Second Semester!!

Happy Asian New Year Everyone! Year of the Tiger! Rawr! :D

Since last semester, I've been focusing more time in my clubs: Both VSA & CSA, SAP, and, of course, PARKOUR!

So much fun, but it is a lot of work to get better, more fluid in movement. So far, I've been able to finish vaults across railings and low walls (Ex. pictured left). With all the bruises, scrapes, and sweat, they look pretty good now.


Currently, I am working on my wall run which take a lot of conditioning and strengthening of the lower body since that is where you get your momentum (Ex. on the left). What's the wall I want to climb up? The Higgins/Devlin wall on Million Dollar Stair Case!









It's the second wall behind the first one on the stairwell. I think it would be better if you come to Boston College and see it for yourself. Who knows? Maybe you'll see Boston College Parkour (BCPK) group training!

That's all I've got for now! Peace!

David
nguyenec@bc.edu

Introduction

Hi Everyone!

My name is Lauren Malishchak and I'm currently a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences. I am a Biology major, and also trying to decide if I want to either minor or double major in Spanish.

This year, I live in an eight-man (which is a suite consisting of 4 doubles with a common room and 2 bathrooms) in Walsh on Lower Campus, which is an all sophomore dorm. Last year, I lived in a natural triple in Xavier on Upper Campus. I am still living with both of my roommates from last year-- I think it's really important to note that BC does a great job of matching random roommates up together!

So far, this year has been great. I find I have a lot less class time this year, but I am also way busier. I've gotten more involved in a few different activities, which BC has a lot of! Some of the things I'm doing this year are PULSE (which is a class that fulfills both your theology and philosophy requirements in addition to having a social service component), SAP (the student admissions program), and Appalachia Volunteers (I just found out I'm leading a group and am so excited!!). I also work at O'Neill Library, the main library on campus, and have done so since first semester of last year. I would definitely recommend that anyone who comes to BC get involved right away- you meet so many amazing people and end up getting really close to them.

Well, it's the weekend and I'm so happy we have three days off for Columbus Day. This past week was pretty stressful- I even had an Organic Chemistry test today.

Hope you all have great holiday weekends too!
Lauren

New Year, Done Right

Hey everyone,

My name is Joe Mahon, a sophomore in BC A&S. I am currently trying to major in Chemistry and pick up a minor in Music, but to be honest, if I have enough class spaces open, I'm hoping to get it as a second major! As for what I do here, I am part of BC's Marching Band and Symphonic Band, but know a lot about other music programs here at the school as well. I am also a part of Nights on the Heights, a student organization that organizes (sometimes quite nicely-funded, meaning prizes like an iPod Touch) activities every weekend for anyone on campus. I work for ResNet (our name is in the process of changing, though), which is an on-campus technology services organization that provides pretty much any kind of tech support you might want. And, of course, I am part of the Student Admission Program; so if you visit campus and meet me in the office in Devlin, please feel free to let me know you know of me through this blog!

Some of you may have gone back in time in this blog to see some posts from last year, and I definitely encourage everyone to do so, if you have time! I'll try not to repeat much over the course of this year, but I might, so forgive me if I do.

I know this is a pretty harsh time of year for seniors; some of my friends who are seniors now, and friends siblings, have been all panic-stricken about applications. Take a deep breath anytime you think about your application, but do not put it off! (And when it's possible, apply Early Action - it makes all the difference when you know your acceptance situation by January).

Some other random information:
- ESPN's College Gameday will be here in Chestnut Hill this Saturday: try to tune in Saturday morning to see pregame broadcasts and look out for the marching band! And then you can enjoy what should be an amazing game against Florida State!
- Something you should know about me: for whatever reason, I really love parenthesis (and use them often). Just a warning.

TTFN,
Joe

Ommmm...

Hello again,

Week's recap: Wednesday, got a chem test back - improved from last test by 27%! Thursday's chem lab went relatively well, though my partner and I were last out. Ear-training and sight-singing lab (required for music majors, open to all) went well, though I pity those around me who have to hear me sing.

