<p>My D just got accepted from BU’s waitlist, so now needs to decide between GW and BU (arts & sciences) by this Friday. Any comments/advice you might have as between these two would be appreciated!</p>
<p>My D applied to both...accepted at BU CAS, but going to another school in state.</p>
<p>I think a lot depends on her major. If she is interested in international relations, political science, etc., GW's location and program may be better for her in the long run. They have great connections for DC internships.</p>
<p>Otherwise, I think BU is just a great all-round school. The city, professors and variety of courses is really wonderful.</p>
<p>Both schools are good choices, if she doesn't have a clear idea on what she wants to major in or which city she likes best, you may have to flip a coin.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>thanks 2forcollege! I'm afraid that we are gravitating toward a coin flip at this point.</p>
<p>I'd think about the money. </p>
<p>I much prefer Boston over DC but the main campus of GW is in a good area, sort of between Georgetown and the office area / political area of DC. The area you can walk to is either upscale or office areas that empty at night - much of DC downtown is like that. The winters are easier in DC.</p>
<p>To be blunt, downtown DC has tourist attractions but is not interesting otherwise. The area of Foggy Bottom is close to Georgetown, which as you probably know is full of stores and restaurants. It's not "college town," meaning cheap, but it's lively and upscale.</p>
<p>I think BU is the better school but it depends on your kid, on what your kid wants to study. GW is smaller, but is still large. BU is often criticised for not having much of a "campus feel" compared to many schools. I think GW has less. It feels like a bunch of office buildings. I remember the first time I walked through the area I didn't realize I went through GW until I saw a few nameplates. </p>
<p>One issue you may want to consider is that I know GW has two campuses. The other campus is kind of out of the way. I would guess it's quite pretty but it's not connected to the main school and isn't urban. I don't know if that's good or bad for your kid - or if this other campus impacts your kid at all. </p>
<p>I understand that GW has much smaller dorms, which could be a plus.</p>
<p>In terms of academic qualities, unless there's something special that your kid needs or wants which one school is absolutely known for, then it makes no difference. Pick the place that fits your heart and mind - and wallet.</p>
<p>Thank you Lergnom, that really helps a lot - I'm especially interested to hear about the "campus feel". We all love Boston (and really don't know DC), but one of my D's teachers is being negative about BU's "lack of campus" and also encouraging her to go for GW because of the internship opportunities --the one real clear advantage GW has over BU as far as we've been able to determine). The wallet will hurt equally -- GW gave her a teensy weensy bit of money, just enough to make it equivalent to BU (and of course BU is offering no $ from the waitlist). Thanks again for all the input.</p>
<p>One of my pet peeves is when people talk about BU's 'lack of campus'. We aren't a gated community but we do have a loosely defined campus. I've always felt like we have the best of both worlds. A campus that is fairly condensed with the city right at our doorstep (but not IN our house). If that metaphor makes sense. Compared to GW or NYU we have more of a campus. If you were comparing BU to somewhere like Fordham (Rose Hill) or Providence College, I could see how it would be an issue. </p>
<p>As far as internships go, both schools are very well known. GW would be better for internships in DC obviously. But BU has an extensive internship network and I don't think it's any less worthy than GW's network (apart from in the Government).</p>
<p>When I visited GW one of the things they highlighted was the planning of the dorms. All of the dorms surround each other in way that makes it easy for socializing and meeting new people. I found this feature very attractive especially since there is no defined campus at GW. My sister is graduating from american university in DC and says it is one of the best places to live and is likely going to stay there after she graduates. However, in my opinion Boston is one of the best cities in the states. THere is a lot to do and there is a lot offered. But similar to what others have said, I think it really comes down to what she is thinking about studying.</p>
<p>S and I toured GW, BU and NYU on our college tours. He wasn't sure what he wanted to major in at the time, but probably political science or international relations. Despite GW's location, he chose BU for a few reasons listed above: more of a campus feel, great college town, and diversity. He decided to get dual degrees in political science and public relations through COM-- I don't know if he could have done that at GW. He plans to spend his last semester (fall 2008) studying "abroad" in DC during the presidential election---how cool is that? And hopes he can snag a job and stay on!</p>
