Still going mad: Oxy vs. BU

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Yeah. This is what? My 3rd thread on the matter? Oh well. I would love to know ANYTHING at all you would like to say about either, or both schools. Or about how you perceive this post. Thank you!</p>

<p>I've been generally leaning towards Occidental College, however, I'm still unsure. Visiting Boston University in time for May 1st will be nigh impossible for me (finances are an issue, but it's gotten to the point that any flights I can get to Boston will either be ridiculously priced, or they aren't available when I need them). I keep going back and forth and no matter how I rationalize, I'm not comfortable making a decision.</p>

<p>Oxy
Pros:
-Gorgeous campus
-Awesome professor/student dynamic
-Intimate classes/professor relationships, will be good for future recommendation letters and the like
-Good campus food, good facilities
-Warm weather
-Globally-minded curriculum and core
-The study abroad/UN program</p>

<p>Cons:
-Can't get around LA without a car
-Too small? "Oxy bubble"
-Campus sort of isolated in Eagle Rock (ties into above 2 bullets)
-During my visit, I didn't feel in love with it like I wanted to</p>

<p>BU
Pros:
-Big school (I'll get to the con side of this later), lots of different people to meet, 80% out-of-state students
-Boston. The transit system allows me to take full advantage of the city. Right on Commonwealth Avenue and the Charles River (I like walking around), access to other great cities in the northeast
-Amazing faculty
-Good campus food
-I really like the CAS core curriculum, especially the basis in the humanities
-Another thing linked to the actual city, the schools of Harvard, MIT, and the myriad of others within reach. I would definitely love to be a part of that academic/social environment.</p>

<p>Cons:
-Cold (I'm an Iowan who is sick of ridiculous winters)
-The campus is not traditional, no grassy quad, definitely not as pretty as Oxy's
-Cons of a big school, less attention towards each student
-Not able to visit, going here would be going blind</p>

2

<p>What is the cost of attendance for each?</p>

3

<p>I made a nice little chart of my financial aid, it won’t translate perfectly but…</p>

<p>College COA Grants Loans Work Study Out-of-Pocket
Boston University $54,900 $45,007 $7,000 $1700 $1,193
Occidental College $55,655 $43,989 $5,700 $3,100 $2,866</p>

4

<p>Nice! Hmm, I think it really is about environment. Oxy can be a bubble if you let it and in LA you do NEED a car although public transportation in the city is getting better, it is not very good at all compared to cities like NY, Chicago, Boston, San Fran etc. </p>

<p>Boston is cold, but not Chicago cold or Ithaca cold. Personally, I would probably opt for Boston because you will be able to get around without a car and that would allow you more freedom, and to be connected to the Harvard, MIT, circle is tremendous. That said, I have friends who have gone to both and have loved it.</p>

<p>My pick though - BU. Congrats by the way!</p>