Boston College (BC) 3L Taking Questions

[sullidop]

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?

I can shoot it over tonight...I'm blocked from fb at work I believe that some people are still looking for roomates, the housing fair was jst last week or so.

[jcdc]

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=gro ... 38481&ap=1

Here's the fbook group. I'm sure there are (and will be) plenty of people still looking for roommates. I'm banking on that too lol. Plus, if you get a roommate w a car, you might not need your own.

[Gemini]

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=gro ... 38481&ap=1

Here's the fbook group. I'm sure there are (and will be) plenty of people still looking for roommates. I'm banking on that too lol. Plus, if you get a roommate w a car, you might not need your own.

Ohai, are you looking for a roommate?

[jcdc]

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=gro ... 38481&ap=1

Here's the fbook group. I'm sure there are (and will be) plenty of people still looking for roommates. I'm banking on that too lol. Plus, if you get a roommate w a car, you might not need your own.

Ohai, are you looking for a roommate?

Most likely, but I haven't put any thought or effort into it yet. There's an event within the fbook group for people looking for roommates. It's pretty buried, though, so make sure you scroll down. I'll probably be posting in there soon.

[alumniguy]

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?

You certainly do not need a car at BC - in fact, for budget reasons, I think you'll actually end up spending less money without a car because there is no gas, parking fees and paying parking tickets. I lived all three years without a car and while it was bothersome at times, it is completely doable (and this was prior to the express shuttle from cleveland circle to the law school campus). Keep in mind that (i) many of your classmates will have cars and carpooling will most likely be an option for you and (ii) you can always rent a car by the hour (zipcar) if you need to get groceries or want to getaway for a day (when I was there it was like $9 a hour to rent a car that included everything - gas, insurance, etc.).

Without a car, I would recommend living along either the B or C green subway line. I found the quality of life to be vastly better as you get further into Boston - i.e., living between the B and C subway lines along the Brighton/Alston/Brookline borders. If you have no idea what I am talking about, open up a google map and look for the two subway lines and see the vast area where one can live in between those two areas. You'll likely need a roommate, unless you can afford to spend $1000+ on a studio. I had one roommate and paid $725 a month for a pretty nice 2-bedroom - nothing extravagant, but entirely nice. You're morning commute will be simply taking (i) the C subway line to cleveland circle (if you live close to the C line) or (ii) the B line to chestnuthill avenue stop. From both of the spots, it is a two minute walk to the shuttle bus stop, which will pick you up and run directly to the law school campus. I imagine a commuting time of 30-45 minutes depending upon where exactly you live.

Another option is to live at the end of the B line, which is closer to the main campus. You'll probably have to walk to the shuttle bus stop near the main gate and then take the shuttle bus to the law school. I found housing to be cheaper in this area, but you are further away from the city and in my opinion, it felt much more isolating that living in the area I suggest above. The reason is that you are pretty much forced to use the B line to get anyway, as opposed to having the option of taking the B or C line into Boston proper (and the C line is much, much quicker).

Finally, don't fret about housing yet. I was out of the country immediately before I started at BC and I am also not from Boston, so I had no housing before I took my flight out to start school. I basically got to Boston a week earlier and was determined to find something. I used Craigslist at first, but ended up walking into brokers' offices and found a place within a few days of arriving. Was it stressful, of course. But it can certainly be done.

[Gemini]

You certainly do not need a car at BC - in fact, for budget reasons, I think you'll actually end up spending less money without a car because there is no gas, parking fees and paying parking tickets. I lived all three years without a car and while it was bothersome at times, it is completely doable (and this was prior to the express shuttle from cleveland circle to the law school campus). Keep in mind that (i) many of your classmates will have cars and carpooling will most likely be an option for you and (ii) you can always rent a car by the hour (zipcar) if you need to get groceries or want to getaway for a day (when I was there it was like $9 a hour to rent a car that included everything - gas, insurance, etc.).

Without a car, I would recommend living along either the B or C green subway line. I found the quality of life to be vastly better as you get further into Boston - i.e., living between the B and C subway lines along the Brighton/Alston/Brookline borders. If you have no idea what I am talking about, open up a google map and look for the two subway lines and see the vast area where one can live in between those two areas. You'll likely need a roommate, unless you can afford to spend $1000+ on a studio. I had one roommate and paid $725 a month for a pretty nice 2-bedroom - nothing extravagant, but entirely nice. You're morning commute will be simply taking (i) the C subway line to cleveland circle (if you live close to the C line) or (ii) the B line to chestnuthill avenue stop. From both of the spots, it is a two minute walk to the shuttle bus stop, which will pick you up and run directly to the law school campus. I imagine a commuting time of 30-45 minutes depending upon where exactly you live.

