Boston College vs. Wellesley

Colleges & Universities A-Z Boston College
1

<p>Okay, so the clock is ticking and May 1 is approaching faster than I ever imagined. It’s down to Boston College and Wellesley College. Money isn’t an issue at either school.</p>

<p>Anyway, I’m a legacy at BC and love all the sports and school spirit. I plan on majoring in the realm of Economics, maybe a minor in Sociology. My reservations about BC is that the students drink too much, focus too much on looks, are preppy, and that the school is too conservative. I’ve heard a lot of people say that the girls at BC are gorgeous, but, being female, I worry that I won’t fit the mold because I’m not really into make-up or material/designer things. Also, I worry that it’s not as academically strong as Wellesley. One more thing… my Dad passed away last year (he’s a BC alum), so being on the campus makes me feel a connection with him. However, I don’t want this to make my decision for me. </p>

<p>As for Wellesley, I go to an all-girls HS now and I’ve never had a bf because I guess I’m on the shy side and have spent most of my high school years being uber busy with studying and ECs. I worry that even though people say it won’t be a problem meeting guys, it will be (my HS said it would be fine and that there would be opportunities, but that’s hardly the case). I’m concerned that the academics at Wellesley will be too much and I feel like it’s less accessible to Boston than BC is. I also worry that the Wellesley students might be slightly more out-spoken than me. </p>

<p>I thought Wellesley’s campus was beautiful, but I preferred BC’s because it was slightly more compact. </p>

<p>I’ve been racking my brain all school vacation week and I’m at the point where I just want to give up. I can’t seem to reach a decision (no matter how many pros/cons lists I do…). I’m desperate at this point, and yes, I know that the schools are very different, but please… any help will be much appreciated.</p>

2

<p>Normally I would advocate for Wellesley on its academics alone, but for the love of God, don’t spend eight years in all-girls schools. I know a girl who spent her high school in an all-girls Catholic and then her college years at Smith. She is now doing her Master at Simmons (which actually is co-eds). She is god awful around boys she likes. And I’m not talking about seducing the guy, but she just couldn’t act natural and remained incredibly quiet. The first time she had a class with males inside since elementary school was when she was 24! </p>

<p>Of course Wellesley borders other schools with a male population like Babson and Olin School of Engineering, but do you really want to take a bus each time to meet guys? I say go to the well-balanced school that you can explore a little bit of everything. BC has a left-leaning student body (with a small population of radicals and a moderate size of Catholic conservatives) and liberal professors (this is just universal at every school) and a right-leaning administration. Many of the girls at BC are gorgeous and they do like to keep up with appearance. But many don’t. The guys at BC are mostly decent people, ranging from D&D geeks to sport hunks. You can have your pick. </p>

<p>The Econ department at BC is top notch:</p>

<p>"The Boston College Economics Department has been ranked one of the top 25 in the United States in a recently published survey of the leading faculties in the field.</p>

<p>"The rankings, which rated BC’s economics faculty as No. 24 among American universities, appeared in the December issue of the Journal of the European Economic Association. Compiled by French economists Pierre-Phillipe Combes and Laurent Linnemer, the rankings are based on the number of contributions by faculty researchers to the field’s elite professional journals.</p>

<p>"In addition to the department’s highest-ever overall rating, several University faculty members were ranked among the top economists in the world in terms of research published in prestigious professional journals.</p>

<p>"Prof. Arthur Lewbel was listed in the survey’s No. 30 position, Prof. Uzi Segal was No. 98 and Prof. Peter Ireland was No. 109.</p>

<p>Three other BC faculty members, professors Richard Arnott, Peter Gottschalk and James Anderson, were ranked among the top 500 economists worldwide, according to the journal listing."</p>

<p>[The</a> Boston College Chronicle](<a href=“http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/rvp/pubaf/chronicle/v12/f5/economics.html]The”>http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/rvp/pubaf/chronicle/v12/f5/economics.html)</p>

3

<p>My reservations about BC is that the students drink too much, focus too
I wouldn’t worry too much about not fitting in. It’s a small university, but BC’s still a big school. You’ll definitely find someone with similar interests. (Hi!) As for the drinking thing, it exists everywhere. Not so sure how predominant it is at Wellesley, but I understand there are sub-free dorms at BC if that’s a major issue.</p>

<p>I also go to an all-girls school, boarding in fact, and I’ve avoided all-girls colleges like the bubonic plague, so I’d naturally favor BC, but Wellesley is an excellent school. If the sports and school spirit thing is a big deal for you, as well as the sentimental connection, I say go with BC. You’ll find people you’ll like if bother looking, and if you think the classes are too easy, just consider that as more time spent on ECs. Or load up on more classes, whichever.</p>

4

<p>i go to BC, and I have found that even though some of these stereotypes do really exist (pretty girls, drinking, etc.), you can DEFINITELY find your niche at BC. There are plenty of girls who aren’t materialistic, and there are also plenty of kids who do not drink. I wouldn’t worry about stereotypes - they exist everywhere, and like the previous posters have mentioned, we are a school of 9000 undergrads, so you are bound to find the exact place where you fit in. A great way to start is student activities day in the fall, where ALL of the clubs set up tables and let new students sign up and get involved. it’s the best way to meet people.</p>

<p>when i came into BC, i didn’t drink, and that was not a problem. i am very involved in extracurriculars here, and have met many of my best friends through those activities. I’m having a great experience, and again I just wanted to stress - don’t fret about stereotypes. (plus, you’re right - school spirit and sports = HUGE plus to the college experience)!</p>

5

<p>Well, if money’s not an issue, you can put in a deposit for both schools. I’ve done that for Reed and BC since I fail at making decisions.</p>

