Boston University

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:BU versus JMU. $100k v. $30k.

Which would you attend?

Easy, JMU. No prestige at BU.

If you want to go to JMU, there’s nothing wrong with that.
The thing about BU isn’t really about prestige. Of course, it has some name recognition, but like this post suggests, there’s ongoing debate—especially among the older generation.

BU’s real strength comes from its location, in addition to its academic resources and student support programs.
It’s a great school for a certain type of student. If you just want to stay in your room all semester and not engage much, you might not get a lot out of the school.

However, if a student is proactive and takes initiative, that’s where BU’s synergy really shines.
When you make the most of it, the experience can even surpass that of more prestigious schools—and I can say this from personal experience.

Biggest difference is the cohort quality.

What is that supposed to mean? What colleges share BU's "cohort quality"? Virginia Tech? Florida? Penn State?

Other private T50 schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:BU versus JMU. $100k v. $30k.

Which would you attend?

Easy, JMU. No prestige at BU.

If you want to go to JMU, there’s nothing wrong with that.
The thing about BU isn’t really about prestige. Of course, it has some name recognition, but like this post suggests, there’s ongoing debate—especially among the older generation.

BU’s real strength comes from its location, in addition to its academic resources and student support programs.
It’s a great school for a certain type of student. If you just want to stay in your room all semester and not engage much, you might not get a lot out of the school.

However, if a student is proactive and takes initiative, that’s where BU’s synergy really shines.
When you make the most of it, the experience can even surpass that of more prestigious schools—and I can say this from personal experience.

Biggest difference is the cohort quality.

What is that supposed to mean? What colleges share BU's "cohort quality"? Virginia Tech? Florida? Penn State?

Other private T50 schools.

+1

BU may have students of varying levels, but most of the students I've seen are at a similar level to those who get into top 30 schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't worry about getting in. BU is not worth the price tag.

Whatever you say.

How's community college going?

Don’t try to use community college as an insult it’s incredibly rude. And some of their programs produce 80-90k starting salaries.

As for BU my daughter graduated high school a couple of years ago. She had a friend that wasn’t gifted academically. She was in the lowest level of basic math, no language, no college courses, no AP, no extracurricular activities. She got into the BU School of General Studies. It’s a two year program and if they do well they can apply to one of BU’s schools for a four year degree. She was full pay and her father probably knew some people. It’s good to know there are programs like that. They are regular BU students it’s just two years only with the possibility of getting into a four year program.

[Anonymous]

Apply ED, be full pay

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't worry about getting in. BU is not worth the price tag.

Whatever you say.

How's community college going?

Don’t try to use community college as an insult it’s incredibly rude. And some of their programs produce 80-90k starting salaries.

As for BU my daughter graduated high school a couple of years ago. She had a friend that wasn’t gifted academically. She was in the lowest level of basic math, no language, no college courses, no AP, no extracurricular activities. She got into the BU School of General Studies. It’s a two year program and if they do well they can apply to one of BU’s schools for a four year degree. She was full pay and her father probably knew some people. It’s good to know there are programs like that. They are regular BU students it’s just two years only with the possibility of getting into a four year program.

Just out of curiosity, isn't a language course mandatory to graduate from high school?

Anyway, this type of program isn’t unique to BU. Many schools have similar acceptance programs.
It’s not necessarily a bad thing, as it gives students with lower stats a chance to grow and find their path—especially if they perform well. There are many late bloomers.

What leaves a slightly sour taste is the question of whether being a full-pay student gives someone an edge in the admissions process. (Of course, this isn’t unique to BU.)
I suppose it does help broaden access and bring in more talented individuals overall.
When a school maintains financial stability, it’s better positioned to offer support to high-achieving students who can’t afford tuition.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't worry about getting in. BU is not worth the price tag.

Whatever you say.

How's community college going?

Don’t try to use community college as an insult it’s incredibly rude. And some of their programs produce 80-90k starting salaries.