Another option is to live at the end of the B line, which is closer to the main campus. You'll probably have to walk to the shuttle bus stop near the main gate and then take the shuttle bus to the law school. I found housing to be cheaper in this area, but you are further away from the city and in my opinion, it felt much more isolating that living in the area I suggest above. The reason is that you are pretty much forced to use the B line to get anyway, as opposed to having the option of taking the B or C line into Boston proper (and the C line is much, much quicker).

Finally, don't fret about housing yet. I was out of the country immediately before I started at BC and I am also not from Boston, so I had no housing before I took my flight out to start school. I basically got to Boston a week earlier and was determined to find something. I used Craigslist at first, but ended up walking into brokers' offices and found a place within a few days of arriving. Was it stressful, of course. But it can certainly be done.

<333333 Thanks so much!!!

One last request please (for now): I need to find a good hotel either near the law school campus, or along the B/C lines like you mentioned. (And considering I'm not a student yet, I can still take this shuttle for free?)

D line looks good, too though, no? Train to Newton Center, then the 52 bus to the school?

[zonto]

I took the shuttle during my visit to Boston with my wife in March and there were no problems. We took the D train out and then walked up Centre Street, took a tour, and then hopped on the shuttle back to the undergrad campus. A very pleasant experience.

One thing that my wife and I noticed was that standards of apartments in Boston seems to be lower than where we live now. Meaning they don't seem as well-maintained for what you pay for. She looked at about 12 places last week during the housing fair, and she said she'd only consider two of them. The rest had gross bathrooms, cabinets falling off in kitchens, etc. We ended up taking a place a little less than a mile north of the law school right on Centre Street. One bedroom, $1500 a month with heat/hot water, and right across the street from a stop on the 52 route. I figure the money I'd save on a T pass every month offsets the higher rent, but I understand my situation is a bit different with an automatic roommate that will be working full-time.

We went with Centre Realty Group in the end since they had the one we liked listed, but I will second Sulli's recommendation from earlier in the thread and say to give Brian Kitchen a call with Metro Realty Group. He's an awesome guy, works with a lot of students, and makes the search enjoyable. Our second choice was with him and was taken a day or two after we applied to the one we got.

Best of luck!

By the way, how come you never learned to drive?

[alumniguy]

You certainly do not need a car at BC - in fact, for budget reasons, I think you'll actually end up spending less money without a car because there is no gas, parking fees and paying parking tickets. I lived all three years without a car and while it was bothersome at times, it is completely doable (and this was prior to the express shuttle from cleveland circle to the law school campus). Keep in mind that (i) many of your classmates will have cars and carpooling will most likely be an option for you and (ii) you can always rent a car by the hour (zipcar) if you need to get groceries or want to getaway for a day (when I was there it was like $9 a hour to rent a car that included everything - gas, insurance, etc.).

Without a car, I would recommend living along either the B or C green subway line. I found the quality of life to be vastly better as you get further into Boston - i.e., living between the B and C subway lines along the Brighton/Alston/Brookline borders. If you have no idea what I am talking about, open up a google map and look for the two subway lines and see the vast area where one can live in between those two areas. You'll likely need a roommate, unless you can afford to spend $1000+ on a studio. I had one roommate and paid $725 a month for a pretty nice 2-bedroom - nothing extravagant, but entirely nice. You're morning commute will be simply taking (i) the C subway line to cleveland circle (if you live close to the C line) or (ii) the B line to chestnuthill avenue stop. From both of the spots, it is a two minute walk to the shuttle bus stop, which will pick you up and run directly to the law school campus. I imagine a commuting time of 30-45 minutes depending upon where exactly you live.

Another option is to live at the end of the B line, which is closer to the main campus. You'll probably have to walk to the shuttle bus stop near the main gate and then take the shuttle bus to the law school. I found housing to be cheaper in this area, but you are further away from the city and in my opinion, it felt much more isolating that living in the area I suggest above. The reason is that you are pretty much forced to use the B line to get anyway, as opposed to having the option of taking the B or C line into Boston proper (and the C line is much, much quicker).

Finally, don't fret about housing yet. I was out of the country immediately before I started at BC and I am also not from Boston, so I had no housing before I took my flight out to start school. I basically got to Boston a week earlier and was determined to find something. I used Craigslist at first, but ended up walking into brokers' offices and found a place within a few days of arriving. Was it stressful, of course. But it can certainly be done.

