<p>I have been accepted to both schools (Arts and Science at BC) and am still torn over which one to attend (I also don't know what I want to study). I like the small, close community at Holy Cross. However, I haven't heard the greatest things about Worcester. On the other hand, I love BC's location and the fact that it has major sports teams (football, hockey, and basketball). However, I thought the size was a bit daunting since I came from a school with no more than 75 kids and I also felt that the students there weren't down to earth like the students at Holy Cross. Also, financial aid is not a factor, as both schools' price tags are almost identical for me. Any help would be much appreciated.</p>
<p>I have heard that Holy Cross has a lot of school spirit for a small LAC.</p>
<p>@barrk123 so would you suggest Holy Cross for me in my case?</p>
<p>BC is more highly ranked than HC and has better name recognition outside the northeast. And the location is definitely better. BC is not really all that big. Of course everything seems big when you come from a small high school but once you are in college big doesn’t seem that way anymore.
If you really do like HC better than BC then do go there, you need to follow your own heart.</p>
<p>What is Holy Cross?</p>
<p>For you, consider what is most important and what will be something you really want in your college experience. Worcester isn’t the most terrible place, and there is a free shuttle bus service that gets students to Boston in under an hour. My cousin, who graduated from a very small private school, likes the size of HC. However BC has higher rankings and has other great characteristics depending on what you want. I might advise HC for you, based on what you wrote, but the decision is yours to make.</p>
<p>HC has a fantastic academic reputation and has produced more Rhodes Scholars and Nobel Prize winners than Boston College whic is 3-4 times the size of HC. Also Holy Cross has 1 campus while freshman at BC are on a different campus in Newton vs main campus in Chestnut Hill. Holy Cross has a fantastic alumni network which has an annual giving rate of 55% among the best in the country. HC HAS STRONG SCHOOL SPIRIT!</p>
<p>BC being on two separate campuses several miles apart wth bus service between the two is a major turn off for many who hate waiting in long lines for the bus during Boston winters and it gets crowded during rush hours.</p>
<p>Boston College is a much better school than Holy Cross and it is in a significantly better location. </p>
<p>I would only consider Holy Cross if it is substantially cheaper to attend.</p>
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<p>Boston College: SAT Critical Reading: 620 / 710 SAT Math: 640 / 740 (25th/75th)
Holy Cross: 600-690 Verbal 600-690 Math (Mean for class)</p>
<p>Doesn’t look like Boston College is a “much better” school especially when Holy Cross is ranked almost the same on USNews.</p>
<p>OP:</p>
<p>it is really personal preference. Academically, they are both excellent. Just different.</p>
<p>Some kids thrive in LACs, others turn up their nose at the smallness. Have you visited other LACs? How did they feel?</p>
<p>What is your intended major? Does HC even offer it? What if it doesn’t pan out? What is your second choice major? (Larger Unis have more opportunities for majors and course selection should your interests change.)</p>
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<p>Academically I think these are comparable schools, but BC is without a doubt more selective than Holy Cross. Those are pretty significant score gaps (BC: 1260-1450 vs. HC: 1200-1380).</p>
<p>Not accurate to compare “rankings” given that one is listed as mid-sized National U whereas the other is a small LAC.</p>
<p>Holy Cross class sizes are smaller and all taught by professors not grad assistants which could happen at larger universities. Holy Cross grads also rate very highly on Payscale Salary studies for earning high salaries-HC has usually been in the top15-20 of all universities IVIES included. Holy Cross also offers a solid athletic program that competes against the likes of Harvard, Dartmouth, Yale and Brown. HC also has several high profile alums-Chris Matthews, 3 Supreme Court Justices(including 1 alum) have Holy Cross affiliations, 1 US Senator, 3-4 US Congressmen.</p>
<p>What subjects and areas of study are of your interest? HC can be more directed in terms of academics. The HC grads I know tend to be very strong academically No question that they got a top grade liberal arts education. Not always the case with BC, but it does have the better name recognition. </p>
<p>Really, you cannot lose. Both schools are excellent. It’s really more a matter of which campus environment you feel the most home at. The HC kids I know all loved their years there. But so did the BC kids.</p>
<p>For those of you asking, I’m not 100% positive about what I want to study. At the moment, I’m leaning towards economics or math (possible double major), but I also enjoy the sciences and history, so those are a possibility too.</p>
<p>I also was told recently that if I were to major in economics at BC in the Colleges of Arts and Sciences that I would have a harder time getting a job because employers prefer CSOM economics graduates. If I were to attend BC, would I be put at a disadvantage because I am in the College of Arts and Sciences?</p>
<p>Bump…please help</p>
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<p>85% of the information in this post is completely meaningless and unhelpful for OP to make a decision. Also I hate to burst your bubble but no body cares about Patriot League football except for the class of 1935. </p>
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<p>From personal observation I do not think this is true. A&S Economics at BC is one of the school’s strongest departments and virtually everyone knows that the A&S Economics major is much more rigorous and extensive than the CSOM Economics concentration (which is really just a watered down version). If you do well in your economics classes, maintain a strong GPA (3.5+), and network, I don’t think you will be at any disadvantage when it comes down to consulting and finance recruiting time.</p>
<p>HC’s affiliation in the Patriot League and its relation with Harvard, Yale , Dartmouth, Brown etc illustrates the 'prestige/esteem that Holy Cross is held by Ivy administrators and alums and informs future HC applicants/students of the Holy Cross academic and athletic strength. Form historic perspective the Ivies did not playsportsor compete against many Catholic schools in the late 1890’s -early 1900’s when IVIES were dominant sports teams. The Ivies did play Holy Cross because because of stong academics and shared athletic history and also HC was and is a National liberal arts school while most Catholic schools were local commuter schools(ND and Georgetown excluded). The HC alumni diversity is currently reflected in alumni meetings from California, Minnesota, Florida , Hawaii.</p>
<p>My first time agreeing with par72 :)</p>
<p>These threads blow my mind. Comments like BC clearly better. HC is every bit as good and many would prefer the more intimate environment, and HC does have tremendous alumni support. And Bob Cousy went there 
And Tommy Heinsohn As HC actually was considered prestigious years before BC achieved similar relative notoriety.</p>
<p>HC is okay but is not what it used to be. Worcester is an armpit and though the campus is okay its not a very desirable city to spend fours in. Even if you thought they are even go to BC for a much better environment.</p>