NYU vs. Boston College (Arts and Sciences)

<p>Hi everyone. I'm new to this forum and I just wanted to get some opinions about NYU and Boston College which are the two schools I'm debating between going to. I was accepted into the College of Arts and Sciences for a Biology major in both schools. For NYU, I was offered $7,500 a year as well as the Presidential Scholars Program (which I'm not that familiar about). BC did not offer me any of these things.</p>

<p>As of now, I'm leaning toward NYU because I feel like it is more prestigious and has a better science department (is this true?). Also, when I visited NYU it seemed much more refined than BC, and the area was always bustling with people.</p>

<p>The one problem I have with NYU is its lack of a college campus. Sometimes I feel that New York City is very intimidating. BC's campus is very beautiful, but then again apparently it is very quiet and empty during the winter. NYU also lacks a big sports program which doesn't really bother me too much, but I would like places to toss a football or frisbee with friends and attend occasional sports games.</p>

<p>If you guys could give me any input with pros and cons of BC and NYU that would be greatly appreciated!</p>

<p>If you're doing Pre-Med then BC would be nice. BC has a very high med school placement rate.</p>

<p>I think you've nailed the differences - with one exception. Check out the core curriculum at both places. Most Jesuit schools (like BC) are pretty restrictive, with the result that in your first 2 years there is hardly any room for electives. I don't know what it is at NYU. ANother big difference is that BC is a catholic institution and a lot of the students are from that background. NYU - more diverse.</p>

<p>If you are seriously considering med school ($200,000) you might not want to incurr debt for those 2 very pricey undergraduate schools. Hope thats not an issue for you.</p>

<p>I am considering going into med school, but as of now I'm still trying to test the waters in other science departments. I like how NYU is more diverse, but to me it's not one of my largest concerns so the fact that BC is less diverse doesn't really impact my decision much.</p>

<p>Also, I'm fortunate enough that my parents are paying for my undergraduate and graduate studies (if I do choose to go on to grad school), so that is not much of an issue as well.</p>

<p>I was also wondering if anyone could shed some light on NYU's science department/facitilities. Good reputation? Research opportunities?</p>

<p>I think every college is diverse. Every college wants to be diverse anyway.</p>

<p>I go to a Jesuit school currently but I do not think my college (Fordham) restricts me academically. However, I think it really depends on the university policies. I am not sure about Boston College but NYU does not allow you to take courses at its other colleges that much. You can but I heard they restrict it to around 12 credits worth of courses. For example, You cannot double major in programs in CAS and Stern at the same time unless you are a Stern student. </p>

<p>NYU is quite well-known for economics and philosophy at CAS, international business at Stern, and Tisch. As for the science department, I only heard of its dentistry program as excellent. NYU does have its own hospital though. I am not sure about Boston College.</p>

<p>In terms of reputation, I think both have excellent reputation. Research opportunities? I think both are great research schools but I have heard many complaints from some NYU students about lack of attention from NYU professors who do research but that's obvious (and there's always ratemyprofessors.com and TAs to assist you). I am not sure about Boston College in terms of research but MIT and Harvard are pretty close by in Cambridge (just across the Charles River from Boston). Sometimes schools get together to do research but I am not too sure on that. You should do research.</p>

<p>I think social life is very important but it is pretty much up to you to decide what is best for you. </p>

<p>As for medical school, the school will not care which undergraduate school you came from as long the degree is accepted and accredited. Some medical schools within an university sometimes do not even accept their own undergraduate students.</p>