<p>I have an almost 17 year old choosing between essentially two schools</p>
<p>Boston University, Assumption College, and Providence College. Providence was her first choice, but the financial aid package they gave was beyond our means We are attempting to appeal the financial aid at PRovidence, but I'm not sure how far we will get.</p>
<p>Assumption she got a merit scholarship. We know people there. It's half an hour from home.. The least amount of debt compared to everywhere else she applied, but it's not free). She is very bright... and I think she would do well there.. We know other kids that go there, and she really likes them. There are opportunities there for travel and possibly teaching if she stays through the second year. My only concern with sending her there might be that she would not get all the opportunities that she would get at other places... </p>
<p>BU - she was accepted there, and they have wonderful facilities and wonderful programs. She would start with the core.. If I had to choose, I would say they have a lot more to offer than Assumption.. However, I am a little afraid of someone like her getting lost there... though with their core program, I am hoping we could avoid this. Her brother is also going there next year. My idea for her was to start at a place like Assumption and then transfer out to a place like BU, once she knew her field. She is looking at anything from Art historian/restoration to being a high school or college humanities teacher to speech and language pathology to occupational therapy to optometry.. </p>
<p>In the meanwhile we are revisiting both places.. and hope to have a decision by the end of next week. </p>
<p>Did she get a scholarship from BU? If she transfers in later, she won’t get any scholarship money. </p>
<p>If she likes BU and wants to end up there (and you can afford it), I would think she’d be better off starting there and being part of everything from the beginning, especially since you have some concerns about her “getting lost” a little. She’ll be better off being a freshman with everyone else and making those early freshman dorm friends. Being a little shy will not help her in two years when she transfers in and everyone already knows each other and are familiar with the school - she’ll be even more left out.</p>
<p>Chances are if she goes ahead and starts at the one she likes and wants to graduate from, she’ll bloom in confidence and feel a part of everything by the end of freshman year.</p>
<p>Ditto. If she has aid at BU, I would suggest starting there. I have a nephew there who is absolutely thriving, and know several kids from our town who have loved it. Starting as a freshman would be important in a place like BU: they have orientation, freshman dorms and activities and classes, and she would start off with everyone else. I would think transferring in would mean a lonely time when first on campus. BU has so many opportunities, including allied health for the last three areas you mention, and great art, history and English departments.</p>
<p>She did not get a presidential or trustee scholarship. She did get some aid… She does not want to transfer out of wherever she goes. Since we are revisiting on Monday, we called the “Core” department, and she is going to sit in on some classes there, and we are talking to financial aid people…</p>
<p>I went to BU many moons ago. Although it may sound overwhelming large now, the fact is there are many smaller colleges that make up the university. For example, I studied OT and that is in the Sargent College of Allied Health Professions. I got to know all the other health profession students within my college, but also had access to classes in all the other colleges. For me, it was the perfect combination, in that I made many close friends within that school, but was able to explore so many opportunities that BU has to offer. The School of Fine Arts would also feel the same, I’m sure.</p>
<p>Also, our dorm floor was very friendly, and we all watched out for one another. I agree that being a transfer student can be difficult for someone who is not naturally outgoing.</p>
<p>BU is also more highly regarded outside of MA than Assumption, IMHO. If you are worried at all about the city, BU is in a great section of Boston (quite possibly the best location of all the Boston schools?) It is safe and stimulating.</p>
<p>she could have less debt and go cheaper if she goes to Assumption…<br>
I am wondering how important a 'name" school is especially if someone is undecided on their field, and might very well go onto grad school… </p>
<p>I think unless the “name” is an Ivy or equivalent (eg MIT), or name in the locality that student hopes to work in (eg Georgia Tech), the name is not so important. Just my two cents.</p>
<p>The quality of education and the diversity of people that she will meet at BU are far superior to Assumption. However, if she wants a small school, and does not want to be at a school where the T runs down the middle of the campus, I would pick Assumption.</p>