<p>my nephew is trying to decide between these two schools. he probably will major in the humanities of sciences. i would appreciate any and all comments regarding the quality of education, the value of the diploma, the graduate school placement, the social life, the diversity, and the overall quality of life at these two schools.</p>
<p>well i visited both BC and lafayette during my junior year of HS. after visiting lafayette i decided not to apply. at that time, i wasnt into going to a college that was only twice the size of my HS. i visited lehigh in the same day, so i think it was overshadowed because i liked the lehigh tour better and that they had a business school. that said, i kind of wish i now that i had applied to lafayette. i know a couple of people there who LOVE it, its a great school.</p>
<p>needless to say, im a freshman at BC and 100% happy with my choice. even though i said that a small school would be nice, BC only has 9,000 undergrads and expecially living on newton campus makes it seems like i recognize a lot of people when i walk around. BC has a 96% freshman retention rate, so pretty much everyone loves it here. football is amazing (something that lafayette doesnt have a big scene). we dont have frats or soroities, so if thats something he was interested in its good to know. sometimes i wish we had them, but there are PLENTY of other parties to go to on the weekend.</p>
<p>Lafayette is a good school, however in terms of national recognition (and I believe that that is a part of the question) Boston College wins. Many people outside the Northeast know a lot about Lafayette, whereas BC has more of a brand name appeal (and I don't say that negatively, it has certainly earned it.)</p>
<p>With regards to social life-the only thing to do at Lafayette is to go to drinking parties, and while I love a great party, I promise by the end of sophomore year, it gets old. The very nature of Boston, the Boston mentality, sports, and the diversity of BC students leads to plenty of parties, but plenty of other options.
I mean dude, it is Easton versus Boston...unless he is in engineering this should be a no-brainer.</p>