Boston College Law Class of 2019 applicants Forum

[Billy Madison]

Awesome info! Thanks a lot!

[Harry_Pluxen]

3L at BC Law. feel free to ask any questions. I'm happy here; people are really nice and professors are generally good.

In your opinion, what is the difference between BC and BU? Knowing what you know now, would you pick BC all over again?

Thanks for your time!

Im interested in this as well! BU is higher in the rankings but it seems like BC has better employment prospects and a better alumni network.

Good question. I got into both and had very similar scholarships at both. I also did undergrad at BU but I was an athlete there so I feel like I didn't have a typical undergrad experience.

BU is higher in the rankings but that doesnt make any different for employment. BC might have better employment prospects but that varies year to year and I think overall we're pretty similar. I think BU has more school-funded jobs which tend to be frowned upon but in terms of clerkships, big firms, small firms, etc. I think we're similar enough.

The main reason I chose BC is because BU, in general (undergrad and grad) tends to be less personal and have less of a community. I think it's just the result of being a huge school. Since I went to BU undergrad, I never had that community/school spirit feel and I wanted that. I visited both and I felt like there were pretty big cultural differences between BC and BU. BC students are known to be really friendly, nice and have school spirit. BU on the other hand, is much less personal and people tend to do their own thing more. I am generalizing obviously but from having close friends at BU law, I think its safe to say that in general, BC students are happier to be at BC than BU students. This is not to say I wouldnt have been happy at BU - I think I definitely would have been totally fine, but I've enjoyed the smaller closer-knit community at BC and I would do it again.

The last thing is that BC does have a very strong alumni network and I think a bit stronger than BUs because people tend to come away with strong school spirit. I wanted to take advantage of this for employment reasons and in general, I've found that the strong alumni network is real. One thing I do miss about BU is that it's a city campus. BC is suburban - in a really pretty suburb but not in Boston itself. I'm a city person so I do miss that but it was nice being on an actual campus. I think if you visit both, it will become more obvious which school is your fit. I think some people find BC to be overly nice; we have a reputation for being the Disneyland of law schools. I don't really think thats accurate but I can understand how some people would prefer to be more anonymous, in a city campus, and go to BU.

Insightful. Thank you.

I've heard from former students that BC has an edge up on BU for those who remain in the New England area, while BU tends to place better outside of New England. I know that both schools are strong regionals with some national placement, but...to what extent is this true.

For example, I heard that Goodwin Proctor, in particular, favours BC grads over BU for starting associate positions and summer associate positions for 2Ls.

[hammocklv06]

Anyone have info on the Fast Track Plus option? Just got an email about it. Is it binding?

[Scalvert]

Is FT non-binding? It actually doesn't matter because I already submitted, but I honestly don't remember seeing that option on the app.

[LetsGoNow]

Post Removed

[LetsGoNow]

Is FT non-binding? It actually doesn't matter because I already submitted, but I honestly don't remember seeing that option on the app.

It's not binding.

[AlanShore]

3L at BC Law. feel free to ask any questions. I'm happy here; people are really nice and professors are generally good.

In your opinion, what is the difference between BC and BU? Knowing what you know now, would you pick BC all over again?

Thanks for your time!

Im interested in this as well! BU is higher in the rankings but it seems like BC has better employment prospects and a better alumni network.

Good question. I got into both and had very similar scholarships at both. I also did undergrad at BU but I was an athlete there so I feel like I didn't have a typical undergrad experience.

BU is higher in the rankings but that doesnt make any different for employment. BC might have better employment prospects but that varies year to year and I think overall we're pretty similar. I think BU has more school-funded jobs which tend to be frowned upon but in terms of clerkships, big firms, small firms, etc. I think we're similar enough.

The main reason I chose BC is because BU, in general (undergrad and grad) tends to be less personal and have less of a community. I think it's just the result of being a huge school. Since I went to BU undergrad, I never had that community/school spirit feel and I wanted that. I visited both and I felt like there were pretty big cultural differences between BC and BU. BC students are known to be really friendly, nice and have school spirit. BU on the other hand, is much less personal and people tend to do their own thing more. I am generalizing obviously but from having close friends at BU law, I think its safe to say that in general, BC students are happier to be at BC than BU students. This is not to say I wouldnt have been happy at BU - I think I definitely would have been totally fine, but I've enjoyed the smaller closer-knit community at BC and I would do it again.

