Help with UT vs. BU

<p>Hi, I was admitted to both University of Texas and Boston University. </p>

<p>I'm planning to major in either chem, maths, or comp sci. I've visited UT and met with the head of the Comp Sci department and attended a lecture by one of the maths faculty and thoroughly enjoyed both events. The head of the comp sci dept was very friendly, and talked a lot about how undergrads get to work on projects there. The maths lecture was very cool, and was a proof in the form of game so it was really enjoyable. At UT I'd also pay about 40K over 4 years. </p>

<p>I was admitted to BU though, which I mainly applied for due to its wide range of majors and placement in Boston. I've always wanted to live in a large city, and it seems like it would be a great experience. However due to my non-custodial parent being unwilling to release information, my financial aid application was considered incomplete by BU. BU's website puts the cost of attendance for one year at 57K, more than 4 years at UT. </p>

<p>Would a chem, comp ci, or maths degree from UT be considered better than one from BU for grad school? What about transfer to MIT?</p>

<p>40K over 4 yrs for the better school makes sense to me.</p>

<p>Degrees from either school can get you where you want. Both are in great, albeit different, cities and FWIW the population of Austin is about 30% larger than Boston.</p>

<p>UT, BU is overrated in my opinion, plus Boston isn’t as great as it sounds if you’re under 21.</p>

<p>I agree that UT is a better school than BU and cost wise it is perfect. But cltdad, you should do some research before giving population figures. Metro area population is what is meaningful:</p>

<p>Boston Population

  • City 617,594 ('10 census)
  • Density 12,752/sq mi (4,924/km2)
  • Urban 4,032,484 ('00 census)
  • Metro 4,522,858 ('08 est.)
  • CSA 7,609,358 ('09 est.)
  • Demonym Bostonian </p>

<p>Austin Population (2010)

  • City 790,390 (15th)
  • Density 1,207.2/km2 (3,126.6/sq mi)
  • Metro 1,716,291 (35th)
  • Demonym Austinite</p>

<p>Source: Wikipedia</p>

<p>^^^Austin just keeps annexing land as it grows.</p>

<p>Actually Tom, I did look up the city population figures that you quoted. Since the colleges are actually in the city I think that is the more relevant data to the college student than the metro area since metro areas extend far beyond where the college student is likely to go. I don’t think Framingham’s contribution to the metro population of Boston is likely to be of much import to a student going to school in Boston.</p>

<p>Thanks for your input guys. I paid my deposit to UT yesterday.</p>