Hi all!
So like a lot of others, I’ve recently received a lot of my decisions. I had my mind set on Boston really early on because I really enjoy the city and the environment there. I applied EA to Emerson College for Journalism and got accepted (thankfully!). I then applied to BU, Northeastern and NYU to “see if luck strikes”. By some miracle I not only got accepted to BU and Northeastern, but I also got into the Honors Program for Emerson which means they’re offering me a half tuition scholarship!
Since I didn’t expect myself to get in at all, I’m now stuck choosing between 3 very amazing schools. Can any one share their knowledge and experiences with these schools to help me with my choices? I know I’m definitely going to stay in Communications, but I have no idea which school has the best program and which one would help me get more experience and internships.
I’m an international student who’s in the IB Diploma programme, so I’m used to heavy work load and a busy lifestyle. Although I don’t work very well in competitive and stressful environments. I’m hoping to choose a school that has a chill vibe and friendly people who would motivate me to improve everyday!
Any comments are much appreciated! Thanks for helping 
First, you’ve got a great decision ahead with 3 great schools to choose from. Congrats!
What are your preferences in terms of campus, feel, size, academic diversity etc? Do you know you prefer one of these schools to the other?
Do you like the idea of NEU’s co-op program? How important is that level of experience?
Academically for communications, BU and Emerson will be the better choices, but NEU has a solid department and with 3 schools of this caliber, fit should be a decent factor. BU offers an incredible academic program (best of the three arguably over Emerson), and Emerson offers incredible resources and an amazing alumni network. NEU’s advantage would be the co-op program.
Emerson will have less academic and social diversity as a very specific type of school while BU and NEU not only have academic and social diversity but also have a lot of international students who will be in a similar situation as you. On the other hand, Emerson has that “chill vibe” between the three for sure. BU will be the toughest academically.
Without considering fit (since I don’t know your preferences), I would say BU/Emerson is your best bet.
So, what are your thoughts of the fit of the three schools?
@PengsPhils Thanks for the reply! Didn’t think anyone would at all I think I would be fine with narrowing my choices down to BU and Emerson. I know that they both have strong programs but a very different environment!
From my perspective, I see Emerson as a great opportunity since I will have the Honors classes, more focused study and great connections. The bad side is the lack of diversity in the school which might make it hard for me to fit in, the small range of activities and club they provide, and (quite honestly) the ranking of the school. My family is quite big on the “name and fame” of the uni and are hesitant about my interest in Emerson. The only thing that might convince them is the financial help.
I know that BU is great academically and can definitely motivate me to be more competitive than others, but from that I’ve also heard that the people there are quite “snobby” or pretentious. Though I don’t know how true that is at all. Going to BU might also make me stand out less, but I think that can be balanced out from the wide range of possibilities in terms of social activities and finding friends. The biggest concern I have now is the high cost it takes for me to attend.
But in terms of experience (internships, jobs, connections… etc), would you say BU is stronger at that field or Emerson? Since getting a job in communications is usually all about your experience and the people you know.
http://www.bu.edu/today/2015/accolades-for-the-college-of-communication/ If you got into the School of Communications, looks like this survey ranks them Emerson and then BU. BUT it’s one ranking. These schools are very different. Emerson is small and lots of focus on theatre, communications and the arts. BU is large with multiple colleges and as a result you would have lots more choice for elective courses, more people to meet, etc. Both I’d guess have very strong connections for internships in the field. It’s more about size than prestige in the field of communications that distinguishes them, I think. Both are strong.
My cousin’s daughter is an international student studying communications at BU and is loving her experience. If costs are comparable, I would give it extra consideration as the communications program is very strong.
I haven’t been able to visit! I’ve only been to Boston twice and it’s both during summer, so the schools weren’t open.l But thank you all so much for your comments! Gonna be such a hard choice cause I love both schools sooooo much 
I’m currently a BU freshman student in COM and I’m loving it, there are so many different options of concentrations you can pursue in COM and the professors are so nice and passionate about what they’re teaching. If you have any questions about BU as a whole or COM feel free to ask!