The last thing is that BC does have a very strong alumni network and I think a bit stronger than BUs because people tend to come away with strong school spirit. I wanted to take advantage of this for employment reasons and in general, I've found that the strong alumni network is real. One thing I do miss about BU is that it's a city campus. BC is suburban - in a really pretty suburb but not in Boston itself. I'm a city person so I do miss that but it was nice being on an actual campus. I think if you visit both, it will become more obvious which school is your fit. I think some people find BC to be overly nice; we have a reputation for being the Disneyland of law schools. I don't really think thats accurate but I can understand how some people would prefer to be more anonymous, in a city campus, and go to BU.

Insightful. Thank you.

I've heard from former students that BC has an edge up on BU for those who remain in the New England area, while BU tends to place better outside of New England. I know that both schools are strong regionals with some national placement, but...to what extent is this true.

For example, I heard that Goodwin Proctor, in particular, favours BC grads over BU for starting associate positions and summer associate positions for 2Ls.

Ive heard this too but I'm not sure its true. I only know people who bid in NYC and they did very well (better than Boston because so many more firms). If youre trying to go to Cali or some far city, its going to be rough without ties. With ties, youll have to mass mail. At that point I dont think your chances will be much different coming from BC or BU. Its certainly not enough of a difference that you should choose BC over BU or vice versa for that reason alone. Funny thing about Goodwin is that Ive heard the opposite! Ha. but I know BU and BC people at Goodwin.

[jesinka90]

Application complete 10/31. In review as of yesterday 11/6.

[Leagles5161]

Been in review since the middle of October. An acceptance this week would be fucking awesome.

[The Abyss]

A little peeved that I didn't get an FT invite, but it seems that GPA is pretty important in that process. I'm 3.2x with a 170 and got a few waiver after soliciting.

[Troianii]

Checking in. App received 10/17, under review 10/28.

Really looking forward to hearing back from BC. If they still had ED, I'd have applied ED here. :/

[Billy Madison]

Checking in. App received 10/17, under review 10/28.

Really looking forward to hearing back from BC. If they still had ED, I'd have applied ED here. :/

Did your status checker ever* say your app was placed on hold?

[Troianii]

Checking in. App received 10/17, under review 10/28.

Really looking forward to hearing back from BC. If they still had ED, I'd have applied ED here. :/

Did your status checker ever* say your app was placed on hold?

Nope. It's been marked under review since 10/28.

[UDtoLawSchool]

Checking in. App received 10/17, under review 10/28.

Really looking forward to hearing back from BC. If they still had ED, I'd have applied ED here. :/

Did your status checker ever* say your app was placed on hold?

Mine has been under review since 10/15. But at least for Washington & Lee, getting put on hold means they are waiting to make a decision until they can see the strength of the general applicant pool.

[Billy Madison]

Checking in. App received 10/17, under review 10/28.

Really looking forward to hearing back from BC. If they still had ED, I'd have applied ED here. :/

Did your status checker ever* say your app was placed on hold?

Mine has been under review since 10/15. But at least for Washington & Lee, getting put on hold means they are waiting to make a decision until they can see the strength of the general applicant pool.

Just says "your application has been placed on hold" with a date of Nov 6th, which is the same day I submitted. My status checker doesn't list a date received or anything else.

[LetsGoNow]

For those of you who have applied, did your personal statements have a "why law" component to it?

My personal statement has no "why law" side to it, as I thought it flowed better without it. I was planning to create a separate statement for schools that require personal statements to explain "why law". BC's instructions are not too clear though. This is what their website says.

"A personal statement. We are interested particularly in learning about your motivation and preparation for the study of law as well as any circumstances that you believe relevant to the evaluation of your credentials."

Any thoughts?

