<p>I was accepted to CAS as a biology major, and I’m wondering how good is BU’s biology program? I feel like a degree from BU isn’t worth it because I’d graduate with over $80,000 in debt, plus the school didn’t really appeal to me when I visited. I already committed though (at the behest of my parents). I’ll definitely give BU a chance, but since I’m planning on going to graduate school, I’m seriously thinking of transferring to a state school.</p>
<p>That’s a significant debt to incur for anyone who wasn’t totally enthralled with a college. Where else did you apply? Why didn’t you choose the other schools?</p>
<p>My advice to you is that a college is worth what you put into to it. There has been several people who have posted about the quality of the Biology department. Are you considering a medical or research career after graduating? I am not familiar with the biology department but I will say that since BU is in Boston, you have tremendous amounts of research opportunities with the number of hospitals in Boston as well as the biotech companies in Cambridge. There is also a tremendous amount of research opportunities on BU’s campus both paid and unpaid- some of which may help to reduce your debt. Because of the size of the school and it being in Boston, you will also be able to find jobs that will help reduce your debt.</p>
<p>Did BU seem overwhelming to you when you visited? Although it is a long campus, most of your classes will be in the main central campus. It may not be as pretty as some of the smaller liberal arts colleges or some of the larger universities in the south but it sits right on the esplanade which is beautiful to walk along, to sit and study and there is so much to do in Boston, both historical and recreation wise. Also it is near public transportation that can take you to beaches on the North Shore, South Shore and Cape as well as to the mountains for hiking and skiing. I would say come to BU with an open mind and the willingness to seek out the many activities that BU and Boston has to offer. You might just fall in love with the school.</p>
<p>Thanks for your insight. To be completely honest, I applied to BU only because my parents like it and wanted me to. I applied to schools along the northeast coast and was accepted to some of them. When the time came to choose a college, my parents basically forced me to commit to BU (they paid the deposit during the open-house visit). What I want most from college is a strong undergraduate research program, and I wasn’t too impressed with BU’s labs and the fact that research is focused more on graduates. I could be wrong, though.</p>
<p>I tried searching for posts on BU’s biology program but couldn’t find any. Are they on this site or should I google them? I’m planning on becoming a biomedical research scientist, so I have to go to graduate school for a Ph.D. Boston is great and internships are abound there, but I would rather save that money for graduate school, because a Ph.D will not come at a cheap price.</p>
<p>Sure, college is what I make of it. But that means I can make the most out of any college, especially a college that is significantly cheaper. I know I sound bitter, but it’s hard being open-minded when major life choices were decided for me without my consent.</p>
<p>How about I give BU a fair and honest chance, and if I truly don’t like it after a year, I’ll transfer?</p>
<p>I am sorry you feel like your parents are forcing you into something. I can reassure you, though, that BU is strong in research and has a lot of terrific faculty in the biological/biochemical/bioengineering areas. One thing I thought was great about BU is you are actually able to get to know the professors who teach your classes. They are approachable. If your grades are good and if you do well in courses with a lab component, I am sure you will be able to find a lab in which to do research. Most universities with strong research programs WILL have a lot of graduate students in the labs. That is pretty much what you’ll find almost everywhere unless you are attending a liberal arts college (where you can still get an excellent research experience.)</p>
<p>Grad school in the biological sciences probably won’t cost you too much as PhD programs offer free tuition plus stipends for living expenses. If you end up in grad school in an expensive city, you may have to take out some small loans for living expenses, but if you are frugal, you may not need to.</p>
<p>I graduated from BU some time ago, but I was very successful after. I won an NSF fellowship, went to grad school at UCSF, and later did a postdoc at MIT (and went on to be a professor after.) </p>
<p>Ultimately, it is all in the attitude, and you can do well anywhere if you want to. If you really hate it there and are negative about the program, well, that is setting up an expectation that is not too hard to fulfill.</p>
<p>Your accomplishments are truly impressive and thank you for reassuring me about the cost of graduate school. I found some reviews on the biology program and a common theme among them is that CHEM101 is extremely hard and has a failing class average. Some even accused the professors of practicing grade deflation. But how hard can college-level chemistry be if you study and do the work?</p>
<p>The thing is, I do prefer liberal arts colleges or smaller universities that give more personalized attention to their students. I’d rather work in a lab with my undergraduate friends. So, I’m a little ambivalent towards BU’s large campus–it’s a great campus, but I still prefer a traditional campus setting. </p>
