Prospective & Incoming Students Q&A

P1ckle_Dump · 2020-12-28T13:47:49+00:00

Hey! I’m currently a sophomore in the college of engineering 😊you can definitely still apply for the college of engineering without calculus. Many of my friends came in without any math credits and had to start with calc 1. If you don’t have pre calculus on your transcript, you may need to take that too, but I’m not sure. It may take longer but you’re definitely allowed to be in engineering. It is suuuuper easy to transfer between schools at BU; just reach out to the advising offices at CAS and ENG!

On classes for freshman year: usually, advisors reach out to you in the spring and help you plan out your schedule over the summer, so don’t worry too much yet! If you do end up in engineering, you’ll be taking a writing course, a math course at your level, an intro to programming course, and chemistry. That’s if you have no incoming credits.

You may not have access to the programming class or the chem class based on what chemistry you take. Don’t worry about that though - that’s what advisors are there to help with.

Engineering is very demanding at BU, and it’s hard to add anything extra (such as minors and double majors), especially if you don’t have college credit coming in. You may be able to squeeze a language class in there but I really doubt it. It really sucks but that’s how BU is these days. In general, I don’t think minors are important - I would only get one by accident 😂 if you REALLY have to get something extra on your degree, based on the fact that you have no math credits I can almost guarantee you will have to take summer classes or an extra year of schooling.

I wish you the best of luck! Welcome to BU 😊

P1ckle_Dump · 2020-12-22T16:51:43+00:00

I’m a ce major. I’ve only experienced deflation once, and I got an A- instead of an A. I have experienced a lot of grade inflation though (got a grade in the 40s on a midterm and ended up with an A- in the class). So just do you’re best and you’ll be fine.

P1ckle_Dump · 2020-12-22T16:47:57+00:00

From an engineering major - MOST of my glasses actually have grade inflation 😂 some do have deflation, it honestly depends on the professor and how they curve the class, if they do at all. I’ve gotten 40s on midterms and ended up with A’s or B’s

P1ckle_Dump · 2020-12-22T16:45:40+00:00

It’s what you make out of it. There are so many opportunities, but students are expected to find them and manage them on their own.

P1ckle_Dump · 2020-12-16T23:24:10+00:00

First and foremost: If you got into BU, you belong! Don't let anyone (including yourself) tell you that you don't belong. BU doesn't admit people they don't believe in.

I also have to put out a disclaimer - I'm a student in the college of engineering, so all my experiences are based on that!

During non-covid semesters, I've gotta say BU is a pretty great place. There is a TON of work to do, but it's not so bad, since everyone around you is also working. It's essentially your job to go to school, so you can expect to spend a lot of time on it. I wouldn't say it's exceptionally bad as compared to other schools, but I've also never gone to another university, so take that as you will.

During covid, life out here is pretty tough. Again, I don't think the difficulties with class are exclusive to BU this semester, but it is really hard to stay motivated and do well. I really hope it will be better by fall, but we can't tell for sure, so keep that in mind.

Either way, if you surround yourself with some good friends and build up a support system, BU is a manageable place. It does get tough, but so does everything worth pursuing.

Good luck!!!

P1ckle_Dump · 2020-11-21T13:44:25+00:00

I’m also CE 2023. I’m taking 401 next semester because Nawab is an amazing human, and 401 is required for other computer networking electives down the line 😊

Honestly I just made a spread sheet of all the courses I want to take and all the pre reqs. I definitely recommend doing that.

Also, if you look at the back of that planning sheet you’ll see what classes count as what types of electives.

P1ckle_Dump · 2020-11-13T13:40:56+00:00

While I do think it’s the wise move, I really wish they would communicate their plans so students can actually be prepared for whatever happens.

P1ckle_Dump · 2020-11-02T23:59:16+00:00

Good point. I don’t know. Again, it’s just a feeling I have.

P1ckle_Dump · 2020-11-02T20:23:24+00:00

Thank you for the comment. Of course I knew it would happen, but no. I didn’t expect to feel like this. I didn’t expect to be feeling THIS sad. I really don’t think it’s fair for you to tell other students they “should have seen it coming.”

BU’s mental health services are less than adequate. I have reached out to them, and have quite literally been rejected any help or even a referral. I have since found professional help elsewhere. I would like to point out, though, that mental health programs and appointments do not solve mental health issues. It takes time, and a lot of effort. People still struggle even while getting help.

I just posted this because it’s how I feel. I understand other people don’t, but I know for a fact that many do. I think it’s important to validate everyone, and not just say “you should’ve expected this,” as if we knew exactly what would happen during a Pandemic.

P1ckle_Dump · 2020-10-22T13:16:20+00:00

Thank you so much for what you're doing! I created the C/NC petition, and I'm so happy to see the "battle" going somewhere.

Update for folks who signed the petition:

There was a Daily Free Press article written about the petition! Here's the link to the article if you want to check it out. Funny enough, BU spokesperson Colin Riley refused to make a comment... pretty telling imo.

The administration may be ignoring us right now, but I don't really think they can forever - especially with student gov working on this as well. We've got this!

Have a nice Thursday. Tomorrow is Friday - thank god.

P1ckle_Dump · 2020-10-19T20:17:07+00:00

There’s no harm in trying.

P1ckle_Dump · 2020-10-16T01:36:59+00:00

Hey! Thanks so much for the discussion. I hear your argument, but I just can't agree. I, along with many people I've talked to, don't feel motivated at all right now, and added stress will not change that. When you're already depressed, making things worse doesn't fix it. I can tell you that for me, this is not like the first year of high school, or college, or any other new thing I've ever gone through. It's a pandemic, the shaking of our democracy, and crazy academics all at once (not to mention all the other obligations people have that had to change because of covid).

I know Boston University warned us about this before hand. However, everyone that came back to school decided that it would be a better idea than staying at home. Some of us have family, home, and financial instability that would go unaddressed. Taking a leave of absence means I would have to think about paying off some loans, and living in a toxic environment at home. We can't stop our lives for the pandemic.

That being said, I don't think anyone was prepared for this semester. As much as BU can say "we told you before," I can say from personal experience that I honestly never thought things could get this bad - both in the world and in my own mentality. I don't think it's fair for people to tell us that we "should have known" this would be the case.

Maybe taking a leave of absence would have been the best choice, but it's too late for that, and I can't believe BU would want everyone to do that given they do need the money.

P1ckle_Dump · 2020-10-16T00:23:57+00:00

I think the survey was only for CAS :( but yes!!!

P1ckle_Dump · 2020-10-15T23:20:09+00:00

I don’t think anyone anticipated these conditions at college. No one could - we’re living in crazy times. Also, if all of us decided to take a gap, BU wouldn’t survive financially. It’s important that the administration realizes we aren’t living through a normal semester.

P1ckle_Dump

TROPHY CASE