So I visited BU in April, and I loved it! A lot of people have been telling me though, that there is no campus. For me, a beautiful campus is a very important factor (especially with 60k+ in tuition… but thats another topic). I only toured central campus where com and BU beach is, and it seemed pretty nice and like a classic college campus. But how is areas like west campus? Does it take a long time to walk from each side to the other? Does it still feel like youre at a college and not just roaming about a city? I toured Northeastern too and I felt their campus was more central to everything, but it had less personality (very modern and dull). I know this isnt the biggest factor but it would help if someone would let me know!
BU has 3 T Stops on the same line. That means if you have to go from one side to the other, you would have to walk in line past two stations. That should tell you a bit about its length. It’s probably around 15 minutes from side to side officially, including student hotspots it’s probably closer to 20.
I’m a Northeastern student but also toured BU. While you will certainly spend time walking at BU, it’s not as bad as people make it seem. I certainly didn’t choose against it for it’s campus. At NEU, you will have at least a 5 minute walk to most places, and at max 10. So there’s a bit of a difference, but chances are you won’t be doing the full length of the BU campus every time you walk. Chances are it will average out a bit higher, maybe by 5 minutes though.
You will feel like you’re at BU when you’re in BU areas. I did on the tour alone, and anytime I was in the area recently. Same goes for NEU and its student hotspots.
That said, the look between them is not that different. I don’t consider BU to have that much more personality. They’re both pretty modern buildings in urban areas with classic northeast apartments around them, many being dorms even for both. BU has a few more unique ones perhaps, but overall they are very similar.
Actually there are 6 T stops on BU’s campus. The campus isn’t traditional but I think we still have one. Athough it seems really open 98% of people you come across on Comm Ave are students, professors or involved with BU in some way so there is a community. I lived in West campus and its definitely a good 20 minute walk - depending on how fast you walk- to get to central campus. It doesn’t feel like you’re roaming the city at all