<p>Academically, I don’t think it can get that much better for me. My professors are great and the workload is highly manageable (assuming you’re not pre-med or STEM, it’s fairly easy to get a 3.5+ with a medium amount of effort). I’ve definitely learned a lot and read/studied a ton of material that I probably wouldn’t have gotten the opportunity to do anywhere else. A lot of this I feel has to do with the Core curriculum which really does enforce a well-rounded education. The faculty is very accessible and there is a ton of academic support. </p>
<p>Unfortunately, I can’t really say the same socially. While BC has a number of URMs, Asians, Internationals, it is definitely one of the more homogeneous places among the better known/higher ranked national universities (~top 30-35 schools). This isn’t necessarily a “bad” thing, but as a naturally introverted racial minority with interests other than partying/pre-gaming/college sports, I feel that there is a lot left to be desired. I think that BC is big enough though that you will definitely find your niche eventually, and as a freshmen I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels like he’s not having living the college dream life.</p>
<p>Thank you for that honest assessment. Sometimes schools get a reputation for a reason. BC seems to have the reputation you described…really solid academically with a student body that is a little homogeneous. It is a factor, all schools have their good points and bad points I guess.</p>
<p>Wake Forest is 78% white
Notre Dame is 74% white
Michigan is 66% white
Carolina is 66% white
Vanderbilt is 62% white
Georgetown is 61% white
Virginia is 60% white
BC is 60% white
Rochester (#33-35) is 59% white
WashU is 58% white
Tufts is 58% white</p>
<p>bluebayou, the numbers you posted for BC do not match up with other credible sources, including the school’s own factbook which includes IPEDS statistics showing that ~70% of BC’s student population is Caucasian.</p>
<p>Furthermore, I’m not really sure if its accurate to compare race distribution percentages at huge state schools like Michigan to BC. You do realize that Michigan undergraduate non-white population is higher than BC’s entire student body right?</p>
<p>Also, I guess I didn’t really clarify what I meant by “homogenous”. For me, it’s more about culture than it is about race. The overwhelming majority of BC students I’ve met are very similar and same minded. Granted, I haven’t had the oppurtunity to get to know the entire student population intimately, but even faculty members and other students will admit to this.</p>
<p>Since IPEDS is mandated reporting by the feds, IMO it is the only credible source. (Fact/view books are good for marketing spin.) But obviously, others are free to disagree.</p>
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<p>Perhaps true, but you will find the same at most top private colleges. (A key factor of culture is wealth, and top privates tend to have very wealthy student bodies.)</p>
<p>So you’re saying that BC is using its fact book to market the fact that its homogeneous, something that it has been routinely criticized for? I hope you can see why that makes no sense. Are you also implying that BC lied about the IPEDS statistics that they reported in their factbook?</p>
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<p>Broad stroke at best. There is a reason why schools like BC, Wake Forest, Notre Dame, and Vanderbilt cultivate similar reputations for being homogeneous cultural environments time-after-time, and why the other schools you posted still manage to avoid that label.</p>
<p>I just want to clarify that this is just my experience and from what I’ve observed through discussion with some members of the Boston College community. BC is a very respectful social environment, and it is making a genuine effort to reach out and increase diversity. It is no where near the “close-minded, conservative, anti-LGBT, etc. etc.” that some people paint it out to be. What I’m mostly trying to say is that for a certain type of student, particularly one is who isn’t all gung-ho about pre-gaming, college hockey, partying, it might take a little longer to assimilate and find your group of friends.</p>