<p>It's interesting how opinions on DC can vary. I have a brother there. He lives near the Supreme Court. The area has improved but frankly remains marginal safety-wise and will until the effects of the new ballpark and DOT building create genuine urban renewal on that side of Capitol Hill.</p>
<p>DC is far more dangerous than Boston. There is simply no comparison. My brother had a serial killer operating in his neighborhood off Rock Creek. While GW is sort of in an upscale area, parts of the District are really, really dangerous. </p>
<p>DC has lots of public transport, but the stops are very far apart. The city itself is really a commuter city and much of it shuts down early because the government doesn't have late hours. If you spend any time along the south edge of the Mall - opposite downtown but the same side as the Air & Space Museum - you see a wasteland of office buildings with barely any retail stores or places even to eat. Naming that area after L'Enfant is a joke.</p>
<p>Parts are very lively - DuPont Circle, the area of downtown near the arena - but they are not contiguous the way Boston is. Much of the District is really suburban and very nice suburbs at that, with tree-lined streets and beautiful homes (and mansions). Georgetown is the most urban "city" part. By contrast, you can take a train or bus or walk or bike to Harvard Square and North Cambridge and you can take a train a significantly farther distance to Alexandria, which is probably the other truly lively area of restaurants, clubs and shops.</p>
<p>DC can be addicting. So much revolves around the Federal government and the level of detail, the level of interest, the fascination is vastly different when you live there. If you want to be on the Hill, then you should go to DC. If you don't have that interest in government, then you should avoid it.</p>
<p>A huge thanks to Lergnon, Kinshasa, bregs and lostandfound5 for all these insightful postings. On the whole, you are all confirming my gut instinct that BU is the better choice for my D. I'm completely comfortable about sending her off to Boston (where we lived over ten years ago before moving Tucson and still have good friends), but not so much with DC. Also, while D is very interested in politics, she's undecided about a major at this point, has always loved Boston (is a fanatic Sox fan), and it doesn't sound like BU will "hurt" her chances if she decides to pursue a degree in political science, etc. I'm going to print this all out for D to digest. Again, many thanks for the info!</p>
<p>Gw, Gw, Gw.</p>
<p>shut up crazed.</p>
<p>BU seems very overrated to me but the name of the school/prestige matter a lot more these days than getting a quality education for the value of its price tag.</p>
<p>DD is a Dean's host for CAS and also working for the BU this summer during the student orientations. (Obviously loves BU). She can answer questions if you have any. Would be happy to put you in touch with her tonight if your DD has any questions. PM me if any questions or you would like to speak to DD. Good luck.</p>
<p>starburyknicks2004-2005, you go to Fordham. You're like a sophomore there now, right? You have something like 140 posts about Fordham, every one talking about how great it is and how much you love it, and suddenly you show up with a nonsensical comment about BU? Talk about your school and if you post in another school's forum tell the truth about yourself.</p>
<p>What is there to tell the truth about? Am I lying about something? I am just stating an opinion and don't tell me what to do, I can do whatever the hell I want to do and go to any thread I want to no one is stopping me. And wow I am impressed you went through all my posts and figured out my life story - you have a lot of time on your hands.</p>
<p>And as far as Fordham is concerned, I know exactly what I am getting from it - a top 30 business school in NYC that would get me the job that I want and I am not paying too much for it.</p>
<p>You know, kid, all you have to do is click the person's name. That brings up your profile and lists your total posts. Then you can click on that and it gives you an entire list. </p>
<p>So do you go to random boards and post in school forums saying bad things about schools you've never attended without mentioning that you go to an entirely different school? Wow . . . No one minds that you love Fordham. In fact, I would everyone at BU is glad that you love your school. </p>
<p>As for cost, I know how much Fordham costs - within dollars of BU and, frankly, about the same as any other quality, private schools. </p>
<p>And because you've ticked me off, here's a story about the dark side of Fordham. I know people who have removed their children from there because the administration did nothing when a well-connected student made threats and then physically ambushed another student because the attacked person was friends with a gay student.</p>
<p>Meanwhile....back to the original OPs question.......</p>
<p>IMO, BU is somewhat underrated. I'm not sure how one could say it's overrated since it's not even ranked in the top 50 yet (I think).</p>