BC? or Nova?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Boston College
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<p>Hey everyone. Any advice is appreciated…I know this post is long so if you just want to skip it and leave your own comment or advice that’d be awesome.</p>

<p>I’ve narrowed down my schools to Villanova and Boston College, and I’m completely at a loss; I like both of them, for different reasons. I’m going into the English program wherever I go, with a concentration in writing. From my understanding, BC is a better academic school with more prestige and better sports teams. Villanova seems to have a more cohesive student body, and more overt school pride, particularly following last years final four. It also has an excellent writing program. </p>

<p>Why should I go to Boston College, or Villanova? I know several people who have been unhappy at BC, but none who haev wanted to leave Villanova. Plus, I know Nova is more teaching oriented, while BC runs more like a business, with teachers emphasizing their own publication over their teaching. </p>

<p>Finally, I know the religion at Villanova is much stronger than at BC, which is a primarily secular school. For any students who consider themselves practicing Catholics, is it at all a nuisance to go to BC?</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

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<p>Your comments:</p>

<p>“I KNOW Nova is more teaching oriented, while BC runs more like a business, with teachers emphasizing their own publication over their teaching.”</p>

<p>“I KNOW the religion is much stronger than at BC, which is primarily a secular school.”</p>

<p>I don’t have any personal knowledge about Nova, but I KNOW you are dead wrong about BC. No point in arguing with you though, since it sounds like you have already made up your mind.</p>

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<p>Have I offended your delicate sensibilities? I haven’t decided and I would honestly appreciate advice. If you would prefer, these were the impressions I got from each school and which, I think, each school sought to impress on visiting students. Boston College, according to the English professor who spoke to us, has many part time professors, because they prefer to focus on their writing. The bright side to this is that these are more accomplished professors… the downside is a less teaching-oriented institution. In terms of fact to back this up, Villanova does not have TA’s teach classes solo. BC has TA’s and grad students teaching undergrad courses… No hard feelings and, truth be told, i am completely 50/50. I think I’ve changed my mind like 50 times just today lol.</p>

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<p>And if I’m wrong about the secularity of Boston College, that would be a huge plus for me, so fill me in (I’m honestly not being sarcastic, it can be tough to convey that online).</p>

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<p>rduffy,</p>

<p>I graduated from BC during the last century, so some things may have changed, but others most certainly haven’t. First, BC is an educational institution in the Jesuit tradition, i.e., exemplary academics and a tradition of community service. While there may be classes taught by TAs I would suspect that they are primarily introductory in nature. I would be very skeptical of a promise that no classes are taught by TAs at Villanova. </p>

<p>Second, you seem to be concerned that BC is “too secular”. You make a vague reference about “knowing” that Villanova is more religious; it’s unclear to me what makes you feel this way. If you require overt signs of religion, say, priests in flowing robes or wimpled nuns, then you are bound to be disappointed, not just by BC, but probably anywhere short of a seminary. The idea that BC isn’t “Catholic” enough is frankly, laughable. That said, the BC community is open, diverse and welcoming to anyone interested in intellectual rigor.</p>

<p>BC, like Georgetown, Notre Dame and Villanova, is a large university attracting a diverse student body interested in receiving a challenging education. History shows the Jesuits and their universities, (BC, Georgetown, Notre Dame, Fordham, etc), to be at the forefront of education and research in the arts, sciences and humanities. The tradition is one of spirited debate across all groups. Or, as any Jesuit English or Theology professor can tell you, the definition of catholic is: “all inclusive; pertaining to all mankind”.</p>

<p>Worriedmom is correct, your initial post leaves the reader with the sense that you are leaning toward Villanova over BC. Congratulations, Villanova is an excellent university, but I would caution you against basing a decision on anecdotal experiences of others, good or bad. Obviously I love BC, I can think of very few better places for an education or college experience. You however, need to decide for yourself. Which place feels right? Which place do I feel will give me the opportunity for the experience in college that I want? I think you already know the answer to both of those questions.</p>

<p>Good luck with your decision.</p>

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<p>I also graduated from BC, and agree with everything Vinceh said ('cept Notre Dame isn’t Jesuit).</p>

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<p>Thanks vinceh. I didn’t intend to convey any predisposition to either school in my initial post, but I can see how it could be read that way. I appreciate youre advice…I understand that few schools are overtly catholic, and, in any event, i’d rather not attend one with “priesrs in flowing robes or wimpled nuns.” </p>

<p>To be honest, I’m actually leaning toward BC right now. The reservations I alluded to in my first post were basically the only reservations I have. But I think (am I right?) that there are more opportunities at Boston College academically, because it is a larger, more diverse school, with, in my chosen area of study (english), more accomplished professors. As for my comment about knowing people unhappy at BC and none at Villanova, I stand by it, but from what I have seen, talking to students at both schools and even from browsing CC, BC has more of a love/hate relationship…That is, if you belong there, the fervor you will develop for it is nearly unrivaled. But there are also some people who have only negative things to say about it. I haven’t witnessed the same polarity in talking to Villanova students. </p>

<p>Long story short, thanks, I don’t intend to mislead or offend anyone, and I am actually favoring Boston College right now.</p>

