BU vs Tulane

State Forums
1

<p>I got accepted to both Boston University and Tulane University. Both schools are good and gave me very generous scholarships (BU@$42,000/year, while Tulane gave me the Dean's Honor Scholarship award so is tuition-free), but now I have a very hard decision to make. I want to study in Biomedical Engineering and eventually get into a medical school. It seems BU has a stronger Biomedical Engineering program, and Boston area is big for internship/job opportunities in the Biomedical field. If I were just to study in Biomedical Engineering, I would choose to go with BU for sure, but I am not sure about its pre-Med and how likely I can maintain a good GPA at BU to get me to a Med school.</p>

<p>Tulane has a good Biomedical Engineering program too, but relatively smaller comparing to BU. It seems New Orleans is not that big in Biomedical Engineering areas. If just to stay in the Biomedical Engineering I will prefer to go with BU, but Tulane's pre-Med is strong and very attractive. It seems I will have more assurance at Tulane to get into a Med school at the end of the four years and the four-year ride will pretty much be free.</p>

<p>Financially, the cost of attendance are the same for both schools. So adding in the living, I am looking at about $30,000/year for attending BU, and about $15,000 for attending Tulane.</p>

<p>I am not a fan of city living, so it makes no difference to me between Boston and New Orleans. Mainly looking at academics and helps on my future careers.</p>

<p>My current thought is so not clear as I never visit these two schools before and have no ideas other than web information. Any insights/thoughts/advices are very much appreciated!</p>

<p>Please help! </p>

2

Tulane is much more of a traditional campus feel with quads, space, etc. BU is a lot more city-like. Not sure I understand your financial numbers. BU is $62k all in, so if they’re giving $42k in scholarship money…not sure how you get to $30k/year. It doesn’t cost over $10k to live at either school. Both schools have well respected programs and courses and both can allow you to take a pre-med curricula. Just to say, New Orleans is awesome for a college student. Many opporunities for fun along with studies.

3

BU does not have a campus–it has a sidewalk. If you are not a fan of city life, go for Tulane.

4

I would encourage you to visit both schools before making a decision. There are huge differences between New Orleans and Boston, not the least of which is the weather. Even if you are concentrating on academics–the environment in which you are living can make a huge difference in your comfort and frame of mind. New England winters can be cold and brutal. NOLA can be extremely hot and humid. Those conditions do make a difference for people.