Welcome new and prospective students! Before reading any further, we suggest watching Freshman First Peek. This online video was made in hopes of answering most of the most common questions new and prospective students have regarding life at Boston College. Below are some frequently asked questions we've managed to consolidate for you.
General Questions Regarding Housing Preferences and Assignments
What if I’m a newly accepted student and experiencing problems trying to submit my New Student Housing Survey and Special Interest Housing Form?
When will I be receiving my housing assignment?
What is the difference between Upper and Newton Campus?
What is the difference between Social, Study, and Private space on the Room Placement Form?
What type of accommodations are available for freshman?
I already sent in my housing placement form. Can I change my preferences?
Questions Regarding Roommate Requests
How can I request a roommate?
What if I meet someone at orientation that I would like to room with?
Questions Regarding Room Amenities
Are the halls air conditioned?
What size is my room? What are the sizes of my windows?
What is the size of my mattress?
Can I bring my own mattress?
What is provided for me in my room?
What should I bring?
What can I not bring?
Miscellaneous Questions
How do I get into my room?
When and where can I check in for the fall?
How do people send mail to me at school?
What if I’m a newly accepted student and experiencing problems trying to complete my housing application on the Agora portal? If you have received confirmation that your deposit was received, then please contact the Office of Residential Life at 617-552-8582. Please keep in mind however, that it may take up to 24 hours after your deposit has been submitted for the forms to become active. Also, please keep in mind that the housing application is on accessible through the Agora portal (portal.bc.edu) and not through the original Agora site.
If you are unsure if you have made payment, or have not received confirmation of payment, please call the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at 617-552-3100.
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When will I be receiving my housing assignment?
Housing assignments will be e-mailed out during the first week in August.
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What is the difference between Upper and Newton Campus?
Newton Campus is located about 1 1/2 miles from the Chestnut Hill campus and is serviced by a continuous shuttle bus between the two campuses. There are about 800 freshman students living in the six residence halls. On the 40-acre campus, Newton Campus has its own dining hall, mailroom, chapel, and recreational fields. For additional information on the BC shuttle, click here.
Upper Campus houses about 1,400 freshman students in 13 residence halls. The students on Upper will have access to the dining hall, mailroom, and chapel. Both campuses have laundry facilities, exercise rooms, and entertainment/recreation areas.
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What is the difference between Social, Study, and Private space on the Room Placement Form?
Students who prefer their room to be social space typically enjoy having visitors in their room. They probably will be doing their studying in the library or another place on campus and prefer to reserve their room for socializing. Study space means that the students will be studying in their room, but when they are not studying, they enjoy having people stop by to socialize. Students choosing private space prefer to not have many visitors in the room. They may enjoy being social in the hallway or elsewhere, but would rather reserve their room as a place to "get away". No matter what option you choose, you will need to discuss your expectations of the room with your roommate.
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What type of accommodations are available for freshmen?
The majority of the rooms are traditional double accommodations. However, there are a limited number of singles, 3-person, and 4-person rooms available on both the Upper and Newton Campuses. You can request one of these accommodations by completing the New Student Housing Form on AGORA.
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I already did my housing application on Agora portal. Can I change my preferences?
Yes. All changes must be made before July 17th.
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How can I request a roommate?
If you have someone that you would like to live with, you can complete a Roommate Request Form on AGORA portal. You will need the name and Eagle number of the person you are interested in living with. The request needs to be mutual in order for the match to be considered. All efforts will be made to meet your roommate requests, but requests are not guaranteed.
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What if I meet someone at orientation that I would like to room with?
Please refer to the answer above.
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Are the halls air conditioned?
No. None of the freshman residence halls are air conditioned.
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What size is my room? What are the sizes of my windows?
| Room Sizes | Window Sizes | |
| Newton Campus | Double Rooms 18' x 11' Single Rooms 13' x 9' |
Double Room Windows 66" x 64" Single Room Windows 66" x 64" |
| Upper Campus | Double Rooms 16' x 12' Single Rooms 16' x 9' |
Double Room Windows 62" x 64" Single Room Windows 62" x 42" |
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What is the size of my mattress?
Mattresses are extra long twin size: 36" x 80".
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Can I bring my own mattress?
You cannot bring your own mattress. Students who have a medical need to bring their own mattress in the residence halls must submit medical documentation outlining a medical history demonstrating the need for a special mattress. The medical information will be reviewed by the Office of Residential Life. If approved, all mattresses must meet local and state fire regulations.
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What is provided for me in my room?
Each resident in the room has a bed and mattress, desk, chair, dresser, and an individual connection for cable tv, telephone, voicemail, and internet. There are also two closets and one window shade, a full length mirror, and a dry-erase board on the exterior of the door.
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What should I bring?
| small fan |
calendar/planner |
| bucket/tote for toiletries | television with cable-ready connection & coaxial cable |
| laundry basket | flashlight |
| laundry detergent | computer |
| mattress pad (no egg crates) | dust busters |
| cleaning supplies | desk lamp |
| iron and ironing board | hangers |
| alarm clock | masking tape |
| towels | radio |
| bed linens | surge protector power strip |
| bedspread | touch tone phone |
| blankets | shower sandals |
| pillows | grounded three-prong adapter (for Shaw, Medeiros, and Greycliff) |
What can I not bring?
For a list of prohibited items, please read the Safety and Security Policies and the Conditions for Residency.
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How do I get into my room?
Residents gain access to their residence hall by swiping their BC ID through a small reader located next to the exterior doors. Once inside, residents use their private combination or key to enter their room. Your combination or key will be given to you at check-in.
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When and where can I check in for the fall?
Check in for for all new resident students (freshmen and new transfers) takes place on Wednesday, September 2, 2009 and Thursday, September 3, 2009. The following is a list of the check in areas for the fall:
| Residence Hall | Check-In Location |
| All Upper Campus halls | Cheverus lounge |
| All College Road halls | Roncalli 1st floor lounge |
| Cushing/Hardey | Cushing Resident Director office |
| Duchesne East and West | Duchesne East Resident Director office |
| Keyes North and South | Keyes North Resident Director office |
Students attending orientation session 7 can check in to their assignments on the morning of Sunday, August 30th.
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How do people send mail to me at school?
Each residence hall has been assigned a P.O. Box Number as well as a street address. Click here for mailing addresses.
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