Boston College (BC) 3L Taking Questions Forum

[zonto]

On the class of 2013 orientation page it just says lockers are available August 30th. I assume you have to pay to rent one though right? How much per semester/year is that?

[sullidop]

On the class of 2013 orientation page it just says lockers are available August 30th. I assume you have to pay to rent one though right? How much per semester/year is that?

They're free, first-come first-serve. The lockers directly adjacent to the library are auctioned off for PI programs but the rest (basement) are free.

[skippy1]

What's a reasonable broker's fee for a 2 bedroom - half month or 1 month? Are 1 month fee apts "nicer"?

[bostonlawchick]

What's a reasonable broker's fee for a 2 bedroom - half month or 1 month? Are 1 month fee apts "nicer"?

I honestly don't think the fee has anything to do with how nice the apartment is... It all has to do with the landlord and the broker. I've seen no fee apartments in the same building as ones with a full month and they're not much different. Most fees I've seen are a full months rent.

[sullidop]

There can be a difference for two reasons:
1) For no fee apartments that are shown through brokers, the landlord often recoups the fee by upping the rent. Therefore, if you have to pay a fee you can generally get a better rate. This is only beneficial if you stay past one year because that's the time that it equalizes over.
2) Some of the better brokers will charge fees on all their properties because it allows them to get exclusive listings.
My advice is to look at both full-fee and no-fee to get a sense of the market prices and make appointments with real brokers too (not college kids posting on craigslist).

[Perch]

There can be a difference for two reasons:
1) For no fee apartments that are shown through brokers, the landlord often recoups the fee by upping the rent. Therefore, if you have to pay a fee you can generally get a better rate. This is only beneficial if you stay past one year because that's the time that it equalizes over.
2) Some of the better brokers will charge fees on all their properties because it allows them to get exclusive listings.
My advice is to look at both full-fee and no-fee to get a sense of the market prices and make appointments with real brokers too (not college kids posting on craigslist).

When is the best time to really start looking? Seems to me like the fair in June is reasonable, but is there an advantage to doing it sooner?

[sullidop]

There can be a difference for two reasons:
1) For no fee apartments that are shown through brokers, the landlord often recoups the fee by upping the rent. Therefore, if you have to pay a fee you can generally get a better rate. This is only beneficial if you stay past one year because that's the time that it equalizes over.
2) Some of the better brokers will charge fees on all their properties because it allows them to get exclusive listings.
My advice is to look at both full-fee and no-fee to get a sense of the market prices and make appointments with real brokers too (not college kids posting on craigslist).

When is the best time to really start looking? Seems to me like the fair in June is reasonable, but is there an advantage to doing it sooner?

Generally speaking, the majority of apts will come on the market in early/mid june.

Caveat: It depends on where you're looking to live. In areas that are more student-heavy early/mid may might be a good time if for Sept 1 (definitely mid-may if you're looking for an aug 1 lease, regardless of location). If you're not ready by then it's not a big deal, however as soon as you have roommates and a price together, reach out to agents/BC housing board/CL and start inquiring for deals.

Tips:
-The earlier you contact an agent the earlier they can monitor the market with you in mind (insert Metro Realty Corp plug). Good apartments move FAST in Boston (as in, they go on the market and get rented in the same day). If you're out looking for an apartment, go with the intention of putting a check down. I've lost a few places because I waited until the next day.
-Get firm commitments from your rms early and agree on a figure.
-Likewise, re early contact, for existing students at BCLS (a lot of us live with 3Ls who will be leaving next year...those spots should pop up on the boards in the next couple of weeks). The better apts will go quickly so keep checking.

[zonto]

Do your apartment hunting recommendations change for married students?

I think the biggest problem is not knowing where my wife will be working. Ideally we'd want to live close to either the law school or her work, but I hate looking randomly. Do any students live as far away as Waltham or Cambridge?

[sullidop]

That's a tough one. I would probably suggest Newton, preferably near the commuter rail.
1) The law school is in Newton so you'll be close
2) The commuter rail (or T if you live near the D line) would make getting into the city easy
3) Even if she does not work in the city, you can take the pike/intersecting highways wherever she may be working.

Although you can start looking early, my guess is you won't see much availability before mid-June.

