Ask a BU Student (2011)

<p>I’m sorry if this was addressed on this thread before, didn’t feel like reading 15 pages. D was accepted to cgs after applying to cas. Can someone explain in detail about cgs please? I understand that after completing 2 years in cgs with a specific core of study then she would go into cas. What is the exact purpose of cgs? Why couldn’t she just go into cas right away if she is accepted? Do students who are accepted undeclared attend cgs? What are them pros and cons of cgs?</p>

<p>Sorry for so many questions, wasn’t expecting this at all and don’t know anything about it. Any and all information about cgs would be much appreciated.</p>

<p>My DD was in the same position a year ago. If you search this forum for CGS you will find lots of information that will help you explore the program and make a decision. I wrote a detailed post after attending their open house that summarizes what I saw pretty well. Here’s some immediate thoughts though:
1 - It is a high quality program with much smaller classes and excelent professors. My DD has been jaw droppingly happy with her education there, and I have been very impressed.
2- Go to the open house - it is worth your DD’s time and will help her decide whether the program is a good fit.<br>
3 - Ignore everything that “PaloVerde” says about it - he hasn’t been in the program for 25 years, and has information that is 25 years old.
4- Transfer is automatic and seamless to the other programs at the end of sophomore year. The only one that is difficult to complete in four years is Sargent, the health program.<br>
5 - Consider the study abroad program after freshman year through CGS - my DD is very excited about it, and it will give her additional “wiggle room” for electives in the Fall. </p>

<p>2 - Ittough to double major if you are in CI</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/boston-university/1129749-cgs-visit.html?highlight=cgs[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/boston-university/1129749-cgs-visit.html?highlight=cgs&lt;/a&gt; Here is a link to the thread where I reported on the Open House - I am sure that you are not the only one who is having this reaction. </p>

<p>It’s a terrific program overall.</p>

<p>Thank you so much shoot4moon for the info. I will look through this forum and the link you provided when I have more time maybe tomorrow. Has your D experienced feeling looked down upon for being in CGS? I think this is my biggest worry, that and they are not given full student privelages in some way.</p>

<p>Does anyone know the best social dorms or the best dorms for parties??</p>

<p>No, she has not been looked down on in the least. To be honest, I think she is glad now that she is in CGS instead of CAS - the team atmosphere is wonderful, the classes smaller, and the professors excellent.</p>

<p>Can someone please tell me whether it is worth it to be in the Kilachand Honors Program and live in Towers? Are Trustee Scholars automatically part of this Program?</p>

<p>So I have heard a lot about BU’s “grade deflation.” I was wondering if any students can give me their personal opinions on it? I am going to be in CGS so any information about that specifically to do with the grade deflation would be great.</p>

<p>I believe that there is some truth to the tales of grade deflation. However, everyone is in the same boat, and it’s completely possible to get a 4.0. I kind of like the deflation because it drives me to push myself harder. When I get an A on a paper, I know that I deserved it. And when I get a C, I know exactly how I can do better. Every grade I get is hard-won, and I’m very proud of that.</p>

<p>I’m also in CGS and find it to be a perfect fit. However, it is pretty heavy on the liberal arts. Students at CGS take 1 year of rhetoric, 2 years of social science (history), 1 year of natural science, and 2 years of humanities. The people I know who dislike it are those who are very math and science oriented.</p>

<p>I have never met anyone who actively looks down on CGS students, and my circle of friends is pretty broad. CGS can also stand for “Crayons, Glue, and Scissors,” but I don’t find this any more hurtful that “Expect No Girls” for ENG or “School of Easy Diplomas” for SED. </p>

<p>I love the amount of teacher contact that goes on in CGS. Office hours are not hard to come by, and most teachers will meet with you whenever they can. I have heard that CGS students have more contact with their advisors as well.</p>

