General FAQ
BU in LA HOUSING
WHERE IS THE BULA HOUSING LOCATED?
WHAT IS THE BULA HOUSING LIKE?
WHEN WILL I GET MY HOUSING ASSIGNMENT?
ARE SINGLE ROOMS AVAILABLE?
HOW DO I REQUEST A SINGLE ROOM?
WHEN WILL I FIND OUT IF I GOT A SINGLE?
IS THERE GENDER INCLUSIVE HOUSING?
WHAT DO I BRING?
ARE PETS ALLOWED IN BULA HOUSING?
WILL I HAVE ACCESS TO A GYM?
DO I HAVE TO USE BULA FURNITURE?
CAN I BRING MY OWN FURNITURE?
CAN I MOVE IN EARLY/STAY LATER?
OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING
DO I HAVE TO LIVE IN BU HOUSING?
IF I WAS APPROVED TO LIVE OFF CAMPUS DO I HAVE TO COME TO CHECK-IN?
MAIL & SHIPPING
WHERE DO I SHIP MY STUFF?
HOW DO I RECEIVE MAIL?
PARKING & TRANSPORTATION
HOW DO I GET AROUND LA?
HOW CAN I RENT A CAR?
WHERE WILL I PARK?
ACADEMICS
WHERE WILL MY CLASSES MEET?
WHEN WILL MY CLASSES MEET?
WHERE WILL I PARK FOR CLASSES?
WHAT CLASSES WILL I TAKE?
HOW DO I REGISTER FOR COURSES
OTHER
WHAT DO I BRING TO CHECK-IN?
WHAT STORES ARE NEARBY?
WHERE CAN I STORE MY ITEMS WHILE I AM IN LA? (BOSTON & LA)
BULA HOUSING
WHERE IS THE BULA HOUSING LOCATED?
BULA students are housed in the “Miracle Mile” area of Los Angeles. It is centrally located to the majority of LA’s most popular neighborhoods. Student apartments are within a 10-20 minute walk of the BULA office/classroom space whcih is at 5700 Wilshire Blvd..
Back to top
WHAT IS THE BULA HOUSING LIKE?
Most students will be living in a 2 bedroom, 2 bath apartment with 1-3 additional BULA students. Each apartment is fully furnished with the following: 2 twin-sized beds, two dressers, and a closet with hangers in each bedroom. A sofa and side chair, coffee table, side table, TV with cable, and internet in the living room. A dining table and chairs in the dining room. Each kitchen has a refrigerator, microwave, stove, oven, coffee maker, and toaster, and is stocked with basic cooking and dining equipment. Each bathroom has a shower curtain, bath mat, and toilet cleaners. Each student will be supplied with one set of sheets, a towel, a comforter and pillow.
DAMAGE/CLEANING FEE NOTICE: If there is any damage or excessive dirtiness found in your apartment upon your vacating, BULA will charge a “damage/cleaning fee” to your student account. Any damage or cleaning fee assessed on the common areas of the apartment will be split and charged evenly to ALL occupants (an amount between $50-$400 each, depending on the extent) unless the roommate responsible for the damage and/or dirtiness accepts responsibility. Any damage/cleaning fee assessed on a bedroom or area of a bedroom will be assessed to the student occupying that area or bedroom. Damage includes any damage beyond normal wear and tear to furnishings or fixtures in the apartment. Excessive dirtiness includes any un-cleaned areas or accumulated dirt (especially the kitchen and bathrooms), unwashed dishes, pots, or pans, or any trash, food items, or personal belongings left in the apartment. Students will be notified by email of any charges after checkout.
Back to top
WHEN WILL I GET MY HOUSING ASSIGNMENT?
You will be sent your apartment’s physical address, along with your roommate assignments prior to your departure and typically on the Friday before you arrive in LA. PLEASE NOTE: We do not assign people to specific rooms but rather specific apartments.
