Current BC Freshman Answering Any and All Questions

<p>I have a question about AP credits. From what I have read online if you have high enough scores in at least 8 AP exams that there are classes for you get to graduate in 3 instead of 4 years. If you do not have enough but you have a high enough score on an exam you get “advanced placement.” The site also says that advanced placement fulfills the core requirement. Because it fulfills the requirement do I get to take an elective instead or am I essentially punished by having to take a harder “advanced” class in the same subject?</p>

<p>You can take electives (always confirm with your advisor). Some also use it as an opportunity to double major.</p>

<p>Sorry, really delayed, but thank you both for your responses!</p>

<p>@Vlklngboy11</p>

<p>Meeting the requirements for a core class with a high enough AP score will get you out of said core class. You can fill this in with electives, major classes, minor classes, etc. It will show up as completed on your degree audit.</p>

<p>Question: This is kind of a follow-up to eagle69’s question. I am an atheist and while from what I’ve read BC students seem to be accepting of people from other religions. On the other hand, I know it is quite another thing for a good catholic girl to bring an atheist home to their parents. Would being an atheist be problematic for me when trying to date? From your experience do people at BC date outside of there religion at all or would I have to find other atheists?</p>

<p>Response: This is an interesting question because while I’m not a fan of organized religion myself but haven’t made the jump to atheism, but hopefully I can help you out here. BC is something like 70% Catholic, so unfortunately you will find people that won’t want to have as much to do with you should they happen to hear if your stance on religion. However, most kids are definitely more openminded about these kinds of things. Whether this translates into tolerance in respect to relationship really just depends from person to person. Most kids are definitely irreligious, or at the very least act in that way and think that they’re not, but I’ve never seen someone go to Sunday mass yet or voice any kind of religious views, so I think it’s possible for you to find someone that’s compatible with your views.</p>

<p>Question: I have a question about AP credits. From what I have read online if you have high enough scores in at least 8 AP exams that there are classes for you get to graduate in 3 instead of 4 years. If you do not have enough but you have a high enough score on an exam you get “advanced placement.” The site also says that advanced placement fulfills the core requirement. Because it fulfills the requirement do I get to take an elective instead or am I essentially punished by having to take a harder “advanced” class in the same subject?</p>

<p>Response: AP credits will give you a bit of freedom in your schedule by giving you the option of getting out of intro classes. It depends what class exactly though. Spanish for example I’m pretty sure if you get a 5 or 700+ on the SATII you get like two electives waived from the major/minor requirement, and are encouraged to take a class as high up as the 300 level. I would be very careful in applying AP credit to college. AP classes are NOT college classes, no matter what CollegeBoard says. The requirements your neighborhood friendly high school math teacher has will definitely not be what your Calc II math teacher will have. I know many kids who took AP classes with teachers that were too easy, scrapped by with a 4 and were screwed over in a higher level college class. Also, intro level college classes are likely to serve as nice GPA padders for when you invariably need them as you progress through school and take notoriously tough classes/teachers that you will also invariably face. If you tell me your AP schedule and your academic strengths, I can try and give you my take on how smart it really is to accept credit for each class individually.</p>

<p>Okay, well so far I have 3 AP classes that I have taken exams for. I have gotten a 5 on AP English Lang. + Comp, a 4 on AP US History and a 4 on AP World History. I plan on taking an additional 6 more with those being AP bio, AP Lit, AP Stats, AP Gov, AP Euro, and AP Macroeconomics. Obviously my goal would be assuming I went to Boston College, to at least get a high enough score on 5/6 of those. I plan to major in Nursing so I would probably take Bio again regardless but the rest of those classes seem unnecessary to take again.</p>

<p>Question: Okay, well so far I have 3 AP classes that I have taken exams for. I have gotten a 5 on AP English Lang. + Comp, a 4 on AP US History and a 4 on AP World History. I plan on taking an additional 6 more with those being AP bio, AP Lit, AP Stats, AP Gov, AP Euro, and AP Macroeconomics. Obviously my goal would be assuming I went to Boston College, to at least get a high enough score on 5/6 of those. I plan to major in Nursing so I would probably take Bio again regardless but the rest of those classes seem unnecessary to take again.</p>