<p>BU is one of my favorite schools! I’ve been reading on all these forums that BU deflates grades and that it’s nearly impossible to receive an A or have a high GPA. I applied as a pre-med bio major. Is that true? Are the grades really deflated? Also, what kind of opportunities are available for pre-meds in terms of volunteering/research and getting your feet wet in the medical field? And, are the faculty approachable for questions and are there people to help guide you in terms of which classes to take and when to apply to medical school? </p>

<p>Thanks, any info would be greatly appreciated! :)</p>

<p>Also, how is the gym and are there a lot of sports to play? I’m very athletic and I go jogging everyday.</p>

<p>@moniaaxD As a pre-med major, you will have to study a lot to receive A grades in the science courses. Almost all courses are curved in accordance to the rest of your class though. So, in order to do poorly, you’d have to do badly relative to everyone else. This can be good or bad really depending on the course you’re taking and how well people are doing. With hard work, it’s definitely possible to have a high GPA though. Some of my best friends are pre-med science majors and have maintained high GPAs through their junior year. From what I’ve seen with them, there is definitely many opportunities to research and intern. Many are involved in extracurricular community service clubs too, ranging from the typical ones to medically oriented ones like Global Medical Brigades. We have a TON of student clubs on campus, so you can find plenty of opportunities there.</p>

<p>The gym is state-of-the-art and relatively new. It’s called “FitRec” which stands for the Fitness Recreational Center. It’s huge and gorgeous. There’s a ton of intramural sport opportunities if you want to be on those type of teams. You also can take 2 credit PDP fitness classes if your schedule has room.</p>

<p>I was admitted to CGS and then to COM. Is it difficult for students who are first admitted to CGS to study abroad? I would think most people wouldn’t do it because once they begin the college of their choice they would have to leave again.</p>

<p>Our DD is in CGS, and is strongly considering COM for her junior year. She is going abroad this summer (between her frosh and sophomore year). There are several advantages to this
1 - if she ultimately chooses a major which precludes a study abroad experience later, she will have already had the experience.<br>
2 - She chose the CGS science program, which is six weeks in length. this gives her two extra spots for electives during her frosh/soph year, which allows her to experiment more with majors in her electives and/or get more major classes in before finishing CGS. </p>

<p>The program is in South Kensington, which is in the nice part of England. She will be there during the Olympics and is very excited! By our calculations, her net cost excluding personal expenses will be the same as a half semester at BU. She receives 6 or 8 units I believe.</p>

<p>If her major doesn’t have a lot of serial requirement classes, she could potentially graduate in the winter of her “senior year,” due to the extra units this summer and the extra units she earned from AP testing in high school. However, this is not a “sure bet” as it depends on whether she is able to finish all the coursework in her designated major. It is not a problem for COM or the majors she is currently considering…</p>

<p>hello, I’m in international student that was accepted with scholarship to cas…though now my interests are vearing towards the COM school…would it be hard to transfer to it? would I have to do this now or later on the semester?</p>

<p>It wouldn’t be hard to transfer at all! The hardest schools to transfer into are engineering and sergeant so transferring from CAS to COM shouldn’t be too difficult at all. You can change during the summer before your come to BU and you can also change at orientation when you are getting your classes and such.</p>

<p>How many credits do you get in CGS first semester and second semester? If I tried it and ended up not liking it, I know to transfer to other schools you sometimes need a certain # of credits…would it be difficult?</p>

<p>You can’t transfer before the end of your sophomore year, but by that time you have taken a number of electives in your major (or experimented with majors) so you are not behind.</p>

<p>i meant transfer out of BU all together if CGS wasn’t working out</p>

<p>How hard is a 3.2 GPA in the SMED program? Curriculum here: [Seven-Year</a> Liberal Arts/Medical Education Program Academics | Boston University](<a href=“http://www.bu.edu/academics/cas/programs/seven-year-liberal-arts-medical-education-program/]Seven-Year”>http://www.bu.edu/academics/cas/programs/seven-year-liberal-arts-medical-education-program/)</p>

<p>Could you please tell me about the internships BU offers or connects students with? Are these ‘career services’ good or not helpful? Thanks so much! xx</p>