Boston College (BC) 3L Taking Questions Forum

[thesteelers]

So tell us all about bar review. What day of the week is it? Do people do this according to section or is it just whoever comes, comes? Do you bar-hop/pub-hop through the evening or pick one place to spend the evening?

[alumniguy]

Bar review is typically once a month (the LSA sponsored event), but there are frequently other less attended bar reviews sponsored by other groups (e.g., I think I remember PILF having a bar review as a fundraiser). It was always only one bar. You get there early enough and you'll get drink ticket(s) for free drink(s) (although, as 1Ls, you probably won't be getting any "extra" drink tickets because the 3Ls are in charge and there is typically quite a bit of favoritism and when I was a 3L, I often had several drink tickets). They usually last a few hours. First bar review is very well attended and the rest of the bar reviews are well attended. Lots of fun. Typically on a Thursday night I think.

[thesteelers]

Excellent, thanks. Ticket or no ticket, I'm there.

[sullidop]

So what can we expect for orientation?

Nothing too surprising. You'll get an intro to what BC's about, what your classes will entail, basics of the library, research services, and talks from the law student's association. Much of the time will also be dedicated to getting to know your classmates. Overall, I found it much more enjoyable than undergrad orientation.

[sullidop]

Bar review is typically once a month (the LSA sponsored event), but there are frequently other less attended bar reviews sponsored by other groups (e.g., I think I remember PILF having a bar review as a fundraiser). It was always only one bar. You get there early enough and you'll get drink ticket(s) for free drink(s) (although, as 1Ls, you probably won't be getting any "extra" drink tickets because the 3Ls are in charge and there is typically quite a bit of favoritism and when I was a 3L, I often had several drink tickets). They usually last a few hours. First bar review is very well attended and the rest of the bar reviews are well attended. Lots of fun. Typically on a Thursday night I think.

Good summary. The LSA ones are often the best because they're well attended and, as indicated, have drink tickets. I'll make a plug for the smaller ones too though. They may be smaller, but that means you have a better opportunity to talk in more intimate groups (also some have drink tickets and if only 12 people show up then each person gets an absurd amount).

[sandwichday]

I know that the social scene at BCLS is supposed to be pretty good, but can you talk a little bit about that in more detail? I've heard that BC has a "younger" feel to it than some other schools, are there a lot of people who seem to want to relive their college years? Is there a lot of drama/gossip going on? I've been out of undergrad for several years and have a live-in significant other so I have been a bit concerned that my "lifestyle" or whatever might not match up well to those of my classmates. I definitely still go out to bars/drink/whatever but I think my days of playing flip cup and trading drunken hookup stories are over I'm sure there's a good mix of ages and interests in each class, but I was hoping to get an insider's perspective. Thanks!

[alumniguy]

I know that the social scene at BCLS is supposed to be pretty good, but can you talk a little bit about that in more detail? I've heard that BC has a "younger" feel to it than some other schools, are there a lot of people who seem to want to relive their college years? Is there a lot of drama/gossip going on? I've been out of undergrad for several years and have a live-in significant other so I have been a bit concerned that my "lifestyle" or whatever might not match up well to those of my classmates. I definitely still go out to bars/drink/whatever but I think my days of playing flip cup and trading drunken hookup stories are over I'm sure there's a good mix of ages and interests in each class, but I was hoping to get an insider's perspective. Thanks!

I actually think of BC as relatively more mature then other similar schools, although this may be changing with the increasing importance of the LSAT/GPA. When I attended (Class of 2008), I thought BC did a pretty good job of looking at non LSAT/GPA factors in admitting students, which in my opinion leads to a more diverse/interest student body.

Going to law school at BC is a bit like middle school, especially as a 1L. Most 1Ls are at school for the entire length of the day and because the campus is in Newton and surrounding by residential property, very few students "get away" for any portion of the day. As a result, most students end up socializing on campus, whether it being eating lunch together in the yellow room, relaxing outside/reading on the pseudo-quad, starting study groups, etc. It is like middle school because as a 1L you basically end up all day with the same 80 people who are in your section. There really wasn't a huge party scene (in my opinion) and most students were focused on studying, but also were interested in having productive lives outside of the classroom. Other than the bar reviews, I don't think there is much weekday drinking going on (again, this is especially true of 1L year). Overall, I was pretty impressed with the student body when I went there. People are generally friendly, willing to help out when needed and at a minimum courteous.

I can count on one hand the number of flip cup games I played while at BC (although this seems to be a popular Boston activity in general).

