Transportation to Boston? And Logan?

<p>I have a on is applying to Olin this year. This Thanksgiving break time has got me thinking ahead a little about next year... How hard is it to get from Olin to Boston? And especially to Logan? </p>

<p>He is also looking at Northeastern (in the city, with superb transportation access) and MIT (also handy transportation). When we visited Olin, it definitley seemed more peaceful than a city campus. But I'm wondering how Olin students typically get to the airport. </p>

<p>If you have any hints (or nightmares) to share about booking flights out of Boston at holiday time, that would be appreciated too.</p>

<p>We live on the east coast, and S comes home on the Bolt Bus, which serves major cities up and down the coast. He has also taken combinations of buses, trains, and the T to visit friends in other college towns. One T stop is within walking distance, but the better one (more direct) is a bike ride (for a day trip) or a car ride away. Lots of folks have cars and are willing to drop you off if available. There’s also a shuttle at Babson which goes into Boston and to the T (I think–correct me if I’m wrong, students). </p>

<p>As far as flying, son recently flew to CA for a weekend, and a friend drove him to the airport. On the way home to Boston, one of his flights was switched, so he landed in the middle of the night and took a cab instead of waking someone. We had pre-approved this–but it was expensive (over $80!!!). Suffice it to say, we are going to be looking into other options. It looks as if there are plenty of buses and shuttles that service the airport and could take him to Framingham (pretty close) or South Station where he could catch the T. </p>

<p>Olin students are great, though, always willing to give a ride to a fellow student. They are allowed to send all-campus e-mails, so a blast goes out, and invariably, someone is willing to drive. Surprisingly, there are a few students from the west who actually drive cross-country so they have a car at school.
We may let him take a car next year (to pay back for his rides!!) but I think it’s really good to learn “how things work” for at least a couple of years. Both of my college students can pretty much figure out how to get anywhere via public transportation!! Now if I can only get him to update us when he gets where he’s going (D learned after much handwringing for a few years).</p>

<p>I hope this helps a bit–maybe someone with more airport experience will comment.</p>

<p>siusplau - Thanks for the helpful information. Sorry about that $80 cab ride, but I bet you felt glad that he was safe and at least had a cab option (last resort). </p>

<p>We live in Colorado and have never even considered sending son with a car. Luckily Logan has many direct flights to Denver. I have heard though booking can be tough when all the students in Boston are travelling home. Perhaps next year we should all spend Thanksgiving with the Cape Cod relatives :)</p>

<p>Yes–you do have to book early, but the good thing is that Olin has the entire week off, so they aren’t traveling home at the worst peak times. But our S learned the hard way that he needs to book his bus trip back to Olin at the same time, since everyone else wants to get back, too! I keep telling him he can invite friends for Thanksgiving–so maybe we’ll host your S next year! Good luck!!</p>

<p>I am a Colorado Mom of an Oiin Senior. We have not had problems sending our son back & forth. United & Jet Blue fly non-stop and Southwest is starting in January. We usually use Jet Blue- except the first day of school and when they return in January after the long holiday break. Jet Blue only has one flight available, and the dorms do not open until 5pm those two times. As for travel from Logan to Boston, the T is an option, but then someone would need to pick them up from the T station- it is too long of a walk. We use Joseph with J&J Sedan- his service is exceptional! I have not had problems booking any flights over the last 3 years for my son. Over the holidays it does get quite pricey- students aren’t out this year until December 20th. I am happy to answer any other questions that you might have.
Good luck to you!</p>

<p>Thanks momofolinsenior… excellent tips! I filed that in case my son ends up in Boston (he’s applying to Olin, Northeastern and MIT).</p>

<p>Since your son is a senior, I’m wondering… How has he adjusted to Boston winters? My kids are really spoiled growing up in the Colorado sunshine. Tonight I asked my daughter to shovel, and she replied “what, it didn’t melt???”. Ha, it’s 6 degrees out there!</p>

<p>These Olin kids are great for helping each other out. My son sends out an email to the college community, and there have always been other Olin students who are returning from break at the same general time. They share the taxi fare between 3 or 4 students, which makes it affordable!</p>

<p>Olin students are wonderful for keeping in touch and working together. My son sends out a message on the internet and asks who else is coming to the airport at roughly the same time, and there have always been other students who share the taxi fare between the 3 or 4 of them, which makes it affordable. This has worked for every break over the past four years.</p>

<p>I would say it’s not hard at all to get to Logan or Boston. (I’m a current Olin student)</p>

<p>I don’t know anyone at Olin who has ever had a problem getting to the airport. Around break, there’s usually a wiki for organizing rides to Logan and the T that seems to work well for getting everyone where they need to go. Also, based on the number of people who have cars on campus, it’s likely that your son would know multiple people that he could ask for rides. If he doesn’t get a ride, I know taxi sharing happens a lot too, to cut down on the cost.</p>

