Boston College (BC) 3L Taking Questions Forum

[sullidop]

-Can law students use the gym on the undergrad campus?
-Does BC dominate the rest of New England as it does in MA? Would a BC grad have a major leg up over UConn, U of Maine grads in their respective states (assuming similar class rank)?
-How much influence does BC's Jesuit heritage exert on the culture of the school?

Thank for for all of your helpful, detailed responses thus far, sulli and BCLS!

1) They can but you have to buy a membership. It's about 250 for the year. http://www.bc.edu/plex
2) It's been my impression that they do, however secondary markets are usually concerned about local ties. So all else equal, yeah BC>>>UConn/UMaine, etc.
3) The catholicism much more pronounced at the undergrad level. That being said, there are resources for Catholic thought due to the Jesuit admin (classes, writing program, clubs, retreats, etc). On the political side, I'm libertarian and consider most of my classmates socialist/communist, but I'm told that BC is a little more conservative than other schools.

[StanDarsh]

Can law students use the main campus library? I noticed that the law library is only open until 11/11:30 or so, which isn't very late.

[sullidop]

Can law students use the main campus library? I noticed that the law library is only open until 11/11:30 or so, which isn't very late.

Yep, law students can use the library on main campus. Unless you have a thing where you can only study between 10pm & 2am, you won't need to stay in the library that late...it's deserted by 9pm.

[IsleMet]

Hi All,

So, I was in Boson last weekend and looked at 20+ apartments in Brighton, Allston, and Brookline. Honestly, I only found 3-4 that I would even consider living in (most had at least one significant negative--dirty, tiny bedrooms, bad location, etc.). I found one place in Brighton that is about 2.5 miles from the law campus and about a 4 minute walk to the Sutherland T stop (10 minute walk to the Chiswick shuttle). It was $2900/month and I negotiated with the landlord to get 3 parking included and the fee cut down by 70%. 4 beds, 2 bath, duplex, good condition, back deck. Would I be dumb to not take this place? I'm trying to figure out if I should jump on it or if I should wait and visit again in a few weeks.

Also, if you'd like my impressions of what I looked at, feel free to ask! I have decided that I definitely want to be in Brighton. I plan to either drive or bike to school every day.

Did that price include heat/hot water?

Nope, doesn't include heat/hot water (which I know can be pretty expensive in the winter). I was happy to get the parking thrown in...it's at least a $200/month value. I'm just wondering if I should wait another 2 weeks and look at places closer to Cleveland Circle or if I should just make it official with this place (I'd hate to pass this up and then regret it in a month when I can't find anything comparable).

[sullidop]

Hi All,

So, I was in Boson last weekend and looked at 20+ apartments in Brighton, Allston, and Brookline. Honestly, I only found 3-4 that I would even consider living in (most had at least one significant negative--dirty, tiny bedrooms, bad location, etc.). I found one place in Brighton that is about 2.5 miles from the law campus and about a 4 minute walk to the Sutherland T stop (10 minute walk to the Chiswick shuttle). It was $2900/month and I negotiated with the landlord to get 3 parking included and the fee cut down by 70%. 4 beds, 2 bath, duplex, good condition, back deck. Would I be dumb to not take this place? I'm trying to figure out if I should jump on it or if I should wait and visit again in a few weeks.

Also, if you'd like my impressions of what I looked at, feel free to ask! I have decided that I definitely want to be in Brighton. I plan to either drive or bike to school every day.

Did that price include heat/hot water?

Nope, doesn't include heat/hot water (which I know can be pretty expensive in the winter). I was happy to get the parking thrown in...it's at least a $200/month value. I'm just wondering if I should wait another 2 weeks and look at places closer to Cleveland Circle or if I should just make it official with this place (I'd hate to pass this up and then regret it in a month when I can't find anything comparable).

Hmmm, you're probably looking at about 820 a person, on average, including heat and hot water. If you really like it I'd pull the trigger (not having seen the apt I can't give you a definitive yes or no). That price seems reasonable. Just make sure that the lease doesn't have a "no sublet" clause in it; if you've going to be elsewhere during the summer a sublet is clutch.

[skippy1]

Does it make sense to even look for 9 month leases - seems like they are not available at all.

