<p>BC is my top choice, what is your favorite part of the school?</p>
<p>Architecturally:</p>
<p>Bapst Library - the best example of Collegiate Gothic on campus, inside and out - one of the best in the country. A wonderful place to study, read, spend time. Also see Ford Tower.</p>
<p>Gasson Rotunda - the statuary is noteworthy</p>
<p>Hovey House - at one time a gentleman’s country house</p>
<p>O’Connell House - like Hovey, only a heavier feel</p>
<p>Exterior of Devlin Hall - similar to Bapst in aesthetics</p>
<p>McMullen Museum of Art (in Devlin), I guess, though have not seen it.</p>
<p>Statue of Ignatius de Loyola - a well done, recent addition that enhances that part of Middle Campus</p>
<p>Open air study spaces (shaded by trees and bushes) on O’Neill Plaza - offers relief from the Brutalism of O’Neill Library</p>
<p>Higgins’ Stairs - a fairly recent improvement on the simple, straight up and down stairs that were there. Includes several landings with numerous wooden benches surrounded by greenery.</p>
<p>The entrance gates and fence on Beacon Street - wrought iron and stone</p>
<p>The former Cardinal’s residence is supposed to be quite something but I have not seen it yet.</p>
<p>And, of course, Linden Lane, with its Linden trees which were mature when I was there nearly forty years ago, and now have attained a stateliness that really beautifies the main entrance to campus.</p>
<p>Dear griffinp : As a long time poster here on College Confidential with two students at Boston College (senior/sophomore), let me offer some other ideas - some you can immediately experience virtually.</p>
<p>Tonight, Saturday, October 2nd, turn on NBC or an affiliate and watch the Boston College vs. Notre Dame game. Even after the loss last week, 19-0, at home (first home shutout since 1998), you will see the Boston and Boston College spirit.</p>
<p>While on campus, tour Conte Forum and learn about the other sports traditions including the Men’s (and Women’s) hockey teams, the current top 25 rankings for Men’s and Women’s Soccer and Field Hockey. A national NCAA title in Sailing last year and host of other memories await you. Be sure to see Alumni Stadium and “touch” the Doug Flutie statue which many say commemorates the fulcrum that propelled Boston College into a national university.</p>
<p>Academically, look to the Honors Program or many of the non-Honors Perspectives programs. Incredibly well respected programs in the sciences, business, nursing, and education lead the campus in conferences and grants won by the university (particularly Chemistry).</p>
<p>During orientation (a three-day experience that will stay with you for a lifetime), you will hear so much about the First Year Experience and the support provided to you through Boston College’s Office of the FYE and community.</p>
<p>While college dining if often maligned, the service at Boston College, still run by the school itself, far outpaces most university facilities and I have been part of more than 20 different dining experiences at colleges in my career.</p>
<p>Some other less frequent, yet interesting activities not yet mentioned : convocation, movies and videos in O’Neill plaza, the Christmas Tree lighting, Welcome Wagon, Freshman Week (first week preclass activities), green space on Upper Campus and Newton Campus, the Alumni Network, service trips, and a myriad of other memories.</p>
<p>As a parent, I’d say the welcoming community that exists; unlike most other colleges that just want to see parental $$ checks, the BC administration purposely welcomes parents and other family members to join the BC-extended family.</p>
<p>btw: having eaten at several colleges known for ‘great food’, I concur with Scott – BC is just as good, and better than some.</p>
<p>Given my lack of school spirit (being a BC student isn’t really part of my identity in any way), I can say the following:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>The academics. They are solid, and the majority of the professors are dedicated. I recall a semester ago when an adjunct professor actually took time out of her evening schedule (she only came to campus twice a week) to schedule a mid-term review with the class. Now, I didn’t attend that mid-term review (because I am usually home after 5:00PM), but such dedication (by an adjunct, nonetheless!) is impressive. </p></li>
<li><p>The career center is excellent. The workshops are very informative and the staff is very personable and helpful (especially when it comes to reviewing resumes and cover letters). </p></li>
</ol>
<p>BC is a solid school from these two perspectives, even if you might commute like I do.</p>
<p>I agree with bluebayou- you probably won’t find a more compassionate, kind, and all-around awesome group of people any where else. School spirit is huge on campus, and even if you’re not much of a sports fan, the energy and love that students give to this school is infectious. Also, as the previous poster mentioned, there is a wealth of resources here on campus catered to making your transition into college as smooth as possible, and giving you the guidance to get your through your years here at BC. Anything you need, BC’s got(well, almost everything. We don’t have an engineering department…yet). </p>
<p>Go eagles!</p>
<p>Zenbadabing - Your last sentence made me laugh. Every home football game, as I watch the band march in not-too-straight lines, that it always my comment. You can tell BC doesn’t have an engineering department - the band can’t march in a straight line - no engineering students to get it right :)</p>
<p>I am already feeling nostalgic about BC - my oldest son is a senior. The younger one is going to MIT so we will still get to visit Boston, but since we are crazy sports fans I sure am going to miss the awesome parents weekends, the football games, the very (very) fun tailgates and the incredible community of BC. As parents we have made many friends and couldn’t be happier with the experience our son has had. The career support has been amazing , in fact he already has been offered a couple of position as have several of his friends. He has had a good blend of fun, parties and academic challenge. Meeting great friends who will be lifelong I am sure. We love BC and so glad he chose it over his many other choices. Other favorite things - Roggies during football season, eating at the North End, drinking at the Black Rose, The Bean Pot.</p>