I have applied to Boston College and I am going to find out if I get in in the coming week. Boston College is one of my top choice schools no matter what, but I do have some questions about the social life. I’ve heard that because Boston College doesn’t have frats, the parties aren’t as fun. Is this true? Also, how is the social life in general?
@mattdiben123 I am the parent of a junior at BC and also an alum. BC has a great social scene. I personally think it is superior to many schools. Here are my reasons.
Lack of Greek life makes it better: No, you may not find yourself as a freshman at big frat parties that some of your friends that are going to Penn State or 'Bama may post pictures of. I worry, no offense to any readers here, that many high school seniors have this image of college life and it mostly revolves around having a red solo cup in your hand at a crowded frat party. I’ve been to those types of parties (at BC and bigger ones at Penn State!) and they can be fun, but they get old really fast.
What’s great about BC, and possibly unique, is that the social life at BC gets better every year. While you can and will find parties as a freshman, to me that’s not as fun or as important as the bonding you will do with the friends you meet in your dorm and in clubs. You might go to some smaller gatherings together in dorms on the nights you don’t find parties or use your fakes to go to a bar that you know will let you in. You might explore the city together, get to know Boston. And you will go to the some of the best tailgates in the country on football days (and BC is getting strong again…7-5 record this year, made a bowl, and our team is very YOUNG!). (For the record, we have friends that went to Clemson for a tailgate this year and said BC’s were by far better, take that for what it is worth!).
Sophomore year most students live on lower campus and you get a taste for some parties on campus. Many students live in 8 man suites and have parties (not big like in frat houses) but parties…some of you will end up on College Road (traditional dorms) as sophomores, as did I, but you will know people on lower and it’s totally fine. Honestly, the second year in traditional style dorms allows you to do more bonding…I met my best friend in my sophomore dorm. She was in my wedding. But you will also know people off campus (really close to campus, cheap uber away if you can’t walk) and you can find parties there as well. There are some sophomores that live off campus and are happy to throw lots of parties.
Junior year is the year most people live off…not everyone gets four years housing so those that don’t live off junior year because it is often the year you go abroad so it’s only one semester off campus. My daughter had four years housing but STILL lived off because she wanted to stay with her group. Most of them are going abroad next semester (planning to meet on St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland as we speak).
OK, so senior year at BC is amazing, it’s the pinnacle year…many people you know will be dying to graduate and get out of school, but not the kids at BC. Everyone moves BACK ON CAMPUS for senior year and if BC would allow it this is where they would stay for the next 10 years of their lives. If you don’t get a “mod”, you will still be on lower and it won’t matter because you will be so close and know tons of people in the mods. Parties are legal in the mods…people BBQ in their little yards and live amongst each other quite happily for what ends up being a very very quick year and lots of tears when it’s all over.
On top of all of this, BC has amazing school spirit…not only football but hockey is big (and BC beat Duke in basketball last night!).
All I can tell you is my daughter loves to have fun and has not missed a beat socially and has literally thanked me for sending her to the greatest school on earth. BC is lacking NOTHING. Location, people, amazingly helpful and caring professors, tons of school spirit…oh, and great academics and career advising. She and her roommates all have great internships lined up for the summer…recruiting is great. As a parent, I know that I have gotten my money’s worth.
Feel free to private message me if you have any more questions.
Thank you!