Hi everyone,

I will study next year in the program and I will be very happy if I have a chance to speak with my future classmates.
Write me:)

Regards,
Mariya

Hey Mariya, I'll be also at BUSL this fall. I'm glad to speak with my first classmate...where are you from?

Hi,

I am from Bulgaria, Eastern Europe. What about you? If you are international student, did you received I-20 form from BU? When do you plan to move in Boston/if you are not living there now/?

Best regards!
I am happy to be in touch with somebody from BUSL!

Mariya, so you're Bulgarian, I come from Europe also, but closest to Boston ;)...France.
I haven't yet received the I-20, form, I hope to receive it soon since summer is approaching.
Btw, I plan to move to Boston on August, maybe around the 10/15.
My main difficulty is to find an appartment in Boston, it's quite hard to find it online: I don't know any places there, neither distance, etc.. how will you do?
Concerning the B&F program, I have seen the exhaustive program on BU website and it seems to be definitely interesting.
See you there! Regards
Michael

Hello, I'll be there in the Fall but for the American Law Program. It's good to meet you guys.
By the way, will you attend the CELOP?

Hi Michael, I have already signed the Lease for an apartment in Brighton.
There are many suburbs around Boston where you can expect better prices at reasonable distances from BU, as Brighton, Allston, Brookline, etc. All those towns and cities have access to the B Green Line, which is the subway line that goes to BU. It would be a commute of 15 to 20 min. There is also Cambridgeport, where is just steps from BU, but the houses are older and normally for 2 or 3 families. The rents in this area tend to be a litte bit more expensive, since there is a huge student population fighting to find a place near the school.
You can take a look in the Craigslist. Everyday there are lots of new adds and you can look for apartments without the broker's fees, or by owners, etc.
The web site is http://www.boston.craigslist.com/.
I hope this can help you.
Good Luck!

Hi,Deni,

I will not attend the CELOP because of the money. Do you plan to go?

Michael, I have the same worries - visa, housing.............Did you receive any materials about the program, the schedule and a list with books which we should read before the school year start?

Isn't it too early to book a room or appartament?

Regards!

Hi Mariya,
No, I am in the same situation. Attending the CELOP would cost me the double because, besides the course's cost I would have to stop working and, consequently, making no money during the 6 weeks.
I think it is a good idea for you to start looking for an apartment right now. The area receives lots of students every year and housing is highly competitive. You can look for apartments that are expected to be available by August 1st. Normally the rents start on every 1st day of each month, wich is also the day the rent's payments are due.
If you decide to start looking for a place later on, you can find it more difficult to find a place you like for a reasonable price.
If you need some tips or information, maybe I can help you with that.
Cheers!

Deni, I won't do the CELOP program neither
Mariya,I don't know if it's early, but I'd like to book it soon. I did not received any materials, no worries, be sure it will come on time!

Btw, that would be a good idea to meet each other before the begining of courses.

Michael

HI, i´m also going to BUSL american law program.
I already got my I-20 and I am going to atten celop.
Regarding housing, i have no idea where i'll live, during the 6 week course i'll be looking for apartments.
Looking forward to meet you,

Michael, that is a great idea - it will be nice to see each others before class.

Before I book a place, I prefer to see it , so i am comfused. What is the rent practice in Boston? The terms?
If you want find me in msn messenger - airam_bg@hotmail.com

Regards!

Hi,

I will be attending BUSL for American Law program this fall and plan to arrive somewhere around mid August. Understanding the huge student population demanding for housing, I choose to start early before the ideal ones are taken.

Mariya, its not too early to sign the lease, honestly, you will want to secure your place as soon as possible. And you are absolutely right about seeing the place before you rent it. I checked this studio online first and pretty much decided to rent it. Luckily, I got the chance to stop by Boston and see the place in person. Errrr,,,,, thats when people call a misleading advertisement! Crampy, funky smell, and no sunlight anytime of the day!! There are couple agencies on Commonwealth Ave., some of them own the properties therefore no brokers fee is required. My experience is: walking in the agents office with specifics (ex. price range, on the T line, available date, etc.) and see what they have. Once they provide you the list of properties, which meets your requirements, you can request seeing the places. To rent a place, the practice is about the same as elsewhere: one month deposit, full payment for the first and last month, and then you are all set.

Cheers,

Hi guys,

mcs06, thanks for the information. I prefer to live alone in a studio, but ......if it is too expensive , probably I should live with roommates. Any ideas or suggestions? I don't know anybody in Boston.
By the way I have an e-mail from Sarah Bellott, she takes care for the I-20 form . She said that my I-20 form will be ready in next three weeks.
I hope that information to help you.
Regards!

Hi again,

Is anybody plan to take a bank loan? I need more information for MEFA bank loan - this loan is for students who will attend an university in Massachusetts. I need a clarification about the visa status of the co-applicant. Did anybody receive a loan from them?
Thanks!

Hi,

My name is Grant. I just graduated the JD program at BU Law and will be going straight into the Banking LLM program in the fall. Since I have been around BU law for three years I would be happy to answer any questions you might have about the school, the neighborhood, etc. I noticed some people wanted to know about apartment rentals. The majority of Boston leases run from September 1st to September 1st, so there is much less selection for an August 1st rental, however, it is possible to get a good apartment then. Allston/Brighton is your best bet for value, the Back Bay is equally close and the nicest neighborhood in the city. Brookline is a bit more suburban but still close. Realtors do charge a fee of one month's rent for most apartments but you can usually negotiate with your landlord to have them share the fee and there are also no-fee listings. For a studio a reasonable rent is around $900, one bedroom should run you $1000+ and a two bedroom about $1600. I don't want to go on too long but if you would like to know specific streets or corners near shopping and about specific rental agencies I'd be happy to help.

Hello All, my name is vitelio and I will also be attending the program this year. I am from the Dominican Republic.

As all of you I am worried about housing and visa issues, so I would appreciate any recommendations. It is good to hear from all of you.

Dear Grant:

I am currently looking for an apartment, two friends have recommended, Greenhouse Apts. and 15 northbeacon Apts. What's your say on theses buildings if any? Location, pricing, etc.

Hi,guys,nice to know you all.
I am worried about the same questions as you
the most urgent problem for me is I have appointed the date of visa in next week and I also want to take the CELO ,however I haven't applied for it and if I use this I-20 form from BUSL to visa,I could only go to BU 30 days before the opening date of Sep.5.
I don't know how to deal with it?
Do you have any suggestions?Thanks a lot!

Hi, everyone. I am Vivi and from China. I have already got the VISA and intend to arrive BU this mid- August.
I am also preparing the travel now, and I get some helpful information ( weather, transportation, housing, brabra~~) from the website of Chinese Student Union. If you want to know it, I can attach it here.:>
To Iris: as for the CEOP, I think you can cancel the VISA interview (In China, you can cancel it, but I don't know that in your country), And then you need to exchange the old I-20 for a new one where the attending day is earlier than Sep. If you want to do it, you must hurry up since it is a troublesome procedure.
To Grant: Thank you for the useful information. Can you give me some tips when renting a room, such as the electric, heat, and other facilitate.
Very happy to see you all here!!

Dear all,
gald to be classmates with you all in the next year. I'm Ping and from Taiwan. I plan to fly to Boston in the end of August and I hope it won't be too late. look forward to seeing you guys!! :)
to Vivi: i'd appreciate if you can share about the website of chinese student union.:)