<p>I got accepted to both Boston University and Tulane University. Both schools are good and gave me very generous scholarships (BU@$42,000/year, while Tulane gave me the Dean's Honor Scholarship award so is tuition-free), but now I have a very hard decision to make. I want to study in Biomedical Engineering and eventually get into a medical school. It seems BU has a stronger Biomedical Engineering program, and Boston area is big for internship/job opportunities in the Biomedical field. If I were just to study in Biomedical Engineering, I would choose to go with BU for sure, but I am not sure about its pre-Med and how likely I can maintain a good GPA at BU to get me to a Med school.</p>
<p>Tulane has a good Biomedical Engineering program too, but relatively smaller comparing to BU. It seems New Orleans is not that big in Biomedical Engineering areas. If just to stay in the Biomedical Engineering I will prefer to go with BU, but Tulane's pre-Med is strong and very attractive. It seems I will have more assurance at Tulane to get into a Med school at the end of the four years and the four-year ride will pretty much be free.</p>
<p>Financially, the cost of attendance are the same for both schools. So adding in the living, I am looking at about $30,000/year for attending BU, and about $15,000 for attending Tulane.</p>
<p>I am not a fan of city living, so it makes no difference to me between Boston and New Orleans. Mainly looking at academics and helps on my future careers.</p>
<p>My current thought is so not clear as I never visit these two schools before and have no ideas other than web information. Any insights/thoughts/advices are very much appreciated!</p>
<p>Tulane is a “campus” school (near a “big” city) and BU is a “city” school within a very big city. BU is also more than double the size of Tulane (18,000 undergrads vs 8,000) so I would imagine that you will find much bigger class sizes (at least at the intro level) at BU vs Tulane. </p>
<p>In terms of $$, BU will cost you approximately $120,000 vs $60,000 at Tulane (Which to many people would appear to be significant). When you factor in the cost of medical school, this seems worthy of consideration. </p>
<p>If your ultimate goal is pre med, I would choose the school where you think that you will achieve the highest GPA and which will prepare you better for the MCATs (medical school admission tests). Medical school admission is largely dependent on test scores and GPA. Tulane and BU are similarly ranked schools so this should not be a factor). </p>
<p>Someone that just visited Tulane that was actually looking for an urban campus feel came back from their trip a little disappointed that Tulane seemed suburban. To each their own of course, I even mentioned BU as an alternative along with NYU and a couple others. But they are right that Tulane is in an upscale area of NOLA that has a bit more of a suburban feel to it than most schools located within city limits. It’s a very nice campus, but only about 4 miles from downtown NOLA. Which would potentially be useful for you because the medical center is downtown and you might very well get involved in research there. Of course there is lots of BME research on the main campus as well, with some great new facilities. Which brings me to my next point.</p>
<p>I think you are smart to think ahead regarding opportunities, but I am less sure you are on the right track worrying about Boston vs. NOLA in this aspect. While you are an undergraduate I am not sure why this would matter. Both schools would provide you with ample opportunities to do research in a variety of areas within BME. Then, since you are planning on med school after undergrad, you could end up anywhere. So maybe you could explain further why the fact that Boston has more professional BME opportunities (and it does) matters at this point in your life. Is Boston your home city? I am guessing not. So if you are planning on being home in the summers like most students, having more internship opportunities in Boston wouldn’t seem to matter. Also, I would strongly recommend you talk with the head of the Tulane BME department about how they help students find summer opportunities.</p>
<p>Finally, the point that was made about saving $60K is a good one. Med school is expensive, and if you can convince your parents to bank that $15K difference every year, that will be a big help when you go to med school. Both schools are similar academically, so the financial aspect is relevant.</p>
<p>Thank all for the very helpful points. That’s right. I might tag myself to too many factors to make it even more complicated.</p>
<p>To fallenchemist’s question, I am not from Boston. But I am planning to find a job or an internship during the summer or so to make some money to cover my education cost. But I don’t want to take any job without the BME focus, that’s why I choose Boston to be closer to the Biomedical Engineering field. in case I don’t get to the med school, I am still not far from experiencing the Biomedical Engineering industry. And from my own research I found BU and the Boston area win over the NOLA. And I really got a hard time to choose…</p>
<p>OK, since you are willing to live away from home in the summers, that explains the Boston vs. NOLA interest. I would reiterate my suggestion that you talk to the head of the BME dept. at Tulane and see what might be possible there. Besides any other info they may have, one thing that might be available are summer jobs within their research teams. It all depends on what grants and money they have available. But in either case, after you pay for housing, food, etc. you are not going to really earn much towards your educational costs. I would also point out that while Boston does have more opportunities in BME for internships, you are also competing against students from MIT, Harvard, Tufts, BC, Northeastern (where they specialize in placing their students into internships) and of course your BU classmates. In NOLA, Tulane is pretty much it. And housing will be cheaper than in Boston.</p>
