BU KHC vs Tulane Honors

Colleges and Universities A-Z Tulane University
1

<p>Hi all,</p>

<p>I realize that there are multiple threads devoted to comparing Tulane and Boston University, but I wanted more specific commentary based on my situation.</p>

<p>I visited Tulane during Honors Weekend in March and absolutely loved it and when I left, I was about 95% sure I wanted to go to Tulane. Then I visited Boston University this past weekend after being admitted to the Kilachand Honors College. Long story short, I loved BU too. I can really see myself at both these colleges.
Both schools offer entirely different experiences in my opinion but both equally wonderful.</p>

<p>Tulane is about half the undergraduate student body size of BU (8000) and is approximately $9,000 cheaper per year with scholarships taken into account (so after four years, a BU education would cost about $35,000 more). I'd also be in the Honors Program.</p>

<p>BU is an urban campus in a fabulous city (with possibly more internship opportunities?), surrounded by other colleges, and I'm in the KHC (which focuses on smaller classes, research opportunities, close work with esteemed faculty, etc.)</p>

<p>Based on this information, where do you think I should go (based on educational quality, academic opportunity, and quality of student life)? Thanks so much for your help!</p>

<p>Also: I am currently undecided as to what to major in, but current options are: computer science or international relations. Also, I've never taken a business/economics class but I am open to that (and nearly everything else as well). Hope this helps!</p>

<p>PS- I must commit in three days so prompt responses are much appreciated! :-)</p>

2

<p>I don’t think it will surprise you when I say you have asked an impossible question. No one can tell you which school to choose. I do think you have nailed some aspects of both schools and cities, they are very different and equally wonderful. Which do you think fits your own personality better?</p>

<p>The schools themselves have similar academic standards, and you will get a great education at either. I wouldn’t get too hung up on the Honors Program part, at least at Tulane. I think it is a nice thing to be in for sure, because it A) helps keep you on track to graduate with high honors in the end, along with additional research opportunities, and B) provides you with special advising for post graduate scholarships and fellowships such as Rhodes, Goldwaters, Trumans, etc. And while there are honors classes that are smaller, they are not usually more than one a semester, unlike some honors colleges that really separate the students in that college from the remainder of the student body to a greater degree. I don’t know how BU’s program is exactly, but the fact that they call it an honors college rather than an honors program leads me to believe it is a more self-realized entity.</p>

<p>You have probably seen that Tulane has recently hired 3 new computer science faculty members and has plans to add about 8 more, I think it was. They are definitely focusing on this area, and that usually means a lot of positive energy and opportunities. One has to balance that against the more mature and resource-laden program at BU. Although the decision certainly shouldn’t be based on a proposed major, especially since you are unsure of this direction, it is at least something of a factor. If this were 3-4 years ago and Tulane had no real CS resources, I would advise that BU is the choice, but now I think it is much less of a factor. You can definitely get what you need to succeed in this area at Tulane, especially since Tulane ties the computer science program to other majors, so as to emphasize the practical applications in this field.</p>

<p>So as usual it really comes down to the non-academic factors. Boston is a more traditional college town, in a more traditional city that has lots of museums, all major sports, access to other large cities and resources outside of BU, etc. New Orleans is an adventure, especially to people from outside the area. Different heritage, lots of festivals, obviously the weather difference, etc. You have visited both, so try and think back to how you really felt leaving each. Which were you more excited about?</p>

<p>There is one factor that to me would make it an easy decision. If the higher cost of BU would force you to take out loans in that amount, then I would say definitely pick Tulane. You are teetering between the two anyway, so clearly there is not $35,000 in extra value there as far as you are concerned. If your parents can afford that easily, then it isn’t so much of a factor.</p>

<p>But I don’t think any of what I have said is really all that helpful, because in the end you have to crystal ball this, trying to picture yourself at both places on a day-to-day basis and which picture has you being happiest. Very difficult for you, impossible for the rest of us that don’t know you. But we are happy to help you talk it out!</p>

<p>PS: I will add that since you seem to enjoy running, it is a lot easier to run most of the school months in New Orleans than in Boston. A lot more fun to run when it is 65-70 than through the snow and slush.</p>

