<p>Last month, I was accepted as a Trustee Scholar at BU in the UNI program and I paid my deposit soon afterwards because it was my best option and I adore the idea of the UNI program. I had originally been wanting to go to WashU, but I was told by them that I was not chosen as a recipient of any scholarships, however, this morning, a letter arrived in the mail with a $27,500/yr merit scholarship and a request that I reconsider. </p>
<p>Well, I am rethinking it and the money, $11,000/yr more at WashU, now is not enough to make a difference in my choice, however, I do wonder if there is anyone who has any input on the quality and advantages of the UNI program as I still feel a bit clueless. I want to study a mixture of politics/health economics/developmental econ/Arabic and I know both schools have good programs in each, but WashU’s polisci program was recently ranked 1 in the nation by the THES. While there is not an Arabic major at BU, there are classes and a study abroad. The differences in the student body are also something that I have been told to think about, but I really don’t know what the student body is like at BU as I never visited! </p>
<p>I have to choose on Tuesday if I want to pull my decision from BU and enrol in Wash- so I am bit pressed for time and would love some advice!</p>
<p>Oh gosh this is a tought one. I wish you had been able to visit, but I see you are in Wales and I'm sure it maybe wasn't an option.</p>
<p>All I can tell you about UNI is that my friends in it absolutely love it. The freedom in the program is like something you probably can't find anywhere else. You very much can study WHATEVER you want. It's also very small with only 100 students, so you get a lot of personal attention. </p>
<p>Hopefully someone else cana give you more info about the areas.</p>
<p>UNI is a special program, so the comparison is not Washington University versus BU but against something special. I would take Wash U over regular BU but not versus UNI.</p>
<p>If you are in the UK, do you know much about St. Louis? I don't normally say much about cities, but St. Louis is one of the most hurting places in the US. The school is near a large park, etc. but the city itself is a real mess, with extreme poverty and one of the most boring downtowns in the US.</p>
<p>If by chance you are from there, then sorry but it's true. Parts of the suburbs are truly beautiful but the city is a shell of its former glory.</p>
<p>Yes, I have been to St Louis many times and I do agree. In terms of location, Boston is perfect because I am a city girl (from Chicago) and there is a large network of the UWC graduates/friends in the area, which would be fantastic so I can stay connected after I leave here. </p>
<p>Thank you for the advice- my counselor here is reminds me every day of his desire that I go to WashU and I feel like I have nothing positive coming from BU's side!</p>
<p>I don't know your counselor but he could have reasons for wanting you to go to Wash U, reasons that have nothing to do with BU. Since they're making an effort to recruit you, he might feel it would benefit your high school for future Wash U admissions if you went. When they list where students go, Wash U shows up and that is more prestigious on its face because the UNI program doesn't show on the list - and most people in Chicago don't know about it (or BU) generally.</p>
<p>Considering that you want to do cross-discipline learning, UNI is perfect for you. Direct teaching from great minds, motivated and intelligent students, creating your own major, UNI housing, etc. </p>
<p>I agree with loslobos71. My friend was defered from WashU and applied EDII to BU (she had always thought that she wanted to go to WashU, so didn't really look anywhere else) and after doing some research and talking with professors, she is thrilllllled that she gets to go to BU.
Boston's so much better than St. Louis, anyways!</p>
<p>I declined WashU today- three cheers for going to BU! After thinking it over- I do want to be in a smaller community and somewhere that I can explore and discover like UNI. Thanks for the help!</p>
<p>UWC, the United World Colleges, are (copied from our website): United World Colleges is unique. It is the only global educational movement that brings together students from all over the world – selected on personal merit, irrespective of race, religion, politics and the ability to pay – with the explicit aim of fostering peace and international understanding.</p>
<p>Students and staff from many different nationalities and a wide variety of backgrounds form vibrant and enthusiastic communities as they live and work together. High academic standards, a strong emphasis on community service and a wide range of cultural and outdoor activities are all part of the challenge and excitement of a UWC education.</p>
<p>And the best thing that has ever happened to me- so if you know any students 15-16 years old who want to explore the world and study abroad fully paid for...</p>
<p>Congratulations. I'm sure you'll enjoy BU and Boston. </p>
<p>I was walking on the river this evening. The cherry, crab apple and ornamental pear trees were all in bloom. The magnolias that line the streets of Back Bay have already lost most of their blossoms. The sun was setting, but the light was still shining off the towers downtown. You could see the green clouds of new leaves against the slopes of Beacon Hill.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I was walking on the river this evening. The cherry, crab apple and ornamental pear trees were all in bloom. The magnolias that line the streets of Back Bay have already lost most of their blossoms. The sun was setting, but the light was still shining off the towers downtown. You could see the green clouds of new leaves against the slopes of Beacon Hill.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>That could totally be the start of a sappy college essay for BU...</p>
<p>Boston in the summer is a terrific place. I recommend to BU students that they try to stick around for at least one summer, whether taking classes or working. The city is much quieter and there are a ton of outdoor activities, from free concerts and movies on the Esplanade (and City Hall Plaza and in Copley and . . .) to food festivals, etc.</p>
<p>Any thoughts on GW vs. BU (arts & sciences). My D just got admitted from BU's waitlist and has to decide between the 2 by this Friday (we love Boston and used to live there, but ignoring the city, is BU a better choice than GW?)</p>
<p>Do a forum search--- there have been many threads comparing BU and GW. Crazed, if your son is not attending BU, why are you hanging around this board bashing the school?</p>
<p>I'm posting responses about these posts because I'm hoping that crazed will get the point and leave the BU forum. Crazed's son did not get a sufficient merit scholarship from BU according to the stats that crazed posted. This means that BU must suck and this point must be made over and over even though crazed has no actual knowledge of BU. It's childish, yes, and I'll say it again: I would expect more from a Spartan.</p>