<p>Response: Ah okay I see. Well as far as getting the core out of the way, you have already gotten your Writing and Literature Core out of the way. Getting a 4 or 5 on AP Lit, as far as getting the core out of the way goes, is pointless, so that helps in focusing on your other tests. Same goes for AP Euro. The credit for a 4+ on that is the same as AP World, so that also helps in letting you focus on the other ones. Because you are going for nursing, I would agree that you should apply to transfer all three tests you’ve currently got. Because you’re going nursing but have a very light AP Sciences schedule, I would recommend in your case getting as much social sciences, history, etc. core out of the way. However, I would be very, very hesitant to use AP Bio to get two natural science cores out of the way, assuming you get a 4+. All the time you will free up from getting out of all those APs in subjects you don’t plan to study will give you ample opportunity to take the natural science core classes and get a good foundation in them without feeling like you have to jam-pack your schedule to complete all your requirements. You’re in a great spot which ever way you decide though!</p>

<p>Hi, I’m another freshman too. I was just wondering but I’m not expecting you to know all the answers to these, haha</p>

<p>1) Do you know if they’re having another activity/club fair for the spring semester?
2) How soon can you register to overload for classes?
3) I noticed that you posted a link for “Advanced Study Grants” – Do you know a lot of freshmen that are applying for those? An older student told me that they’re advertised more widely within the honors program since the coordinators teach honors seminars. Do you know if that’s true?
4) Do you know if there are still alternative spring break programs that I can sign up for?</p>

<p>@mosaicmural: I hope you don’t mind if I just tackle your question about Advanced Study Grants, but as a shameless promoter of ASGs previously on this forum, I feel compelled to answer this question!</p>

<p>You should DEFINITELY apply as a freshman because freshmen/sophomores are given preference in the selection process. And, a lot of freshmen DON’T apply, meaning that your chance of acceptance is much higher when applying as a freshman. I heard this piece of information very recently, so it should still be valid. ASGs are advertised more widely in special meetings to students who have a certain GPA or who are in certain programs (ELP/Presidential Scholars). Sure, specific professors familiar with the ASG program, like those in the honors program, will of course encourage their students to apply, but in terms of institutionalized advertising, honors status does not really matter all that much. </p>

<p>Vice Provost Hafner, as I recall, usually sends out an email around the end of January informing both faculty and students of the ASG opportunity. My freshman year, the email for the aforementioned special meeting for students with high GPAs was sent in early February. I don’t know what the GPA cutoff is for these meetings, but I would guess ~3.7.</p>

<p>However, with all that being said, if you don’t meet the GPA cutoff for the meeting, do not be discouraged! The application process for this grant will help you in applications for many other opportunities, and going through the process is a great way to form relationships with professors (because, of course, you need a faculty nomination to apply).</p>

<p>If you are unsuccessful, apply again as a sophomore. I knew many students who did not get an ASG freshman year, but did as sophomores. I also knew many students who won these who were not in the honors program because they had strong academic records, great project ideas, and supportive recommendations.</p>

<p>Questions:

  1. Do you know if they’re having another activity/club fair for the spring semester?
  2. How soon can you register to overload for classes?
  3. I noticed that you posted a link for “Advanced Study Grants” – Do you know a lot of freshmen that are applying for those? An older student told me that they’re advertised more widely within the honors program since the coordinators teach honors seminars. Do you know if that’s true?
  4. Do you know if there are still alternative spring break programs that I can sign up for?</p>

<p>Response: All this is of word of mouth haha but</p>

<p>1) I’m pretty I’ve heard they are doing another fair this upcoming semester. At least I sure hope so.
2) If my sources are correct, throwing on an extra class can only start as a spring semester sophomore, but I also believe I heard of an RA in my building taking 6 classes this past semester, so I’m not entirely sure. Safe to say sophomore year at the very earliest though.
3) They haven’t said anything to us about those in my honors class, so I can’t confirm that, but I also can’t say I’ve heard of any freshman talking about it. EagleAlum seems to have taken pretty good care of that question though hahaha
4) All the spring break programs I’ve heard of finished their “recruitment” process before break, I can’t say I know of any still looking for kids but there could be one out there as far as I know. Good luck anyway!</p>