<333333 Thanks so much!!!

One last request please (for now): I need to find a good hotel either near the law school campus, or along the B/C lines like you mentioned. (And considering I'm not a student yet, I can still take this shuttle for free?)

D line looks good, too though, no? Train to Newton Center, then the 52 bus to the school?

The shuttle is free for everyone. You'll even occasionally see non-BC students riding it.

I'm not sure about your hotel standards. The are obviously several downtown. Getting closer to BC, you have a Best Western right off of Commonwealth Avenue (near Washington Street). There is also a Marriott Courtyard on Beacon Street (along the C line) also somewhat near Washington Street. Those are the two "main" streets in the Brighton/Alston/Brookline Area - and they are intersected by Harvard Avenue and Washington Street (what I would say are the two main streets running perpendicular). Caution: few if any streets in Boston are actually straight.

If you are talking about going out to "visit" BC then I would suggest staying downtown and taking the D line out to the 52 bus, as mentioned. If memory serves me right, the shuttle bus is extremely limited during the summer. That will be the quickest, most cost-efficient manner of getting to the law school campus. If you need a hotel recommendation for when you get to Boston for school to look for apartments, then I would probably recommend something closer to BC like the one's I mentioned above. I am NOT a hotel expert and there are probably many other options, I just am not that familiar with them. My parents stayed at the Marriott when they came out for graduation.

Regarding where to live for school, the D line and 52 bus are completely doable. I am just not that familiar with the housing along the D line and I don't know too many people that end up doing so. That doesn't mean it is a bad choice. In fact, it will offer you the quickest downtown service out of the B, C or D lines. I imagine that the housing is more expensive though...

[Gemini]

By the way, how come you never learned to drive?

I grew up and have lived in NYC for almost my entire life.

Thanks for your help, everyone!

[alumniguy]

I took the shuttle during my visit to Boston with my wife in March and there were no problems. We took the D train out and then walked up Centre Street, took a tour, and then hopped on the shuttle back to the undergrad campus. A very pleasant experience.

One thing that my wife and I noticed was that standards of apartments in Boston seems to be lower than where we live now. Meaning they don't seem as well-maintained for what you pay for. She looked at about 12 places last week during the housing fair, and she said she'd only consider two of them. The rest had gross bathrooms, cabinets falling off in kitchens, etc. We ended up taking a place a little less than a mile north of the law school right on Centre Street. One bedroom, $1500 a month with heat/hot water, and right across the street from a stop on the 52 route. I figure the money I'd save on a T pass every month offsets the higher rent, but I understand my situation is a bit different with an automatic roommate that will be working full-time.

We went with Centre Realty Group in the end since they had the one we liked listed, but I will second Sulli's recommendation from earlier in the thread and say to give Brian Kitchen a call with Metro Realty Group. He's an awesome guy, works with a lot of students, and makes the search enjoyable. Our second choice was with him and was taken a day or two after we applied to the one we got.

Best of luck!

By the way, how come you never learned to drive?

Agreed regarding housing stock. The issue is that Boston is filled with students and there is little incentive for landlords to renovate because the apartments will likely always get rented to another student next year. This is the why there are so many Sept. 1 leases, btw. The further you get from student dominated areas, the better the housing stock. However, you also generally pay more for the nicer places. Newton will likely have much nicer places than Brighton/Brookline, but then you are either limited to the D line or getting a car.

Part of the reason why I suggested the area that I did in my previous post is because I found the area to be comprised more of graduate students and young professionals than undergrad students. In my opinion, the apartments tend to be a bit nicer and better quality for your buck. Being a few years removed from undergrad when I started at BC, I was ready for a more mature set of neighbors as well.

[Gemini]

Heading over to Boston on Sunday-Monday.

1) I would like to now turn my questions to Career Services. How is the office? Friendly and extremely helpful, I hope!

2) Professors- I'd like to know the quality of the professors over at BC. (I understand that the answer to this would be anecdotal)

3) Students- How is the atmosphere between students? Are most people nice? Can I borrow your class notes? Are there a lot of gunners?

4) Do you think all the financial aid is gone by now? Nothing for me?

[sullidop]

Heading over to Boston on Sunday-Monday.

1) I would like to now turn my questions to Career Services. How is the office? Friendly and extremely helpful, I hope!

