Rising Sophomore taking questions

<p>Can’t remember if this was asked but when do we find out who our roommates are? I requested one an am anxious to see if the request worked. Also, are we supposed to electronically submit the ResLife application? I don’t see any submit button or any confirmation that it has been completed. All I see is that the site says that my application will remain “incomplete” until I check in. So does BC currently have access to my housing preferences, roommate requests, etc, or is there something I’m missing?</p>

<p>Q: I am in incoming sophomore and currently a Psych major but I am thinking about changing my major to nursing. Is it difficult to do so? Would I just have to fill out a form or do I have to apply again to the School of Nursing?
A: Um, well, for one, you’re not changing majors–really, you’re changing SCHOOLS. You’d be transferring from A&S to CSON (nursing). Yeah, actually, both of my roommates were thinking about doing this at one point. I know there’s an application process to it, and they look at your transcript and such, and I also know that it’s a little competitive in the sense that they want people who are serious about nursing if they’re transferring. That being said, it’s not impossible, but I should think it’s difficult. You dont need to reapply to the school, you’re just completing an application process to transfer schools within the university. Let me get back to you with more information about this, my roommates know a lot about it cuz they were both seriously considering this. </p>

<p>Q:I will be a sophomore in the fall and am planning on transferring into BC for spring semester 2012. Can you tell me what the social life of a transfer student at BC is like (if you know anything of it)?
A: Yay! How exciting! I do know 2 people who transferred to BC! With the girl, we were actually talking about how/if she likes it and how it compares to her other school. I remember her saying that the school is much bigger than hers, the school spirit is crazy, and the parties are nuts. Unfortunately, you will be placed in a random room with random people. But, from what I’ve heard, she said that everyone’s really welcoming and the best way she got to know people was her roommates taking her out to parties and stuff to socialize. Obviously, I should think it will be awkward at first since you really dont know anyone. But it’ll be a matter of time before you yourself assimilate into the student body and become an Eagle yourself. The great thing about being a transfer student is that you’re immediately introduced to a group of friends because of the rooming situation. and they have their own group of friends already so if you all get along, it’s that much easier to settle into a solid group of friends. </p>

<p>Q: If one decides to roll the dice and take a random roommate, does one find out who the person is in August sometime? Or on move-in day?
A: You find out in JULY! I thin it was toward the end of July, or at least that’s when we found out. Thank goodness for facebook, too. Definitely you should friend your roommate and try and get to know the basics of each other and also coordinate who should bring what. Like my roommates and I discussed who would bring the fridge/tv/microwave/dvd player and how we wanted to decorate the room. My roommates also lived near each other (sorta) so they had the opportunity to meet before move-in day, so that’s definitely an option as well. </p>

<p>Q:How much does it cost to do laundry? (One load in the washer, one load in the dryer)
A: $1.50 per wash, $1.50 per dry. You actually put it onto your “eagle one card” (BC ID) but you add laundry funds via the portal (portal.bc.edu) and if you look down the column ‘account and personal info’ there’s an Eagle One Card activity summary/add funds. They’ll send out an email about that as september approaches. Dont worry about it for now, though. </p>

<p>Q: Can’t remember if this was asked but when do we find out who our roommates are? I requested one an am anxious to see if the request worked.
A: July. I think if you request one, the person has to accept it and if they do, you should probably know before the July send out date. </p>

<p>Q:Also, are we supposed to electronically submit the ResLife application? I don’t see any submit button or any confirmation that it has been completed. All I see is that the site says that my application will remain “incomplete” until I check in. So does BC currently have access to my housing preferences, roommate requests, etc, or is there something I’m missing?
A: This drove me crazy last summer and in early March. Yes. If you filled everything out on the ResLife app, it will say ‘incomplete’ until september or so–when you actually move in. Nothing is missing–if there is something missing, they’ll contact you. It’s just not complete because it’s not ‘official’ or whatever. So yes, BC does currently have access to the entire application/preferences/requests. I think this is really confusing and idk why BC does this, but you are fine. If you want to quadruple check, im sure if you call reslife they’d be happy to confirm.</p>

<p>Thanks for answering! You seem like a very cool person, hopefully I get in and meet you sometime spring semester!</p>