<p>It’s not matter of hating BU, it’s a matter of whether it’ll be a good fit for me. Plus, coming from a very poor family, I’d still rather save that $80k for graduate school and my parents.</p>
<p>Are you a professor at MIT or BU? I want to work in a lab as soon as possible, so I’d like to establish connections now.</p>
<p>Everybody has to take Chem 101 - just about all the science majors, a lot of the engineering majors. If you are decent at chemistry, just take the chem 111, 112 series. It has smaller class sizes. I am not sure if you need to be a chem major to take those or just a good student.</p>
<p>Graduate students can be great and very nurturing to an undergrad. Grad students often are finished with coursework after their first or second year so they are there all the time. Undergrads have to take a lot more classes and to study more, so they can’t spend as much time in the lab. But even though lab members tend to grow close, especially if the lab has a good “culture” – people supportive of each other, an involved professor – it is not a party. The point is to do research, not socialize. As a freshman, you probably won’t be working in a lab, but if you have work-study, see if you can apply for jobs in a bio lab, like washing glassware, etc. That would be a great intro to the lab for a freshman.</p>
<p>It does sound like you will be taking on a lot of debt. So, yes, you are wise to think about the cost. Are you from MA? If so, what would it cost to attend a UMass school?</p>
<p>No, I am not a professor at MIT. I was at one of the University of California campuses. I have changed careers and now work in healthcare.</p>
<p>Chemistry was one of my best and favorite subjects so I’ll definitely heed your advice, but I think I’m limited to CHEM101 as a freshman. </p>
<p>I know labs aren’t “parties” or informal places to socialize. I take research seriously. What I meant was I’d prefer to work in a lab with other undergraduates because we would inspire and motivate each other to continue doing what we enjoy no matter how hectic our schedules can get.</p>
<p>I’ve been working on an experiment involving plant genetics so I’m familiar with biochemical technology and common lab techniques like pipetting, designing primers, running PCRs, gels, minipreps, cloning, etc. I’ll take the initiative and start emailing faculty members over the summer.</p>
<p>I live in NYC so I may look at CUNY’s and SUNY’s. I don’t know the cost of a UMass school, but I might consider one!</p>
<p>You’re not even trying to give BU a chance, if you don’t like it then either don’t go or transfer out.</p>
<p>???
Did you not read the posts? I know they’re pretty long, but I stated plainly that I committed to BU “at the behest of my parents,” meaning they forced me to. I also stated several times that I will give BU a chance. I’m just pretty miffed at my parents, that’s all.</p>
<p>That is a very good idea to initiate contact with professors in the biology and chemistry departments regarding your past research experience. You may find a professor who has expertise in the area that you are interested and who would love to mentor and offer you lab work/research opportunities. However, like LBowie has said in a previous post, you may have to start “small” and based upon your work ethic and interest will probably allow you to gain more research options/opportunities.</p>
<p>In regards to the cost of going to a CUNY/SUNY schools, it may be significantly less but also sometimes public universities lag behind private schools in being up to date with facilities and current research techniques. When my son was looking at colleges, the big selling point of small liberal arts colleges was that since many of them do not offer graduate and PHD degrees, students are able to be involved in research opportunities right away. The problem is, however, because these liberal arts colleges are apt to be in more rural or smaller communities, it can limit your other opportunities.</p>
<p>I think you are on the right track about emailing professors this summer and it does show that you are trying to make BU work for you. However, if it does not work out, you can transfer to another school- even a smaller competitive liberal arts college who may have financial aid to make it comparable to a SUNY/CUNY.</p>
<p>Actually, I just got off the wait list of one of my schools and I’m going there instead. Thank you for your helpful insights and advice!</p>
<p>A good friend’s son went to BU in Biology and is now in a PhD program at the University of Chicago in a related specialty. His graduate school is fully funded and he receives a stipend that’s enough to pay his bills.</p>
<p>He got amazing research internships while at BU, mostly during the summers and now is thriving at a top PhD program. I’d say that speaks well to BU’s Biology program.</p>
<p>I trust the OP thrives wherever he or she attends.</p>
<p>Good that you made another choice - even if BU had been the be all and end all (which it has been so far for our DD) it is pretty hard to appreciate a spot where you have been forced. I am hoping that the new school does not cost as much - that is a life altering amount of debt!!!</p>
<p>Keep plugging on the scholarship front - there are new opportunities for sophomores at many schools.</p>