Accepted but I have Questions

Colleges and Universities A-Z Boston College
1

<p>I got accepted to SUNY Binghamton and Boston College. I’m visited both over the summer and like both campuses (BC more than Bing for obvious reasons). However, after getting accepted to BC (which I didn’t think would happen), I have some questions…

  1. Which school has the better history department? I’ve search Google and can really only find results for Binghamton and not BC. In addition, which school is better for secondary teachers? (Does BC have a five year BA+MAT program for teaching?)</p>

<p>2) I have many friends that go to Bing and have heard great things (everyone loves it there). However, I do not know anyone at BC so I can’t get the same feedback. People love Bing (not looking at academics) because it has great people, a good social life and solid weekend activities. I like to drink and go out. I get that freshman have a hard time at BC and all, but how would you rate both/either college?</p>

<p>3) Ultimately, I’m just wondering what I can learn about BC as I really don’t know much. How’s life there overall? Are the freshman really that cut off from the rest of the campus? How would you rate BC overall?</p>

<p>Thanks for whatever you can provide me with.</p>

2

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<li>I don’t know anything about Binghamton, but I am a freshman in LSOE and I’m majoring in secondary education and history. I absolutely LOVE being in Lynch and everything about it. Basically if you plan on doing secondary ed you major in a subject in A&S, so I’m assuming you are considering history for that. I had AP credit to get me out of the history core so I took US I first semester and am in US II this semester. I have really enjoyed my history classes. The professors I have had so far are both really helpful and always open to questions and discussion. I have heard great things about the other history professors in the department—very helpful, knowledgeable, funny, good lecturer, etc. I’ve started looking into history classes for next year, and all of them sound really interesting and a majority of the professors have good ratings on PEPS. Basically I am extremely pleased with the history department so far and am so glad I decided to come here. </li>
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<p>For secondary ed, well all of Lynch, there are different 5 year programs available to get your masters and bachelors. I know you do have to apply to them, but from what I understand, if you demonstrate an interest in the program you apply to and have pretty good grades you should be accepted. Aside from the 5 year program, there is also something called First Year Professional Development Seminar (FYPDS) that all freshmen in Lynch are enrolled in, and this is definitely one of my favorite things about Lynch. We meet once a week for this class, and it does count for credit but it’s very informal and basically the first semester you talk a lot about adjusting to college life and just everything going on. And second semester we have been talking more about society as a whole and some of the prevalent inequalities, especially how they relate to the teaching profession. I’ll say it again, but I love FYPDS. Also, there is a group service component each semester in which you and your FYPDS group will decide on a service project to complete. (Side note: there are about 10 freshman that would be in your group, and then upperclassmen/grad students who are your peer advisors). </p>

<p>One more thing about Lynch, I really like it because it is like having a small school, but within the larger BC community. I think there are about 150 freshmen in Lynch (I could be wrong) but you really get to know a lot of the Lynch school, all the professors are really nice and helpful, and a plus is that you will get to know John, the associate dean of Lynch, which is something that none of the other schools at BC can say.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>I have found the social aspect of BC to be pretty good. As you could expect, the beginning of the year can be a little awkward at first because you’re still making friends, but once things fall into place you won’t have any trouble having a good time on the weekends (usually the mods or off campus). Sure there will inevitably be some weekends when you just can’t find a party to go to, but it’s totally fine to just have a night in with your friends. From my experience, everyone is super friendly and nice and is open to hanging out/going out. My best advice would just be to go into the year, wherever you end up attending, with an open mind to meet all different people and don’t be afraid to introduce yourself to new people. </p></li>
<li><p>I don’t feel cut off from campus at all. I have a close group of friends, many who I actually met through Lynch. I live on Newton and love it, but there still are a few people who haven’t liked it from the start. So really, it just depends on each person about Newton, but most people I know like it. Another thing which I feel has made me feel more connected to the campus is the job I work for. I do Jumpstart, so I go into a preschool twice a week to read, write, do art, science, etc. I work with people from all different years at BC so it’s nice to not feel like I’m just a freshman and don’t know anyone other than freshmen. </p></li>
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<p>I know this is long, and obviously biased but I have never regretted coming here, and if you have anymore questions let me know!</p>

3

<p>1) History is a pretty generic topic which any and all colleges offer. Thus, it’s hard to do it poorly at the undergraduate level. But the graduate rankings do show that Bing is higher ranked than BC. OTOH, BC has a great philosophy department so you could take classes there as well. And, being located in Boston, you could attend history lectures and other activities at the neighboring colleges, including Tufts, Bradeis, BU, Northeastern and those two no-name college in Cambridge. :)</p>

<p>1a. Yes, BC offers a MAT, through it highly-ranked School of Ed.</p>

<p>2) There are plenty of students at BC that drink and go out, some starting mid-week. D1 sports is big, so plenty of partying on football weekends, hockey nights, basketball nights, etc., etc. The amount of partying you do, however, maybe inversely proportional to your grades. :D</p>

<p>3) If you search the BC thread, you’ll find many students love Newton, which has many benefits and a downside (The Bus). But a lot of the Frosh are also housed on Upper Campus. If you are not in Honors or Theme Housing, Frosh assignment is by lottery.</p>

<p>While most students are from the NE, BC has students from most of the 50 states.<br>
Assuming you are instate for Bing, BC will cost a lot more. Whether its worth it is a decision only your family can make.</p>