<p>I’m really scared to go to Boston. I mean, I live in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It’s not exactly a small town, but its very accessible and has a small-town feeling. People are very friendly here, and I’ve heard so much stuff about East Coast people being <em>stuck up</em> or something (not my opinion, just what I’ve heard).</p>
<p>I got an awesome financial aid package (33K) so BU has become very affordable. I thought about it for a long time–how happy I’d be if I actually went there next year, and I am not sure and I don’t want to make a life-altering decision like this. </p>
<p>I visited Trinity University (in San Antonio) about three weeks ago and I absolutely loved it. I know its a lot less prestigious and its a lot smaller (only 2600 pple) but I can see myself being extremely happy there, because it is so small. My parents are against going there, one, because its not as prestigious as other schools and two, because I didn’t get a great fin package …I’ve had to live by myself this year cause my dad’s job moved to another state, but Boston is so far away from Austin! If I went to Trinity, I could drive home whenever.</p>
<p>Oh, and I don’t want to leave my car (lol). I just think I’ll have a hard time transitioning from a relatively small city as Albuquerque to a huge one like Boston. UHHHHH what should i do?</p>
<p>Sprkl-
You really need to think about where you're going to be happy. If you don't see yourself in Boston, then it's probably not the right choice for you.</p>
<p>Regarding what you said about East Coast people being unfriendly, I'm a born and bred New Yorker and when I travel to the south or midwest I do recognize that the people just in general seem friendlier. People in New York are always in a hurry and while most are perfectly fine, the one bad apple can give you a bad feeling about the whole place. I don't live in Boston so I don't know how things would be there, but things in general move faster in this part of the country, and it's something that you'd have to adjust to.</p>
<p>I don't know if you can visit, but that'd be my number one piece of advice to you. I live in New York, but I have family in Boston and visit there all the time. I have to agree that people on the East - especially in cities - tend to be busy and in a rush a lot of the time, but personally, I really prefer Boston to a lot of other cities I've visited. There's a lot of random construction (going on for years, so I have no idea when it's going to end), so it'd be insane of you to bring a car anyway, but Boston seems cleaner and more friendly to me somehow. </p>
<p>I can't <i>really</i> put myself in your position since I've lived on the East my whole life, but I think it'd definitely give you a lot of perspective to live somewhere so completely different for a few years. In the worst case scenerio, you'd transfer somewhere else, but I've never met anyone who doesn't like Boston. There's a lot you can learn from living in a big city with so many different groups of people around you.</p>
<p>Thanks for all your help--It really helped! And excuse me, Bluesteel4PETIT, of course I thought about living in a big city before I applied. I've actually lived in LA most of my life--its just that I've never been to the east coast before---EVER, even to visit! I am perfectly fine with being in a big city--As a girl who lived in the West/midwest all her life, its just so far away from home </p>
<p>Eh, the East isn't that bad. Since we're all blue states, we actually care about you as a person rather than a potential business customer ;D</p>
<p>Boston is rated #3 in safest cities in America, and most people from NJ love it way more than NYC. It's a great atmosphere and really cosmopolitan, so I'm sure you'll like it. If anything, Bostonians will be more tolerant than people from rural New Mexico, so come on over! Albequereque is a decent sized city (around Salt Lake City size) so Boston is a bit bigger, but it's still cool.</p>
<p>Boston does not feel large once you get used to it. San Francisco, Austin, and New York all feel enormous in comparison. The stuck up East Coast stereotype is a total myth (outside of the confines of the local ivies). Just like in other major cities, the vast majority of people in Boston are working class, publicly educated, and well cultured.</p>
<p>I'm actually in a similar position as you. I've lived in L.A. my whole life, and location was the most important factor in deciding where to apply at the end of last year. San Francisco and Boston are two of my favorite cities, and so I applied (and was accepted) to Northeastern University (right in the middle of Boston) and University of San Francisco.</p>
<p>I have no idea which college to pick. Northeastern has the better programs, along with their co-op experience, and is steadily climbing the rankings ladder. However, boston is really cold and I've been spoiled with L.A. sunshine my whole life. Will I be able to handle it? My sister who goes to George Washingotn U. in DC, hates her school simply because of the weather.</p>
<p>USF on the hand, is in an amazing city in it's own right, and it is more reasonable weather wise. Plus, it is alot smaller, less then 5,000 undergrads compared to NEU's 14,000. I felt that I would be happier at USF after i visited the campus compared with my trip to Boston and NEU's campus. And also similar to your situation, I'd be much closer to home (although I'm sure that won't matter too much.)</p>
<p>Anyways, right now I just have to decide whats more important. The possibility of enjoying life and being happier compared to the benefits of a more prestigious university with more options academically.</p>
<p>ummm, I HATE BOSTON!!! the place sucks. its cold, and it doesnt have that awesome hustle-bustle feel of new york. NYC is the greatest city in the world. and btw i live in NJ. (and also the patriots can suuuck it)</p>
<p>I'm from LA and I love Boston. Of course, there are some things that can be surprsing at first, but you get used to the new environment. It's definitely very different from southern Cali. I thought of Boston as a new and exciting place though.</p>
<p>In my opinion, you shouldn't go to a college based on how much aid they give you (unless you are great need of aid, and that's your only option). Think about where you'll be happy. </p>
<p>Anywhere you go, you'll meet friendly people and unfriendly people, so don't listen to anyone who says that all east coast people are stuck-up (I know you said that's not your opinion, but I'm just reassuring you). </p>
<p>Congratulations on your acceptance and good luck!</p>
<p>Sunkist, it's nice to hear about other Californians who want to go East. We live in northern California and my S definitely wanted OUT. In fact, he wanted OUT so much he applied ED.</p>
<p>I'm from New York, and I love Boston. However, I still think that New York is by far the greatest city in the world. Actually, when I'm in Boston and NYC on the same day, Boston seems like a suburb compared to NYC. However, it's really good for people who are coming from rural/suburban areas who want to experience city life, because the leap isn't quite as intimidating as experiencing NYC life, which is much more fast-paced. It's definitely a smooth transition into a city life. Although I want to live in NYC after college, I just wouldn't want to go to college there.</p>
<p>Boston seems a bit larger than Austin, Nom. I live in Austin. Boston however is amazing because of the accesiblitity of everything... Things aren't as cramped as New York is, any you can see quite a bit of light. The city is also great becasue it is a walking city, and as a student it is really good to be able to do everything.</p>
<p>Personally, I love Boston, and that was one of the reasons why I applied (also, because of the awesome opportunities for merir scholarships - yay for University Scholarships!!!). But really, if you're having so much trepidation about attending...BU might not be the place for you.</p>
<p>WOW--Thanks everyone! I haven't visited Boston yet, but I probably will sometime in April. One of my friends recently visited BU but he was like "the dorms are like prisons!" and that the security was way too tight for anyone to have fun...? I dunno, I will judge it for myself when I go visit later. </p>
<p>Its heartening to know that for you guys, Boston isn't that intimidating. I just absolutely loathe cold weather and I can't stand it when it is like 30 degrees outside--that's probably the coldest weather that I've been used to lol. I don't even want to go outside when there is cold wind blowing (haha). Soooo I dunno how below 0 weather will work out for me. </p>
<p>Boston will really get me ready for the real world--I have to get used to the fact that there is a much bigger world outside of the New Mexico/Texas area. And if I absolutely hate it, I'll just go to Univ of Texas or something. </p>
<p>Oh, and chiroscuro, are you going to BU for sure?</p>