Questions for Boston College alumni?

[Anonymous]

Harvard has a huge endowment.

[Anonymous]

I went to BC and loved it. The campus is basically a walking Brooks Brothers advertisement (and I think the school has its own line of clothing at Brooks Brothers, actually), but despite how it looks, it is not at all a snobby rich kid school in my experience. Everyone there was very smart, but very open, friendly, welcoming and nice. I don't really remember anyone with a bad attitude.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I went to BC and loved it. The campus is basically a walking Brooks Brothers advertisement (and I think the school has its own line of clothing at Brooks Brothers, actually), but despite how it looks, it is not at all a snobby rich kid school in my experience. Everyone there was very smart, but very open, friendly, welcoming and nice. I don't really remember anyone with a bad attitude.

I had a similar experience. I really loved it there, and all my BC friends that I can think of off the top of my head are doing really well in their fields.

[Anonymous]

I absolutely LOVED it. I got a great job upon graduating and made lifelong friends. Not everyone there is wealthy/preppy/Catholic prep school type, but many are. Everyone is friendly there, though. The religious aspect isn't in your face by any means, but it's there. If your son is completely against religion of any sort, he may want to look elsewhere.

That being said, I went on full scholarship. Unless you have a loaded savings account for your kid or can pay out of pocket without loans, I'd say paying $250k for an undergrad degree there is a colossal waste of money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the advice. I was actually interested in UVA for DS but wasn't sure he'd have a chance much with his SAT score, haven't really thought the URM advantage is a significant one - happy to hear otherwise.

Yes DH and I work in finance, but in mid-level firms, not a major bank/hedge fund (reluctant to specify further on whether we are buy-side or sell-side, for obvious privacy reasons). We have connections to get him a job and we have saved up money to pay 4 years of college, but obviously if BC is not the best option in terms of merit aid OR in terms of finance prestige, then I am going to tell DS to consider other options.

For what it's worth as an AA family we did not experience any discomfort in Boston, felt it was a very cultured and polite city, never felt any kind of alienation. We were only there for 4 days but it was a good trip. Wish DS had the SAT score for Harvard - that would have been worth the tuition money!

I apply. I think your sons SAT scores are solidly in range for Harvard. No guarantee, but a chance if the rest of his stats are equivalent. I went to UVA and I think your son is a shoe-in, he's probably in the top 10% of AA students applying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the advice. I was actually interested in UVA for DS but wasn't sure he'd have a chance much with his SAT score, haven't really thought the URM advantage is a significant one - happy to hear otherwise.

Yes DH and I work in finance, but in mid-level firms, not a major bank/hedge fund (reluctant to specify further on whether we are buy-side or sell-side, for obvious privacy reasons). We have connections to get him a job and we have saved up money to pay 4 years of college, but obviously if BC is not the best option in terms of merit aid OR in terms of finance prestige, then I am going to tell DS to consider other options.

For what it's worth as an AA family we did not experience any discomfort in Boston, felt it was a very cultured and polite city, never felt any kind of alienation. We were only there for 4 days but it was a good trip. Wish DS had the SAT score for Harvard - that would have been worth the tuition money!

I apply. I think your sons SAT scores are solidly in range for Harvard. No guarantee, but a chance if the rest of his stats are equivalent. I went to UVA and I think your son is a shoe-in, he's probably in the top 10% of AA students applying.

I'd apply that is. Phone issues.

[Anonymous]

BC is provincial Boston and not very AA welcoming. It's a total preppy jock school. Take a look at Michigan, it has a great music dept.

[Anonymous]

I found that BC has a nice campus, nice location, good academics, and most students are nice enough. The negatives are that everyone dresses the same, looks the same, and acts the same. Also it is a big drinking/hookup school. The student body is kind of stunted when it comes to the social aspect of the school especially the guys.

[Anonymous]

Wish DS had the SAT score for Harvard

He might, actually. It might not be a place he likes though. Don't rule it out on scores alone.

[Anonymous]

BC sounds nice; I wish I went there instead of UVM.