<p>But talk to the chair of BME, Don Gaver (Email: <a href=“mailto:dpg@tulane.edu”>dpg@tulane.edu</a> Phone: (504) 865-5150) and get the best info you can to make your decision. I have met Dr. Gaver and he is very nice and easy to talk with. Be honest with him about your choice of BU vs. Tulane and your reasons on both sides of the issue. Although I would leave out the GPA argument, because I think you would find either school equally challenging. I am not sure why you would think that it would be easier to get a higher GPA at Tulane than BU.</p>
<p>I would still imagine, though, that even if you decide med school isn’t for you or you don’t get in, you would most likely pursue an advanced degree. So I think my statement that you could end up anywhere after undergrad is still a strong possibility. </p>
<p>sportsfish, I think you need to visit the campuses to decide where you see yourself living for the next 4 years. I have seen both campuses and I think the vibe on each campus is quite different. I believe you can receive a great education at either of these universities.</p>
<p>I agree with Debmom. If there is any way possible to visit these schools you should. Their campuses are so incredibly different it’s hard to describe. And not only the campus, but the city, climate, culture…Both Boston and New Orleans are great cities but they are so different. You are going to potentially be spending not only the next 4 years of your life but quite a bit of money, a visit to each campus would be the wisest thing for you to do. </p>
<p>And fallenchemist, you seemed very familiar with Tulane and their environment. Are you currently a student at Tulane? and can you tell me a bit more of Tulane’s campus life? I heard the rumor that Tulane being a bit more “party” school while others said it was not truly true. Any first-handed experience would be appreciated, since I won’t have a chance to visit the campus. </p>
<p>I am a Tulane alum and, until this past December when she graduated, the parent of a Tulane student. I get down there a lot and keep up with what is going on at Tulane. I also know quite a few current students at Tulane who keep me informed from time to time.</p>
<p>I can’t speak to BU grade deflation, although I would be careful about rumors. Like the “party school” image. Yes, Tulane is a party school. So is BU, and Harvard, and Stanford, and Penn State, and…you get the idea. Anyplace you put 18-22 year old people that are basically on their own for the first time and have responsibilities that, in the huge majority of cases, do not involve work and raising kids is going to be a party atmosphere. Does that mean all students at Tulane, or even the majority of them, party all the time and are not serious about school? Absolutely not. There are a lot of students at Tulane that take academics and community service very seriously, and know how to balance that with a healthy social life. At each end of the spectrum you have some that don’t want to “party” at all but instead do other fun activities that don’t involve drinking and big parties, and some (fewer I would say) that go a little crazy and party all the time and drink too much. That is true at any college campus. Tulane really is no different, but because it is in NOLA it gets associated with the party reputation of the city.</p>
<p>Tulane campus life is very diverse and New Orleans offers a lot of interesting things to do that don’t involve drinking. Obviously Boston does too, even more so in some ways just being a larger city and having more universities. I won’t try to tell you Boston isn’t a great college town, because in fact it and New Orleans are two of the best. They just offer different experiences. But you would never be bored in NOLA with any effort on your part at all. There is great music, lots of fun festivals, a whole different culture to explore, and of course the campus is always putting on concerts, lectures, there are numerous clubs, sports, etc. And the warmer climate is a nice benefit for winter, which covers most of the school term.</p>
<p>You really cannot go wrong with either choice I don’t think. I think you should, possibly, give more consideration to what type of experience you want to have outside of academics while you are in college. That really is quite important. It is a shame you cannot visit. Have you looked at the extensive videos that are available as a virtual campus tour? Although frankly, Tulane and NOLA really have to be experienced to understand why they are special. They may not be for everyone, but they really are special.</p>
<p>Thank you so much fallenchemist. It’s been very helpful. Yes, I looked through all those videos and surfed lots of the pictures of Tulane University. I may email my admission counselor and some of the faculty members to get more insight. But your points are very well taken. Thank you so much for the help!</p>
<p>@sportsfish, just putting in my two cents. Haven’t visited Tulane yet, but I live just outside of Boston, and yes, BU is a complete urban campus. I actually find it more urban than NYU (where I went to grad school), or even GWU, if you are familiar with those schools. The reason is because it it a series of buildings on both sides of a very long and very busy main street. The buildings look nice but there seems to be absolutely no campus at all and everything is very spread out down from Boston to Brookline. So it is one of the most urban campuses I know of, outside of schools like Pace or Baruch in NYC, which are basically one or two buildings in a city.