<p>Sure! send me a message when you’re on campus! good luck w/everything!</p>

<p>I’m going to Orientation starting this coming Sunday, what’s the general feel/schedule/purpose of the orientation?</p>

<p>Would you recommend buying a computer through Boston College?
What kind of computer would you recommend for someone in the business school? An Apple or a PC?</p>

<p>Hi Crackerjack from SoCal – I am very, very interested in applying to BC, but have a hard time coming to a decision about math – I am a good student (in top 10%) and will have 6 APs (none in math or science) and 2100 SAT. My big problem is that I am slated to enter pre-calc in the fall; therefore I will not have calculus. Does this put me at a big disadvantage in terms of admissions? Should I ‘kill’ my summer and take a pre-calc class, with varying chances of success in calculus in the fall (I am a B in Alg ii/Trig) –</p>

<p>Did you adjust well, from Socal to the snows of Boston?
THANK YOU SO MUCH for your input!</p>

<p>Gigica, I’ve asked so many questions on this thread I kind of feel obliged to help now that I can give some sort of answer. Your SAT score is pretty solid, and 6 AP classes is great, I only had 5 at the end of senior year, with no AP math or science either, unless you count psychology as one. Although I had calc senior year, I really wouldn’t worry about not having it, especially if math isn’t your strong point. The last thing you would want is forcing yourself to take calc and ending up doing poorly in it. If you didn’t have any hard classes I’d say it’s a problem, but you’ve challenged yourself enough with 6 APs to show that you simply are stronger in a different area.</p>

<p>hey there. How are the communal bathrooms set up freshman year? I wasnt able to see them. Any suggests/problems with them?</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

<p>also floors are single sex right?</p>

<p>Q:I’m going to Orientation starting this coming Sunday, what’s the general feel/schedule/purpose of the orientation?
A:So. Exciting. Umm the purpose of orientation is to let you meet the different kinds of kids that’ll be in your graduating class and also to help you assimilate into life as a BC student so that when you come to campus in september, everything isn’t brand new. They’ll introduce different things like the libraries, the plex, the dorms, the dining halls. They cover things like how to have a successful first year and where to go if you need certain help, whether it be physical, mental, academic, spiritual, etc. Sunday is the first day, so i think you sign in and they make you fill out some really casual forms, maybe just like your name and address or something. then there’s a mass that you can go to, most people go, but not required. then dinner, where they introduce the OLs and they give a little bio of each of them. Parents and students separate and then the students meet up with their groups and ICEBREAKERS. hhaha it’s a lot of fun. the second and third day is really a blur to me, but i remember they kept you active, you got to know your group really well, lots of indoor presentations (air conditioned, thank goodness!). The last thing you do at orientation is really really fun. I dont want to spoil anything so im just going to stop here. </p>

<p>Q: Would you recommend buying a computer through Boston College?
A: If you want… Almost all of my friends got their computers for graduation and not through BC. but if you do, it’s fine, it’s exactly the same. I know my dad decided not to go through BC because it was either the same price or slightly cheaper at hte apple store for some odd reason. SOme people did it and it works fine. It’s really up to you. i would say no, just cuz i think its a lot more fun to go to the apple store and carry back your laptop haha (i got mine for graduation, too…so i didnt get to do this, but i imagine it would be more fun) BC does let you download microsoft office for free though, i think, regardless of if you got the laptop through them or not. </p>

<p>Q: What kind of computer would you recommend for someone in the business school? An Apple or a PC?
A: I LOVE my macbook. if you want to ‘fit in’ i would say apple, just cuz so many people have it. that’s not to say people dont have pc’s though. they do. Um if you’re in csom or a&s or lsoe or cson, it doesnt matter what kind of computer you have. all of my friends in csom have an apple, if that helps. I dont think each school has a different preference of laptop.</p>