Back to top
ARE SINGLE ROOMS AVAILABLE?
Depending upon availability, a single room within a two bedroom apartment may be available. In this instance, one student would have a bedroom to themselves and would share the apartment with 1-2 other students.
Back to top
HOW DO I REQUEST A SINGLE ROOM?
Singles are assigned on a first come first served basis dependent upon availability. The fee for a single room is an additional cost per semester. To request a single room, complete the single request form. By completing the single request form you authorize BU to automatically charge your student account an additional amount should your request be granted. Confirmation of single assignments is sent with the housing assignments which typically goes out the Friday prior to check-in.
Back to top
WHEN WILL I FIND OUT IF I GOT A SINGLE?
If a single has been assigned, it will be made clear in the housing assignment email sent the Friday before Welcome Week. Singles are designated as the smaller bedroom without the attached bath.
Back to top
DO YOU HAVE GENDER INCLUSIVE HOUSING?
BULA works collaboratively with all transgender, non-binary, questioning, gender non-conforming, and cisgender students to ensure that they feel supported and comfortable while living in Los Angeles. In the BULA housing form students can choose gender inclusive housing.
Back to top
WHAT DO I BRING?
Since apartments are fully furnished, many students arrive with only their clothes, personal affects and school supplies. Some students also choose to bring items to make their space feel more like home, but are asked to take them upon leaving. Many students purchase items upon arrival. Stores in the area.
Back to top
ARE PETS ALLOWED IN BULA HOUSING?
Under no circumstances are pets allowed in student apartments.
Back to top
WILL I HAVE ACCESS TO A GYM?
Students living in BU housing have free access to a fitness center within the apartment complex. Students will receive applications with their paperwork the first week in LA. It is up to the students to activate their membership.
Back to top
DO I HAVE TO USE BULA FURNITURE?
Students are not allowed to remove BULA furniture from their BULA apartment. While students are allowed to move furniture from room to room within their apartment, they must return the furniture to where it was originally placed, upon departure. Students also assume financial responsibility for damages incurred to BULA furnishings and the apartment that are deemed beyond normal wear and tear.
Back to top
CAN I BRING MY OWN FURNITURE?
Students can supply furnishings for their apartment provided they do not negatively impact the overall living experience for their roommates and provided the student removes the item(s) upon departure.
Back to top
CAN I MOVE IN EARLY/STAY LATER?
Students cannot move in prior to check-in and cannot stay beyond the move-out date. (Except for the CA)
Back to top
OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING
DO I HAVE TO LIVE IN BU HOUSING?
Boston University Study Abroad Undergraduate participants are required to live in program-sponsored housing when the program fee includes the cost of housing. BULA does allow certain students to live off campus. Learn more here.
Back to top
IF I WAS APPROVED TO LIVE OFF CAMPUS DO I HAVE TO COME TO CHECK-IN?
Check-in is not just for on-campus students. We ask that even if you are living off campus, that you stop by to see us during check-in.
Back to top
MAIL and SHIPPING
WHERE DO I SHIP MY STUFF?
Prior to arriving students can ship up to THREE boxes of personal items to the BULA office to arrive the week before the semester starts. We do not have storage space to accept packages any earlier. Ship to: Boston University Los Angeles 5700 Wilshire Blvd., Ste 675, Los Angeles, CA 90036 c/0 “your name.” We will hold the items securely for you to retrieve once you have checked in. Please note you will NOT be able to collect your boxes at check in on the Wednesday. So do not ship items you need your first night in LA.
Back to top
HOW DO I RECEIVE MAIL?
Each apartment has a mailbox. Students are welcome to have things mailed directly to the apartment.
PACKAGES: Please note that packages maybe left by your apartment door (unsecured unless some is home to collect it). Students have the option to have packages shipped to the BULA office where they will be held for the student to retrieve during office hours (day) or class hours (evening). You may also consider shipping to an Amazon locker. Or a FedEx or UPS store where you can collect.