[sullidop]

Does it make sense to even look for 9 month leases - seems like they are not available at all.

Very few apts will give you that option, but if they do I'd take it. My first year I rented a room in an existing apt. It was close to 9/1 so I negotiated a 9 month lease with the option to renew. I ended up working in a different area of the state and saved myself almost 3k. Generally speaking, however, this will not be an option. Given that good properties don't stay on the market for long it's best to snag something of quality when you have the chance.

[mettasutta]

Is there a membership fee for the gym on the Newton campus? I know you said it was crappy but I'm not a gym rat or anything, lol, just want to stay in shape.

[Perch]

Is there a membership fee for the gym on the Newton campus? I know you said it was crappy but I'm not a gym rat or anything, lol, just want to stay in shape.

250, see above, assuming i read that right.

[mettasutta]

Is there a membership fee for the gym on the Newton campus? I know you said it was crappy but I'm not a gym rat or anything, lol, just want to stay in shape.

250, see above, assuming i read that right.

That's for the main campus RecPlex. OP said earlier that there's a gym on the Newton campus, but it's crappy.

[sullidop]

Is there a membership fee for the gym on the Newton campus? I know you said it was crappy but I'm not a gym rat or anything, lol, just want to stay in shape.

250, see above, assuming i read that right.

That's for the main campus RecPlex. OP said earlier that there's a gym on the Newton campus, but it's crappy.

The gym on Newton use to be free for law students but now you have to buy the above plan to access it.

[Perch]

Is there a membership fee for the gym on the Newton campus? I know you said it was crappy but I'm not a gym rat or anything, lol, just want to stay in shape.

250, see above, assuming i read that right.

That's for the main campus RecPlex. OP said earlier that there's a gym on the Newton campus, but it's crappy.

gotcha gotcha, thanks. and of course the should charge, you're only paying 40k to go to school there.

so a more general question about the boston legal market. I always hear and read that BC does very well in the Boston biglaw market, but my question is: how big is the boston biglaw market? What are the top firms that BC students feed into? What are the top firms that students would gun for?

Hope my question isn't too vague, thanks for the help all

[sullidop]

gotcha gotcha, thanks. and of course the should charge, you're only paying 40k to go to school there.

so a more general question about the boston legal market. I always hear and read that BC does very well in the Boston biglaw market, but my question is: how big is the boston biglaw market? What are the top firms that BC students feed into? What are the top firms that students would gun for?

Hope my question isn't too vague, thanks for the help all

The Boston biglaw market is disproportionately large. It's obvi not as big as NYC, but given Boston's size, it's strange to see that it has more market firms than almost all cities outside NYC, DC, Chi, and maybe LA. I honestly don't get it, but I'll take it.

Off the top of my head, the big firms (all market with SA classes 8-30 in Boston) are: Ropes, Bingham, Goodwin, Mintz, and Wilmer. K&L, Sullivan & Worcester, DLA, Brown Rudnick, foley hoag, Choate, Edwards Angell, Hinckley, Holland Knight, Nixon, McDermott, Skadden and Nutter are the largest of the rest (mostly market)...certainly a lot have been omitted however I'm not sure how consistently those guys pay market.

Usually Ropes and Wilmer take the most BC kids, followed by Goodwin and Bingham. Usually the top kids who stay in Boston go to Ropes, probably just because it's the highest ranked vault firm on the list (I think).
If you're sure that you want to go into certain areas, I think Ropes has the better appellate group, Goodwin does a lot of PE, etc...such is a better divining rod than vault rankings

[Perch]

gotcha gotcha, thanks. and of course the should charge, you're only paying 40k to go to school there.

so a more general question about the boston legal market. I always hear and read that BC does very well in the Boston biglaw market, but my question is: how big is the boston biglaw market? What are the top firms that BC students feed into? What are the top firms that students would gun for?

Hope my question isn't too vague, thanks for the help all

The Boston biglaw market is disproportionately large. It's obvi not as big as NYC, but given Boston's size, it's strange to see that it has more market firms than almost all cities outside NYC, DC, Chi, and maybe LA. I honestly don't get it, but I'll take it.