Some students do live in Waltham and Cambridge. Frankly, if you make school your job, commuting 20-30 minutes isn't a big deal.

[skippy1]

How important is it to find a place with heat/hot water included? For a 2 bedroom - how much would heating be during the winter?

[sullidop]

How important is it to find a place with heat/hot water included? For a 2 bedroom - how much would heating be during the winter?

I'm assuming we're talking about a gas system (I have no idea re oil). It will greatly depend on what type of building you're in, where the apt is, how well insulated it is, how high you keep the heat, and how often ppl take hot showers. It can be $300+ during the winter (esp this winter which was especially cold), offset by $30-60s in the warmer months.
All in all, you're probably talking a $70-100 a month bump in average cost, so if you're paying the same as an apt w/ heat & hw included, you're getting screwed.

[zonto]

However, something else to consider (in any apartment) is finding where the draftiest parts of the apartment are and fixing them yourself or informing your landlord and having them replace things. My current landlord was willing to spring for a new door and seal this summer since our heating was so high and we told them the draft from the front door is why. We also went to WalMart and got rope caulk and went to town under the windowsills. Some plastic, baby-proof wall outlet plug covers were the final touch, and now our heat doesn't go above $60 or so every month in Logan, Utah (maybe not as cold as Boston, but pretty dang cold).

[sullidop]

However, something else to consider (in any apartment) is finding where the draftiest parts of the apartment are and fixing them yourself or informing your landlord and having them replace things. My current landlord was willing to spring for a new door and seal this summer since our heating was so high and we told them the draft from the front door is why. We also went to WalMart and got rope caulk and went to town under the windowsills. Some plastic, baby-proof wall outlet plug covers were the final touch, and now our heat doesn't go above $60 or so every month in Logan, Utah (maybe not as cold as Boston, but pretty dang cold).

This is definitely true. Small measures like caulking and insulating windows/doors can shave significant amounts off the heating bill.

[zonto]

Plus, our landlady was so grateful that we did it that she let us deduct the expense from that month's rent. I take from that that landlords like competent tenants, and if you can show them they can trust you you will have a great relationship.

[skippy1]

Is Sutherland Rd a good area - seems close to main campus. Also, are the grad only buildings much nicer than grad+undergrad buildings? What should I expect from a building that houses grad and undergrad near BC main campus? I know that going towards BU/Allston, the area can be party central - is that true close to BC also?

[sullidop]

Is Sutherland Rd a good area - seems close to main campus. Also, are the grad only buildings much nicer than grad+undergrad buildings? What should I expect from a building that houses grad and undergrad near BC main campus? I know that going towards BU/Allston, the area can be party central - is that true close to BC also?

Quite a few people live in the Sutherland Road area...it's easy enough to take the T to the Chestnut Hill Ave or South Street bus stop and on to Newton via the express shuttle.

I'm not 100% sure on this, but I believe the grad housing buildings are legit apt buildings that BC operates. I'm guessing you're concerned that they're dorm buildings...it's my understanding that such is not the case. Which building houses both grads and undergrads? 2000 Comm Ave? Or are you just speaking generally?

Undergrads party on weekends. The more undergrads you live near the more likely you are to have issues. I prefer to stay away from buildings that rent to undergrads; it's fine if they're being loud down the street but if you can hear it through the walls...not pleasant.

[skippy1]

Is Sutherland Rd a good area - seems close to main campus. Also, are the grad only buildings much nicer than grad+undergrad buildings? What should I expect from a building that houses grad and undergrad near BC main campus? I know that going towards BU/Allston, the area can be party central - is that true close to BC also?

Quite a few people live in the Sutherland Road area...it's easy enough to take the T to the Chestnut Hill Ave or South Street bus stop and on to Newton via the express shuttle.

I'm not 100% sure on this, but I believe the grad housing buildings are legit apt buildings that BC operates. I'm guessing you're concerned that they're dorm buildings...it's my understanding that such is not the case. Which building houses both grads and undergrads? 2000 Comm Ave? Or are you just speaking generally?

Undergrads party on weekends. The more undergrads you live near the more likely you are to have issues. I prefer to stay away from buildings that rent to undergrads; it's fine if they're being loud down the street but if you can hear it through the walls...not pleasant.

