<p>Hello, I'm new here, but currently, I am a senior and I'm trying to decide between Occidental (Jan 2) or BU (Nov 1) for early decision.
Here are the factors I'm really considering:
BU-
I just visited and love the city, but I heard the winters can get cold and I'm from california; I'm not used to east coast winters
~18000 people, but it seems like it's going to be hard to compete with the other students and stand out to grad schools
the sheer number also suggests that it's going to be hard to contact teachers for extra help</p>
<p>Occidental-
I visited a few times, and both times the campus looked empty. Nobody was there both on the schoolday visit and the weekend visit.
the campus seems so secluded, even though they are supposed to be 5 minutes from LA
although theres only ~2000 people, it seems I may have a better time keeping up given that it'll be easier finding extra help from the teachers
I've been going to boarding school in Socal for all of high school so I'm familiar with the area and the weather</p>
<p>As the title says, I'm considering biology and would like to research/study stem cells. I'm interested on how their research opportunities compare and which school would give me a higher chance of getting the most options for picking a grad school.
I don't know much about how their actual biology programs compare either and if theres information on that I'd love it.
Same with student life. It's an important factor, and I'd appreciate information on that</p>
<p>ED is only appropriate for a school that is your clear first choice.</p>
<p>Have you determined that net cost after non-loan financial aid is likely to be affordable for each school (and any others you may be applying to)? This is especially relevant given that the major you intend is a relatively low paying major, so heavy student loan debt would be a bad idea.</p>
<p>Sorry, I’m not entirely up on abbreviations. BU = Boston University? I believe that BU has good life-science and premed things a lot of which is because of its med school.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t think, too, that you could go wrong with studying life sciences at Oxy. Btw, Oxy is in LA, the eastern Eagle Rock part. You’re close to a lot of stuff that LA has to offer, and if you don’t want to stray too far from campus, East LA definitely has stuff for you to do.</p>
<p>Edit: If you chose Oxy, you wouldn’t be far from Griffith Park Observatory, and Silverlake has a lot of things going on, as well as Hollywood.</p>
<p>If I may read between the lines, OP sounds like he/she would like the city of Boston because the area where Oxy is located, ‘seems so secluded of things to do’ and BU because at Oxy, ‘Nobody was there both on the schoolday visit and the weekend visit.’ So in other words, Oxy may pull ahead and therefore be a good candidate for ED, but for the sociable aspects. OP: There are things to do at Oxy, don’t worry, and your social life will be okay.</p>
<p>But if you’re really feeling BU, go for it.</p>
<p>Yes, thank you drax.
I’m mainly trying to see which one has a stronger biology program, but again Oxy looks empty, and Boston seems like a great town. However, in the case that Oxy has a stronger biology program, research opportunities, etc, it would be my first choice. The academics are my first priority.</p>
<p>I’m considering ed for one of the two because I would be perfectly happy going to either one of these. They are by far my two favorites.</p>
<p>That to me is the (obvious) point. The OP cannot separate the two. (LAC vs. urban Uni. Great college City vs. LA.) And since the OP is asking the question, s/he should not ED period. IMO, ED is for that really strong number one.</p>
<p>OP:</p>
<p>Bio is about as basic a major as you will find. By definition, any college that calls itself a college will do bio well enough for grad school. With an engineering program (=strong physical sciences) and med school (strong life sciences), BU easily has the “stronger” biology program. But that doesn’t mean it is right for YOU. Perhaps, a small intimate classroom setting is more to your liking?</p>