Boston University vs Northeastern : Bio and Pre-Med

Colleges and Universities A-Z Boston University
1

I know this is a topic as old as time but I feel like it needs repeating given my specific interests and these schools continuing advancements in their programs and ,for what its worth, their rankings. Some background: I am a transfer student that will be entering in the Fall of 2016 as a junior. I came from a large urban Catholic (Jesuit) school in the Midwest but I am from NH. I am, and will be, studying Biology as well as be on a Pre-Medical track. I have currently been accepted to UVM, BU, and NU. I have been denied from Tufts and BC and I am currently waiting on Cornell and Holy Cross. But this topic is about the big two I have gotten into so far, BU and NU!

Both will be about the same in cost so that should be of little to no consideration. In terms of location it really is a tossup, Neither stand out to be as “better” than the other and neither do the campuses. They are both well place within the city and neither have a campus that “wows” me. As for academics, it honestly seems about the same to me with NU having less of a liberal arts curriculum (my previous school certainly had one). I’m a legacy at both (my father at NU and my grandfather at BU). I would say BU has more of the “intangibles” for me but not to the point I would pick one over the other. What I need the CC community for is to maybe give their inputs on the subject. Maybe why you chose one school over the other. Maybe comment on specifically the Biology programs and the opportunities both schools will have in respect to Pre-Medical (yes I know MCAT and GPA are the most important). BU-Med is a top choice for me for medical schools so I guess that is a factor as well. I really need some input as neither of the schools is a glaring top choice for me in regards to my specific interest,

2

You were not wowed by Northeastern’s campus? I think it is very pretty and unexpected whereas BU’s is nonexistent.

3

Here’s why. I came from an urban campus that was very pretty. Loyola University Chicago if you would like to know. Neither BU or NU could come close to that. Having lived in a city for my first two years of college I dont mind a completely urban campus like BU. Plus a school’s campus itself comes second to location in my opinion.

4

Since you only posted this in the BU forum it seems you are leaning towards BU.

5

I suppose you could say that. But if I had to say its only slightly. Im not dead set on one or the other. Some days I feel like NU is the better choice where as other its BU.

6

How do you feel about coop?

7

Mixed feelings. I understand the great opportunity they provide but considering the time table for medical school applications I cant see myself spending the extra year for the coop. It might be a good way to sweeten a med school app but I dont think its something for me so I would probably stick with a 4 year program.

8

If you’re going to go pre-med without any co-ops, I think BU is the better option. Coming from a Northeastern student.

Just in case you didn’t know, you can actually do 4 year and 2 co-op plans, made much easier by AP/IB credit. Same goes for a 4/1. So, if you wanted to do co-op but the timetable was holding you back alone, then it may be worth reconsidering.

9

Isn’t BU really hard to do well in for premed though? For med school, they care about your gpa and at BU, it’s harder to get As.

10

From my knowledge, I’ve heard that med schools know about BU’s grade deflation by now and essentially scale it with others. @proudterrier probably can give more info there (as well as disliking my use of the word deflation :stuck_out_tongue: )