[MOKE4311]

My PS comes around to it in a roundabout manner but never explicitly states "Why law". The only specific passages like that I put in are when a school explicitly asks to see "Why our law school" (e.g. University of Minnesota)

[bearnice]

post removed

[hammocklv06]

My PS comes around to it in a roundabout manner but never explicitly states "Why law". The only specific passages like that I put in are when a school explicitly asks to see "Why our law school" (e.g. University of Minnesota)

+1 same here
In my PS, I use a broad, common theme to connect a few meaningful experiences and then use that theme as a bridge to law school being the next experience in that series. It's vague, but it felt more natural and less cliché/overbearing.

[LetsGoNow]

My PS comes around to it in a roundabout manner but never explicitly states "Why law". The only specific passages like that I put in are when a school explicitly asks to see "Why our law school" (e.g. University of Minnesota)

+1 same here
In my PS, I use a broad, common theme to connect a few meaningful experiences and then use that theme as a bridge to law school being the next experience in that series. It's vague, but it felt more natural and less cliché/overbearing.

Thanks guys!

I guess the extra page their prompt seems to allow gives some space for connections.
After doing my due diligence, I'm actually really hyped for BC! So I may even be able to add a natural "why BC" component.

[thriller1122]

My PS comes around to it in a roundabout manner but never explicitly states "Why law". The only specific passages like that I put in are when a school explicitly asks to see "Why our law school" (e.g. University of Minnesota)

+1 same here
In my PS, I use a broad, common theme to connect a few meaningful experiences and then use that theme as a bridge to law school being the next experience in that series. It's vague, but it felt more natural and less cliché/overbearing.

Thanks guys!

I guess the extra page their prompt seems to allow gives some space for connections.
After doing my due diligence, I'm actually really hyped for BC! So I may even be able to add a natural "why BC" component.

Not that it really helps but mine kind of follows the same pattern. I strongly imply 'why law' given the course of life events and what they meant to me but I don't explicitly state it. However, I do mention that I want to transition into AF JAG so that kind of answers why I want to go to law school.

Also, I think my 10th business day is tomorrow (hopefully, not sure how Veteran's day plays into it) so I'm hoping to hear back pretty soon! (Fast Track)

[marty]

I'm FT and my app went under review on 10/29. Yesterday was supposed to be my tenth day, but I heard nothing...possibly vet's day? if i don't hear back today I'm really going to go crazy

[thriller1122]

I'm FT and my app went under review on 10/29. Yesterday was supposed to be my tenth day, but I heard nothing...possibly vet's day? if i don't hear back today I'm really going to go crazy

I'm not positive, but I dont think the day it goes under review counts towards the 10 days. That would put your tenth as today... However, I wonder about Vet day too. My 10th day is tomorrow, unless vet day doesnt count as a business day and then I'm dammed to waiting all weekend. I hope you here back today so I know that it'll come tomorrow for me.

[hammocklv06]

I'm FT and my app went under review on 10/29. Yesterday was supposed to be my tenth day, but I heard nothing...possibly vet's day? if i don't hear back today I'm really going to go crazy

I'm not positive, but I dont think the day it goes under review counts towards the 10 days. That would put your tenth as today... However, I wonder about Vet day too. My 10th day is tomorrow, unless vet day doesnt count as a business day and then I'm dammed to waiting all weekend. I hope you here back today so I know that it'll come tomorrow for me.

Well... Vet Day isn't on the holiday calendar and Columbus Day was, so there's hope that it counts as a business day!

Source: http://www.bc.edu/content/dam/files/off ... lendar.pdf

[marty]

I'm FT and my app went under review on 10/29. Yesterday was supposed to be my tenth day, but I heard nothing...possibly vet's day? if i don't hear back today I'm really going to go crazy

I'm not positive, but I dont think the day it goes under review counts towards the 10 days. That would put your tenth as today... However, I wonder about Vet day too. My 10th day is tomorrow, unless vet day doesnt count as a business day and then I'm dammed to waiting all weekend. I hope you here back today so I know that it'll come tomorrow for me.

Well... Vet Day isn't on the holiday calendar and Columbus Day was, so there's hope that it counts as a business day!

Source: http://www.bc.edu/content/dam/files/off ... lendar.pdf

Ugh dear lord I hope so, nothing yet...but looks like some came out last year around 4/5ish?