2) Professors- I'd like to know the quality of the professors over at BC. (I understand that the answer to this would be anecdotal)

3) Students- How is the atmosphere between students? Are most people nice? Can I borrow your class notes? Are there a lot of gunners?

4) Do you think all the financial aid is gone by now? Nothing for me?

1) They're always available and are helpful if you really want them to be helpful. In other words, they will not get you a job, that's your responsibility. They are pretty good at putting you in a room with people that can help or pointing you toward resources that can help.
Of course what Career Services is really good at is getting employers to interview on campus. Pitching BC students to firms and alumni is their main concern/function.

2) So I'm guessing that you didn't visit/attend a class? The professors are pretty good and very approachable, esp first year when they make an extra effort to give you the best BC has to offer.

3) The students are super-nice and helpful. This is BC's big selling point and why it's called the Disneyland of Law Schools. While there are gunners around they are scoffed at. BC kids are more laid-back and mostly concern themselves with absolute performance rather than relative placement.

4) Uncertain, depends who drops out/how much they want you.

[agw5034]

Hey guys, thanks for all your help and taking the time to answer all of our questions. Very briefly, I'm curious as to when we can expect to get our financial aid refunds. I'm trying to plan being able to buy furniture, books, and all the other good stuff that I'll need to start school in a new city (Power Rangers Trapper Keeper, Crayola Crayons, first day of school outfit, etc), and it would be very helpful to know when that disbursement has typically happened in the past in relation to the beginning of orientation.

Thanks!

[sullidop]

Hey guys, thanks for all your help and taking the time to answer all of our questions. Very briefly, I'm curious as to when we can expect to get our financial aid refunds. I'm trying to plan being able to buy furniture, books, and all the other good stuff that I'll need to start school in a new city (Power Rangers Trapper Keeper, Crayola Crayons, first day of school outfit, etc), and it would be very helpful to know when that disbursement has typically happened in the past in relation to the beginning of orientation.

Thanks!

I believe that the disbursements usually occur in the first or second week of classes. Definitely double check with financial aid, but I seem to remember this causing issues with people that needed that money for rent and such.

[bostonlawchick]

Power Rangers Trapper Keeper

Pfft. Lisa Frank all the way.

[Gemini]

Saw BC.... gorgeous campus!!! The shuttle takes FOREVER though. I took the D line to the Reservoir stop and the shuttle to Newton campus took like 30-40 minutes.



On the way back, I walked to Newton Center... I considered taking the 52 bus, but while walking to the T, there was only ONE bus that passed during that time. Is the bus service always that poor, or is it due to summer? Also, in all that traveling, I didn't see ONE grocery store/supermarket.

Question: I know the BC shuttle takes you from stops to the schools, but does it also take you from the school to the stops?

Financial Aid will let me know by Wednesday if I get any sort of award (whether need-based or merit-based). *crossing my fingers that I get something*

Thanks for all the assistance guys!

[sullidop]

Saw BC.... gorgeous campus!!! The shuttle takes FOREVER though. I took the D line to the Reservoir stop and the shuttle to Newton campus took like 30-40 minutes.



On the way back, I walked to Newton Center... I considered taking the 52 bus, but while walking to the T, there was only ONE bus that passed during that time. Is the bus service always that poor, or is it due to summer? Also, in all that traveling, I didn't see ONE grocery store/supermarket.

Question: I know the BC shuttle takes you from stops to the schools, but does it also take you from the school to the stops?

Financial Aid will let me know by Wednesday if I get any sort of award (whether need-based or merit-based). *crossing my fingers that I get something*

Thanks for all the assistance guys!

Yeah, the shuttle doesn't run very often in the summer and T buses aren't too reliable outside of rush hour. Even during the school year it's not too swift which is why most ppl catch the express shuttles. Both BC and the T have an app that allows you to track their buses though.

Yup, the BC shuttles run a loop, not just one direction.

There's a supermarket on Beacon St a couple stops up from cleveland circle. There's a larger one on Comm Ave at Packard's Corner.

[alumniguy]

Saw BC.... gorgeous campus!!! The shuttle takes FOREVER though. I took the D line to the Reservoir stop and the shuttle to Newton campus took like 30-40 minutes.



On the way back, I walked to Newton Center... I considered taking the 52 bus, but while walking to the T, there was only ONE bus that passed during that time. Is the bus service always that poor, or is it due to summer? Also, in all that traveling, I didn't see ONE grocery store/supermarket.

Question: I know the BC shuttle takes you from stops to the schools, but does it also take you from the school to the stops?