<p>Correction: freshmen can overload starting second semester. You have to wait until the first day of the semester to register for the extra class. Students are only not allowed to overload the first semester of freshmen year so that they don’t give themselves more work than they are ready to handle.</p>

<p>hi, im curious about the advanced study grant. It says we have to create our own project, is this as simple as picking something? Previous recipients have done research to support something or another, but how do you go about that? Is there guidance or anything or do we figure everything out ourselves?</p>

<p>@ Wittlefelluh:</p>

<p>Re: your ASG question.</p>

<p>I’m glad to hear you’re interested! ASG grants are to fund student research, so yes, previous recipients have done research of course! The ASG does not just fund travel for the sake of travel or internships. It is for original, student research projects. The ASG program does not fund students working on faculty research either. ASG recipients are often regarded as likely candidates for fellowships down the road. They are encouraged to apply for Truman, Fulbright, Rhodes, and Marshall scholarships precisely because they have the kind of drive and passion for original research. </p>

<p>So, your proposed project needs to be original, of your own design. That should be great news! They’re offering you money to pursue your own passions and interests! You should think of this as something that might lead to a senior thesis down the road. If you peruse the list of previous winners, you will see how diverse the projects are. Don’t worry about fitting into some sort of mold. </p>

<p>There is a meeting before the application deadline where they go over writing the proposal and budget. This should be helpful with the logistics of the app. They also tell you what they do and do not cover. But, other than talking your ideas over with a professor, which I do recommend, you need to come up with your idea yourself. I’m not sure I really understand your question about “figuring everything out ourselves,” but hopefully I addressed your concerns in relaying that there isn’t a kind of mold they are looking for, or a certain type of project. </p>

<p>My advice would be to think about an academic area that excites you, and then see if there is a question that remains unanswered in this area. Then, you need to persuade the ASG com. that you are the best person to find this answer, and in the spirit of BC, all the better if answering that question serves society. </p>

<p>A link to prior successful proposals: <a href=“http://www.bc.edu/content/dam/files/offices/ufel/pdf/asg_examples.pdf[/url]”>http://www.bc.edu/content/dam/files/offices/ufel/pdf/asg_examples.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>I stand corrected on the overloading</p>

<p>Also, the Appalachia Service trip usually has openings still. Their office is in the basement of Mac, go ask once you’re back at school. You might be put on a waiting list, but they are ALWAYS looking for more volunteers. Just try as soon as possible.</p>

<p>I applied RD to BC and a main concern I have is the religious factor.
I know it identifies itself as a Christian university but how obvious is the imprint of christianity on the environment/academics. Mainly, is it in your face and would a non-Christian feel uncomfortable? Are you required to take a religious class?</p>

<p>And I’m not sure if anyone already asked this…but how is the nightlife? What do students usually do on a weekend night?</p>

<p>@Mango15:
I would first recommend that you read through a recent thread on BC being a Jesuit school. It should be a few threads down in the Boston College section.</p>

<p>Below, I’ve copied and pasted what I said there, but I would say that the Jesuit character of BC is most evident in the emphasis on student formation and in the attention to students’ well-being both in and out of the classroom. Boston College encourages service, defined broadly, and students are encouraged to engage in activities and in careers that help others. I believe this emphasis on service distinguishes BC from other universities (see below for details). You should not be made to feel uncomfortable at all. I am not Catholic, and I never felt that Christianity was prevalent in the classroom or in the campus environment to an extent that I felt uncomfortable. I found that while I was not Catholic, I shared the Jesuit values of academic excellence, loyalty, and service, and because of this, BC was actually a better fit for me than a secular university. Some of my closest relationships with faculty at BC were with Jesuits. </p>

<p>If you aren’t in the honors program, you do have to take a theology core, but not all of these are on Christianity. I would recommend religious quest or perspectives:
[TH</a> 161 The Religious Quest: Comparative Perspectives I (Fall: 3)](<a href=“http://www.bc.edu/crs/th/course/th16100.shtml]TH”>http://www.bc.edu/crs/th/course/th16100.shtml)
[Perspectives</a> Program - Philosophy Department - Boston College](<a href=“http://www.bc.edu/schools/cas/philosophy/special-programs/perspectives.html]Perspectives”>http://www.bc.edu/schools/cas/philosophy/special-programs/perspectives.html)</p>

