Boston College vs. Providence College pros/cons

<p>My D has been accepted to Boston College EA -- no honors program. She has also been accepted at Providence College EA and invited into the Liberal Arts Honors Program. I'm wondering in the long run, does a degree from either school outweigh the other. BC seems to be ranked higher, is definitely more selective in terms of admissions. But wondering if graduating from a slightly less selective school with an honors degree might give a student more of an edge in obtaining a job or entry to grad school. She's a planned chem/biochem major and is leaning toward BC because she feels drawn to the campus location and campus feel and feels there is better lab facilities among other things. But she likes PC also. To me, the Honors program seems like a real plus. There are other schools in the mix as well, but these two seem to be the focus of our most recent discussions.
Just wondering what other folks thoughts might be, particularly those familiar with both schools.
Thanks!!</p>

<p>I think this one goes BC’s way. Much stronger applicant pool (which translates to “higher prestige”), twice as many undergrads, better facilities, UGs admitted to better graduate schools. Yes the PC Honors Program is a plus … but IMHO it’s not enough of a plus to overcome BCs strengths.</p>

<p>I think BC has a better rep, although Providence has a great honors program and guarantees 4 years on campus. BC students I’ve known had to move off go abroad, and Boston is $$$.</p>

<p>BC has a much better rep-- Im assuming she got money from Prov? or it isnt an issue–Housing factor is not a deal breaker, as these kids dont really WANT to live on campus for all 4 years. Honors College or no honors college BC is a better regarded school. Be careful of those " Honors Programs"… they have their drawbacks as well. You are usually housed together, seminars together, classes are together, it can make a small school even smaller…seeing the SAME group of students all the time! I have a friend whos kid is opting out of the honors program next year because she dosnt like the kids!</p>

<p>BC has a very nice campus, is close to Boston and huge numbers of students from other schools. My understanding is that it has a very good chemistry program too.</p>

<p>My son has been offered the honors college at his school every year but he’s turned it down. He would rather work hard at the major courses and take a lot of graduate courses, work at his job and enjoy his club than deal with the honors requirements. At BC, if you get good enough grades in your Freshmen Fall semester, do they invite you into the honors program?</p>

<p>I know that this thread is old, but I am in the same situation (accepted to BC and honors program at PC with three quarter tuition scholarship) and was wondering what your daughter picked? I’m going to be in the bio program, and wish to go to medical school. Any opinions? I loved both schools.</p>

<p>If you look at the OP posts you might see if she posted it afterwards. Did you get aid at BC also?
My daughters didn’t get enough at PC and one went to Holy Cross instead which was fine. I don’t know how strong the bio dept is at Providence, at the time she was interested in their business programs (although changed her mind about that later)</p>

<p>I haven’t gotten aid from BC yet, but that will definitely play into the decision. Although when we called the financial aid office they told us there would be no guarantee if we have the package before May 1, which is when I have to decide by.</p>

<p>this may be a late response but my daughter wanted to transfer after her freshman year from an excellent school and was accepted by BC and PC. BC gives no merit aid and they are so smug to deal with. BC is higher -ranked and all that business, but at the undergraduate level, it’s best to go for the scholarships and not get caught up in this student loan nightmare that is in the news today.Better to save for a top notch grad school when your child really knows what they want to study. I think BC is over-rated and housing is not guaranteed last two years.It’s the draw of a great city like Boston that does it for all these schools there that now enjoy higher rankings. BC was a commuter school some years back and in my opinion, it was the Flutie -factor that propelled them into the status they now enjoy.</p>

<p>Boston College 47 Miami 45!!
(Nov. 23, 1984 - Hail Mary - YES!)</p>

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<p>Yes, this thread is 2+ years old. :)</p>

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<p>Did you really just join cc to promote Providence and bash BC? Seriously?</p>