<p>Knowing that I'm interested in things along the lines of biology/computer science/business, what would you recommend? Which one has better programs for this stuff? I really don't know what I'll be majoring in, and I want to have as many options as possible.</p>
<p>I've heard that GW has a better reputation, but to what extent? I've also heard that it is home to many snobby rich kids, and I don't know how true that is. (I'm a Frenchman living in Morocco, so I really don't have the environment to answer these kinds of questions.)
BU, however, gives me a better vibe, because of its location and its more diverse (of mind and social class, no necessarily of origin) student body. But I've never actually been to DC, so I can't really compare that either. I won't be tapping into the political resources of DC out of lack of interest.</p>
<p>Here's a list of Pros and Cons:</p>
<p>BU
Pros:
- in Boston
- Greater diversity
- Near other unis
- Good gut feeling
Cons:
- Crap dorms
- Lower academic value (?)
- No real campus (is that bad?)</p>
<p>GW
Pros:
- Better reputation
- More of a campus
- Warmer climate
Cons:
- Snobby (?)
- in DC rather than Boston
- crap name
- less of a good gut feeling</p>
<p>DC is an excellent city, but not as cheap as Boston. It’s not that “snobby”. Actually, personally, I’ve heard more people refer to Boston as snobby than GW - which REALLY surprised me. Boston, however, is much larger and yes, more diverse. The “academic value” you’re talking about is much less important than internship and career placement opportunities (as long as you’re looking more than four years ahead). GW has great internships for politics and business. GW’s biggest major is biology. I have no idea abouts its computer science department. GW is also part of the Washington College Consortium (or something like that), and there are a lot of colleges in DC - no where near as many as are in Boston, though.</p>
<p>Your pros and cons make no sense. GW is just as diverse as BU, it is not snobby at all (I’ve actually heard BU kids are even worse), and most of GW’s programs outrank BU’s. Btw, Boston University is a pretty crappy name too (very unoriginal and often confused with Boston College). Rep is probably the same, but if you live in the area around DC then anyone will favor GW over BU. Overall I would say GW is a better choice.</p>
<p>Vitare, I think that my dislike for GW’s name comes from my dislike of History :p. What you said is interesting, and proves that people really have differing viewpoints about the same university…It’s hard for me to get an idea of these places since I can’t actually go there, and I’m just repeating “what I heard”.</p>
<p>I don’t know if I’ll be living in the DC area later on, but I’ll keep what you said in mind.</p>
<p>No, NEU has a weaker reputation. It’s really in a different, co-operative, sometimes “first in the family to go to college” niche. Less affluent student body than the others.
Boston University and George Washington have very similar academic status overall. Both have very small endowments and wealthy student bodies. BU has more of an urban feel to it. There might be a slight preference for the local school if that’s where you plan to live after graduation. BU is about twice as large, as I’m sure you know.</p>
<p>I Would say NEU is better than BU in terms of reputation in MA. This is all subjective i say this because majority of the students in know rejected BU for NEU. My brother gave up Tufts for NEU’s architecture program. I think NEU is def more selective @35% relative to BU @66% and they receive same amount of aps. Both are solid schools</p>
<p>DANA where are you getting your information from? “Less affluent student body”?? completely disagree. Same with your “First in the family to go to college statement”…ignorance is not bliss</p>
<p>In my (albeit small) experience, admittance rates can be deceiving. Maybe BU has a ridiculously high rate (66%) simply because it’s so huge and can swallow a large number of applicants. Maybe it’s also a safety for ivy’s, letting it accept many overqualified people knowing they will probably go elsewhere.</p>
<p>Even though NEU is more selective than BU, I’d definitely agree with danas. NEU has a weaker reputation, at least in my area of MA, and most definitely has that “first in the family to go to college” vibe. I’m not trying to say that it’s true, because I know plenty of dirt-poor kids at BU and lots of trust-fund babies at NEU, but that perception is still there.
Despite that, I’d pick GW.</p>
<p>Thats news to me my family resides in the greater boston area. When i helped my brother decide the 2008 admits for NEU had 3.7 avg GPA, 1300/1600 SAT’s. Not to sure if thats the “First in the family to go to college” sentiments. GW has a solid reputation if you are going strictly by rankings then GW.</p>
<p>USN&WR ranking 60th for BU, 96th for Northeastern.
Rating by their peer schools ¶, BU 3.4 (same as GW), Northeastern 2.9.
Born and raised in Massachusetts. No ignorant bliss here.
None of this is meant to insult Northeastern. Don’t be so defensive.</p>
<p>Not being defensive at all. I’m a stats monkey as well but the PA holds no value what so ever. My brother researched the teachers and found the NEU faculty for architect was far more impressive and the coop program to be the most important factors in his decision.</p>
<p>After much thought, and against almost everyone’s guidance, I have to say I’m still leaning more towards BU than GW. It seems like the difference in academics and rep is only slightly in favor of GW, and I’d really rather live in Boston than DC. That’s what I feel it boils down to.</p>
<p>There’s nothing wrong with that. You need to choose the school that’s right for you, even if it’s a gut feeling or something that seems trivial to others.</p>