BC 1L taking questions Forum

[AlanShore]

1L here- really enjoy BC. Feel free to ask any questions.

[JustHawkin]

Asked this in the BC C/O 2017 thread but I'm sure you don't really check that.

1L here - school has a delayed opening because of the snow. The offices will be open at 11am today.

If you can, share with us your 1L experience.
-Are you from Boston?
-What made you choose BC?
-What other options did you have?
-How do you like it so far?
-What are you aiming to do after?

Any insight would be great!

[kmiller]

Were you also accepted to BU? If so, what made you choose BC over BU?

[AlanShore]

JustHawkin-- I replied on that thread (edited it now a little bit). Here are my answers!

If you can, share with us your 1L experience.
-Are you from Boston?
Not from Boston originally but I went to undergrad in Boston and also worked here for a few years so I've been here for 7-8 years now
-What made you choose BC?
I wanted to stay in Boston and I got into peer schools in Boston, NY and CA (applied to CA just for the hell of it). I chose BC because of the strong alumni network and people are nice. I went to a big undergrad that doesnt have much school pride but for law school, I wanted to be able to reach out to BC grads for networking.
-What other options did you have?
peer schools, similar $ to Fordham, BC, USC. full rides to schools below
-How do you like it so far?
I love it so far. BC is wonderful. People are great. The 2Ls have been SO HELPFUL. One 2L read through several drafts of my cover letter, another read my 20 page memo and helped me edit it, another had a phone conversation with me over break to help me apply to a job, etc etc etc. This is why people come to BC but keep in mind, you have to take advantage of these opportunities!
-What are you aiming to do after?
Big law. It's tough out there as everyone knows. If I get good grades (top quarter) I feel fairly confident because I had pretty substantive work experience and a good resume.. we'll see though! BC's curriculum makes the 2nd semester much more important (21 credits vs 12 credits first semester)

[AlanShore]

Were you also accepted to BU? If so, what made you choose BC over BU?

I was. I chose BC because I think BC's alumni network is stronger. I think BU is a great choice too. I actually like BU's location better (I like being right in the city) but the old building is kinda crappy (though the new one is supposed to be really nice when its finished). BC offered me slightly more money, too. and when I visited both, I just got a gut feeling that I would like BC better. I'm really happy so far

[mx23250]

Thanks for answering questions!
How substantial are the number of OCI firms from markets far from Boston? Such as Chicago, Minneapolis, Texas, Cali. And do students have good luck getting jobs pretty much anywhere if they seek it (provided decent grades)? In other words, how much national reach does BC have?

[AlanShore]

Thanks for answering questions!
How substantial are the number of OCI firms from markets far from Boston? Such as Chicago, Minneapolis, Texas, Cali. And do students have good luck getting jobs pretty much anywhere if they seek it (provided decent grades)? In other words, how much national reach does BC have?

BC is definitely not known for its national reach; it's very very well respected in Boston and to some extent, in NY. A fair number of students will go to NYC (but the vast vast majority of oci people are staying in Boston) and I do know a few going out West and down south but getting a job in your home market will take considerable effort on your part to make those connections yourself. Everyone I know who is going back home (somewhere far from Boston) networked really well and got a job through connections/networking and not through OCI. If you want to rely on OCI and don't want to work in Boston or NYC, I dont think BC is the school for you.

[mx23250]

Thanks for answering questions!
How substantial are the number of OCI firms from markets far from Boston? Such as Chicago, Minneapolis, Texas, Cali. And do students have good luck getting jobs pretty much anywhere if they seek it (provided decent grades)? In other words, how much national reach does BC have?

BC is definitely not known for its national reach; it's very very well respected in Boston and to some extent, in NY. A fair number of students will go to NYC (but the vast vast majority of oci people are staying in Boston) and I do know a few going out West and down south but getting a job in your home market will take considerable effort on your part to make those connections yourself. Everyone I know who is going back home (somewhere far from Boston) networked really well and got a job through connections/networking and not through OCI. If you want to rely on OCI and don't want to work in Boston or NYC, I dont think BC is the school for you.

Thanks! Just something I'm curious about.

[Otunga]

From talking with laypeople in RI and hearing from a handful of attorneys, the BC degree seems to be prestigious (granted, we're working within the NE bubble). Have you come across or know of any RIers that go to BC and then have come back (or aim to) successfully for firm work? I've glanced around on firm websites and haven't seen too too many BC degrees (it's no doubt an insular market!). If I were to not get Boston biglaw, doing firm work in RI would be the fallback option, as working small law in Boston wouldn't make much sense given the higher COL (and I don't think I'm going for PI).