Back to top
PARKING and TRANSPORTATION
HOW DO I GET AROUND LA?
The majority of students rent a car for their stay in LA or ship or drive their car to Los Angeles. There is a bus, subway, and light rail system (L.A. Metro) that can certainly get you from point A to point B much cheaper than by car (as a student you can travel anywhere on the L.A. Metro for $43/month upon completing an application). The hitch: L.A. is huge and wherever you need to go will usually take about twice as long by public transport versus driving. Some internships, though, can be found within walking distance, or only a short bus ride from your residence.
Back to top
HOW CAN I RENT A CAR?
Car rental information is posted on our internal Blackboard site students will have access to prior to the program start. BULA does not endorse a particular rental company and we encourage you to do your homework and find the agency that best suits your needs.
Back to top
WHERE WILL I PARK?
If you plan to have a car in LA and are living in BULA housing, you will have an assigned parking space. The BULA office has a parking garage underneath the building. BULA does NOT validate for parking EXCEPT for cars entering the garage after 6PM. The garage costs $2.75 per 12 minutes ($22 max) for cars entering BEFORE 6:00 PM. Students who enter the garage after 6:00 PM for class and get validation will only need to pay $2. There is street and meter parking available on the surrounding streets just be sure to READ THE SIGNS. LA gives parking tickets like they are going out of style.
Back to top
ACADEMICS
WHERE WILL MY CLASSES MEET?
Classes will take place in the BULA office suite, unless otherwise noted. The office is located at 5700 Wilshire Blvd, Ste 675, LA, CA 90036. It is approximately a 10-20-minute walk from BULA Housing.
Back to top
WHEN WILL MY CLASSES MEET?
The majority of classes meet in the evenings, Monday-Thursday from approximately 7:30PM until 10:00PM.
Back to top
WHERE WILL I PARK FOR CLASSES?
We encourage students living in BULA housing to park in their assigned spaces and walk to class. There is a garage in the BULA office building. BULA can validate for cars that ARRIVE AFTER 6PM and you will pay a nominal $2 fee to exit the garage. Cars that arrive prior to 6PM will pay $2.75 for every 12 minutes with a maximum daily rate of $22. ERGO–avoid parking in the BULA office garage prior to 6PM unless you want to pay a hefty rate. There is some street parking available. (See “Where will I park?” above.)
Back to top
WHAT CLASSES WILL I TAKE?
For fall and spring semesters, the majority of the tracks have core courses and elective options in addition to their internship course. During the summer, students will either do internship only or have 2 other classes. Details on course offerings can be found in the academics section of this site. Please note that the information provided in the academics section is subject to change and that current offerings might not be the same during your semester in LA.
Back to top
HOW DO I REGISTER FOR COURSES?
Your registration is not processed until after your arrival at Los Angeles. Prior to you arrival, you will receive a Course Selection survey, which is how you will choose your classes. After you’ve filled it out, you will receive confirmation of your selection. There will be a chance to drop and add classes during the first week. You official courses typically do not appear in your student records until a couple of weeks into your LA semester. In the meantime, you might see a placeholder block of courses.
Back to top
OTHER
WHAT DO I BRING TO CHECK-IN?
1. BU ID (or id from other school if applicable)
2. Auto information for BULA Housing parking assignment (license, license plate #, registration.) If you are renting a car for your stay in LA and do not have the information at check-in, you will be able to supply it at a later date
Back to top
WHAT STORES ARE NEARBY?
The BULA offices and housing are in a terrific central location. Students are within walking distance of an outdoor mall (The Grove), Farmer’s Market, Target Galaxy, park, public library, multiple pharmacies, office supply stores, and multiple supermarkets (including Ralphs, Smart & Final, Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods).
WHERE CAN I STORE ITEMS WHILE I AM IN LA?
If you do not have anywhere to store your dorm/apartment items from Boston – you may consider Storage Units.