Apparently there are buildings that only rent to graduate students - these are not BC grad housing. The apartment I'm interested in is in a building that rents to both undergrads and grads. So if I understand you correctly, you're saying this could be a potential issue during the school year?

[Perch]

Wondering if anyone has a list of employers who participate in the joint BU/BC NYC off campus interview event? Any sort of list would be helpful, thanks!

[zonto]

There was a list of employers that recruit in a document I received from the school at some point. It's probably two pages of them organized by state.

[alumniguy]

Apparently there are buildings that only rent to graduate students - these are not BC grad housing. The apartment I'm interested in is in a building that rents to both undergrads and grads. So if I understand you correctly, you're saying this could be a potential issue during the school year?

I've never heard of such buildings. However, I do know that some landlords won't rent to undergrads. Generally, I would not recommend living in a building with undergrads. They are likely going to be much louder than grad students/young professionals. It could be an issue because I believe that the law school's exam period runs before the undergrad's exam period. Although to be honest, if you happened to have loud neighbors, you can easily study at the library and wear ear plugs. Not ideal, but this shouldn't be a big concern in my opinion.

I certainly don't mean to be rude, but there are going to be potential issues anywhere in Boston (or any high density city). It seems like common sense that living with/near undergrads is going to present a greater probability of problems than more mature grad students/young professionals.

If you are truly concerned about noise and other issues that may affect how you study/perform, then I would not suggest anything near Cleveland Circle (including Sutherland Avenue). You should be looking further into Boston/Brookline, or Chestnut Hill between the main campus and Newton Campus or in Newton. In general, these will be much quieter areas that do not have high concentrations of undergrad students.

[Perch]

There was a list of employers that recruit in a document I received from the school at some point. It's probably two pages of them organized by state.

I'll look into that after work, but from what I remember it just lists firms but doesn't specify who went to the off campus event and such

[sullidop]

Apparently there are buildings that only rent to graduate students - these are not BC grad housing. The apartment I'm interested in is in a building that rents to both undergrads and grads. So if I understand you correctly, you're saying this could be a potential issue during the school year?

I've never heard of such buildings. However, I do know that some landlords won't rent to undergrads. Generally, I would not recommend living in a building with undergrads. They are likely going to be much louder than grad students/young professionals. It could be an issue because I believe that the law school's exam period runs before the undergrad's exam period. Although to be honest, if you happened to have loud neighbors, you can easily study at the library and wear ear plugs. Not ideal, but this shouldn't be a big concern in my opinion.

I certainly don't mean to be rude, but there are going to be potential issues anywhere in Boston (or any high density city). It seems like common sense that living with/near undergrads is going to present a greater probability of problems than more mature grad students/young professionals.

If you are truly concerned about noise and other issues that may affect how you study/perform, then I would not suggest anything near Cleveland Circle (including Sutherland Avenue). You should be looking further into Boston/Brookline, or Chestnut Hill between the main campus and Newton Campus or in Newton. In general, these will be much quieter areas that do not have high concentrations of undergrad students.

First, re only renting to grad students, I've heard of this when a person is renting out rooms in a home...but I suspect in an apt building they mean we don't rent to students...unless you're a grad student.

All things equal, I'd also advise against living in a building that rents to undergrads. It's typically a sign that the landlords don't care as much about the property because they know the destructive nature of 21 yos, but still rent to them. I don't share the same trepidation that AlumniGuy does re same neighborhood, but it's something to consider.

[sullidop]

There was a list of employers that recruit in a document I received from the school at some point. It's probably two pages of them organized by state.

I'll look into that after work, but from what I remember it just lists firms but doesn't specify who went to the off campus event and such

As may have been previously noted, BC runs an off-campus program with BU in NYC for OCI. If I have access to the participating firm (might not given that I'm not a rising 2L) I'll let you know who is attending...but that won't be until July/August.

[bostonlawchick]

If I remember correctly from asd, lrw and civpro are year long classes right? Does this mean we only have three exams first semester? Or five?

[BCLS]

If I remember correctly from asd, lrw and civpro are year long classes right? Does this mean we only have three exams first semester? Or five?

That's correct, 3 exams first semester, 4 the next (excluding LRRW).