<p>I heard that Harvard and MIT students look down upon Boston College students. Is that true?</p>
<p>In general, how is Boston College perceived ?</p>
<p>Who cares what they or any one else thinks.</p>
<p>I do. That’s why I asked the question :)</p>
<p>You are probably asking the wrong question. In general, you might think that Harvard students look down on everyone, including Yalies (but that is for competitive reasons). MIT is a tech school, primarily, so it’s only possible competition is other top eng programs, such as Stanford, Cal-Berkeley and Caltech. </p>
<p>Sooo, in a sense, Harvard & MIT students rule the pecking order of college students in Boston. However, I doubt seriously whether they look down on others students – sure, a few might, but in the main, they are just students like everyone else.</p>
<p>BC is a great college, but it’s religious connection tends to dampen its prestige among the nonsectarian academe voters in USNews (peer assessment). IMO, the other Catholic colleges, like Georgetown and Notre Dame, and religious colleges such as BYU, might be ranked higher if their mission did not include religion.</p>
<p>Like Harvard doesn’t look down on everyone …:)</p>
<p>I’m from Massachusetts and everyone that I’ve spoken to perceives it as a great school with a great education that only the amazing students get into.</p>
<p>As for Harvard and MIT kids, I’m pretty sure they look down on everyone. 
I think a lot of people who end up attending these schools used BC as a safety, because it’s obviously a lot easier to get into- so they do probably look down on it a bit. But it’d be the same no matter where you went!</p>
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<p>Is that the way people from other parts of the country perceive BC? I’ve heard that BC has a good reputation in Massachusetts but it’s thanks to its sports teams.</p>
<p>How many college presidents do you know are sport fanatics? 25 percent of US News rankings is based on peer assessment. If deans and president of universities across the country considers BC a top tier school in their assessments, then they do so on a host of reasons, sports aren’t one of them. </p>
<p>People are gross overestimating the effect of sports has on the academic value and prestige of colleges and universities. LSU won two national football championships within this decade and it’s a third-tier school in US News. Rice is one of the top universities in the nation and has yet to win a major football, basketball, or hockey championship.</p>
<p>Ron1,my advice to you if you are looking at colleges and universities in the upcoming months, don’t look at prestige at the main factor. Most of my professors earned their undergraduate degrees at institutions I have never heard of before getting their Ph.Ds at top grad. schools. Consider the location, the kind of students, the academic field you’re interested, and most importantly, the money offered in FA. A degree from Harvard and one from Umass-Boston both only bring you as far as you are willing to go and work.</p>
<p>Take one step on that incredible campus and you won’t care who looks down on it. We’re from California and everyone here knows what a wonderful school BC is. The last thing on your criteria for college choices should be what students at other schools think of a college. The school has to fit you, not the student body of Harvard.</p>
<p>ron1 (OP): Your life is going to be miserable if you spend it wondering only about status and money and perception. My uncle went to Harvard and he’s an idiot who I am pretty sure makes less than my state-school-grad Dad. What does that prove? Actually nothing. Which is my point. </p>
<p>Life doesn’t work the way I think you think it does. (which, by the way, I am planning to have printed onto a bumper sticker so i can affix it on my crap-box car)</p>
<p>How do I tell what the students at BC are like? (I don’t want to make a decision based on stereotypes)</p>
<p>Actually visit the campus and get a feel for the school. Talk to a few students while you’re around to get a feel of what BC is all about.</p>
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<p>No, it’s not true; Harvard and MIT students don’t spend any time at all thinking about Boston College students.</p>
<p>Harvard and MIT students don’t really care about BC. I go to BC, and I don’t really care about my safety schools. </p>
<p>As far as getting a feel for what the kids are like, go to campus and talk to people, but be aware that there are 9100 undergrads. It’s hard to categorize all or even most of them.</p>
<p>I can see why MIT students wouldn’t think about BC students, but given that BC has a reputation for being a catholic ivy I thought there was some rivalry between Harvard and BC.</p>
<p>I’m sure the people at Harvard and MIT are not that busy thinking about us. Seriously, people are ALWAYS going to look down on others; weight, height, skin tone, income…</p>
<p>This is a ridiculous and unnecessary thread. Boston College is a fantastic school.</p>
<p>I asked the question because I don’t think I’d feel comfortable going to school in a town where there are going to be intelligent people looking down on me just because of the school I go to. I think that perhaps I’d be happier going to a small school in the middle of nowhere.</p>
<p>I am torn between thinking you are goofing on us and that your question is sincere.</p>
<p>In certain groups going to BC, Notre Dame or Georgetown trumps any Ivy. Hardcore Catholic circles. I doubt if anyone from Harvard or MIT is losing sleep about that (and it is true).</p>
<p>As others have noted, life will be long and arduous for anyone who thinks about the faceless masses and “what they might think” of a choice. You could go to a small school in the mdidle of nowhere and THE LOCALS might think you’re an assm==nch. Seriously dude.</p>
<p>If you are smart enough to have a shot at BC or Harvard, you must get a grip and let go right now of pleasing strangers with your choice of school.</p>
<p>ALso be prepared for really smart kids enrolled at State schools even as we speak to be your boss, or the guy you aspire to be in the next decades. I never make the mistake of thinking education alone predicts future economic and real world success. Bill Gates IS NOT a college graduate-what a loser!</p>
<p>There is a fundamental difference between Bill Gates and I: he is a genius; I am not. In my case, dropping out of college is career suicide. In my case, going to a good school can only compensate for my lack of innate talent. It is true that a degree from a big name school doesn’t guarantee career success, but, clearly, it certainly can’t hurt. Besides, what about my self-esteem? I think I’d rather have a degree from my dream school and a so-so career than a degree from an average school and a slightly better career. (Of course, it’s not like going to an average school will increase the likelihood I’ll have a better career…)</p>
<p>^… Seriously? A diploma that says “Harvard” is a pierce of paper that no one except you will ever really care about. A career is a huge part of your life for the REST of your life. Do you think Bill Gates ever says “Well, I love my job, but I wish I could trade it all for a fancy and prestigious diploma”. </p>
<p>I think you have a lot of growing up to do before you are ready for ANY college.</p>