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I have a problem picking between these two. INitially, I was going to apply to Boston COllege because Ive heard of its better academic programs and smaller classes. However, someone recently told me that they do not have a lot of international students(I am one) and that there are no racially mixed cliques around. Can anyone clarify on that? Furthermore, are their Jesuit tradition really big? Like does its presence really affect the campus and its life/students?
I am looking to major in Eng/Lit/Media and would like to know which college is better for these majors and also have a better social life in as an international student. Furthermore, it would help to list other colleges that are also in the same range as these colleges that have a strong program in my intended majors. Thanks for all yall help!

By I1lmatics (I1lmatics) on Sunday, December 07, 2003 - 09:05 pm: Edit

for media boston u's school of communications is clearly beter.. BC doesn't even have a school of communications i dont think

By en/lit- if you mean journalism than once again BU is better

By Procrastinator (Procrastinator) on Tuesday, December 09, 2003 - 04:46 am: Edit

well, im not even sure if i really want to do journalism either but how bout a stronger eng or lit program? And does BC have any advantages over BU besides it beign smaller and more cohesive? And I know it's further from Boston too.. but i have trouble deciding..any alumni or current students out there of both schools to help me make up my mind?

By Dumplingdude (Dumplingdude) on Friday, December 12, 2003 - 10:23 pm: Edit

I would have to say that BU is better all around in the English or lit area. BU is more of a hands on school, where you'll gain a lot of real world experience in whatever you do as a result of being in the center of the city. Despite BU's size, if you are looking for a strong international community or just a school where you can mingle with everyone, it is the place to be. Boston College is very "cliquy" and a lot of people consider the students to be sometimes "dump, spoiled, and just plain rude." Dont get me wrong, it is definately not the case with all the BC students, but BU is a much better community because of its diversity.

By Dmitrypetrovna (Dmitrypetrovna) on Saturday, December 13, 2003 - 12:24 pm: Edit

BC has a communications major thats very good. I have three cousins that all were communication majors there and they're doing very very well. BC is more of a community than BU. I think thats one of the best ways to describe the Jesuit tradition, and don't worry, they won't smother you with Catholicism. The Jesuits are the most liberal and accepting of religious orders and they're very accepting, and their academic tradition is quite impressive.

By Massdad (Massdad) on Saturday, December 13, 2003 - 05:17 pm: Edit

RE BU/BC:

- BU is completely in Boston, BC is a bit further west and sits on the edge of Boston and Newton. Both have good public transit into downtown via the T, our local trolley/subway. As a matter of fact, BC is on the same line as BU, just further out.

- BU has a college of communications which has been in an uproar lately over leadership (Dean, and not the candidate) so I would not view that as a plus.

- BC wins hands down on the community issue, as it has a very nice rather self contained campus. BU is spread out along Commonwealth Avenue, and is widely viewed to have no campus, although it does.

- BU has, depending on your view, John Silber as leader or none at all. Silber is the guy who last year said that BU had too many women students and they were distracting the guys. NO JOKE. He's also put in place rather draconian policies in the freshman dorm (comments from current BU students here?).

- BC grads are more plugged in politically in the Boston area.

For an undergrad, I suspect one is splitting hairs to focus on which is better academically. Both are fine. I'd focus on the environment. Do you want one where you can lose yourself, reinvent yourself on a regular basis? BU's for you. Do you want one with more of a sense of community? BC's it. In terms of atmosphere, it is really difficult to compare them. They are very different. BTW, I live near both.

By Pedremlacosta (Pedremlacosta) on Thursday, January 01, 2004 - 06:39 am: Edit

Boston College has an excellent English Lit. department. I'm an international student too (Caracas, Venezuela) currently living in Northern California. BC's reputation on the west coast is excellent. My choices were narrowed down to UC Berkeley and BC; and I'm choosing Boston College. I want to experience a New England education with all the seasons and the college town experience of Boston. Go to BC's website and check out the faculty if you have any question. The strength of any school program can be pretty well assessed by the department's profile. As for BU it was never a factor in my college decision making. Nothing against the school; but it doesn't have nearly the same reputation in Northern Cal that BC does. BC is known for strong academics. And as for the Catholic thing, I'm not even Catholic (half Jewish/half Protestant). Well, good luck!