Boston College vs. TCU....

College Search & Selection
1

<p>So, I have a big decision to make... I know it's all about my personal preference, but I feel I should get some insight from others before making up my mind. </p>

<p>I have basically two offers. First, a $13,000 a year scholarship to TCU (Texas Christian University), acceptance into the honors college, and an agreement from my dad that he will pay me $52,000 at graduation for earning the scholarship. TCU is a great school, and a few of my good friends are going there as well, which makes the decision that much harder. It's in Fort Worth, TX, which is just an hour from my house, and seeing as I don't have the greatest relationship with my parents, that might not be a good thing. Plus, I really want to get out of Texas.</p>

<p>Secondly, I've been accepted to Boston College. BC is basically my dream school, I've been wanting to go there for a long time now and now that I've been accepted, money may be a bit of an issue. My family can afford it, but it's definitely going to be a stretch for all of us financially, and I think I'll always have some guilt about how much it's costing them. On the other hand, BC is MUCH more prestigious than TCU, has a much higher rated business school, and is in Boston, one of the greatest college towns in the US. I also have a friend that will be going to Northeastern in Boston, so I won't be totally alone there. Though, being from Texas, I'm not sure I'll be able to withstand that freezing weather haha</p>

<p>Well, if you managed to read this far, I really appreciate it. Normally, I would have definitely gone with BC, but now that my dad has presented me with the option of the $52,000 check, the decision has gotten MUCH harder. Obviously you can't really make a decision for me, but I would really appreciate any thoughts you could give me. Thanks!</p>

2

<p>I would say BC, $52,000 can’t buy the better academic and social experience you will get at BC. Plus, you will be able to get out of your comfort zone by leaving Texas and going to one of the best cities in the world, Boston!</p>

3

<p>$52,000 is hard to turn down as you say, but I’d still go to BC.</p>

4

<p>How is TCU any more economically feasible for your family if your dad is paying the money that you save with the scholarship? I guess in that case, it just comes down to how much that money means to you…</p>

5

<p>I would say go with BC. I definitely think BC is worth the money. If you succeed academically your first year at BC, there will be plenty of academic scholarships waiting for you for your sophomore year.</p>

6

<p>Dude TCU isn’t a bad school. You have a choice between overrated (BC) or underrated (TCU). For what it’s worth, TCU has a really nice campus and great campus life. I think they’ve done a really good job creating an environment that is actually unique. You take good ol’ Texas lore, combine it with a good academic reputation and strong alumni, a beautiful campus/great city surrounding it, a private school that is known for its preppy well-to-do students, and NCAA athletics. </p>

<p>TCU’s football and baseball teams are always ranked in the top…better than BC at least. Ft Worth is a great place to be because you do have the nation’s 2nd largest concentration of museums, but you also have the Stockyards and Billy Bob’s Texas. I think that gives an interesting dimension and depth that other private schools definitely don’t offer.</p>

<p>I understand wanting to get away from your parents though. If you go somewhere like Boston though, you’ll really miss Texas…mostly because other people are going to typecast you as “the Texan.” When you get removed from your normal environment, you’d be surprised how people end up representing the place they intentionally left behind. It’s weird.</p>

7

<p>If you plan to live in Texas or surrounding states, I’d go with TCU for sure.</p>

8

<p>BC is not overrated…and the caliber of the football team shouldn’t be one of your criteria in picking schools haha</p>

9

<p>I didn’t know having a better football team could be a major factor in deciding where to go to school…I learn new things every day, I guess.</p>

<p>If your father can pay you back the scholarship, I’m assuming he can afford to pay the tuition at BC. Then, I’d go to BC in a heartbeat. And I don’t think BC is overrated…</p>

10

<p>TCU football hasn’t been anything to talk about since the days of Bob Lilly so there goes that argument. If their recent claim to fame is beating Boise State, big whoop. </p>

<p>That said, 52,000 could be a down payment on a condo or pay for grad school. I’d take the cash. Do well at TCU and there will be plenty of opportunities. Said another way, I can tell you that people struggle for 10 years to save that kind of money in the ‘real world.’</p>

11

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<p>Ummm they’ve been great since 2005…</p>

12

<p>I’m sorry, but didn’t Boise State beat “mighty” OU?</p>

<p>I think if you finish #7 in the country you aren’t doin too bad.</p>