You mentioned that someone doing BC has to network adamantly to obtain a job when returning to their home market, which takes a ton of extra effort if that market is far away. I would think the difficulty increases when one for example is from Cali and aims to work in Boston after getting a BC degree. Likewise, I'd say it'd be difficult as a NEer to go to UCLA and land a job in Los Angeles barring fantastic grades. But correct me if I'm wrong.

[AlanShore]

From talking with laypeople in RI and hearing from a handful of attorneys, the BC degree seems to be prestigious (granted, we're working within the NE bubble). Have you come across or know of any RIers that go to BC and then have come back (or aim to) successfully for firm work? I've glanced around on firm websites and haven't seen too too many BC degrees (it's no doubt an insular market!). If I were to not get Boston biglaw, doing firm work in RI would be the fallback option, as working small law in Boston wouldn't make much sense given the higher COL (and I don't think I'm going for PI).

You mentioned that someone doing BC has to network adamantly to obtain a job when returning to their home market, which takes a ton of extra effort if that market is far away. I would think the difficulty increases when one for example is from Cali and aims to work in Boston after getting a BC degree. Likewise, I'd say it'd be difficult as a NEer to go to UCLA and land a job in Los Angeles barring fantastic grades. But correct me if I'm wrong.

I dont know too many people who came to BC and went back to RI but thats more becasue I dont know too many people who want to guy back to RI ever.. (just kidding!!! )

I suspect if you want to back to RI, you will definitely be able to. I know people who work in CT, ME, VT, etc and I think BC's prestige is definitely regional and extends throughout New England. I know RI-er that is clerking for a Supreme Court Judge in RI, etc so I'm sure the BC name will be fine in RI.

[iskim88]

Thank you for taking ur time to do this!

I won't be able to fly into Boston until the end of July, and am very much worried about finding the right place to live. My priority over everything else is to be able to crash into my bed right after studying many hours throughout the day. So the proximity to the law campus is what matters the the most to me. If u have any advice regarding this, I would greatly appreciate it! Thanks!

[AlanShore]

Thank you for taking ur time to do this!

I won't be able to fly into Boston until the end of July, and am very much worried about finding the right place to live. My priority over everything else is to be able to crash into my bed right after studying many hours throughout the day. So the proximity to the law campus is what matters the the most to me. If u have any advice regarding this, I would greatly appreciate it! Thanks!

Hmmm do you want to live alone or would you live with roommates (other 1/2/3Ls)? If you dont mind living with roommates or were planning on it, theres a housing fair some time in the summer but you can submit some forms/find people on the facebook group and they will look at the apartments, take pics, etc. The downside is you barely know these people and you havent seen the apt yourself.

A realtor is your other option; there are some that do this for students that arent in the area. You'll have to use this option if you want to live alone. Do NOT wait until July. Housing options go QUICKLY around here. I would start in May because people often know when their tenants are moving out.

Alternatively, if you narrow it down to a couple places, I can take a look at them for you and send you pictures but I can't do this till June. I have finals in May then my writing comp and my 1L SA starting at the same time...

[iskim88]

Thank you for taking ur time to do this!

I won't be able to fly into Boston until the end of July, and am very much worried about finding the right place to live. My priority over everything else is to be able to crash into my bed right after studying many hours throughout the day. So the proximity to the law campus is what matters the the most to me. If u have any advice regarding this, I would greatly appreciate it! Thanks!

Hmmm do you want to live alone or would you live with roommates (other 1/2/3Ls)? If you dont mind living with roommates or were planning on it, theres a housing fair some time in the summer but you can submit some forms/find people on the facebook group and they will look at the apartments, take pics, etc. The downside is you barely know these people and you havent seen the apt yourself.

A realtor is your other option; there are some that do this for students that arent in the area. You'll have to use this option if you want to live alone. Do NOT wait until July. Housing options go QUICKLY around here. I would start in May because people often know when their tenants are moving out.

Alternatively, if you narrow it down to a couple places, I can take a look at them for you and send you pictures but I can't do this till June. I have finals in May then my writing comp and my 1L SA starting at the same time...

That's really nice of you! Thank you so much. The collegiate ambiance is already visible from this thread lol
If I ever need help I'll make sure to contact you. Good luck with the pile load of work ahead of you! (my future soon I guess.... lol)

[AlanShore]

Thank you for taking ur time to do this!