<p>Q:Hi Crackerjack from SoCal – I am very, very interested in applying to BC, but have a hard time coming to a decision about math – I am a good student (in top 10%) and will have 6 APs (none in math or science) and 2100 SAT. My big problem is that I am slated to enter pre-calc in the fall; therefore I will not have calculus. Does this put me at a big disadvantage in terms of admissions? Should I ‘kill’ my summer and take a pre-calc class, with varying chances of success in calculus in the fall (I am a B in Alg ii/Trig) –
A: Oh, you should be fine and dandy. Obviously, I wouldn’t quote me. Your best bet is to call the admissions office and ask to speak to an admissions officer about it, since they’ll be the ones looking at your application. However, you have 6 APs! Obviously, like bronovan said, it shows that you’re ambitious (if you do well in them, that is) and that you try very hard. Though, I think it’s good to have math for 4 years…but you have precalc in the fall, so… No, I personally don’t think it will put you at a disadvantage, just cuz if you take pre-calc and do awesome in it, it will look better than taking calc and doing poorly—but of course the best option would be to take calc and rock at it. Also, if you decide to not ‘kill’ your summer, do something this summer that will make you stand out for admissions. This is a very important summer, and it’s basically your last chance to do something that will make you stand out to the admissions officers. Calc might surprise you, though. You may be good at it. Most of my friends (all but 1, actually!) took calc… the 1 who didn’t is in the honors program, too, so obviously it cant hurt too much. But CALL ADMISSIONS! That’s what I did the summer before my senior year. </p>

<p>Q:How are the communal bathrooms set up freshman year? I wasnt able to see them. Any suggests/problems with them?
A: Um, the bathrooms are in the middle-ish of the hallway. There are a row of sinks,on the other side of the row are shower stalls, and along the right and left sides of the sinks and showers are toilet stalls. Really traditional. I’ve never heard of anyone waiting for a shower. I also didn’t use the communal bathrooms, except several times when I walked back in late from the weekend, since we had our own bathroom in the natural triple. But I wish I did, in a way, have to use the communal bathrooms because it’s a great opportunity to socialize. Literally, that’s when all the socializing happens, it’s great. Suggestions? No, you’re not going to have any problems. The wait for showers doesn’t really exist. Andddd I haven’t heard of any problems. Oh. Well, the beginning of the year we didn’t have hot water for the first three days. It was brutal, but at least it was freaking hot and humid outside at the time. No problems in the winter. Water pressure is good, the heat/cold is good. </p>

<p>Q:also floors are single sex right?
A: Yes, FRESHMEN floors are single sex. Buildings are NOT, except for kostka (all girls) and Medeiros (single sex towers: A&B were girls, C was guys) Gonzaga and fitz were one massive building—the right side was Gonzaga, left side was fitz, so sometimes the floors were one side guys, one side girls, but they were technically different ‘dorms.’ Upperclassmen (except if youre on CoRo—College Road—or 66) are suite-styled (single sex suites) but co-ed floors….if any of this makes any sense. </p>

<p>2 1/2 months to go! woo hoo! super exciting. </p>

<p>PS, I got an email the other day saying that I’ve been accepted to the international studies major. so if you have any questions about the major, I know a little bit more now–feel free to ask anything. hope you’re all staying cool in this HEAT.</p>

<p>Another thing I want to add about the calculus topic is that it also depends on what you’re planning on majoring in. If you’re trying to major in the sciences or math or econ or probably poli sci, too (which I assume you’re not…) then it might not be as important. But if you’re leaning toward the more liberal arts side like english or history and you declare your major on your application, it might not be absolutely necessary to take calc either. Just a thought. But definitely call admissions. </p>

<p>Sorry I forgot to answer this question… –></p>

<p>Q:Did you adjust well, from Socal to the snows of Boston?
A: ha! this winter was rough. Yeah! I thought it was really exciting and new. One of the reasons why I decided to apply to some east coast schools was for me to be able to experience the 4 seasons. and I definitely did. No, it was fine. I walked to class in blizzards, had snowball fights, went sledding on this massive hill by freshmen dorms on upper, woke up to a blanket of white, came out of the library to snow falling. It really gave me some fond memories. I like the cold, so the winter was fine for me. Plus, I got an entire new wardrobe, which is always a plus. Sometimes it was FREEZING but eh, I managed. You get used to it after a while.</p>

<p>Hey, what do you recommend freshmen to bring with them to college in the fall? Not the obvious things like linens, bedlamp, etc. but the stuff that people might not realize is important but turns out to be very useful? Thanks!</p>

