<p>I got into ND and BC early, and I’m having a tough time making the choice, so it’s coming down to things like meal plans, expenses, and parietals. Naturally, next on the list is preppyness. I don’t particularly care about an ethnically diverse student body, but I can’t deal with- pardon my French- *******s. Georgetown seemed to have an overabundance of them. So is BC really filled with preppy, rich, snobby kids, or is it just average?</p>
<p>We have "preppy, rich, snobby kids" here at BC. The exact quantity I don't know but mercifully not much. From the everyday conversations and interactions with friends and classmates at BC, I rarely encounter arrogant rich preps. People do wear preppy clothes in large quantity, but their attitude is friendlier than their clothing might suggests. BC does not allow most students to own car on campus (except for nursing and education students) so no showing off your pimped out ride. The culture of service diminishes ignorance and apathy toward the unfortunates. BC's historical commitment low-income and working-class students create an economically diverse crowd.</p>
<p>I have a dorm mate who owns four $2500 wool coats (!), an ever changing wardrobe, and even wears shades on cloudy days, at first glance you would think this guy is a rich, white, Republican, conservative...douche (this is a liberal speaking folks), but when you get to know him he's actually a liberal Democrat who likes World of Warcraft and Halo 3, and is also in to Dungeon & Dragon. So not all those who dress the part play the part.</p>
<p>Now your other concerns:
meal plans--In my opinion, the foods here are pretty dam expensive, but very high quality (don't buy bottled watter, it will cost you more than you realized). Fresh stuffs get cooked everyday with great variety and selections. Theme nights and special holiday treats make BC dining an A- experience (would have been A+ if they learned how to cook rice properly and lower the prices.)</p>
<p>extra expenses--the bookstore isn't out to get you, but they aren't shy about charging you full price for many books (Amazon.com will be your savior for the next four years). The train ride to Boston is about $1.75 if you get the special card from the station, but you can transfer to a bus for free with that card. The city isn't wildly expensive, you can go crazy and have fun on a budget. Most theaters in Boston accept BC student ID and grant you a discount.</p>
<p>parietals--(skull?) jk, this policy is unofficially dead in my opinion. Back in the middle of the century when BC was finally co-ed, it had to have a very strict policy to appease all the conservative Catholics parents, but over the years, this policy gets enacted as much as Pope getting to excommunicate people, it happens once in a blue moon. All 3 of the RAs I had told us to keep it down and if they (and the rest of the floor) don't have front row seat to the orchestral performance, than nothing exists. You get written up if "caught" (seriously, you have to try) and might get a meeting with a Dean...other than that, no real consequences. I remember a story at Newton where a couple was getting a little wild and kids next door couldn't study, when neighbors asked the RA, who is my friend, to intervene, she did so but gave the couple a "noise warning." RAs are more concern about not having anyone dies on them than about you playing baseball with your other half. Other might have a different experience, so please comment if you experience discrimination.</p>
<p>Thanks for the reply, very comprehensive :)</p>
<p>I think this depends where you come from...I came from an uber-elite prep school so I didn't find BC preppy at all. My college roommate (randomly assigned freshman year, is my best friend five years later) came from an urban public school in the southwest and she thought it was crazy at first, but eventually didn't notice it.
There is a BC look. This is not a campus where people wear sweatpants to class unless it is snowing or they are an athlete. Also, upperclassmen also joke that most freshman return from winter break with a totally new wardrobe that conforms more to BC look.</p>
<p>Now, one has to wonder, is this a switch from a more high school style to a more adult one? Or apparel brainwashing? I would lean towards the former. The reality is that what high school students wear is different than what people wear in their early twenties. This may mean fewer tee-shirts and more fitted sweaters or colored shirts. Part of this is also the inevitable weight gain that goes along with college (and it is not just girls either). Your favorite high school sweats may not look as good when gain a couple pounds and a nice pair of tailored jeans may look better. </p>
<p>The best thing is if there is judgement at BC about clothing it is never based on brand. I have never heard anyone mention where someone shops as a clothing critique...I have heard many people criticized however for looking sloppy or like they rolled out of bed and went to class.</p>
<p>Yep, I'm coming back to BC with pretty much a new wardrobe lol. Like the others said, it is not a place where you see a lot of crappy sweats paired with old t shirts (if you aren't a athlete). Def more on the preppy side, but as compared or Tufts, or BU but as Reddune correctly points out, preppy clothes do not a preppy attitude make.</p>
<p>You are really choosing the school you want to attend based on meal plans and how preppy someone on this board thinks a school is? I highly doubt it.</p>
<p>1.) Perhaps it's just me, but I'd rather go to school with students that aren't obnoxious and preppy. And I'm counting on BC students (read: kids who generally know what they're talking about, given that they spend every day at the college) to respond. </p>
<p>2.) Thank you for your oh-so-valuable opinion.</p>
<p>i see many more preppy kids than i did at my high school. abercrombie was considered preppy there when its really not at all. i do wear sweatpants to class like once a week but even if you see people wearing them (girl expecially) always have their hair done and look nice and presentable. my first semester did alter my clothing tastes a little. but i think its more of wearing a more "grownup" look than conforming to BC. i still do like my abercrombie though..</p>
<p>my point was that its not overbearing at all. and if your not into the way you look at all, then you might be a little out of place and in the very small minority of people who dress like the just rolled out of bed and do not care.</p>
<p>Though BC is quite preppy, from my experience the majority of BC students don't have the attitude that I think you are referring to. As others pointed out, the sweat pants and bad t-shirt don't really show up on campus unless you include the athletes who do their own thing. With regards to parietals, my RA never mentioned anything about it. I think it might be on the books, but I've honestly never heard it mentioned on campus, and all the RA's I know wouldn't write someone up for it even if it was on the books.</p>
<p>However, parietals does exist at ND as I have confirmed with a friend who goes there and it is a serious offense. Just something to consider.</p>