So if you don’t like urban life, you really may not be happy at BU so definitely check it out.
And I can imagine that what Fallenchemist said is very true - there are a ton of universities and colleges in Boston, even besides those mentioned in a previous post, so the competition for internships is going to be fierce.
I love Boston and it is a great college town, but night and day from NOLA, so check them both out - only you will be able to make that decision.
Good luck and congratulations!</p>
<p>And things are getting a bit more complicated at my end as I just got the offer from Boston College, technically full-tuition. I am really having a hard time now…</p>
<p>Well, of course! Who said life should be simple? So basically you have two schools that are full tuition, Tulane and BC. Before going on with this, is the BC offer guaranteed for 4 years like Tulane’s? Assuming you maintain a certain GPA and all that, of course. Actually, now that I think about it, what are the conditions for BC to renew or keep the scholarship(s)? The way you phrased it makes me think they might have offered you a couple of different financial pieces that add up to full tuition. Whatever details you can provide on the BC offer will make advice more meaningful.</p>
<p>Another thought, though, is that pretty much takes BU out of the equation I would think. BC is still in the Boston area but is not urban, Technically it is not in Boston, it is in Chestnut Hill, adjacent to Boston. The general feel of its campus is much more like Tulane’s than BU’s. So given that it is still in the metropolitan Boston area but a suburban campus while actually being cheaper than BU would seem to eliminate BU given all of your criteria. So in a way it didn’t get more complicated, it just traded one school for another in your decision process. Instead of BU vs. Tulane it is now BC vs. Tulane.</p>
<p>Yes, basically they are all full-tuition scholarships guaranteed for four years when I can keep up a 3.0GPA and enroll in 12 or more credit hours. All I need to pick up is the living cost room and meals and travel.</p>
<p>Of course travel for you is not a small thing! So OK, the scholarships are quite similar. Well, that gives BC a slight edge for travel, I would imagine there are non-stop flights from Shanghai to Boston. I cannot imagine the same is true for New Orleans. It is a small thing since it sounds like you are not planning on going back and forth that much, but instead intend to stay in the US. Otherwise I am not sure I have much I can add to what has already been said. You have two excellent choices, and I think you just need to find out as much as you can from the people I mentioned at Tulane. Hopefully you will have enough information at that point to make a good decision. Certainly if you think of anything other question we might be able to help with, let us know.</p>
<p>I am not too concerned about the direct or indirect flights. I heard that BC has certain religious flavor but am not sure how heavy that is in terms of day to day student life? and it seems BC ranks a bit higher than Tulane, and more prestige?</p>
<p>You are correct on both counts, although you know what I think about rankings. BC is a Jesuit (Catholic) institution. I won’t swear to it but I imagine the day to day effect of this is small. Still, depending on your own beliefs, politics, call it what you will it might make some difference. Maybe others can weigh in on this more authoritatively.</p>
<p>The prestige factor will be somewhat regional. Tulane is better known in the Southeast and Texas, BC better known throughout the Northeast. Probably BC is a little better known when you get out to places like California, although I suspect it is very close and both pale in comparison to the numerous California schools. But both schools will get you in the door at a lot of places if you have great grades, internships, undergrad research, etc. They are both pretty well known.</p>