<p>I decided to pick Boston College for transfer over:</p>
<p>UC San Diego
UCLA
UC Berkeley</p>
<p>:D</p>
<p>How is it at Boston College? Any input would be appreciated. :)</p>
<p>Attending BC would be a very different experience from the other schools mentioned – starting with just the basics like size and climate. What are you looking for?</p>
<p>I haven’t attended any of the mentioned schools, I was just admitted into them. 
I just want to know how the general atmosphere of students is, is it really a closely-knit society, how competitive are the students, etc. :D</p>
<p>Well as a Bostonian, to me its no more or less competitive than any other New England school. However, New England is famous, or infamous depending on how you look at it, for being far more competitive than the rest of the country. So, if you aren’t from around here, you will probably find it to be pretty competitive. But that isn’t to be taken as a bad thing. Just think of it as more academic motivation! </p>
<p>Outside of academics students are relatively laid back. BC students seem to have perfected the “work hard, play hard” mentality. Academics are taken very seriously, but there are plenty of parties and social things going on all the time. And needless to say the sports life/atmosphere only exemplifies that aspect of the BC experience. </p>
<p>It’s a special place.</p>
<p>missy:</p>
<p>You would be hard pressed to find any college that is as competitive as the big three UC campuses, particularly in the sciences. UC liberal arts majors are much more supportive. Edit to add: Just saw on your other posts that you are an English major – can’t go wrong with Cal, if that’s the case. It’s English Dept is up there with H & Y.</p>
<p>I know. But I made the decision to come to Boston College. Don’t change my mind >____< lol</p>
<p>BC’s English dept is really good (I have a degree in English from BC). You made a good decision missyujin. I recall in one English class there was a transfer from Cornell, and he was amazed at how much more in depth the class went than his similar classes at Cornell. Hard to believe, but 100% true.</p>
<p>The thing I liked most about BC was that you didn’t have to apologize for being interested in subjects like English, philosophy, or political science. Those types of subjects were respected and considered worthwhile by students and faculty in other subjects. At other colleges I’ve attended, people in business and engineering acted like such subjects were a waste of time.</p>
<p>Also, so many people on collegeconfidential fret over the 2-course theology requirement. NOBODY at BC tries to shove religion on you. The theology classes that fulfill the requirement deal mostly with theology through the prism of philosophy, sociology, philosophy, or history. </p>
<p>missyujin, I know you considered Berkeley. I lived very close to the Berkeley campus for a few years, and the part nobody seems to mention is that the place has such enormous drawbacks. Like the off-campus housing is very hit-or-miss. Also, they seem to think the “colorful” eccentrics who you have to fight through to get to class are something really cool. But they are in fact obnoxious eccentrics who are so devoid of anything original or thoughtful that they do something very contrived to be shocking just to be noticed. It’s actually quite pathetic, and even more pathetic that the so-called intellectuals around there think that guys walking around naked or singing on street corners are doing something bold and original.</p>
<p>That is really reassuring to hear! Thanks! :D</p>
<p>Missyyujin, have you visited BC? My guess is no- because if you have, picking BC over the UC’s is very much a no brainer. I visted BC twice, and everyone was exteremely welcoming! School spirit is incredibly lively, as one would expect from a school with D1 sports. As far as campus events are concerned, there are always things to do on campus- but if nothing in this microcosm of a burgeoning metropolis suits you, you could always head out to the city of boston. The only “down-side” would be the freezing cold winters, but the campus is even more breathtaking when draped in snow. So, if you don’t mind chilly weather, you really can’t go wrong here. </p>
<p>See you in the fall!</p>
<p>Staying warm in winter can be a bit of a struggle, but the campus is quite compact, so the distances you need to walk are pretty short compared to a lot of other colleges. Keeping your feet warm and dry is about half the battle of staying warm, and once you are there, plenty of people will volunteer advice on how to do that.</p>
<p>I also agree with Zen, in that my most vivid memories of BC are of walking from the library back to the dorm late at night when it was gently snowing.</p>
<p>my son also chose bc over ucb ucla and usc. When we visited he just felt like it was the place for him.</p>
<p>I. Can’t. Wait. :D</p>
<p>One thing that worries me, though, is that although I’ll be transferring as second semester sophomore, I’m only seventeen. Will I be able to fit in well? I go to a community college of over 30,000 people and so pretty good at making new friends, but someone told me that some people at Boston can be a bit too preppy and spoiled. :/</p>
<p>People in the Northeast sometimes appear kind of gruff and arrogant at first, but once you get used to them, they are ok. BC has people from all over the country (and a lot of internationals) so you’ll find a niche. I transferred there and quickly made friends in the dorm. You might want to request that you get put in a freshman dorm, as they will be more your age. Also, unlike the sophs, juniors, and seniors, they won’t already know people, and will be more open to making new friends. I transferred there as a first-semester soph, but they put me in a dorm with first-semester freshmen, so it was like I was starting out fresh, just like they were.</p>
<p>No matter what happens at BC, I think it will be a million times easier to find friends and on-campus housing at BC than it would be at Berkeley as a transfer…especially a 17-y.o. transfer!</p>
<p>Whatever the case, make sure you get SOME sort of on-campus housing, as it will make meeting people MUCH easier. Also, at the beginning of the semester, like at all colleges, the various clubs recruit new members. I’d strongly recommend getting in at least one of these (yearbook, newspaper, whatever). I had a roommate who was in the marching band, and they seemed to have more fun than any other group. So if you play an instrument, that might be a place to start.</p>
<p>I don’t play the instrument but I’m interested in a whole bunch of things, so hopefully I can join something. :)</p>
<p>How’s the theater program? I’m an English major and I also want to try taking some pre-law courses, but acting has always been a passion, too.</p>
<p>^ You can easily join the marching band. You don’t need to play any instrument or anything else. They will teach you eventually.</p>
<p>Haha, I’m just not into instruments. I must be the only Asian girl in California who doesn’t play an instrument, and I wear that badge with pride. :D</p>
<p>I’m interested in acting. :D</p>
<p>There are plenty of opportunities to act in plays staged by students. Just go over to the theater and check out which plays need what kind of people.</p>
<p>BC also has a bunch of comedy and a cappella groups, if you’re interested in performing. They’re a great way to get involved, and meet AMAZING people.</p>
<p>There are three or four mainstage shows per semester directed by faculty and outside professionals, there are also 4 student-directed shows each year put on by Contemporary theatre (CT) and Dramatics Society (DS). Those are student-run productions with very small budgets, and opposed to the mainstage shows. BC theatre will also be working with one of the actors from the ART’s company as part of this year’s Monan Visitng Artist endowment. Last year the Monan Visiting Artist was Mary-Mitchell Campbell, Broadway Music Director, who directed a production of Songs for a New World using Broadway professionals, BC alumni, and students.</p>
<p>Far more than “plays staged by students”, though there are opportunities there as well. Check out the BC Theatre website for more info. bc.edu/theatre</p>
<p>I’m in the marching band at BC (I’m going to be a junior this fall), and it’s an amazing experience, especially as a freshman. While other organizations may not start until well into September, the marching band lets you meet over 150 people (your year and upperclassmen) before everyone else moves in. It’s a really great community. </p>
<p>If you don’t know how to play an instrument, we’ll teach you. And if you’re not interested in playing an instrument, the Color Guard and Dance Team have a lot of fun as well. We’re always looking for fresh faces. :)</p>