More questions for a BC Student about how it REALLY is like

<p>Thanks in advance to whomever replies to this, anything is helpful. </p>

<p>i visited BC for about an hour two years ago on a college trip, but i still really really liked it, it was in my range academically, in boston (want to experience east coast, i’m a norcal /sf kid), and the campus was beautiful, and i’m really into the whole social justice thing (jesuits go crazy about this stuff)
i come from a top 20 prep school-

  1. how are the academics? is the core pretty strict? class size? are the professors available/cool, etc?
  2. drinking/party scene- very prevalent? ways to have fun w/o it? Is BC really cliquey?
  3. What’s the best freshman dorms? Is special interest housing (multi cultural thing, substance abuse free thing, shaw) worth it?
  4. what are the demographics like- is it all just east coach alumni kids, or can you feel a definite sense of diversity on campus?
  5. are school activities easy to get involved in?
  6. Best thing about BC that ppl don’t know… Worst thing about BC that ppl dont’ know… </p>

<p>THANKS A BUNCH!</p>

<p>good questions... i would like to know also</p>

<p>1) how are the academics? is the core pretty strict? class size? are the professors available/cool, etc?
The academics is comparable to the academics in high school in terms of work. The quality of teacher; however, is much better. The core classes just touch on basically your high school courses, including history, math, science, language, and english classes. Class sizes depend on the class you enroll in. there are some lecture classes with 200 plus people, but many of the classes you take will be in the 20-30 range. The professors make themselves readily accessible through office hours and depending on the professor, he/she may even give you a private contact number. I'd say that many of the professors know how to interact with the students and are cool in their own right.</p>

<p>2) drinking/party scene- very prevalent? ways to have fun w/o it? Is BC really cliquey?
I'd say that the part scene at BC is relatively prevalent. There will be people that drink everyday, but many people on my floor drink anywhere between 2-5 days a week. There are many ways to avoid alcohol such as watching a movie either in the lounge or in the city. Another option is going into the city and just exploring. I wouldn't say BC is really cliquey, but they are visible around campus. There are many groups of people, but I doubt that many of those cliques have an "exclusioary" policy.</p>

<p>3) What's the best freshman dorms? Is special interest housing (multi cultural thing, substance abuse free thing, shaw) worth it?
It all depends on you. Many people prefer living on Upper because of the campus is somewhat attached to the main campus; however, I like living in Newton. Again, this is all relative. The only possible advantage to living in special interest housing is living on Upper. Substance free housing is a complete joke and alcohol/drug use is rampant there.</p>

<p>4) what are the demographics like- is it all just east coach alumni kids, or can you feel a definite sense of diversity on campus?
The majority of people that attend BC live in the northeast section of the US, but there are many people at BC who come from states such as Florida, California, and Ohio. Many of the students are able to gel with each other. In terms of racial diversity, there really isn't much on campus, due to the minimal amount of minorities on campus. The minority groups also tend to hang out with each other and really don't open up to other people.</p>

<p>5) are school activities easy to get involved in?
School activities are relatively easy to get involved in. BC hosts a series of events on campus usually on friday and saturday nights; however, not many people go to those events. School clubs are also easy to get involved in. During the fall semester, about a week after school starts, many of the clubs at BC line up in the dustbowl and try to get people to sign up for the clubs. Participating in a club obviously takes some sort of commitment, but if you're commited to a club, there will be plenty of things to do.</p>

<p>6) Best thing about BC that ppl don't know.. Worst thing about BC that ppl dont' know...
I don't really know too much about this. One of the better things I guess is the bathroom grafiti, especially the grout wall in Bapst. The worst thing is probably the plex, although people probably know about this. The plex uses fans as a method of cooling the place down and it gets unbearable in there when working out or playing sports in the early fall and spring.</p>

<p>1) how are the academics? is the core pretty strict? class size? are the professors available/cool, etc?
The academics are going to be challenging, but you will def. have time for a life. In terms of the strictness of the core, 2 semesters of science means science, not 'physics for poets' or 'science and society.' the professors are generally really great, warm people, who want to know their students, but you should take the initiative and introduce yourself or go to office hours.</p>

<p>2) drinking/party scene- very prevalent? ways to have fun w/o it? Is BC really cliquey?
BC is too big to be cliquey...I mean how can you have a popular/nerd/music group when there are 9000 people on campus. Freshmen quickly learn to get over the high school clique way of thinking. BC's drinking scene is prevalent but no more so than anywhere else...also there is so much else to do because of the combination of campus events, sports, and the city that drinking is not the only thing to do, and only very few people exclusively drink for their social experience.</p>

<p>3) What's the best freshman dorms? Is special interest housing (multi cultural thing, substance abuse free thing, shaw) worth it?
I am an upper alum and I love upper. I was also an honors kid who did NOT live in honors housing. I think you actually get a more diverse feel for the campus and make more friends if you do not live in special interest housing. Think about it, if you live on the multi-cultural floor, that probably means you want to do multi-cultural student clubs and activities, as does everyone else on your floor. If you live on a regular floor, then chances are that you will meet people with many different beliefs and interests, some of whom may turn out to be your best friends.</p>

<p>4) what are the demographics like- is it all just east coach alumni kids, or can you feel a definite sense of diversity on campus?
I hate the BC reputation for lack of diversity. It is such a diverse place. Around 33% of the campus is not white, and California, Florida, Illinois, and Texas have some of the largest members of the student body. Only 14% are legacy. That does not even mention the diversity of political belief or religious faith. If you want a diverse group of friends, BC is great place. My senior roommates included 1 legacy, 3 racial groups, 6 states, 2 sexual orientations, 3 republicans, 3 democrats, 3 Catholic students, 2 Christian students, and 1 agnostic/atheist. We all loved BC.
5) are school activities easy to get involved in?
Super easy. Everything is well advertised and you are welcome everywhere. Just be outgoing and assertive!
6) Best thing about BC that ppl don't know.. Worst thing about BC that ppl dont' know...
Best thing about BC is people and professors. Boston College is more than a college, it is a lifestyle. People are genuinely committed to the ideas of social justice, tolerance, and each other. Your professors want to be there. The worst is that you only have four years to do it all in!</p>

<p>To clarify about the substance-free floor, drugs and alcohol are not present in the actual substance free section of the hallway. However, the substance-free part of the hallway is surounded by regular rooms where there is a ton of drinking and substance abuse.</p>

<p>Great answers guys, loads of information here :]</p>