Boston College vs. NYU

College Search & Selection
1

Hi all,

I was recently accepted (miraculousl) to both Boston College and NYU (the Liberal Studies program not CAS) but I am having a hard time deciding between the two. I am planning on majoring in International Relations and East Asian Studies with a minor in French. In the future, I want to become a Foreign Service Officer.

Here are some of the pros and cons that I have sorted out:

BOSTON COLLEGE
pros:
–got a lot of financial aid so college will be less of a financial burden
–has all the majors/minors I want
–I get a lot of my gen ed’s filled bc of the ap exams I took (all 4’s and 5’s)
–in boston!

cons:
–not as diverse as I would want
–no east asian major just minor
–I need to apply to the international studies major (no international relations)

NYU
pros:
–east asian studies major with more variety of classes than BC
–in NYC so great for internships and connections (I also really like NYC as a city)
–i can study abroad early

cons:
–expensive (got a 25k scholarship but i would still pay 50k-ish)
–not a lot of info about the liberal studies program
–credit will be given for my ap’s but not as much as BC
–also need to apply to the IR major

Any response would be greatly appreciated because I am having a lot of trouble deciding.

2

Congrats, both are great schools. Boston College is a traditional gated campus on the outskirts of Boston. NYU does not have a traditional campus. Buildings are scattered about in the Washington Park section of NYC (about 14th street). I’m bias toward the NY schools as New York City offers more opportunities in just about any category. If I’m not mistaken, NYU guaranteed 4 years of housing, including summers if needed. BC has the bigger college vibe with major D1 sports programs. Boston is colder and gets more snow. There’s only one New York, nothing comes even close. Good Luck

3

*Potential bias alert. D is a first year at BC. I do tend to call things straight lol. *

Two different cultures and experiences. But both are sensational options. Way to go and congrats!

Academically, both awesome. However the approach I would say it’s quite different.

I would look at three areas - fit, academics and finances.

Fit decisions.

BC Beautiful campus. Spectacular facilities and a lot of new major buildings under way. The new student fitness center and Schiller integrated sciences that will also hold the new school of engineering. Beautiful neighbohood and surroundings area. On campus housing. Access to Boston. Big time football hockey and basketball right on the campus. Big time shcool spirit.

NYU. Prototypical urban school. NYC. Integrated into the city. Awesome access to city and all that offers. No real sports scene but arts and culture galore.

Also as a young woman. I can tell you only about the wonderful support systems for women students at BC. I don’t know the NYU options.

Also at BC the lifestyle is really built around the whole person concept and a commitment to service. It’s a real thing.

My d joined a popular group that does alternative spring breaks. They went to Appalachia to build a house last month.

She also joined a women’s empowerment group called “ascend” that assigns a women mentor, a current BC JR. They had a retreat weekend and meet regularly as a group and one on one. It a nice mechanism for info and support. She was meeting with her today.

There’s an active women’s center and access to counseling. Many students volunteer there. She also joined a women’s group fitness club. They exercise together twice a week and go out together once in while. It’s helped my d meet friends.

One thing as a Catholic school you have to avail any contraception medicine off campus. FYI.

Academics.

Academics are very rigorous and I am sure it’s the same at NYU. I wouldn’t skip out the core or perspectives clssses. They are where you meet students from all the other disciplines. And you become a fuller and more informed person around some important issues.

In terms of IR and government service. I think the commitment to service at BC is in alignment from a mission perspective with your goals.

My d is in the sciences so I know nothing at about international relations. My ds roommate from the west coast wants to be in the state dept or secret service. She seems to love the school.

As a outcome type person, I looked Boston College history around how they’ve been at producing leading politic figures and statesmen/women.
Academics.

  • Sec of state John Kerry
    -speaker of the House Tip Oneil
  • Green new deal sponsor sen Ed Markey
    -Ernest Moniz Obamas sec of energy
    -conn gov Dan Malloy Mayor of Boston, ambassador to be Vatican.
    /Navy Salem who leads Edesia. The USAs leading change agent for African hunger and food distribution group.
    -Current lt. gov
  • The international economic speaker and Turkeys wealthiest man Farit .
    -Too many to list.

Finances.

BC, as you state.

So decide where you’d prefer to live and the type of environment.

If you are not drawn to the NYU, it would be a clear choice. Mid size shcool with loads to do. There isn’t an big party scene at BC and nonfrrrk life.

4

Don’t get hung up on international studies/relations/affairs. Different colleges use different terms for what amounts to roughly the same thing. There was a long discussion on Collegeconfidential a few months ago on this topic. I’m not saying every program from college to college stresses the same things; I’m saying you can’t rely on the words studies, affairs, & relations to tell you exactly what the focus is, and there will be enough similarity that it should be a non-issue in your decision.

5

not familiar with the NYU Liberal studies option; two years and then ‘transfer’ into CAS? You might want to ask about it on the NYU-specific thread.