<p>I'm a Mass resident looking to study English lit in college. I love the Boston area and I'm shocked to find that despite it's reputation for great schools, I can't really find anything that's a fit for me and strong in my major. Like 99.99% of the rest of the world I'm not at the Harvard/MIT level. What would fit me in Boston?</p>
<p>My stats: SAT 2310, CR 800, M 740, W 770. I only took it once so this isn't super-scored.
Class rank 4th in a class of about 300.
Freshman GPA was a 91.9, Sophomore 94, Junior 95.9, which averages out to an unweighted 93.96. SAT II US History 800, planning to take Literature in October.
AP Tests: 5 in English Language and Composition, US History, and Chem
Senior Schedule: AP Literature and Comp, AP Psychology, AP Calculus AB, AP Spanish, Physics, and two extra English classes, one honors.
ECs- Odyssey of the Mind 2 years, paid work 12-20 hours a week at the same store for 2.5 years, school's literary and art magazine 2 years (I hope to lead as editor next year), NHS 2 years, Spanish NHS 2 years, Multicultural Society Club 3 years
recipient of the school's Harvard Book Award for most promising junior
white, unfortunately
STRONG recommendations and (I think) well written, revealing essays</p>
<p>Sorry if this thread is out of place and thanks for the advice!</p>
<p>I’m female but I’m not sure about a women’s college. I’m also not sure about a religious school (BC) in the humanities. I’d like to be able to discuss religion as a construct of society and speak freely about it; would that kind of attitude be crushed at a religious school? </p>
<p>Tufts is becoming a really great/highly selective school. Does anyone know how it is in the humanities? Same for BU. Are they too preprofessional?</p>
<p>Religion at BC is not oppressive. Visit the school and talk to non-Catholic students there. You live near Boston so spend some time at these campuses. </p>
<p>Tufts is not very pre-professional, BU is, thus I listed it as a lesser option.</p>
<p>You may, however, want to start thinking about how your love of literature will prepare you for life after college.</p>
<p>Thanks for the recommendations. I might not have checked out BC but you’re right, how much effort would it be to visit the campus? I want to go to grad school after college. I
know the importance of a career I just want something more out of my education than being trained for a high paying job. And you can do a lot with an English degree! </p>
<p>Does anyone know anything more about Tufts?</p>
<p>I think you definitely ought to apply to Tufts. It’s competitive, but your stats will put you in the mix for sure. True to its liberal arts roots, there’s a strong English program, but also lots of other classes you can take on the side to make your resume stronger for jobs (great comp sci and Econ departments too).</p>
<p>BC is a Jesuit school. Jesuits are well known for training students to think for themselves, and having open minds. Quite the opposite of a repressive atmosphere.</p>
<p>You should definitely take a shot at Harvard. And you should not disregard Wellesley, which will likely be stronger in English than any of your other Boston area choices, besides Harvard. Wellesley has cross-registration with MIT, as well as several other schools. Wellesley has a very strong alumnae network, and its graduates are movers and shakers in many fields and walks of life. Not to mention the fact that the campus is gorgeous. :)</p>
<p>BC recently decided to hang a crucifix in every classroom. They are apparently emphasizing the fact that they are a Catholic school, Jesuit or not. If you are fine with that, okay. I wouldn’t be.</p>
<p>I know this sounds like Par72, but College of the Holy Cross is only an hour from Boston. They’re terrific in the Classics and in English Literature.</p>