How often do you go into Newton Corner? What is a good place for coffee and relaxation? Visiting in 2 weeks
@jasejacc I think you mean Newton Center?? It’s nicer to walk around there than Newton Corner. Lots of little places there to relax have coffee/eat. Enjoy! It’s a great place!
@jasejacc yes you mean newton center. There’s Starbucks, Peet’s, Panera and DD. Also many people like Johnnys Diner. Good pizza, Asian etc. Where are you staying? enjoy!
@goingback2cali Aside from the cold day how did you enjoy admitted students day. It’s much warmer today and 70 tomorrow morning
Our son lived on the Newton campus his freshman year. He developed a large close knit group of friends there.
The shuttle may get old after a while. But Newton does have a number of non-tangible upsides which lead many freshman to look back and cherish their year there.
My son was accepted and is still deciding. Would appreciate feedback on the following:
Campus diversity - he has read too many niche comments that mention “preppy and privileged” and is concerned he won’t fit in. Is that an accurate student body description?
Social life - has read comments that the campus is “quiet” and hard to establish a social life. He’s not really a party-er but is still looking for an active social life.
Any help is appreciated - thank you.
Bc has a lot clean cut kids self selecting into a Jesuit school. But there are all types of students. A stomp team. Flea bags the musical type group that Amy pohler from snl/Tina fey fame was in. Lots of d1 athletes etc and there’s no lack of party’s especially during football season. But even for freshmen there are football hockey basketball games etc. all right on campus. Fun is not in short supply. It’s a myth. Raging keggers. No not like that. But everything else and more
I’m a BC alum and the parent of a rising Junior. She arrives home today from her London semester abroad.
Social life: If you son is NOT a big partier, honestly, BC is perfect because while there are many parties to be found if that’s what you want (and they increase in opportunity and appeal as you get older, which is the opposite of some schools), there are so many other things going on.
The lack of greek life, IMO, makes for a more inclusive environment. Freshman year is more about bonding…according to my daughter (who lived on Newton and looking back would not have it any other way, she loved it) there is a lot of “pregaming” in the dorms…which are smaller gatherings before the kids go out…whether it be before a game, or some party the know of, or before they head into the city for an event. These smaller, more intimate gatherings are where the true friendships really form and people bond.
The more traditional parties start sophomore year because most sophomores live on lower campus in 8 man suites that are big enough for parties…not the big “Raging Keggers”, but real parties. There are the raging kegger type parties off campus (but really close as there are neighborhoods that the juniors live in and just walk to each other’s parties). Even if you end up on college road as a sophomore (I did) no big deal because you will know plenty of people on lower so you can go to those parties if you want. (Joining clubs can help expand your social horizons, too!)
Each year builds and unlike many other schools, senior year is the BEST year on campus. Everyone is back on (some kids get four year housing and some get three…but everyone lives on Senior year). Let’s put it this way…when graduation comes along, no one wants to leave. Senior week is a blast and the kids cry at the end of what was seemingly their best four years ever. Seriously. My daughter and her friends got adjacent mods and they are out of their mind with excitement for senior year.
In comparison to some other schools that rely heavily on greek life…lots of students love that, too. But this assumes you get into a frat or sorority (which doesn’t always happen). In the larger schools, most kids end up moving off campus sophomore/junior year and stay off. The greek life can be exclusive and make it harder to fit in once rush is over and everyone has their defined groups. And I think the greek life party scene can get old, too.
Honestly, I think freshman year anywhere can be a challenge. Your son has to make the effort no matter where he goes. BC offers many different social options, not just the traditional college party scene (but it has so much of that too).
There are a lot of white preppy kids, but there is diversity also. And the kids are NICE. Warm, welcoming, open minded. The academic environment is collaborative. My daughter has never had a test that she wasn’t invited to a study group for. And she’s in the B school. I would definitely consider BC an inclusive environment.
Feel free to private message me with any more questions and I can try to help!
Correction, I am the parent of a rising SENIOR.
@collegemomjam:
Very well worded. Your views and sentiments are exactly what our son experienced. No school is perfect, but BC offers an amazing experience.
Quiet? Not hardly. My D longed for the rare quiet day when she could study in her dorm room. Waaaay too many distractions, she claimed. hahahahaha
wrt to fitting in: yes, there are plenty of NE prep types, but BC is extremely welcoming to all; its part of the Jesuit ethos. We’re from SoCal and received big time finaid, so didn’t fit the stereotype, but D loved her time at BC. Made great friends, participated in cutting edge research, and used the faculty connections to springboard to a top PhD program.
I’m a huge fan of BC, Snowtree, but not sure its worth 2x the cost Fordham (after merit aid), which is also Jesuit. OTOH, I’d take BC over NYU in a nano-second (assuming not Tisch and not Stern).
Can a current student help with bank suggestions? Are there a couple of banks close to campus that students open accounts? My husband mentioned so I thought I’d post the question here, our future students aren’t on this site.
Our daughter from NJ has a Bank of America account which we can help her manage from NJ. I will ask her if there are more local banks she knows the kids use.
ATM’s on campus are Bank of America
@collegemomjam and @evergreen5 Thank you for the banking help!
@collegemomjam and @bluebayou Thank You! Very helpful.
@ aveagle04
Can you only take PULSE if you’re in MCAS?
Is it workable to fulfill pre-med while majoring in Applied Psychology- Lynch (like fit all the required courses into the schedule)?
For someone who really loves psychology, do you recommend majoring in both Lynch and MCAS Psy?
Are you in the teacher certification program, and can you share any info about the program?
Also, can you share which MCAS and Lynch psychology course you really recommend / not recommend?
Thx in advanced for helping!
Also, I was wondering if there’s anything (e.g. textbook to preview, AP/IB subject to review, etc) that you recommend doing over the summer to be better prepare for the Applied Psychology major or the Pre-med program?
BTW, would any volunteering hours we spent during the summer be helpful in fulfilling any requirement or applying for specific opportunities later when term starts?
(I am doing lots of volunteering work over the summer anyway, just want to know if there’s any suggestion?)
Strengthening your resume is always a good idea. Having strong service and other meaningful activities on your resume will help when you apply for certain clubs, or apply for leadership roles within the clubs you are accepted to/join.