Carnegie Mellon vs. BC?

[mshi94]

<p>Hi, I'm having some trouble deciding between BC and CMU. A lot of trouble actually. </p>

<p>I love Carnegie Mellon because it's so academically rigorous that its bound to change you as a person. Plus, I don't think I'd be able to slack off if I tried, or at least, that's what I've heard. The social life isn't too great, but I've also heard that the experience is what you make of it, and I plan on going Greek, so the social life shouldn't be too bad. Combine that with the diversity of kids coming from all over the world, AND with so many Nobel Laureates, AND with a safe campus and encouraged double-majoring, I feel like I'd be happy in such a friendly environment with so many opportunities to shine academically. Plus, I was admitted into both the SHS and QSSS programs, which are very selective and source of pride in themselves. </p>

<p>But I'd be lacking in the typical college experience, and I know it sounds stupid, but I feel as if I would be lacking in adventures there. It's just a gut feeling, nothing to really back it up, so I guess that's extremely illogical and sort of presumptuous of me to say. But the student population worries me too. There's the stereotype that the kids there are strange and withdrawn and too nerdy, and though I'm sure that isn't the case, I'm a little wary because of the fact that stereotypes do develop for a reason. Plus, I hate the campus (no offense), but I feel like I could get used to it. It's a school for exceptionally hard workers, and I'm the farthest thing from a hard worker. </p>

<p>And is Carnegie good for what I want to do, as compared to BC? I know its primarily a technical science/math school, but I'm really not into that, so I feel like I don't even belong at Carnegie. I'm a prospective Econ major, and plan on dabbling in Creative Writing too, so would that be better at BC or at Carnegie?</p>

<p>BC is great too, albeit not as highly ranked as Carnegie Mellon. It has a beautiful campus, Boston is right next door, and because there are so many other universities around, I could expand my social network and meet/party with kids from MIT, Tufts, Northeastern, etc...Plus I absolutely love their school spirit, and the fact that I would be able to go to a football game and chant for the Eagles with my classmates makes me so happy. Their liberal arts program is reputable, and I would have a great social life, plus a manageable workload, and potentially more abundant internships, but I'm not sure about that one really. </p>

<p>And then, there's the idea of stereotypes again. Rich, white, Catholic, preppy snobs, where Asians are segregated into their own little groups without a say in whether or not it happens to them. Of course, again, this can't be completely true. But I also haven't researched BC much. I don't really know anything about it. Plus the fact that it's almost 10 places lower than Carnegie in terms of rank doesn't help either, coupled with the fact that I wasn't offered admission into their honors program.....doesn't bode well for my pride. I wouldn't be able to live it down if I rejected Carnegie's scholar offers for BC's nothing. </p>

<p>I've also been told that I would not do well at Carnegie, that I'm more of a BC kid in my demeanor than I am a Carnegie kid. But that is also arguable, and I'm sure I would find people like me no matter where I go. </p>

<p>When I walked onto the CMU campus, truth be told, I was uncomfortable. But at the end of three hours, when I walked off, I found myself being able to see myself there, and even found myself wanting to go back to explore some more. I felt "the feeling" in the last two minutes I was there.</p>

<p>When I walked onto the BC campus, I loved it right away. I could see myself walking down the stairs and just romping through the campus and up and over everything, and it was a great feeling, even if it was raining and freezing when I visited (depressing weather is also a no-no for BC). </p>

<p>Essentially, I've already decided on Carnegie. 80%. But I always find myself doubting everything, and wanting to go back to BC. I could see myself living at Carnegie, but I could see myself wanting to scramble back to Boston. </p>

<p>The scariest part of everything is that depending on which college I choose in the end, I will become a different person. There's a BC me, and there's a CMU me. Which one is happier, which one has less regrets, and which one would I rather be? </p>

<p>So, my head says Carnegie, and so does my family and half of my friends. My gut says BC, and so do half of my friends. Which do I listen to, and why?</p>

<p>Sorry for the long post, this is just been killing me for the past couple of weeks. Please offer me some advice :(</p>

[brightdreams]

<p>I can at least tell you that we have an awesome econ department. Klepper actually won the equivalent of a noble prize in economics and according to the USN rankings CMU is 19th for econ whereas BC is only 31st. The CMU experience is really what you make of it. Going greek does definitely help with social aspect of things, but it really isn’t a state school. A lot of my friends that want harder parties go down the road to Pitt though which is a bigger party school with more attractive people. I honestly believe that you should go where makes you the happiest though. I was also between CMU and BC, but CMU gave me more money and when I came to CMU I just fell in love. I made friends even during my visit day and saw myself in this environment. You shouldn’t just settle for a college though. I know that if I loved as school even if it wasn’t as high ranked I probably would have chosen it. I had been wait-listed at Penn when I came to visit CMU but after leaving this campus I didn’t even want to pursue that waitlist because I knew I wanted to be here. </p>

<p>Your college decision dictates the person you will become and the experiences you will have for the next 4 years. I honestly doubt the difference in finding a job will even be that big when you do graduate. I know plenty of CMU students with engineering degrees even struggling to find work. So don’t think that one school will necessarily help you more with that than the other. I personally love CMU, but if you don’t and you’d rather be elsewhere, you should do it.</p>

[bruno123]

<p>CMU’s economics department is among the best (top 20) in the country and very prestigious. In fact, it ranks higher in international rankings like ARWU (13th) than in national rankings like USN&WR. Creative writing is also a great major at CMU. I have no doubt that you would get a more rigorous education at CMU than at BC.</p>

[barbarakb]

<p>mishi94 did you decide? My daughter struggling with the same dilemma…</p>

[meadow8]

<p>To be honest, you sound more aligned to BC than CMU. You seem to have some preconceived notions about things like the social life at CMU. I had an awesome social life there, but I was in CFA. It is a nerd school, well actually a mix of nerds, artsy types, independent thinkers, etc. But that’s what we all loved about it and that’s what it should be embraced for. It’s not a Greek school by any means or a sports school. But it doesn’t mean people don’t have fun. And for sure, you work hard. It’s a school filled with passionate people, those who are very dedicated to what they’re studying. Perfectionists to some degree. People are more competitive with themselves than with each other. I think you might very well dislike it there if you are not the studying type. It’s not a school where you can coast by by any means. All I know of BC is that my sister got in and attended for 6 months before leaving. She found it very preppy, catty, snobby… and she’s a complete prep compared to me! Best of luck. I think whatever you choose, go into it with an open mind. I look back at my time at CMU as some of the most formative years of my life. And the circle of friends I’ve made there is still extremely strong. Once you make it through CMU together, you’re friends for life ;)</p>