<p>Just bumping this thread. I’ve been impressed by the way the Olin kids help out as needed for transportation at breaks. You can either consider Olin to be a very tiny college… or a very large familiy :)</p>

<p>Definitely a very large family filled with lots of relatives I like.</p>

<p>Is it easy to get into Cambridge for fun, to dinner? for music? Is there much to do on campus - and how often to students head off campus for fun on the weekends?</p>

<p>Smiles,
PS</p>

<p>ParentSparkle - Olin students have lots of varied interests. They are permitted to send broadcast emails to the entire student body without prior approval making it easy to find others who want to join you in an adventure. My son is a freshman and is very happy spending his weekends on campus hanging out with his friends. Schoolwork also takes up a lot of weekend time. Is your child applying to Olin? To other Boston area schools?</p>

<p>A significant %age of Olin students are musicians. Olin has an a Capella group and a conductorless orchestra. The orchestra just performed in NYC. PM me if you have more questions.</p>

<p>First, let me address the original question in this post–about the airport: my son tells me that Core (student government) now contracts a shuttle at breaks which groups students together and delivers them to and from the airport for $10 apiece. That’s a great new development–Core saw a need and figured out how to deliver a solution (a good example of how students are able to effect change at Olin in ways large and small).</p>

<p>PS, it is simple to get to Cambridge/Boston (more later). On weekends there are parties ranging from small–friend groups, hall events, events put on by various organizations–to large–“Man Hall” theme parties which draw from all the local colleges. There are plays, musical events, film series and talks at Babson, Wellesley and also Olin. Friday afternoons are dedicated to community service, so often the service groups will morph into an activity after their work. Lots of impromptu events/excursions are easy to join in with–everyone is very inclusive. Lots of students do their “passionate pursuits” on the weekend–aerial silks, music lessons, drawing classes, welding class, pottery etc. Groups go to movies, and for something big–like Harry Potter or a new Batman–students have arranged for the entire school to go to the theater (if they want!). Sports–rugby, soccer, ultimate, running, dodgeball etc. Sometimes there are all-campus games of “mafia” (or murder–whatever you call it) or competitions between classes or halls in recycling or responding to a survey or something minor. They also have some uniquely Olin traditions, like celebrating 2012 hours before graduation for this year’s seniors. Never a dull moment–seriously!!</p>

<p>CAVEAT: Olin students work extremely hard…I have never seen a school that has less of a “divide” between work time/play time. I believe everyone works in some way or another on the weekend–and usually they are happy to do it. They simply can’t decide to just take every weekend off. I do believe that the average student might get into Boston once or twice a month, but I’m certain there are students who make a point of doing it once a week, and some only once a semester. Anything is possible–students have to decide their own priorities. My son’s Scope company is in Boston this year, so they are in quite a bit–for work, which can morph into fun! Also, at times after work is done for the semester (classes over, prepping for Expo, as an example) groups of students will spontaneously decide to go on a road trip, or do something really wacky to blow off steam and then be back for Expo.</p>

<p>Naturally, activities at Olin are nowhere near as varied and numerous as they would be at a larger school. But the short answer remains–Olin students are never bored and never idle. And, like FlMathMom says, all the relatives seem to like each other!</p>

<p>We cross-posted!</p>

<p>That’s very helpful! I went to Penn in West Philly, and probably headed downtown 2x/month - a friend had a student subscription to the Orchestra which was wonderful, or a group dinner in Chinatown. I’ve been trying to wrap my mind around what a school of Olin’s size would be like on a day to day basis. </p>

<p>My son is a sophmore, so hasn’t visited campuses yet. I remember my Dad looking at my college when I got dropped off and him saying that he wished he was going. I’m starting to understand what he was talking about. Olin seems amazing. </p>

<p>Happy New Year,
PS</p>

<p>Olin is amazing, for the right fit kid. My impression is that most students enjoy visiting Boston now and then, but Boston access was only a minor factor for them. (There are other Boston colleges with much easier city access). They seem to be drawn by Olin’s unique project-based teaching approach and the bright, passionate student body. </p>

<p>“Olin students are never bored and never idle.” - Well, they are sometimes tired/idle when home on break after a semester of hard work ;)</p>

<p>Random thread hijack: D’s app to Olin is away! Fingers crossed–it’s at the top of her list.</p>

<p>Good luck rayrick child. Fingers and toes crossed for you.</p>

<p>Yes…good luck to her!
Also, I agree with CM…Olin students are attracted to the style of the education and the dynamic and personable students. The fact that Boston is so close is an added bonus, but it is of minor importance to their decision to apply and attend.</p>