[Perch]

do people get single apartments? Is it possible in the Brighton area? Any idea on price?

[sullidop]

I know that the social scene at BCLS is supposed to be pretty good, but can you talk a little bit about that in more detail? I've heard that BC has a "younger" feel to it than some other schools, are there a lot of people who seem to want to relive their college years? Is there a lot of drama/gossip going on? I've been out of undergrad for several years and have a live-in significant other so I have been a bit concerned that my "lifestyle" or whatever might not match up well to those of my classmates. I definitely still go out to bars/drink/whatever but I think my days of playing flip cup and trading drunken hookup stories are over I'm sure there's a good mix of ages and interests in each class, but I was hoping to get an insider's perspective. Thanks!

I actually think of BC as relatively more mature then other similar schools, although this may be changing with the increasing importance of the LSAT/GPA. When I attended (Class of 2008), I thought BC did a pretty good job of looking at non LSAT/GPA factors in admitting students, which in my opinion leads to a more diverse/interest student body.

Going to law school at BC is a bit like middle school, especially as a 1L. Most 1Ls are at school for the entire length of the day and because the campus is in Newton and surrounding by residential property, very few students "get away" for any portion of the day. As a result, most students end up socializing on campus, whether it being eating lunch together in the yellow room, relaxing outside/reading on the pseudo-quad, starting study groups, etc. It is like middle school because as a 1L you basically end up all day with the same 80 people who are in your section. There really wasn't a huge party scene (in my opinion) and most students were focused on studying, but also were interested in having productive lives outside of the classroom. Other than the bar reviews, I don't think there is much weekday drinking going on (again, this is especially true of 1L year). Overall, I was pretty impressed with the student body when I went there. People are generally friendly, willing to help out when needed and at a minimum courteous.

I can count on one hand the number of flip cup games I played while at BC (although this seems to be a popular Boston activity in general).

I'd agree with the above. There was a little more drinking available during my 1L year. I was in the slacker section...and it was awesome. With BC shifting focus to work experience, the classes are getting a little older, but there are still a lot of kids coming directly from college and continuing that lifestyle. That being said, the law school experience is what you make of it. If you want to find friends that are more serious and limit their drinking to wine and cheese gatherings, that's available. If you want to indulge your secret sophomore, that's available too.
Everyone is pretty friendly and places more emphasis on the social aspect as opposed to the mechanism. Feel free to set the tone by suggesting places to meet up, things to, or host your own kind of party.

[sullidop]

do people get single apartments? Is it possible in the Brighton area? Any idea on price?

Some do, although most don't because you get a lot more when you add bedrooms. A decent place is 1300ish in Brighton. Less as you get further from the T.

[sullidop]

Sorry for the late responses on these posts, my SA is taking up pretty big chunks of my time.

[zonto]

Sorry for the late responses on these posts, my SA is taking up pretty big chunks of my time.

No apology necessary man. The responses you do give are very helpful, and I hope you continue to keep you as your first priority.

Thanks for all your help thus far!

[Perch]

Sorry for the late responses on these posts, my SA is taking up pretty big chunks of my time.

No apology necessary man. The responses you do give are very helpful, and I hope you continue to keep you as your first priority.

Thanks for all your help thus far!

+1 thanks!

[JusticeHarlan]

Hey Sulli, shouldn't this be "Boston College (BC) 3L Taking Questions" now. You earned it.

[sullidop]

Hey Sulli, shouldn't this be "Boston College (BC) 3L Taking Questions" now. You earned it.

Ha! I won't consider myself a true 3L until I no longer care about law school. Lemme get back to you in a couple of months.

[skippy1]

Of the 5 required classes for 1L first semester (property, torts, contracts, civ pro, lrw) - which ones are full year courses?

[sullidop]

Of the 5 required classes for 1L first semester (property, torts, contracts, civ pro, lrw) - which ones are full year courses?

Civ Pro and LRRW. Although you will not receive a grade for either first semester, each will count for 5 credits second semester (others are 4 creds, elective is 3 creds).

[Gemini]

tagging--because this has suddenly become relevant to my life.

[sullidop]

tagging--because this has suddenly become relevant to my life.

Haha, I'm guessing they've started to pull from the wl. Congrats! Definitely feel free to hit up with questions as they come to you.

[Gemini]

My biggest questions are in regards to living. I wouldn't want graduate housing. How are the apts by the school? Is it even possible to get one at this point? Do I need a car to get around?

I would also like to know about biglaw in Boston? About what percentage of the class gets biglaw jobs?

