Hi all-I am having trouble between deciding between the two. I have been accepted at both. I got into the Business School, Carroll at BC, and would be an Econ biz minor at Vandy.
I like both schools, but it is really hard for me to decide. Cost is same at both.
Is BC or Vanderbilt a better school academically/ for grad school/ prestige wise/ out of college and job wise?
Some things-
It seems as though BC is not really in Boston, it is a taxi or train ride away and does not seem as urban as Vanderbilt?
I heard that if you want to work in NYC than BC might be a better choice?
What are the cultures like at each school? Are they both cliquey and not diverse, is one more so than the other?
In general what recommendations may you have for trying to make the decision?
I am thinking about grad school.
I am sort of worried if I do not do a business major, at BC, and go to Vandy if that will effect me if I want to work in the business world?
A lot of people tell me Vandy is more prestigious, but there is someone I met who did not get into BC CSOM but did get into Vandy? College admissions seems so odd! I am having a lot of trouble making this decision and need to make it soon because of deposit deadline.
I have heard the weather in Boston can be depressing? Is it really gloomy all the time and dark/cold? I have also heard Boston is a racist city?
Any insight into the colleges/ recommendations and advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you!
@bobsmith5101 bruh I thought you chose Vandy already. This is like the 5th thread you’ve made on Vandy vs BC.
BC is about 30 minutes away from Boston. If you don't have a car, you will need to take shuttles to Boston. From what I have heard, most students socialize in mods, dorms, and bars around BC. BC isn't integrated into Boston like Boston University, but it is definitely accessible.
BC being closer to NYC makes it more accessible, but I don't really know why this is that big of an issue. People from all over come to NYC. Students at Stanford, Duke, UNC, Emory, Rice, and wherever are able to get jobs in NYC despite not being in the general area.
Both schools are pretty preppy but in different ways. BC is more of the Northeast/New England waspy preppy whereas Vandy is "southern preppy." Another big difference is that Vandy is big on greek life. Both schools are heavily rich white kids, but breaking through diversity will be what you make of it. It's not like you won't be able to make friends because you aren't white. Both schools aren't small schools, so you can probably find your niche.
PICK BASED ON PERSONAL FIT. Stop worrying about prestige or whatever will be better for IB. If you were choosing between a top feeder school vs a semi-target, that would make a difference. Between BC and Vandy, one will only be marginally better if at all for IB. Both are good academically and prestigious.
If you are thinking about grad school, choose the cheaper option. Since you said cost isn't an issue, look at the grad school placement of each schools.
You can go into business even if you don't go into a business undergrad program. If you end up getting an MBA, your undergrad won't even matter. Companies try to diversity and hire from different backgrounds. That is why you will see engineers, CS majors, finance majors, economics majors, math majors, and even english majors working in Wall Street. Your major won't limit you if you are capable and talented. That being said, an undergrad business program is helpful for networking.
Also regarding your statement that you know someone that did not get into BC but got into Vandy:
Admissions is a crapshoot. Qualified people get rejected all the time. Schools are picking students based on a number of criteria. Vandy might have seen something in him that BC didn't see, diversity, etc. There are probably people that were rejected by Cornell but got into Harvard and vice versa.
He might have suffered from "tufts syndrome." Overqualified applicants are sometimes denied because schools know that they will not matriculate and they waitlist or reject overqualified applicants for yield protection.
You are going to make your decision based on one anecdotal story of one friend? I am sure there are plenty of students who were accepted into BC but not at Vandy and vice versa.
Boston is a great and vibrant city. The reason people say it is gloomy and depressing is the New England winter. Yes it will get cold and dark in Boston in the winter. Some people are more affected by weather than others.
@bobsmith5101 Well in my opinion, Vandy is the better school, however for business and IB specifically I would choose BC for it’s location and connections.