3

<p>

I didn’t say exactly what I meant there. I didn’t mean they only offer one honors course a semester, hopefully needless to say. I meant most Honors Program students don’t take more than one honors course a semester, although you certainly can if it fits in your schedule and meets your needs.</p>

4

<p>The bottom line is that you have two great options and so whichever one you pick is going to work out well for you.</p>

<p>I’m a huge fan of Tulane but am only a little familiar with Boston, and not at all with BU. So I speak from that perspective.</p>

<p>First, you have plenty of time to decide on a major. Wherever you go take a year or two to get some general requirements knocked out and take some classes that you think you would find interesting. Chances are you’ll stumbled upon something you’ve never thought of but that you really enjoy.</p>

<p>Second, I would be not be too worried–this applies to wherever you go–about faculty “esteem”, or research activity. Both Tulane and BU have plenty of this, of course, but that shouldn’t matter as an undergraduate. Since, as an undergraduate, you’re not on the cutting edge of research but rather trying to learn the fundamentals of a field, it is far more important that you have teachers who are good at teaching. This is one reason why school that have very little research output–like Amherst, Williams, etc.–are so highly esteemed. They concentrate on teaching.</p>

<p>$35,000 is not peanuts, especially if you’re the one that is going to have to be paying the bill when you graduate. It sounds a little crass, but money does matter and the more debt you can avoid now the greater your opportunities in the future. It can make the difference, for example, between taking a job that you love after graduating that pays a little less and one in which the compensation is better but is less interesting to you. $35,000 also buys a hell of a lot of trips around the world. So it is something to consider, but it all depends on your financial situation.</p>

<p>Tulane is a great place to be a runner. It’s basically beautiful outdoor running weather for 9 months of the year, but it gets too hot from June-August. If you’re on campus for the summer the Tulane gym has a nice indoor track. And the campus is great for running and Audubon Park is a short jog away.</p>

<p>fallenchemist is right, there is no right answer, because there is no wrong answer. Both good schools. One thing to keep in mind is that if you come down here you’re not only joining the Tulane community, but also the New Orleans community, which is one-of-a-kind and very special. I’ve lived around the world and it may be my favorite spot on the globe; I keep coming back. Good luck and let us know what you decide!</p>

5

<p>Is the cost of living in New Orleans much lower than in Boston? I knew Boston was an expensive city to live… </p>

<p>The only reason why you’d even want to do research as an undergraduate, other than for writing an honors thesis, is if grad school is in the cards, in which case you might want as little debt from undergrad as possible.</p>

6

<p>I don’t know if I would say MUCH lower from the point of view of a student, but it is lower. Rents near the university are somewhat cheaper, and one can live fairly frugally in other ways as well, maybe more easily than in Boston. I would say the cost of living is indeed much lower for anyone settling there for work. Housing is considerably less, as are property taxes.</p>

7

<p>Thanks for all the input! Both replies are very well-balanced, and insightful-- I really appreciate the thought you put into them!
One correction: I originally overestimated the cost of BU and it is actually about $6000 more than Tulane ($24000 more over four years) which is still a substantial chunk of change . . . certainly not peanuts!</p>

<p>There is a high chance that I will continue on to grad school (at least I hope to), which of course factors in even more the cost of my undergrad education. Generally speaking, is Boston University or Tulane better respected by grad schools, or are they about equal? If I did major in computer science from Tulane, would this degree still be well-regarded by grad schools and potential employers despite the program just starting up again?</p>

8

<p>The two schools will definitely be equally regarded, your grad school prospects will be much more dependent on your own record as an undergrad at either place. And truthfully, most grad schools and employers won’t know Tulane’s CS program is recently resurrected. They are not as aware as you think in that regard. They will judge by your transcript and how you present yourself.</p>

9

<p>Thanks for all your insights! </p>

<p>BU and KHC are absolutely incredible and I truly wish I could experience them too! But I think you all are right-- in this case there really was no wrong choice, just two options that fit individuals differently :slight_smile: And for me Tulane is the right fit! I committed to Tulane this evening and I could not be more thrilled! I think all along it was the right choice for me but there’s so much to consider that I got a little overwhelmed and briefly lost sight of what a truly wanted! I am so so happy I could go on forever but I just want to thank you all and share the news!</p>

<p>Best wishes to you all!</p>

10

<p>Congratulations! We will look for you running along the streetcar tracks on St. Charles.</p>