BC vs Carnegie Mellon?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Boston College
1

<p>Hi, I’m having some trouble deciding between BC and CMU. A lot of trouble actually. </p>

<p>I love Carnegie Mellon because it’s so academically rigorous that its bound to change you as a person. Plus, I don’t think I’d be able to slack off if I tried, or at least, that’s what I’ve heard. The social life isn’t too great, but I’ve also heard that the experience is what you make of it, and I plan on going Greek, so the social life shouldn’t be too bad. Combine that with the diversity of kids coming from all over the world, AND with so many Nobel Laureates, AND with a safe campus and encouraged double-majoring, I feel like I’d be happy in such a friendly environment with so many opportunities to shine academically. Plus, I was admitted into both the SHS and QSSS programs, which are very selective and source of pride in themselves. </p>

<p>But I’d be lacking in the typical college experience, and I know it sounds stupid, but I feel as if I would be lacking in adventures there. It’s just a gut feeling, nothing to really back it up, so I guess that’s extremely illogical and sort of presumptuous of me to say. But the student population worries me too. There’s the stereotype that the kids there are strange and withdrawn and too nerdy, and though I’m sure that isn’t the case, I’m a little wary because of the fact that stereotypes do develop for a reason. Plus, I hate the campus (no offense), but I feel like I could get used to it. It’s a school for exceptionally hard workers, and I’m the farthest thing from a hard worker. </p>

<p>And is Carnegie good for what I want to do, as compared to BC? I know its primarily a technical science/math school, but I’m really not into that, so I feel like I don’t even belong at Carnegie. I’m a prospective Econ major, and plan on dabbling in Creative Writing too, so would that be better at BC or at Carnegie?</p>

<p>BC is great too, albeit not as highly ranked as Carnegie Mellon. It has a beautiful campus, Boston is right next door, and because there are so many other universities around, I could expand my social network and meet/party with kids from MIT, Tufts, Northeastern, etc…Plus I absolutely love their school spirit, and the fact that I would be able to go to a football game and chant for the Eagles with my classmates makes me so happy. Their liberal arts program is reputable, and I would have a great social life, plus a manageable workload, and potentially more abundant internships, but I’m not sure about that one really. </p>

<p>I’m in love with BC. There’s no doubt about it. </p>

<p>And then, there’s the idea of stereotypes again. Rich, white, Catholic, preppy snobs, where Asians are segregated into their own little groups without a say in whether or not it happens to them. Of course, again, this can’t be completely true. But I also haven’t researched BC much. I don’t really know anything about it. Plus the fact that it’s almost 10 places lower than Carnegie in terms of rank doesn’t help either, coupled with the fact that I wasn’t offered admission into their honors program…doesn’t bode well for my pride. I wouldn’t be able to live it down if I rejected Carnegie’s scholar offers for BC’s nothing. </p>

<p>I’ve also been told that I would not do well at Carnegie, that I’m more of a BC kid in my demeanor than I am a Carnegie kid. But that is also arguable, and I’m sure I would find people like me no matter where I go. </p>

<p>When I walked onto the CMU campus, truth be told, I was uncomfortable. But at the end of three hours, when I walked off, I found myself being able to see myself there, and even found myself wanting to go back to explore some more. I felt “the feeling” in the last two minutes I was there.</p>

<p>When I walked onto the BC campus, I loved it right away. I could see myself walking down the stairs and just romping through the campus and up and over everything, and it was a great feeling, even if it was raining and freezing when I visited (depressing weather is also a no-no for BC). </p>

<p>Essentially, I’ve already decided on Carnegie. 80%. But I always find myself doubting everything, and wanting to go back to BC. I could see myself living at Carnegie, but I could see myself wanting to scramble back to Boston. </p>

<p>The scariest part of everything is that depending on which college I choose in the end, I will become a different person. There’s a BC me, and there’s a CMU me. Which one is happier, which one has less regrets, and which one would I rather be? </p>

<p>So, my head says Carnegie, and so does my family and half of my friends. My gut says BC, and so do half of my friends. Which do I listen to, and why?</p>

<p>Sorry for the long post, this is just been killing me for the past couple of weeks. Please offer me some advice :(</p>

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<p>I wanted to applied to CMU to but I missed a deadline(Nov.1st) of a document which might increase the possibility of admission and it offers no finaid for internationals so I just gave it up. But I have done some research about it and I definitely would consider it if I get admitted.
Here is my advice.

  1. Do not rely much on the rank. It should not be a major factor in you decision. I mean the complexity of a college could not and never will be represented exactly by merely a number. And you should make you own ranking by grading factors you concerned with of every college.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Choose a place where you feel happy in. From what you say I get you want to study HARD. And don’t eliminate BC because it sounds everyone is partying. BC students from what I hear study hard and play hard, which I regard as the essence of college life.</p></li>
<li><p>I myself gave up UIUC for BC, you might say UIUC is much lower on ranking but I’m a prospective CS major. That makes UIUC academically a better fit for me. But I don’t want a 30000 people campus or in the middle of corn. Boston is a much greater place and I love BC’s spirit, program, education, Jesuit, the feeling of a LAC rather than university…everything. Other also commented me more a BC kid. If you don’t like being surrounded by nerds or strange people(no offense, every person likes different kind of people so it’s ok if you don’t like them) then don’t go there. </p></li>
</ol>

<p>It seems to me that the only reason you would choose CMU over BC is for it’s prestige and rigor. For prestige, I don’t think the econ major of CMU is much better than that of BC, for rigor, believe me you would definitely be challenged in BC if you try to push yourself a little bit harder.</p>

<p>BTW, I’m an Asian who won’t self-segregate, is not white not rich not Catholic and never commented as a preppy snob.</p>

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<p>Significantly different colleges and cultures.</p>

<p>Over half of CMU students are STEM majors. Yet, it has an excellent Creative Writing and Econ programs. It’s urban, but in a nice area of town, and allows cross-registration with Pitt.</p>

<p>BC is more liberal arts-focused, with a Core curriculum, in the Jesuit tradition. Serving others. Suburban location. D1 sports and school spirit. The Honors program has a few nice perqs, and you can join Sophomore year if you really want in.</p>

<p>Only you can decide what college features are more important to you and your family and friends.</p>

<p>fwiw: CMU doesn’t meet full financial need, so it also has plenty of wealthy students. And think about Merit scholarships in a another way: it is just a discount off of fees, particularly if a lot of students receive them. Then ask why does CMU need to discount?</p>

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<p>HI ! Just read your post and wanted to know what you have chosen … Is it possible to have an update ?</p>

5

<p>Impossible</p>