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<p>Having been on both campuses within the past 2 weeks, I have to say that Nova’s campus was more overtly Catholic than BC. BC is clearly a Catholic university and this is in evidence throughout the campus, but at Nova the students we met openly talked about the religious aspects of their education, whereas the numerous BC students I spoke with saw the religious aspects of the BC education as more a series of courses (theology, philosophy…) that made them better critical or abstract thinkers. Either way, I didn’t get any feeling or impression that a non-Catholic or liberal student would be harrassed or ostracized at either place; certainly not in the way that a student with a conservative bent would likely be ostracized at some of the truly secular schools (Yeah, I’m looking at you BROWN).</p>

<p>Edit: vinceh; just saw your comment: I believe it is an iron-clad rule at Nova that no classes get taught by TAs. BC may have instances of TAs teaching, but I got the impression that TAs at BC tend to teach break-out / review sessions that supplement the larger lectures. But no promise was ever uttered at BC that TAs won’t teach classes; I heard that promise at Nova.</p>

<p>Also, FWIW, I am 99% sure that I am headed to BC, but had a huge amount if respect for the people and campus I saw in my Nova visit.</p>

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<p>I believe you have two great options in front of you. I have never been to Villanova and does not know the school personally aside from its basketball reputation. I will only speak about why you might find BC a good fit. </p>

<p>BC’s emphasis has always been on teaching, focusing on the liberal arts. Many times us students have questioned Father Leahy why doesn’t BC have a med or engineering school. We believe that with them BC could probably rise higher in the ranking. The reason he gave was that BC wanted to focus on the liberal arts. BC has the money to build an engineering school, but that takes resources away from its primary focus. During this recession, many universities have stopped hiring people in the liberal art fields, but BC is actually hiring several professors in the humanities. One of the biggest complains from many CSOM and CSON is that they have to fulfilled the same liberal art requirement as A&S students. This shows that BC is more committed to well-educated students than just giving them specialized trainings.</p>

<p>I don’t believe Boston College is being run like a business anymore than other universities. Boston College has actually promoted programs like Pulse, Perspective, and the Honors Program, which focus on social services and highly advanced readings of the classics. All of them promote critical thinking and the social welfare. These programs require a great deal commitment from the professors to teach rather than research. All of these programs are in high demand from the student body indicating great interest. </p>

<p>I think there are many reasons why a student would want to leave an institution or are unhappy. You should ask you friends their specific reason for their discontent and see whether they are relevant to your personal case. </p>

<p>Religion at Boston College is up to the student. Aside from the two theology classes requirement, it is up to the students to explore their own spiritual need. BC boasts the largest concentration of Jesuit priests anywhere in the country, spirituality is a very important part of the school and for the practicing Catholics. There are masses every day. There is a bus that takes students of different faiths during the weekend to different places of worship around Boston. Of course, if you don’t want to practice your faith, then you don’t have too. I think it’s a great mixture of spirituality and secularism. Neither of the two overwhelms the other. Finally, I think students are Boston College are open to discussion on the matter of faiths. We host several gathering every month to discuss faiths and religions. Even informal discussions are alive and well. </p>

<p>If you have more concerns, then please ask.</p>

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<p>Schmaltz, Of course you’re right; I got to typing faster than I was thinking. This is just another example of where using the words N**** & D*** only lead to embarrassment and heartache.</p>

<p>rduffy, I can’t speak to the opportunities available at Villanova, or for that matter to those available at BC now versus when I was there. BC gave me everything I could handle academically and then some, I suspect the situation remains the same. I also know that Villanova is a wonderful school and believe you would get an excellent education there.</p>

<p>Also, I don’t doubt the veracity of people who were unhappy at BC vs none from Villanova. I’m actually encouraged by you characterization of reactions to BC as being a love/hate situation. I much prefer a passionate response to a tepid one. But I also believe that you can find many people who love BC as well as some who didn’t like their time at Villanova. My point was that a small exit poll, does not an election make.</p>

<p>Finally to Reddune’s point, you are free to be as Catholic as you want to be, or Jewish, or Muslim, or Buddhist or Druid or… The real trick is to be in an environment where you can come to appreciate the similarities, differences, subtleties, strengths and weaknesses of all those groups.</p>

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<p>Yup, Notre Dame is Fransican I think. I believe Holy Cross is Jesuit too.
Not all Jesuit schools are good though. Some are average, at best, trying to sell the Jesuit affiliation to entice students. Examples: St. Joseph’s, Scranton. </p>

<p>I wouldn’t buy into the Jesuit hype. Go to a school for it’s own merits rather than affiliation with a particular religious order.</p>

<p>Either college will give you plenty of opportunity to practice your faith. There will be devout people and atheist at both. Good luck.</p>

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<p>Strangely enough, Notre Dame is run by the Congregation of the Holy Cross and College of the Holy Cross is run by the Jesuits.</p>

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<p>nvm
rawr rawr 10char</p>

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<p>no it’s true. no classes are taught by TAs at villanova.</p>

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<p>Let me fix it for you:</p>

<p>“History shows the Jesuits and their universities, (BC, University of Scranton, Saint Joseph’s University, Forham, Loyola Maryland, Wheeling Jesuit University, Georgetown, Fairfield University, Saint Peter’s College, Seattle University, etc. ), to be at the forefront of education and research in the arts, sciences and humanities.”</p>

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<p>The 28 Jesuit colleges in the USA: [Jesuit</a> Colleges and Universities Quiz Results - sporcle](<a href=“http://www.sporcle.com/games/jesuit_colleges_results.php]Jesuit”>http://www.sporcle.com/games/jesuit_colleges_results.php)</p>