I won't be able to fly into Boston until the end of July, and am very much worried about finding the right place to live. My priority over everything else is to be able to crash into my bed right after studying many hours throughout the day. So the proximity to the law campus is what matters the the most to me. If u have any advice regarding this, I would greatly appreciate it! Thanks!

Hmmm do you want to live alone or would you live with roommates (other 1/2/3Ls)? If you dont mind living with roommates or were planning on it, theres a housing fair some time in the summer but you can submit some forms/find people on the facebook group and they will look at the apartments, take pics, etc. The downside is you barely know these people and you havent seen the apt yourself.

A realtor is your other option; there are some that do this for students that arent in the area. You'll have to use this option if you want to live alone. Do NOT wait until July. Housing options go QUICKLY around here. I would start in May because people often know when their tenants are moving out.

Alternatively, if you narrow it down to a couple places, I can take a look at them for you and send you pictures but I can't do this till June. I have finals in May then my writing comp and my 1L SA starting at the same time...

That's really nice of you! Thank you so much. The collegiate ambiance is already visible from this thread lol
If I ever need help I'll make sure to contact you. Good luck with the pile load of work ahead of you! (my future soon I guess.... lol)

No problem! Good luck with the rest of your cycle!

[Otunga]

To the OP or anybody else that goes to BC:

Do you know what the 1L class size is looking like for this year? Looking at LST, the 1L class sizes have decreased steadily, but not that substantially. If they were to dip under 200, I would be more confident in BC's placement.

[AlanShore]

To the OP or anybody else that goes to BC:

Do you know what the 1L class size is looking like for this year? Looking at LST, the 1L class sizes have decreased steadily, but not that substantially. If they were to dip under 200, I would be more confident in BC's placement.

The current 1L class is 235. I doubt it will dip below 200. I dont know if we're planning to decrease more. I'll try to ask around and report back if I hear anything.

[frank617]

Thanks again for offering to help.

I'm not going to be moving up to the Boston area until late May (staying with family until I get an apartment figured out). Am I going to be way behind if I'm not being proactive about the apartment/roommate search until then? Do most people find roommates, then apartments, or the other way around?

[AlanShore]

Thanks again for offering to help.

I'm not going to be moving up to the Boston area until late May (staying with family until I get an apartment figured out). Am I going to be way behind if I'm not being proactive about the apartment/roommate search until then? Do most people find roommates, then apartments, or the other way around?

My instinct says you'll be OK but its so competitive here. I dont live in the areas around school so let me ask my peers when they started looking.

I think people do it both ways. Youll have no trouble finding roommates if you get an apt first but they might not be law students and you could get stuck with someone sucky. but ill ask my classmates what they did!

[AlanShore]

Thanks again for offering to help.

I'm not going to be moving up to the Boston area until late May (staying with family until I get an apartment figured out). Am I going to be way behind if I'm not being proactive about the apartment/roommate search until then? Do most people find roommates, then apartments, or the other way around?

My instinct says you'll be OK but its so competitive here. I dont live in the areas around school so let me ask my peers when they started looking.

I think people do it both ways. Youll have no trouble finding roommates if you get an apt first but they might not be law students and you could get stuck with someone sucky. but ill ask my classmates what they did!

several people have said may is definitely not too late. most people are saying they found a place in june/july/some even august

[frank617]

Thanks again for offering to help.

I'm not going to be moving up to the Boston area until late May (staying with family until I get an apartment figured out). Am I going to be way behind if I'm not being proactive about the apartment/roommate search until then? Do most people find roommates, then apartments, or the other way around?

My instinct says you'll be OK but its so competitive here. I dont live in the areas around school so let me ask my peers when they started looking.

I think people do it both ways. Youll have no trouble finding roommates if you get an apt first but they might not be law students and you could get stuck with someone sucky. but ill ask my classmates what they did!

several people have said may is definitely not too late. most people are saying they found a place in june/july/some even august

awesome, thanks for asking around! I guess I'll hold off until late May to start finding roommates, and then go from there.

[Otunga]

To the OP or anybody else that goes to BC:

Do you know what the 1L class size is looking like for this year? Looking at LST, the 1L class sizes have decreased steadily, but not that substantially. If they were to dip under 200, I would be more confident in BC's placement.

The current 1L class is 235. I doubt it will dip below 200. I dont know if we're planning to decrease more. I'll try to ask around and report back if I hear anything.

Thanks. I'm not sure if class size makes much of a difference for biglaw hiring, since hiring is grade intensive, but it certainly seems to for small firms.