Boston college vs Wisconsin Madison

<p>im from a prep school and international school.</p>

<p>dont mind the weather, cost, etc.
only caring about academics:</p>

<p>say i wanted to major in econ, which school should i got to?</p>

<p>say i wanted to major in math, science (physics, or bio, or chem), and/or engineering-type majors which school should i go to?</p>

<p>i know BC doesn’t have engineering dept. but does have some science majors.</p>

<p>academics, job opportunities, career-factors only…</p>

<p>not factoring in anything else.</p>

<p>My son was accepted to UW, an econ major. We visited UW, he loved UW, and I paid the residence deposit. About a month later, ACCEPTED at BC. We visited BC, he offer to pay for any lost UW deposit, and is at BC. Two very different schools, both appeared to be a great college experience, important to my son. UW is the king of its castle, in Wisconsin it is #1. The college town is UW, Madison. The city of Boston is the college town, a very different diverse, exciting opportunity, with numerous great schools (and students). My son has friends at Northeastern, Tufts, Harvard, +++. UW campus is very spread out, just the opposite at BC. My son is not Catholic, but the Jesuit vibe of helping others permeates, my son loves it (they help others in need, they do not try to change your religion). Academics, you will work hard, but have a lot more choices of things to do in Boston, or a short trip to New York, or even a train to DC for a long weekend. Both schools are good choices, but I think a visit to BC, speaking with the students, and taking in the BC vibe, will make you decision easy.
(He is OOS at both schools)</p>

<p>For engineering, Madison is a no-brainer since BC does not offer it. And bcos Madison has Engineering, it also does math physics extremely well. As a much larger college, Madison will just provide more opportunities in STEM. In the sciences, BC is strongest in chem, but has recently revamped its bio program which now offers opportunities for real research to underclassmen, which is excellent. Math is very good at BC; dunno about physics. </p>

<p>Boston is a great college town for internationals, since there are thousands of them around the numerous, local colleges.</p>

<p>Both have great academics and career/grad opportunities. One is a large, public Uni, and the other a medium-sized private Uni. For the same money, I almost always prefer private…but not of you really want engineering and the college does not offer it.</p>

<p>fwiw: Last year, a BC chem grad received numerous offers and is now in the PhD program at Stanford. Obviously, they thought highly enough of BC’s chem teachings. :)</p>

<p>4boston:</p>

<p>yeah, and it would make transferring to state schools which fund research in engineering easier if I really wanted to head into engineering after a year at BC. Im guessing that the lack of an engineering dept and the slight prestige of BC would make it easier to switch. not the other way around…</p>

<p>@bluebayou:
that is really cool to know, thanks.
by the way, im thinking about majoring in math with minor in econ.
i will see how that pans out. i have a friend who is currently in CSOM right now, and he says the math dept is crazy hard…</p>

<p>I guess curriculum rigor is in the eye of the beholder. My daughter’s good friend is math minor, just because he likes it, and still manages A- in the math courses. He’s a bright young man, but nothing more special than most other BC students.</p>

<p>bump, anyone?</p>

<p>BC would be my choice!!!</p>

<p>Bumpity bump bump, bumpity bump bump…</p>

<p>i just got deferred from Michigan…</p>

<p>which school is has more prestige?</p>