American vs. BU vs. Skidmore

College Search & Selection
1

<p>After a fairly successful admissions season (also accepted to Emerson, Goucher and University of Puget Sound, Franklin and Marshall spring admit), I've narrowed down my options to these three. I know they're very different schools, so I'm having a difficult time deciding. I'm interested in studying communications and possibly writing for school publications. Money is not playing a role in my decision, thankfully. </p>

<p>BU: I'm in the College of General Studies and would then transfer the school of communications. Does anyone know anything about CGS? I like it because it's small, but I'm kind of worried about the preset curriculum. My main problem with BU is its large size and lack of campus. I go to a small high school and am used to small classes and knowing all my teachers and classmates. I'm worried the transition might be a little scary. </p>

<p>American: My mom went there, so I know the most about it. I'm also visiting and staying overnight in a dorm this week. I like that it has a campus but is in a city, but I'm a little concerned that the kids aren't like me. I'm not really into politics and am more or less a normal kid. What is the student body like? I'm also concerned its communication program isn't as good as BU's. </p>

<p>Skidmore: This is almost out of the running because it doesn't have a communications major, but my college counselor thinks it's the best option for me because of its small size. I have a pretty good friend who got in ED1, but I'm worried this also has a very limited type of student. Also, I'm not sure what I would major in since I really don't think I want to study anything else. </p>

<p>Thanks in advance! I know I can't go wrong, but I'd like to go as right as possible.</p>

2

<p>Skidmore is a much better school than BU or American. Additionally, I wouldn’t worry about not having a communications program. Skidmore has many degrees that would provide you with better options at graduation. </p>

<p>Out of BU or American, you should just visit the campuses and see where you would like to live. Note that BU is very large and you’ll need to get comfortable very quickly in a large university environment (large lecture style classes, etc.).</p>

3

<p>Skidmore is one of the few colleges that I visited with my daughter that neither of us really liked, and she didn’t end up applying to. The campus was pretty and people were nice, but it just seemed like the personality didn’t fit. They hyped the self-designed major and how much freedom students there have and how nice the Saratoga area is, with no mention at all of their career center and what happens to students post-graduation. A colleague who used to live in the area near Skidmore said that his local reputation of the college is that it was somewhere where students went to before they came into their trust fund. So, I can easily understand your feeling that it has a very limited type of student. I see both BU and American as appealing to a wider range of students. </p>

<p>At BU, are you guaranteed to be able to transfer into the school of communications?</p>