Off the top of my head, the big firms (all market with SA classes 8-30 in Boston) are: Ropes, Bingham, Goodwin, Mintz, and Wilmer. K&L, Sullivan & Worcester, DLA, Brown Rudnick, Foley Hoag, Choate, Edwards Angell, Hinckley, Holland Knight, Nixon, McDermott, Skadden and Nutter are the largest of the rest (mostly market)...certainly a lot have been omitted however I'm not sure how consistently those guys pay market.

Usually Ropes and Wilmer take the most BC kids, followed by Goodwin and Bingham. Usually the top kids who stay in Boston go to Ropes, probably just because it's the highest ranked vault firm on the list (I think).
If you're sure that you want to go into certain areas, I think Ropes has the better appellate group, Goodwin does a lot of PE, etc...such is a better divining rod than vault rankings

Exactly what I was looking for. Incredibly helpful as always, thanks!

[sullidop]

Helping is what I do best

[bostonlawchick]

The Boston biglaw market is disproportionately large. It's obvi not as big as NYC, but given Boston's size, it's strange to see that it has more market firms than almost all cities outside NYC, DC, Chi, and maybe LA. I honestly don't get it, but I'll take it.

Off the top of my head, the big firms (all market with SA classes 8-30 in Boston) are: Ropes, Bingham, Goodwin, Mintz, and Wilmer. K&L, Sullivan & Worcester, DLA, Brown Rudnick, Foley Hoag, Choate, Edwards Angell, Hinckley, Holland Knight, Nixon, McDermott, Skadden and Nutter are the largest of the rest (mostly market)...certainly a lot have been omitted however I'm not sure how consistently those guys pay market.

Usually Ropes and Wilmer take the most BC kids, followed by Goodwin and Bingham. Usually the top kids who stay in Boston go to Ropes, probably just because it's the highest ranked vault firm on the list (I think).
If you're sure that you want to go into certain areas, I think Ropes has the better appellate group, Goodwin does a lot of PE, etc...such is a better divining rod than vault rankings

I've been looking around for this type of summary as well, thanks for sharing!

[zonto]

Sulli et al.,

I'm currently looking at laptops and have a few questions you might be able to help with as I narrow things down:

1. Does BC have outlets at the library as well as the classrooms?

2. Is it possible to just leave casebooks in a locker downstairs if you don't take your work home with you? This seems infinitely more desirable than lugging books to and from my apartment and just studying only on campus.

3. Do you need a CD drive? From the link on the BC Law webpage it seemed like ExamSoft was just a download, but I wanted to check.

4. Any recommendations for screen size? Would going with a 12.5" instead of the larger screen of a 14 or 15" be ok or do you really need the extra screen real estate when you're studying/outlining for hours?

Thanks!

[skippy1]

To add to zonto's laptop questions.... do profs allow laptops in classes?

[skippy1]

Hi All,

So, I was in Boson last weekend and looked at 20+ apartments in Brighton, Allston, and Brookline. Honestly, I only found 3-4 that I would even consider living in (most had at least one significant negative--dirty, tiny bedrooms, bad location, etc.). I found one place in Brighton that is about 2.5 miles from the law campus and about a 4 minute walk to the Sutherland T stop (10 minute walk to the Chiswick shuttle). It was $2900/month and I negotiated with the landlord to get 3 parking included and the fee cut down by 70%. 4 beds, 2 bath, duplex, good condition, back deck. Would I be dumb to not take this place? I'm trying to figure out if I should jump on it or if I should wait and visit again in a few weeks.

Also, if you'd like my impressions of what I looked at, feel free to ask! I have decided that I definitely want to be in Brighton. I plan to either drive or bike to school every day.

Did that price include heat/hot water?

Nope, doesn't include heat/hot water (which I know can be pretty expensive in the winter). I was happy to get the parking thrown in...it's at least a $200/month value. I'm just wondering if I should wait another 2 weeks and look at places closer to Cleveland Circle or if I should just make it official with this place (I'd hate to pass this up and then regret it in a month when I can't find anything comparable).