Friday: in-class chem quiz I definitely needed to have studied for more (two quick questions, I got at least one right). Bio exam went well, and Perspectives quiz on Kant was all right. Friday night, silly friends and I built a bed-sheet fort in the study lounge of Keyes, hung out there all night.

Saturday: went to see BC bOp! jazz ensemble perform at biggest show of year - it was phenomenal (they compete and perform internationally). This was followed by two hours of ice skating in the hockey rink in Conte, put on by UGBC - lots of fun!

This is clearly the time of year that Student Admissions starts working overtime. The trees start to shake off the winter with little buds and beginnings of leaves, those all-important letters are being sent to and fro all across the country, and excited and - if at all like me - extremely confused high school seniors start trekking around the globe (or so it seems) to figure out what they want to do next year. For the past weeks and in ever-increasing numbers, BC students get to watch potential fellow Eagles wander around campus wondering what it is that makes our school so great.

Looking back now, I am amazed that it has already been a year since I was doing the same.

I just want to offer what advice I have, being fresh out of the dreaded Common App system: take it easy for a bit. It's always good to sift through data and tour schools and think about pros and cons or however you're trying to make a decision, but your mind and your life can't take too much of that. Take an hour a week or so to just sit back and relax: pray, meditate, write a poem, go for a jog; a general brain de-tox. It will help enormously in the overall process.

One other, more concrete tip: when it comes to choices, reactions can speak louder than anything: put the schools you're considering in a hat, pull them out one-by-one and see how you feel the instant you read it. Relieved? Check it as possible. Very disheartened? Reconsider it. Obviously not a perfect method, but it helped me out.

Good luck, and I can't wait to see any of you around campus, visiting, or perhaps, studying?

Joe

This is my life.

Hey Guys,

My name is Kristin Canfield. I'm from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and I'm a freshman at BC in the College of Arts and Sciences. As of now, I plan to double major in math and English and possibly be pre-med or pre-law (I'm only a freshman). I live on Upper Campus with about 60% of my fellow freshman, which means I have the luxury of rolling out of bed at 8:52 and still making it to my 9:00 am General Chemistry class. Skills, I know.

So far at BC, I've been involved with the Figure Skating Club and Student Admissions Program, and I tutor a high school student in math through the Neighborhood Center. I also am really interested in a organization on campus called the Global Justice Project, but so far it has been difficult for me to make their meetings. This semester I'm taking General Chemistry, Multivariable Calculus, First-Year Writing Seminar, Economics, and Documentary Films.

As a freshman, the "college process" is still fresh in my mind, so I understand how stressful and confusing it is, but trust me, it'll work out. Well that's all I have for you right now, so Good Night and Good Luck.

Kristin

Welcome!

Thank you for visiting the Boston College Student Admission Program blogs! This blog is maintained by undergraduates in the College of Arts & Sciences who have or are interested in Science majors.

If you are a prospective student who is interested in applying to one of BC's science programs, look no further! Here we try to give you a window into the life of Boston College students, who will be posting about what daily life is like on the Heights. Bookmark this page and keep coming back for more; this blog will be updated regularly by one of many of our Student Admission Program volunteers! We all have stories to share that we hope will help you determine if BC is right for you.

These blogs can be as interactive as you make them. Want to hear about a certain aspect of college life? Curious as to how we survive without home-cooked meals and laundry done for us? Ask and you shall receive. If you have questions or comments, please feel free to post them! We'll respond in our next entry as soon as we can.

Thank you so much for stopping in! If you'd like to hear more about BC, visit the official site of Boston College! You can also learn more about visiting campus and our tours and infamous Eagle Eye sessions at the SAP webpage! We'd love to have you!

Good luck!

Sam Lipscomb
SAP Technology Coordinator '08-'09
Boston College A&S '10
lipscoms@bc.edu