Financial Aid will let me know by Wednesday if I get any sort of award (whether need-based or merit-based). *crossing my fingers that I get something*

Thanks for all the assistance guys!

I guess I didn't warn you enough! The shuttle in the summer is absolutely a no go. The walk to Newton Center probably was the fastest option. During the school year, there are significantly more options. The tracking apps must be a godsend, because the buses, even during the school year, are not overly abundant (these didn't exist a few years ago when I was a student). To be able to plan around when they come makes complete sense. With those apps, you really should have a pretty seamless commute during the school year.

You were walking in Newton - where everyone has a car. I wouldn't recommend living there if you don't have a car.

There a plenty of grocery stores in Allston/Brighton. I think it probably makes sense to consider thinking about signing up for zip car if/when you get to school in August. I presume you know what zip car is all about. Anyways, there are several grocery stores in the area. In addition to the two that sullidop mentioned, there is a Trader Joe's at Coolidge Corner and a Whole Foods on Washington Street, just off Comm Ave. Those were my two go-to grocery stores.

[Gemini]

Yea, if I end up going to BC, I'll probably choose a place to live along the green line and take the shuttle to Newton. I hear its every ten minutes during the school year. How late does it work?

Also, can I live off-campus and still purchase a food plan at BC?

[alumniguy]

Yea, if I end up going to BC, I'll probably choose a place to live along the green line and take the shuttle to Newton. I hear its every ten minutes during the school year. How late does it work?

Also, can I live off-campus and still purchase a food plan at BC?

The shuttle runs pretty late - later than the library is open (which is 12am I think). I don't think you should have any concerns about the shuttle system if you don't have a car. You'll be fine. It may be frustrating at time, but then again Boston traffic can be equally frustrating at times - or trying to find a parking spot late at night can be equally frustrating.

Not sure about the food plan. I didn't know anyone that was on the food plan and I don't think I would recommend it. It is expensive. Plus, the food at Stuart (the dining hall on the Newton campus) is not very good. It is rather small. I ended up eating lunch at Stuart most days (because I was too lazy to prepare my own lunch and bring it with me). I think it generally cost me about $7-10 per lunch, which was pretty comparable to other options.

Also, law school is not that hardcore! You'll have time to make breakfast and dinner at home or to order take away and eat at home! People work hard, especially compared to undergrad, but you really should treat it like a job. A 9am to 6 or 7pm schedule of actually working during those period should be enough time most of the time. There will be longer nights, but if one is efficient, law school is completely manageable - especially at BC where students seem to be pretty well rounded.

[clarawater]

Hi BC 2L! Thanks so much for answering questions. One I have (that is completely unrelated to anything currently being discussed, sorry!) is what is the merit aid like at BC?
By merit aid, I mean not financial aid, only based on LSAT, GPA, other factors, etc.
Do you find that a lot is given out/about how much/what are the approximate scores needed to receive it?

Thank you in advance!

[Gemini]

Yea, if I end up going to BC, I'll probably choose a place to live along the green line and take the shuttle to Newton. I hear its every ten minutes during the school year. How late does it work?

Also, can I live off-campus and still purchase a food plan at BC?

The shuttle runs pretty late - later than the library is open (which is 12am I think). I don't think you should have any concerns about the shuttle system if you don't have a car. You'll be fine. It may be frustrating at time, but then again Boston traffic can be equally frustrating at times - or trying to find a parking spot late at night can be equally frustrating.

Not sure about the food plan. I didn't know anyone that was on the food plan and I don't think I would recommend it. It is expensive. Plus, the food at Stuart (the dining hall on the Newton campus) is not very good. It is rather small. I ended up eating lunch at Stuart most days (because I was too lazy to prepare my own lunch and bring it with me). I think it generally cost me about $7-10 per lunch, which was pretty comparable to other options.

Also, law school is not that hardcore! You'll have time to make breakfast and dinner at home or to order take away and eat at home! People work hard, especially compared to undergrad, but you really should treat it like a job. A 9am to 6 or 7pm schedule of actually working during those period should be enough time most of the time. There will be longer nights, but if one is efficient, law school is completely manageable - especially at BC where students seem to be pretty well rounded.

I just know I'll be severely disadvantaged for not having a car the first year. The only reason I thought about doing the food plan was so I can have easy and quick access to food. Thanks for all the help and putting up with my million questions.

[alumniguy]

Yea, if I end up going to BC, I'll probably choose a place to live along the green line and take the shuttle to Newton. I hear its every ten minutes during the school year. How late does it work?

Also, can I live off-campus and still purchase a food plan at BC?