As for BU my daughter graduated high school a couple of years ago. She had a friend that wasn’t gifted academically. She was in the lowest level of basic math, no language, no college courses, no AP, no extracurricular activities. She got into the BU School of General Studies. It’s a two year program and if they do well they can apply to one of BU’s schools for a four year degree. She was full pay and her father probably knew some people. It’s good to know there are programs like that. They are regular BU students it’s just two years only with the possibility of getting into a four year program.

Just out of curiosity, isn't a language course mandatory to graduate from high school?

Anyway, this type of program isn’t unique to BU. Many schools have similar acceptance programs.
It’s not necessarily a bad thing, as it gives students with lower stats a chance to grow and find their path—especially if they perform well. There are many late bloomers.

What leaves a slightly sour taste is the question of whether being a full-pay student gives someone an edge in the admissions process. (Of course, this isn’t unique to BU.)
I suppose it does help broaden access and bring in more talented individuals overall.
When a school maintains financial stability, it’s better positioned to offer support to high-achieving students who can’t afford tuition.



But are the admitted kids "who can't afford tuition" really "high-achieving"? Or do they actually have lower stats than the full-pay kids? Seems safe to assume many of the kids who can't afford tuition are probably TO and went to less rigorous high schools.

[Anonymous]

In addition to BU's College of General Studies program, they also offer an option of spring admission. That's one way they get some students not to count in their admission numbers. There is nothing wrong with it, a lot of colleges do this manipulation. Just something to be aware of.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In addition to BU's College of General Studies program, they also offer an option of spring admission. That's one way they get some students not to count in their admission numbers. There is nothing wrong with it, a lot of colleges do this manipulation. Just something to be aware of.

A top 50 school in a great college location that offers different pathways to admission. Sounds good to me!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In addition to BU's College of General Studies program, they also offer an option of spring admission. That's one way they get some students not to count in their admission numbers. There is nothing wrong with it, a lot of colleges do this manipulation. Just something to be aware of.

I believe CGS is the spring admission program. Also, to clarify, not all CGS students have low stats.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:BU has been a T50 school for at least the past decade.

It's not like it's a hidden gem or anything. People know. Application numbers bear that out.

If you went to high school in the 80s or something, that's irrelevant for today.

BU is not a safe environment for Jewish students anymore. The unchecked level of antisemitism is insanely high at BU.

[Anonymous]

My kid has a guarrentee transfer from BU premed. His first year GPA in big public ivy is 4.0. Wondering whether to take the transfer offer given the reputation and exposure of premed BU program. The current public ivy dorm and food situation is undesirable, so are the big class size (600 for biology!!).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In addition to BU's College of General Studies program, they also offer an option of spring admission. That's one way they get some students not to count in their admission numbers. There is nothing wrong with it, a lot of colleges do this manipulation. Just something to be aware of.

I believe CGS is the spring admission program. Also, to clarify, not all CGS students have low stats.

Yes, the College of General Studies is for admission in January with a study abroad. It is a lite-version of Northeastern University's NU.in except at BU you attend CGS for two years. NU.in you study abroad for the first semester (for the majority of students).

The CGS program used to be called the College of Glue and Scissors because its reputation was pretty bad. Now with so many applicants they can be more choosy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:BU has been a T50 school for at least the past decade.

It's not like it's a hidden gem or anything. People know. Application numbers bear that out.

If you went to high school in the 80s or something, that's irrelevant for today.

BU is not a safe environment for Jewish students anymore. The unchecked level of antisemitism is insanely high at BU.

evidence for this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:BU has been a T50 school for at least the past decade.

It's not like it's a hidden gem or anything. People know. Application numbers bear that out.

If you went to high school in the 80s or something, that's irrelevant for today.

BU is not a safe environment for Jewish students anymore. The unchecked level of antisemitism is insanely high at BU.

evidence for this?

PP has none. It's not true. Typical DCUM.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid has a guarrentee transfer from BU premed. His first year GPA in big public ivy is 4.0. Wondering whether to take the transfer offer given the reputation and exposure of premed BU program. The current public ivy dorm and food situation is undesirable, so are the big class size (600 for biology!!).

Any thoughts?