Hmmm, you're probably looking at about 820 a person, on average, including heat and hot water. If you really like it I'd pull the trigger (not having seen the apt I can't give you a definitive yes or no). That price seems reasonable. Just make sure that the lease doesn't have a "no sublet" clause in it; if you've going to be elsewhere during the summer a sublet is clutch.

islemet - did you look at these places on Craigslist before you visited? Just wondering if the way apartments are described in CL listings is accurate.

[sullidop]

The Boston biglaw market is disproportionately large. It's obvi not as big as NYC, but given Boston's size, it's strange to see that it has more market firms than almost all cities outside NYC, DC, Chi, and maybe LA. I honestly don't get it, but I'll take it.

Off the top of my head, the big firms (all market with SA classes 8-30 in Boston) are: Ropes, Bingham, Goodwin, Mintz, and Wilmer. K&L, Sullivan & Worcester, DLA, Brown Rudnick, Foley Hoag, Choate, Edwards Angell, Hinckley, Holland Knight, Nixon, McDermott, Skadden and Nutter are the largest of the rest (mostly market)...certainly a lot have been omitted however I'm not sure how consistently those guys pay market.

Usually Ropes and Wilmer take the most BC kids, followed by Goodwin and Bingham. Usually the top kids who stay in Boston go to Ropes, probably just because it's the highest ranked vault firm on the list (I think).
If you're sure that you want to go into certain areas, I think Ropes has the better appellate group, Goodwin does a lot of PE, etc...such is a better divining rod than vault rankings

I've been looking around for this type of summary as well, thanks for sharing!

Here's a handy page (coupled with their NALP pages re SA hiring) for the firms above.
http://www.masslawyersweekly.com/wp-fil ... ne_opt.pdf

[sullidop]

Sulli et al.,

I'm currently looking at laptops and have a few questions you might be able to help with as I narrow things down:

1. Does BC have outlets at the library as well as the classrooms?

2. Is it possible to just leave casebooks in a locker downstairs if you don't take your work home with you? This seems infinitely more desirable than lugging books to and from my apartment and just studying only on campus.

3. Do you need a CD drive? From the link on the BC Law webpage it seemed like ExamSoft was just a download, but I wanted to check.

4. Any recommendations for screen size? Would going with a 12.5" instead of the larger screen of a 14 or 15" be ok or do you really need the extra screen real estate when you're studying/outlining for hours?

Thanks!

1. Yup. All the classrooms have plugs for every seat and all the tables in the library have plugs as well.

2. Definitely. When I had a locker first year (no longer want one) I left books there if/when I finished my reading.

3. Unless you need one for personal use, you no longer need a cd drive. Before examsoft was mac compatible you needed to have windows installed on your computer, but this is no longer the case. My next computer will be a macbook air.

4. I use a 13" mbp and find the screen to be more than enough so whatever you feel comfortable with. I'd worry more about a full keyboard than screen size.

[sullidop]

To add to zonto's laptop questions.... do profs allow laptops in classes?

I only know of 2 or 3 profs that ban laptops; the VAST majority allow them.

[zonto]

You're a gem. Thank you!

I would really love an Air, but the price is somewhat out of range unless I "skimp" on the 2GB RAM and 128GB SSD...

[sullidop]

You're a gem. Thank you!

I would really love an Air, but the price is somewhat out of range unless I "skimp" on the 2GB RAM and 128GB SSD...

I feel you, it's way too expensive...but I want it. Making the RAM not upgradable was poorly played though.

[IsleMet]

[/quote] islemet - did you look at these places on Craigslist before you visited? Just wondering if the way apartments are described in CL listings is accurate.[/quote]

Yeah, I responded to a bunch of CL ads and then set up a few appointments with realtors. For the most part, the basic details in the ads were accurate (bedrooms, bathrooms, location, etc.). Obviously, each apartment's positive features are greatly exaggerated and the negatives are not usually mentioned. For instance, I saw a lot of places that were absolutely disgusting and falling apart. They're advertised as "great quality for your money!" and "sunny and spacious!" haha. Looking on CL is definitely a good way to start though. Try searching for "apts by owner" to try and avoid the realtor fee.

I think I found a place that I'm going to go with. It's 2900/month with 3 parking included about half a mile from Cleveland Circle and Brighton Center, and 2 1/2 miles from the law school. I might still be looking for one more roommate if anyone is interested!