<p>So it’s looking like my two best options are going to be BC and University of Virginia. I haven’t had an opportunity to visit either (I live in Oregon) and am trying to get a good background on both schools before I go out and visit them. </p>
<p>Some info on me is that I am a public school student from Salem, OR and I am looking to major in either political science or economics. The most important thing to me is of course academics, but I am also looking for a place that has an overall positive mentality where its students really love their school. I want to be somewhere where students study hard, but are still able to get out on the weekends and have a bit of a life. </p>
<p>I’m basically looking for any kind of input on what things are like at BC, and also possibly a little compare and contrast between the two if anyone is familiar with both. I know very little about Charlottesville and Chestnut Hill, so any relevant info on the two cities would be very helpful as well.</p>
<p>So I don’t attend either of these schools (I’m actually in the same situation as you, except from WA) but I do have some information through contacts.</p>
<p>As good of a public school as UVa is, it is still a public school. Most of the students there are Virginians whereas the student population at BC is from all over the country (and world). Charlottesville isn’t as close to big cities as is BC, so internships will probably be easier to attain from BC. I haven’t visited Virginia but I’ve been to Boston (didn’t go to the BC campus, though) and it was pretty freaking great! For a girl from a relatively small city haha. Charlottesville is a small town, so it’s really up to you if you think you’d rather have that or a big city like Boston (although Chestnut Hill is a suburb). A student at UVA told me that there is a ton of spirit there, so that’s a plus! A con I’ve heard about BC is that many of the students there are preppy and rich. Then again, I’ve heard there are many down-to-earth people too. I’m not sure what to think about that aspect (I’ve also heard that UVA is preppy too). I did hear that UVA students are more into alcohol and partying (they have a prominent Greek system).</p>
<p>Anyway, that’s pretty much the extent of my knowledge on the two colleges. And that’s just info that I’ve heard from others (some who actually attend the college, some who just know a lot about colleges lol). I hope this helps! And I’ll possibly be seeing you next year!</p>
<p>no bad choice, here. Small town, or suburban campus, minutes away from a City? Greek life? Public or private? South or Northeast? Are finances a consideration? </p>
<p>UVa has a stronger overall academic reputation, but BC has a higher rankings in both Econ and Poli Sci.</p>
<p>Both colleges are undergrad-focused. Both have lostsa school spirit. Both have ‘work hard-play hard’ mentality.</p>
<p>For the same costs, I tend to recommend a private school, which I believe to be a better overall value. (Smaller classes, better advising, etc.) But that is just a personal preference, based on experience withe publics in California, where advising is worse than crap.</p>
<p>I’m with Bluebayou. My vote goes for BC if money isn’t in the play. You have people from different places, as VA is very much the state school with 2/3s of the kids from in state paying half of what you are and without the stats of the OOSers, for the most part. You’ll be in Boston vs Charlottesville, no contest there either if you are looking for opportunities and things happening. </p>
<p>I’m hoping my son will be lucky enough to have this sort of choice in a few years.</p>
A con I’ve heard about BC is that many of the students there are preppy and rich. Then again, I’ve heard there are many down-to-earth people too. I’m not sure what to think about that aspect (I’ve also heard that UVA is preppy too). I did hear that UVA students are more into alcohol and partying (they have a prominent Greek system).</p>