I'd also like some info on your write on competition. Does anyone grade on? How many days is it? Do you have 100 pgs to read or 1000?

Thanks sooo much.

[JusticeHarlan]

I'd also like some info on your write on competition. Does anyone grade on? How many days is it? Do you have 100 pgs to read or 1000?

I'll let Sulli take the lead on the rest, but having just finished this a few weeks or so ago, I'll handle this one. I'll re-post from upthread:

The process is as such:

There's the main law review, and four secondary journals. At the end of the year, the top 5 people of each section (based on grades) are given the choice of whatever journal they want (presumably almost all pick the main law review, though its not inconceivable someone with a burning interest in a secondary topic would grab that). Those are you're "grade on" folks. Everyone can also participate in the writing competition after finals, which entails a blue booking exercise, a memo, and a personal statement. Based on a score from the blue book exercise and the memo, the top 5 people between the entire 1L class are offered the same choice of whatever journal they want. These are the "write on" folks. The majority of the journal spots are filled through a combination of grades and writing scores, with the personal statements used to match people up to the journal they're deemed the best fit for. I think they call this "blending on."

The amount of pages involved was over 100, but under 200.

[Gemini]

My biggest questions are in regards to living. I wouldn't want graduate housing. How are the apts by the school? Is it even possible to get one at this point? Do I need a car to get around?

I would also like to know about biglaw in Boston? About what percentage of the class gets biglaw jobs?

Thanks sooo much.

In addition to this info, I'd like to know if grad housing is even still available...

[sullidop]

My biggest questions are in regards to living. I wouldn't want graduate housing. How are the apts by the school? Is it even possible to get one at this point? Do I need a car to get around?

I would also like to know about biglaw in Boston? About what percentage of the class gets biglaw jobs?

Thanks sooo much.

In addition to this info, I'd like to know if grad housing is even still available...

There are definitely still apts available. Check out the group on facebook and BC's offcampus housing boards. Worst case senario, you'll have to go to craigslist.

In re condition, that really depends on how much you pay and how many roommates you have (I pay mid 600s for a bed in a reasonably large 3 bed apt near campus). The apts close to campus are generally within homes and in residential areas (as opposed to mixed use). Although you won't need a car to get to campus (a bike might be nice) a car would make your life outside of school much easier because public transit is spotty. Apts in brighton/allston are further away but are on public transportation so cars are less necessary. The downside there is that the commute to school is longer because you'll have to take a combination of the T and BC buses to campus (although BC does run an express bus between the law school and cleveland circle in the morning and afternoon).

You're right about the graduate housing--it's convenient because everything is included, but you'll pay heavily for that convenience. It should still be available but I'd check with BC housing about that.

Boston Biglaw - It depends. If the economy tanks again it will be bad, but it we continue to see recovery then it will get better and better. In terms of hard stats, uncertain because they're not published on a regional basis. We know that BC places well in large firms (see NLJ placement stats) and we know that most students stay in the northeast. How that translates specifically to Boston, not sure. Ancedotally, the top kids always seem to go to Ropes, Goodwin, Wilmer or Bingham in Boston. There are certainly opportunities at other firms for the top 40% students.

[sullidop]

I'd also like some info on your write on competition. Does anyone grade on? How many days is it? Do you have 100 pgs to read or 1000?

I'll let Sulli take the lead on the rest, but having just finished this a few weeks or so ago, I'll handle this one. I'll re-post from upthread:

The process is as such:

There's the main law review, and four secondary journals. At the end of the year, the top 5 people of each section (based on grades) are given the choice of whatever journal they want (presumably almost all pick the main law review, though its not inconceivable someone with a burning interest in a secondary topic would grab that). Those are you're "grade on" folks. Everyone can also participate in the writing competition after finals, which entails a blue booking exercise, a memo, and a personal statement. Based on a score from the blue book exercise and the memo, the top 5 people between the entire 1L class are offered the same choice of whatever journal they want. These are the "write on" folks. The majority of the journal spots are filled through a combination of grades and writing scores, with the personal statements used to match people up to the journal they're deemed the best fit for. I think they call this "blending on."

The amount of pages involved was over 100, but under 200.

You guys got screwed this year. We only had 80ish pages of case law last year. Why the difference? Overzealous law review editor.

[Gemini]

I'm loOking at craigslist ads but I have no idea whether the apt is close to school or not. I'd like to keep my travel to school to 30 minutes or under. And this is embarrassing to admit but I don't know how to drive and can't afford to get a car within the next few months anyway. Perhaps I should just get a broker.

Can you link me the fb group? Are there people still looking for roommates?