The shuttle runs pretty late - later than the library is open (which is 12am I think). I don't think you should have any concerns about the shuttle system if you don't have a car. You'll be fine. It may be frustrating at time, but then again Boston traffic can be equally frustrating at times - or trying to find a parking spot late at night can be equally frustrating.

Not sure about the food plan. I didn't know anyone that was on the food plan and I don't think I would recommend it. It is expensive. Plus, the food at Stuart (the dining hall on the Newton campus) is not very good. It is rather small. I ended up eating lunch at Stuart most days (because I was too lazy to prepare my own lunch and bring it with me). I think it generally cost me about $7-10 per lunch, which was pretty comparable to other options.

Also, law school is not that hardcore! You'll have time to make breakfast and dinner at home or to order take away and eat at home! People work hard, especially compared to undergrad, but you really should treat it like a job. A 9am to 6 or 7pm schedule of actually working during those period should be enough time most of the time. There will be longer nights, but if one is efficient, law school is completely manageable - especially at BC where students seem to be pretty well rounded.

I just know I'll be severely disadvantaged for not having a car the first year. The only reason I thought about doing the food plan was so I can have easy and quick access to food. Thanks for all the help and putting up with my million questions.

Not a problem. I also don't think you'll be severely disadvantaged. Students are uniformly nice at BC. While I can't guarantee it, I am pretty sure that you will end up making friends pretty early on and that you'll be able to commute with another section mate if you make it known that you don't have a car. It is somewhat inconvenient, but I didn't have a car and I still was able to make it onto a journal, was top 1/3rd after my first year and made it to "biglaw" - all without a car for three years.

[Perch]

Yea, if I end up going to BC, I'll probably choose a place to live along the green line and take the shuttle to Newton. I hear its every ten minutes during the school year. How late does it work?

Also, can I live off-campus and still purchase a food plan at BC?

The shuttle runs pretty late - later than the library is open (which is 12am I think). I don't think you should have any concerns about the shuttle system if you don't have a car. You'll be fine. It may be frustrating at time, but then again Boston traffic can be equally frustrating at times - or trying to find a parking spot late at night can be equally frustrating.

Not sure about the food plan. I didn't know anyone that was on the food plan and I don't think I would recommend it. It is expensive. Plus, the food at Stuart (the dining hall on the Newton campus) is not very good. It is rather small. I ended up eating lunch at Stuart most days (because I was too lazy to prepare my own lunch and bring it with me). I think it generally cost me about $7-10 per lunch, which was pretty comparable to other options.

Also, law school is not that hardcore! You'll have time to make breakfast and dinner at home or to order take away and eat at home! People work hard, especially compared to undergrad, but you really should treat it like a job. A 9am to 6 or 7pm schedule of actually working during those period should be enough time most of the time. There will be longer nights, but if one is efficient, law school is completely manageable - especially at BC where students seem to be pretty well rounded.

I just know I'll be severely disadvantaged for not having a car the first year. The only reason I thought about doing the food plan was so I can have easy and quick access to food. Thanks for all the help and putting up with my million questions.

Not a problem. I also don't think you'll be severely disadvantaged. Students are uniformly nice at BC. While I can't guarantee it, I am pretty sure that you will end up making friends pretty early on and that you'll be able to commute with another section mate if you make it known that you don't have a car. It is somewhat inconvenient, but I didn't have a car and I still was able to make it onto a journal, was top 1/3rd after my first year and made it to "biglaw" - all without a car for three years.

If you have access to a car, would you recommend bringing it? My view was I just didn't want to bring one, since they're expensive to maintain and a general pain, plus driving in Boston doesn't seem like much fun. I suppose I would bring one if there was an "advantage" (ie. the ability to get to campus quickly for whatever it is you might need that speed for), but I guess I never even considered that.

Plan out a bit more time and relax on the T/shuttle?

[Gemini]

If you have access to a car, would you recommend bringing it? My view was I just didn't want to bring one, since they're expensive to maintain and a general pain, plus driving in Boston doesn't seem like much fun. I suppose I would bring one if there was an "advantage" (ie. the ability to get to campus quickly for whatever it is you might need that speed for), but I guess I never even considered that.

Plan out a bit more time and relax on the T/shuttle?

Yea, this is probably what I'll end up doing. How late does the BC shuttle work during the school year?

Right now, I'm looking at Brighton, near the Washington St. T line, because I see that there is a supermarket right there, lol... Is it obvious that being close to a source of food is important to me, lolllll???