<p>I got accepted to both Boston University and Tulane University. Both schools are good and gave me very generous scholarships (BU@$42,000/year, while Tulane gave me the Dean’s Honor Scholarship award so is tuition-free), but now I have a very hard decision to make. I want to study in Biomedical Engineering and eventually get into a medical school. It seems BU has a stronger Biomedical Engineering program, and Boston area is big for internship/job opportunities in the Biomedical field. If I were just to study in Biomedical Engineering, I would choose to go with BU for sure, but I am not sure about its pre-Med and how likely I can maintain a good GPA at BU to get me to a Med school.</p>
<p>Tulane has a good Biomedical Engineering program too, but relatively smaller comparing to BU. It seems New Orleans is not that big in Biomedical Engineering areas. If just to stay in the Biomedical Engineering I will prefer to go with BU, but Tulane’s pre-Med is strong and very attractive. It seems I will have more assurance at Tulane to get into a Med school at the end of the four years and the four-year ride will pretty much be free.</p>
<p>Financially, the cost of attendance are the same for both schools. So adding in the living, I am looking at about $30,000/year for attending BU, and about $15,000 for attending Tulane.</p>
<p>I am not a fan of city living, so it makes no difference to me between Boston and New Orleans. Mainly looking at academics and helps on my future careers.</p>
<p>My current thought is so not clear as I never visit these two schools before and have no ideas other than web information. Any insights/thoughts/advices are very much appreciated!</p>
<p>Please help! </p>
<p>I have a somewhat negative impression of BU as being too much like a factory. I have known several students to attend BU. The word I get from parents is that the students are pretty much on their own, not a lot of coddling. One student transferred to BU after her freshman year. Half-way through her sophomore year, she still did not have an advisor. Turns out she needed to request one, but somehow she missed that. Another student I know, bright kid, but not sure what he wanted. He found it difficult to take courses outside of his college because he was locked out. I have the impression about BU that it is a good school if you are very goal directed, know what you want and can advocate well for yourself.</p>
<p>Our town has sent several students to Tulane (5-6 in the last 3 years). I have heard only positive comments from those students & parents.</p>
<p>I think what you say, wedgedrive, is true. No one is going to hold your hand. It’s a big school. There are many opportunities, but, for the most part, you need to be self motivated to seek them out, follow up, etc. </p>
<p>I would go with BU over Tulane for academics, but you say you don’t like cities. So that would concern me. If at all possible, try to visit both. Also, that is a big cost difference, so if money is a factor, that certainly should come into play to some extent.</p>
<p>Best of luck to you. </p>
<p>Tulane is less than half the size of BU, and the city of New Orleans might be a bit more amenable to you if you do not really like city living.</p>
<p>If this was my personal decision, then I would choose Tulane because:
- it is cheaper
- its campus is far nicer (BU has a very urban campus)
- winters are warm (not just warmer) in New Orleans with an average January low temp of 44F
- and because New Orleans is the most unique city in America.</p>
<p>Still, BU is an excellent university, and Boston is a very interesting city (although its inhabitants can be condescending and rude).</p>