you don't have frats are there any big parties or is it mainly smaller gatherings?</p>
<p>ladymarmalad, I don't know anything about Providence College so I can't compare. I have never seen any friars walking around fully dressed at BC. Besides the president, most of the Jesuits wear normal street clothes. I have seen some Greek/Eastern Orthodox priests dressed all in black, but I think they are grad students. I have also seen Muslim women wearing headscarves and Sikhs wearing turbans (sorry if this is the wrong term). But in general these have been exceptions not the rule. Some one in another thread described the religious atmosphere at BC as "take it or leave it" and I'd say that is accurate. Its def not forced on you but its there if you want it. Read the "Religion at BC" thread for more.</p>
<p>bacchanalian, Yes there are DEF parties on campus. Not so much on the freshman campuses tho. I've heard Newton is a bit more laid back about rules, but even there you will not find any big parties, more like smaller gatherings. Big parties are all on lower campus. The biggest are obviously in the mods and sometimes these can get very big especially if a few mods in the same quad are all hosting and it ends up taking up the entire quad. Its not hard for freshman (girls or guys) to get into parties, just don't arrive in a big pack (especially guys). I think not having frats makes social life far less elitist, but that the parties themselves are just as good.</p>
<p>I was wondering what a freshman quad is like. Is it just one big room to accomodate four people or is it like, 2 seperate but joined areas??</p>
<p>Do you know what hall you're in? If so you can find the floorplan on the res life website. Either way, freshman quads are usually just one big room. I think there are more quads on Newton than Upper. The only freshman quads I have actaully seen were in Shaw on Upper. They are both HUGE. One is called the "Ballroom" (all the rooms in Shaw are named) and was so big they put a pool table in the center and a couch facing the fireplace and STILL had enough room for four bed, desks, dressers, etc. The other one (the "Boatroom") is even bigger but longer and skinnier (its actaully shaped like a boat) and only had small portholes for windows. Either way you're lucky if you got one of these rooms.</p>
<p>Yea I'm in Keyes North in the basement.</p>
<p>Hey same here; I also got one of the quads in the Keyes North basement. I checked the floor plan and it looks like it is one of those huge rooms.</p>
<p>This is kind of random and unimportant... but is OLN one of the channels BC gets?</p>
<p>Did you spend your freshman year at Newton or at Chestnut Hill? Can you describe your experience?</p>
<p>DC, I had to look up what OLN is since I've never heard of it, so no it's not part of the BC cable line-up. Check this out: <a href="http://www.bc.edu/offices/ats/mts/cable/channellineup/%5B/url%5D">http://www.bc.edu/offices/ats/mts/cable/channellineup/</a></p>
<p>kwyjbo, I spent my freshman year in Ithaca, New York :)</p>
<p>I transfered in last year and initially lived on lower campus, but then moved to upper. See my previous post (#9) if you want to know more about my own experience. I can't fairly compare newton and upper since I've only been to newton campus like twice. Did you have any specific questions?</p>