6

<p>If you are looking for a boyfriend be warned: most underclassmen at BC don’t date. The dating scene for freshmen is virtually non-existent–you won’t see many couples walking around. Most people “hook up” (aka random sex) although there is a small minority who prefer to date.
Drinking at BC is HUGE and there is no getting around that. Just this past weekend people tried to drink as many beers as there were miles in the marathon, and many passed out. There is usually an ambulance on upper campus at least once a week, if not more frequently. You will find people drunk all times of the week. It is important to remember than there are people at BC who don’t drink or who know how to drink responsibly. I have many friends who don’t drink and it has never really stopped us from having fun.
If you are academically oriented (which it sounds like you are) you might find some of the classes here to be a letdown. Make sure that you pick professors who are going to challenge you. YOU determine your own workload at this school–nobody is going to force a challenge on you.
The sub-free girls floor is a tight knit community and they tend to stick together.
Overall, I’d probably pick BC if I were you. I would never go to an all-boys school. Its important to have a balance of the sexes, especially in higher education. The choice is yours and you have two great options.</p>

7

<p>What do you guys think of the sub-free housing at BC? Do people make fun of them? I’ve heard it’s a really close group who have a lot of fun together and you automatically get put on upper. I’ve also heard that they still go to all the sporting stuff and into Boston. I guess this would solve some of my hesitation, but not if I get exiled and alienated by my peers for wanting separate housing. Any thoughts?</p>

8

<p>You will not be made fun of or exiled. The sub-free girls floor sticks together and has a lot of fun together. I would recommend it as it will give you an immediate friend base of people with similar interests. Plus, the sub-free boys will live right below you and you will find some great people living there (potential BF???). It is easy to make friends outside of your residence hall through class, clubs, activities, etc. The sub-free program is small at BC, but nonetheless its better than living on a normal floor (which can be hit or miss depending on the girls placed on your floor).</p>

9

<p>it seems like you dont have any real reasons to go to wellesley, just reasons that you are hesitant to go to BC. yeah, the drinking culture is strong at BC, but i wouldnt say it is overwheleming and i have felt it much more at other colleges that i have visited. the lack of frats on the campus still makes the drinking culture <em>seem</em> smaller. but then again, we just had a whole day dedicated to drinking (marathon monday).</p>

<p>anyway.. no ones going to “make fun of you” for not drinking. im totally cool with hanging out with people who dont drink as long as theyre not condesending about it and know how to have a good time. one of my best friends here onl drinks 1/2 drinks when we go out and is more fun then half of hte wasted people. i dont know anyone who lives on the subfree floor this year, but that might be cuse i like on newton. but next year my nieghbor is doing it.. after freshman year it pretty much becomes people who drink anyway just not in their rooms.</p>

<p>dont worry about of lack of workload here, you will not be bored by the work. sometimes on CC, BC is portrayed as an easy school that is hard to get into</p>

10

<p>I was wondering, if you ask for substance free housing, are you guaranteed to get it? Or do they only have a certain number of spots open?</p>

11

<p>You are guaranteed to get sub-free housing. They can barely fill a floor with sub-free people because it is not very popular (as you can imagine). Even if a large number of people applied, I’m sure they could accomodate every one.</p>

12

<p>Also in terms of classes, I’m just curious regarding the class years of all the other BC students posting. For example, as a freshman, I thought that classes weren’t too difficult…now completing my sophomore year, I realize that the classes within your major that you begin as a soph are substantially more challenging - but also a lot more enjoyable.</p>

13

<p>xcjimmy1228,</p>

<p>Do you happen to know how hard the economics department is and how well known it is? Are the classes stimulating? Also, do you know anything about the Sociology department?</p>

14

<p>i know that our econ department is very well respected.. one of the posts on here listed all the rankings and how we have a bunch of amazing economists and such. i took basic macro/micro in a 300 person lecture this year. amazing professor.. made the class size seem not overwhelming at all. i enjoyed it MUCH more than when i took ap econ in HS last year.</p>

15

<p>Is paying 15,000 dollars more for BC (CSOM) than Wellesley (Econ major) worth it?</p>

16

<p>“Is paying 15,000 dollars more for BC (CSOM) than Wellesley (Econ major) worth it?” </p>

<p>I’m STILL trying to figure that out too. I heard that BC is now the most expensive college in the Boston area. It’s even more expensive than BU. Seriously, the other day, I started flipping a coin to make my decision, BC-heads, Wellesley-tails. It’s gotten kind of ridiculous and I wish my mom would just choose for me, but she’s remaining neutral, something about not wanting to affect my decision or potentially sway me. </p>

<p>Anyway, let me know what you choose. It’s kind of interesting to find someone else in my position.</p>

17

<p>Can I ask which side of the coin did you get?</p>

18

<p>As someone who is transferring out of the school I’m at right now, my only advice for you is to picture yourself at that school in a year. Whatever one you think you’ll fit into more, or be happier at, or have less regrets about going to you should attend. I didn’t do that, and I really didn’t enjoy my freshman year too much.</p>

<p>Flipping coins with big consequences? Have you been watching “No Country for Old Men?” :-p</p>

19

<p>My sister actually went to Wellesley for economics and she absolutely loved it. She went in as a history major but switched after taking a few classes. Economics is one of the most popular majors at Wellesley and from what I hear, it’s quite well regarded.
Whichever you choose I’m sure you’ll enjoy yourself and find a great job when you graduate.</p>

20

<p>I flipped the coin, but couldn’t remember which side was which. Oh well, I figured it was karma yelling at me.</p>