This is my first ever post on this website. I am an international student applying to the United States for the 2020 admission year planning to study Political Science.
In early March, after a lengthy, on-campus interview process, I was selected for the Gabelli Presidential Scholarship at Boston College. This is a full-tuition scholarship that includes paid summer programs, summer travel, and language acquisition courses. For more information on the scholarship, please read the following link: https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/academics/sites/gabelli-presidential-scholars-program.html. I was extremely grateful to receive such an offer and could definitely see myself attending the beautiful BC and enjoying the perks of living in Boston.
Last night, I was also admitted to Yale, which obviously comes with its prestige, nearly unbeatable academic quality, and picturesque campus. I have been admitted to other universities, but at this time I feel I have narrowed the decision down to these universities.
My end goal is to attend an elite law school, which I know is greatly dictated by GPA and LSAT scores, not as much by university name.
I would love to get your recommendation based on my circumstances. If you have any further questions about my profile that would put you in a better position to offer advice, please let me know.
Boston College as a Gabelli Presidential Scholar for free plus travel over Yale at full pay–especially since you intend to go to law school after college.
Gabelli is the better bet. Study hard, get a high GPA and very high LSAT score, and law school will not be that difficult to get into. Anyone smart enough to have the opportunities you have now should have no problem getting into a T14 down the road. Congrats!
I respectfully disagree with the above post. I know people involved in hiring at a number of top NYC law firms and an applicant’sundergrad college is one factor (out of many) taken into account in hiring decisions.
@happy1: Interesting post regarding top NYC law firms.
Hard to accept the idea that one’s undergraduate school is much of a factor as the top NYC law firms are known to recruit from a limited number of law schools and apply law school GPA cut-offs in the interview process.
In short, law school attended further refined by law school GPA & class rank really limit the effect of other factors in the NYC biglaw hiring process–although clients have been calling for increased diversity.
A Gabelli scholar is one of 15 selected. It’s a 320,000 level award. You get treated like royalty and it includes choosing your dorm before anyone else.
The history of successful lawyers and political icons at BC is great.
The median SAT this year was 1460. 80 to 85 percent will have been in their top 10 percent of the class.
So half the school is similarly academically accomplished as you. The amount of top students who were denied or waitlisted this year was stunning. Just check out the results thread.
You have sports and Boston.
Head to head, all things being equal you would say Yale. As a Gabelli scholar. I’m not sure why it would be that hard to choose.
But it’s college confidential. It’s the hotbed of Ivy League or bust. I would say is ask the exact same question to 20 random adults on the street. Or in your circle. Include the details and financial component. Especially now.
Good luck and congrats. If you don’t go to BC at least you know you will have forever positively changed someone’s life by giving them your scholarship.
@Publisher As far as I know there is no “list” of acceptable colleges. The undergrad record (including college, GPA etc.) is just one of MANY factors that is looked at. Certainly if one goes to BU on a full scholarship, does fantastic, gets into a great law school and does fantastic there then he/she should be in fine shape to have many opportunities.
IMO a lot comes down to what is affordable for the OP’s family – especially with law school in the future.
The reason I’d pick Yale if it is comfortably affordable is that the people I know who went there (including some children of friends who are recent grads) had truly wonderful/unique experiences. It seems to be a truly special place for the right person.
FWIW I am not an “Ivy snob.” Neither of my kids applied to or attended Ivy colleges undergrad.
That’s a really amazing scholarship-congratulations! And you will be able to save money for use in professional or graduate school.
Regarding legal jobs, the CW is that if you attend an Ivy UG, that is noted by BigLaw when you’re applying for associate positions. There is, of course, no way to prove or disprove it.
But if you plan to practice law in Massachusetts, it’s always a plus to have attended BC, and having been awarded that amazing scholarship will be an additional plus.
However, Boston College offers an equal if not more fantastic college experience for many. And the procession of famous lawyers and politicians from BC is amazing.
Obviously, for 320k and Gabelli status (which is the real cost with books, food off campus and some fun- don’t forget the summer abroad and retreats. Is 80k a year. ) to me it’s not really a tough a decision.
If it were the same cost maybe 1 in 100 don’t choose Yale. I get it. It’s very prestigious.
The dorm thing isn’t entirely accurate. They get to be on Upper as freshmen but they don’t get to pick their dorms. Gabelli scholars are not guaranteed a mod.
Yale gives most international students full ride, which means its actually cheaper than BC. BC is not need blind towards internationals, unless there is an ironclad guarantee for OP for four years. I think more likely than not, OP will find Yale cheaper and more prestigious. If he/she plans to attend a top law school like a Yale/Harvard, Yale gives a leg up. I don’t think there is much contest here, its an easy decision.
The Gabelli scholarship is one of 15 full tuition merit scholarships per class plus other stipends. This is not financial aid and is an ironclad guarantee every year. It’s pretty prestigious in its own right.