<p>Q: What do you recommend freshmen to bring with them to college in the fall? Not the obvious things like linens, bedlamp, etc. but the stuff that people might not realize is important but turns out to be very useful?
A: scissors, DUCT TAPE, power strip/surge, shower flip flops, loose leaf paper in addition to notebooks. staplers, snacks, umbrellas or a rain jacket. **formal/business attire. if you plan on applying for a job/interview for the summer or during school, you need nice business clothes. you will need a fan. definitely. ADVIL, tylenol or something for headaches… cold medicine is really important too. it’ll do wonders. guys- video games.</p>

<p>I’m going to be an RA on campus next year. I’ve never been at BC before – is there really a policy against sex in the dorms? Is it actually enforced?</p>

<p>I’m only a junior so I have a question about your experience with financial aid. I know a lot of people don’t get a lot of aid but I was wondering what your experience was. Did your cost of attendance drop at all from the “sticker price”? Thank you I really enjoy all your posts!:)</p>

<p>I wanted to know if you could recommend any easier classes i could take to fill out my schedual that would fulfill requirements for arts and science. i am already going to take intro classes in econ and biology</p>

<p>Q: I’m going to be an RA on campus next year. I’ve never been at BC before – is there really a policy against sex in the dorms? Is it actually enforced?
A: Uhh, I dont know what the actual policies are… I assume that it would be a policy at any school, but quite honestly, that’s not going to stop students from doing it. I haven’t heard of any stories where kids are literally ‘punished’ for this policy. I’m sure you’ll learn more at the RA orientation. </p>

<p>Q: I have a question about your experience with financial aid. I know a lot of people don’t get a lot of aid but I was wondering what your experience was. Did your cost of attendance drop at all from the “sticker price”?
A: BC is really stingy when it comes to financial aid, compared to other schools, which really is miserable. Yeah, everyone I know is basically paying full tuition, with maybe 3K in grants and more in loans, unless you’re a presidential scholar, who I think go to BC with paid tuition. So, honestly, no, my cost of attendance didn’t ‘drop’ at all from the sticker price. When I was choosing between colleges in the spring of my senior year, this was the one big thing holding me back from choosing BC. totally sucks. but every household is different. good luck! </p>

<p>Q: I wanted to know if you could recommend any easier classes i could take to fill out my schedual that would fulfill requirements for arts and science. i am already going to take intro classes in econ and biology
A: When you look at classes and their ‘number’ the lower the number, the more basic it is. So for example, history 055 is easier than history 570. That’s one way to find those easier classes. A really easy and good way to fulfill classes in the core is to take perspectives, pulse, or transfer into the honors program. Any intro class is pretty basic as well. ie, intro to christianity, modern history, freshman writing seminar, intro to sociology. it’s also a good idea to spread your core fulfillments out throughout your 4 years. get the hard ones out of the way (social sciences, natural sciences, math, lit) and take really interesting arts classes or theology classes later when your schedule becomes packed with classes for your major. also, depending on your major, there are usually core requirements for each major that overlap with fulfilling parts of the university core. just google boston college + (your major) and look under the requirements section. [[this way you dont do double the amount of work]]</p>

<p>And to add to the financial aid situation, if your parents make less than 80,000 like my parents, and your efc is less than 12,000 you should get atleast 38,000 in bc grants like I did. </p>

<p>My question that I have is that I just saw my final transcript and noticed that I had a D+ on Ap chemistry lab and a C- on Ap chemistry. My question is should I be worried on being rescinded? What should I do if I am in risk? The rest of my grades are mostly A’s and I’m rank 17/160 if that matters a slight bit.</p>

<p>Q: My question that I have is that I just saw my final transcript and noticed that I had a D+ on Ap chemistry lab and a C- on Ap chemistry. My question is should I be worried on being rescinded? What should I do if I am in risk? The rest of my grades are mostly A’s and I’m rank 17/160 if that matters a slight bit.
A: I’ve heard rumors that if your gpa drops an entire point from the time from when you applied to when you graduate, they’ll question it. but since it’s an AP class, maybe they’ll wait until AP scores are out? i honestly dont know what to tell you and i certainly dont want to tell you the wrong thing. this isnt something i would wait around and see what happens…if anything, showing BC that you’re worried might be a good thing. i would call the dean’s office or admissions and get it squared away asap.</p>

<p>I think you may have touched on this earlier, but are season tickets as a freshman for football a good investment? I know hockey and basketball are pretty popular but their games are on the weekdays so they aren’t as well attended.</p>