All else being equal: Boston College vs Colgate?
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Anonymous
| Trying to make an ED1/ED2 decision. Coming from my kid's high school, the GPA and SAT in Naviance are virtually identical, no matter how you slice up the data. Child loves them equally in terms of major, career prospects, location, "vibes." So of course I am turning to anonymous strangers on the internet for input. Thank you. |
Anonymous
| such different places. Your child knows best! |
Anonymous
| Those are really different schools/locations. Your child needs to figure out their preference. |
Anonymous
They truly can't decide and re-visited both over the last two weekends. I'm ready to tell them to flip a coin. |
Anonymous
|
toss a coin
|
Anonymous
| Isn’t Colgate easier to get into ED1 than BC? |
Anonymous
| If they truly can't decide I would go with BC. GREAT city to be a student! |
Anonymous
OP: Love your sense of humor. OP wrote: "All else being equal: Boston College vs Colgate ?" OP, they are not equal as there are meaningful differences between the two schools regarding size, location, and religion. Typically, I would write that one's first year at an LAC is a more intimate experience, but BC houses freshmen on a separate campus so strong relationships are established within one's class/cohort. Many consider Boston and the surrounding areas to be the ultimate college town. I know which one I would choose, but I am not you or your son/daughter. And several Colgate alums have noted on this website concern about the treatment of female students at Colgate. How do you and your student envision Friday and Saturday night activities at college ? The options are very different for one attending either of these schools. One school is isolated and offers limited activities, while the other is located adjacent to the best city in the world for college students. |
Anonymous
|
The variables between them make this a personal decision. You can't crowd source this one. My DS only applied to small schools, for instance, so Colgate for him; but my friends DD only wanted a rah-rah football college, so BC for her.
I suppose if the focus is just "the odds," you are less likely to get into Colgate without ED, but you have more spots available to ED at BC so more likely to get in ED generally. Also consider that if the kid is this up in the air about which of these very different schools is a better fit, is ED really a good idea? |
Anonymous
+1 flip a coin. |
Anonymous
|
I actually disagree with everyone.
If money doesn't matter, and your DC would truly be happy at either, then what you need to look at now is which school is more likely to yield an acceptance. Talk to your GC or whatever college person you trust. Look at the Common Data Set. Watch Youtube videos of college panels their reps have been on. Read both student papers to get a feel for what the typical student is like. Think about what your DC has to offer. Which application has stronger essays. You said Naviance says the same thing. I feel like BC would be harder, but that's just a stranger's gut reaction and pretty meaningless lol. Are their acceptance rates identical? It seems like BC is more universally appealing, but if it's a No, will DC regret not going for Colgate? And if they truly are equal in DC's eyes, it seems like Colgate makes more sense. GL! |
Anonymous
| ^also want to add, you or DC can scour Reddit and College Confidential threads to get a feel for the things i mentioned... |
Anonymous
Thanks, I will pose these questions to them. As far as size, location, and religion: my kid really doesn't care about those factors (not least because we're Catholic) and has been more focused on weather (loves cold; both are cold), study abroad, the major, career potential... we have spent a lot of time in both Lake Placid (similar to Hamilton) and Boston and Providence, and they truly are happy in either type of location. I suppose what I am realizing through this discussion is that they're pretty agreeable and can be equally happy in a lot of places. Still, any other factors to consider would be very helpful. Thank you 
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Anonymous
| BC- I think the opportunities as 3rd/ 4th year would be much better in terms of potential intern or work experiences, or just personal hobbies and the like. I would also look at what both offer for career opportunities. |
Anonymous
| Boston College better name. |