<p>Religious Quest is a comparative theology course that covers Christianity and another religion. The other religions listed are: Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, or African religions. Perspectives is very similar to the honors program, and I may recommend Perspectives over Religious Quest if you are a very serious student with an interdisciplinary interest in literature, philosophy, and theology. I would also recommend Perspectives if you prefer discussing overarching philosophical questions, rather than the details of religions. </p>

<p>From other thread:
"…In addition, I’ve found that BC’s Jesuit identity forces students to ask some of the bigger questions during their undergraduate studies, both in and out of the classroom. At BC, students are expected to find the intersection between their greatest passions, their greatest strengths, and where the world has greatest need. BC places quite a bit of emphasis on discernment, and as a result, it puts a lot of resources into student development. There are a lot of retreat opportunities, service trips, and support services for students as they try to figure out their next path after BC. You may hear often that a BC education is about educating the “whole person.” I found this to mean that a surprising number of faculty and administrators at BC really care about students in and out of the classroom.</p>

<p>On a similar note, I would also add that BC’s Jesuit identity may be most apparent in times of tragedy or stress. The support available to students who have suffered any kind of loss, I think, is unusual and remarkable.</p>

<p>For more, I would watch this video: C21 Webcasts on Demand</p>

<p>It features Fr. Jack Butler, VP for Mission and Ministry at Boston College, and a favorite Jesuit of many students at Boston College. I felt the video to be a very accurate depiction of the Jesuit influence at BC. "</p>

<p>Hey thanks for taking questions. Just wondering what the social life is for freshman guys, how hard is it to get into parties and such.</p>

<p>The religious question has been answered pretty well so I’ll go into the nightlife, as I have myself experienced it. I will tell you exactly what I’ve done/seen/heard etc., so feel free to ask away if you have more specific questions on the issue.</p>

<p>I’m out on Newton Campus so I’m not sure the experience of kids out here will be significantly different than that of people on Upper. Also, your experience can vary significantly depending on what size room you are in, the people on your floor, etc. As far as my floor/building goes, the nightlife is mostly about partying. Getting drunk, high, whatever floats your boat. You should have ZERO trouble finding people to drink and smoke with. There are a ton of kids from the west coast on my floor, so the weed culture is big. I’ve never had to wait more than a few hours to get a couple grams. I know CCers can be a little square sometimes, so I assure you all I’m no stoner, but could be called preppy more than any other label. BC kids are very open in regards to marijuana use, but then again this is true at practically every college, please do not be turned off from the school for this reason because it exists from your local community college to Harvard. Fact. Anyway, I also know kids that have a hard time finding it. Depends where you’re living.</p>

<p>The nightlife for a freshman guy is tough, I won’t beat around the bush here. Typically you may pregame with your clique and walk around off campus or the mods to a lead someone might have heard of. Can be successful sometimes, but sometimes you will just stumble around in the cold for a couple hours until you’ve gotten turned away from several places. I’ve gotten kicked out of plenty of mod parties in my day, but on the other hand, my friend here had a 100% success rate this past semester, so it’s the luck of the draw sometimes. Hookup culture is pretty prevalent. If you make it to a decent dance party, you can see this for yourself. Consistently getting into good parties as a freshman guy depends on your involvement in clubs that throw parties for their members or simply knowing the right people. It gets better year by year, but especially when it gets cold and the snow starts falling, you may spend a good amount of weekends in your building just drinking or chilling with your floormates or other kids from your building.</p>

<p>As another clarification paragraph, this is honestly the norm as I have experienced it, but apparently my floor is a bit notorious in terms of nightlife. For this reason, I want to say that there are absolutely people who will go to parties that do not drink/smoke and have a good time. There are also people who just prefer to kick back, watch a movie, go to non-alcoholic events run by the school, go into Boston, etc. You WILL meet people like you, both partiers and those who prefer to abstain. There are MANY options for those who seek alternative ways to have fun. There are something like 2200 freshman, and there are bound to be kids like you in close proximity.</p>