<p>Ok guys, I'm now caught in the middle between BU and tufts. I like Boston University because it has a major that I want, Human Physiology, but I like Tufts because there are a lot of research opportunities and study abroad opportunities and a LOT of diversity (but then again, BU does too...hmm) So can any of you help? What else does tufts offer and BU doesn't?</p>
<p>IMO, Tufts is way stronger academically. I visited both Tufts and BU, I didn't even end up applying to BU because I didn't like how the campus was part of the city...that's personal preference though. Did you visit? Which campus did you feel more at home at? </p>
<p>I'd pick Tufts in a heartbeat, though.</p>
<p>I agree with Insideout.</p>
<p>I'm probably going to visit in the next couple of weeks...or whenever open house is :)</p>
<p>I'm stuck in this same position too! How much stronger is Tufts than BU? I'm planning to major in cognitive science/neuroscience (premed), but I don't know exactly whose program is suitable for me. I also want to know which school offers more research opportunities (I know BU has a UROP program, but I don't know much about Tufts.) Can someone tell me more about research opportunities in Tufts?</p>
<p>I'm pretty sure Tufts offers a LOT of research opportunities, since it's known to be a research university.....but gahhh!!! At least I know I'm not alone on this hahah ;)</p>
<p>My mom went to law school at BU and absolutely hated it. Things may have changed, but when she was there she found it to be incredibly impersonal and unwelcoming.</p>
<p>my parents both went to BU for post graduate school and agree with your mom hebrewhammer</p>
<p>BU has prison-like dorms haha and you have to sign in with a security guard and go through all these dumb protocols. Tufts has an elephant. I think the choice is quite clear hahaha</p>
<p>Elephant?! Really?! Hahahhaha. well I think it's especially cool that Tufts' mascot is an elephant :D</p>
<p>Is tufts really good with financial aid? Because BU's giving me $41,000....kinda hard to beat that :p</p>
<p>LOL, I know what u mean kj. BU offered me 48K. If tufts can give me the same amount or even beat that, I'll go there, definitely!</p>
<p>I went to BU for engineering and I had a wonderful experience. College is what you make it.</p>
<p>This thread reminds me of the following situation:</p>
<p>A guy walks into the Vatican, approaches a cardinal, and asks "I have decided to discover God, the one true God. But I am kind of torn between Jesus and Muhammad. Which way do you think I should go?"</p>
<p>It is pointless to ask a question "which one is better, Tufts or BU?", in either the Tufts or BU forms, because you get mostly predictable fanboy replies, or unsubstantiated claims, e.g., "Tufts is way better than BU academically". While I agree in principle with the last statement, except perhaps for the "way" part, it would have helped for the person who expressed the opinion to substantiate it with some arguments. </p>
<p>I also happen to agree even more with the statement by vttxnh above, with the qualification that "college is what motivated students make it". Unfortunately, for the middle 4-sigma of the distribution, college is what the institution makes of it for the student.</p>
<p>BU is coming into its own, but Tufts has been known to be really strong academically for a very long time. and i mean this as a COMPLIMENT, has been nicknamed the place for waitlisted ivies. (ha! in today's world EVERYONE is a waitlisted school! :) ) i always like to point out location differences when one is trying to decide. BU is a pure city campus, and i've heard not much on feeling of community or looks. Tufts is in a suburb, with a true campus feel. good luck!</p>
<p>But Tufts is also connected! We're (well, Davis Square is) on the red line of the T, the main subway line.
I think they're both very different in size, yes? The size of Tufts was definitely one of the deciding factors for me. I didn't want a huge school I'd feel lost in, but I didn't want it to be so small I knew everyone. I see/meet new people all the time, and I see people I know all the time, too.</p>
<p>I think it's unfair for people to discuss their less-than-pleasant experiences at BU grad schools as a proxy for undergrad life at BU. I don't think they're transferable, really.</p>
<p>It seems like KJ really has a handle on the positives of each school, as far as she's concerned. My question to her is: if it turns out that you don't really like the Human Physiology major (whether b/c of BU's particular program, or you just didn't realize that it's not quite for you....I mean, my best friend from home is switching from a bio to an English major), will you still find a program you like at BU?</p>
<p>What does Tufts offer that BU doesn't - I can't really speak to academics. BU has some programs that are better than Tufts', like their Communications program (ours is only a minor). It's in the heart of the city, so it's not an enclosed campus, but it's really close to a bunch of thriving urban activities. It's also enormous compared to Tufts. Personally I'd feel like I'd get lost and feel anonymous in such a setting. But others really thrive on that!</p>
<p>Good luck with your decision!</p>
<p>Tufts only offers cognitive science as a minor, but they do have Biopsychology (the application of the principles of biology to the study of mental processes and behavior) and Human Factors Engineering (studying the cognitive properties of an individual or social behavior that is specific to humans and influences functioning of technological systems as well as human-environment equilibriums) as majors.</p>
<p>Aside from financial aspects, if you are looking at the programs as possibly pre-med, then maybe you should look into the number ( or percentages) of applicants from each school accepted at med schools. This could give you an indication of the how the programs are a. perceived and b. prepare the students.</p>
<p>there actually is a cognitive science major:
<a href="http://ase.tufts.edu/cogstud/cogsci/news/newsdetail.asp?idnewsitem=56%5B/url%5D">http://ase.tufts.edu/cogstud/cogsci/news/newsdetail.asp?idnewsitem=56</a></p>
<p>One of the reasons I love Tufts is because the people on this board don't snip at the person for suggesting that they might go to BU over Tufts, even though Tufts has all the indicators of "prestige" (higher SAT ranges, lower acceptance rate, ranking, etc). When I suggested going to Tufts over Columbia on the Columbia board, the only thing they could throw at me is that New York City and its ivy, and that Columbia is better just because its Columbia and how dare I think about going to Tufts instead.</p>