My son was just accepted off the waitlist at BC. He had previously accepted his offer at Trinity College (enrollment deposit waived). He plans to double major in Theatre/Political Science (perhaps minor in Film). He’s not sure where he wants to go and has 3 days to decide. If money is not an object (which it might be and we can’t see his award yet), what would be your best advice?
Both excellent but different experiences. I would just ask him what he wants from his 4 years.
I really like trinity in general and Nescac schools in general too. It wouldn’t be my choice but everyone is different.
I would take a look at the high level political leaders out of BC. It’s quite a list and there’s a super strong alumni network and culture. There’s a reason they stay so connected with the university and each other. Imho.
Bias alert. My d22 is a sophomore at BC and loves it. Not a poli sci major.
He should go with his personal preference. There seem to be enough differences between the schools that one should stand out. Here are a few things to consider.
–LAC v university
–Does he prefer one location over the other?
–Does he like big time sports?
–Is he OK with the core curriculum at BC (Jesuit schools typically have large cores)?
–Are the schools equally good in his area of interest?
–Are the schools equally affordable (or at least are both affordable with no loans/no hardship)?
BC doesn’t give the best financial aid from what I’ve heard so when the award becomes available that may be an issue. Trinity gave him ridiculous amount of need-based funds more than we technically need. Just running the new NPC for BC (not the one that had last summer) it doesn’t look great.
He doesn’t care about big time sports (at school at least)
He doesn’t mind the size of BC but wouldn’t want to be at say UMass Amherst
He’d probably rather be in Boston than Hartford
He doesn’t want a huge core. Trinity has 3-4 core. Gotta check BC
Both are equally good in my opinion in his areas of interest. BC may have a tiny edge
This may all come down to the financial aid award. Just wanted some advice if BC was actually doable.
Thoughts on whether BC is worth $5K more?
In BC’s favor, they have a larger permanent faculty for Drama/Theater than Trinity does. In addition, they have a Film major with its own faculty, a major which Trinity doesn’t even have. I have a daughter who went to BC and was in a play there. Good experience.
Unlike some other NESCACs, Trinity does not have an artsy vibe. More conservative and pre-professional than most of the others.
Probably. Only you can answer that question. But if it’s a really big difference, probably not.
If BC appears to be the better choice for your son, then it would seem to be worth that price premium. BC certainly indicates its quality by enrolling academically prepared students (by measurable standards, its student profile places it in the vicinity of the most selective colleges in the country). BC, importantly, also offers a strong drama department. Alternatively, if Trinity’s undergraduate focus and Oxford-like appearance offer strong appeal, then it could, under a different scenario, be worth a premium as well, even over BC.
Has your S looked at the BC gen eds? https://www.bc.edu/content/bc-web/schools/mcas/undergraduate/core-curriculum/core-requirements.html
One thing to consider is whether a double major is possible given core requirements (at either school). Would summer school be required? If a double major doesn’t work out for whatever reason, and theater is the one dropped…find out if non-majors get roles in the various productions.
And good info above re: BC has a dedicated film dept, while Trinity does not.
I can’t answer the question re: the $5K…it depends how much of a burden that would be. A 10-hour per week job during the school year, and job/internship during the summer could net $5K.
Thank you. I believe Trinity now does have a film major, but its probably very small. Or perhaps its only a minor. I’ll definitely check that. Yes, I know Trinity is more conservative and less artsy. He was accepted there into a special (honor) freshman program for “art” majors and he likes their study away at LaMama Theatre in NY. We have to dig harder into BC’s theatre major and study away programs. It’s lost in our brains now. I think it might be worth it as well. He is the one who would have to take the $5K loan so his call, but I appreciate your insight. Thanks!
Not sure whether the prospective Poli Sci major includes interest in government, but Trinity’s Hartford location with the state capital right there, and less competition from students at other schools for school year internships, sounds like a plus.
Yes, Trinity’s setting in a capital city appears integral to the school’s self-identity.
Boston, you know, is a pretty big capital city too. Mayor of the city is a BC grad. It’s a big BC connection in the halls of Mass politics. Not that I would choose for that reason at all personally.
But I’m sure trinity is a big deal in Hartford as well.
Here’s
It’s not.
Here’s a little detail about Trinity that probably rarely gets mentioned. Across the street from campus is another campus of several regional magnet schools, one of which is the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts with its major emphasis being on theater and performance. They have first rate facilities all new within the past 20 years or so. I have no idea if Trinity students get involved there either as volunteers or in some other more formal capacity, but I would think they might. It’s certainly worth contacting Trinity and asking the question. It could offer additional potential experiences for a kid who’s interested in theater right in the college’s backyard.
Good point. The UConn Law School campus is also in Hartford for whatever that’s worth.
So many questions so little time to fully research. Trinity is VERY involved in Hartford. It’s Poly Sci major is recognized as one of the best in the LACs. It varies from being the most popular major to the second most. Not sure about BC, but I’m sure there are political connections in general. Looks like he could double major at BC as 2/3rds of Theatre majors double major. A concern at BC is study away. There are none for Theatre majors (at least not specifically like Trinity). Not sure which looks better to a prospective employer in any field be it theatre, government or applications to grad or law school.
@Charlie2772, Congrats to your son on his BC acceptance! My S18 was accepted to both BC and Trinity, but attends a different NESCAC school. My D20 will be attending BC next year and I attended BC a million years ago, so I know a little bit about the schools that your son is considering. I think he has amazing choices and really can not go wrong. My son had a strong preference for a LAC (I think you have mentioned your son does as well) and I think he applied to BC because of the location and my affiliation. He liked BC a lot, but in the end it still wasn’t a LAC and in hindsight I think he made the right choice in selected a LAC. I LOVE BC, and it definitely provides a strong liberal arts education, (The core requirement is something like 15 classes) but it does not provide the same experience as a LAC. Not better or worse, just different. My daughter was a recruited athlete at the D3 level, but chose not to pursue her sport in college because the LAC model did not fit her. I guess this is a long way of saying that every kid is different (even when raised in the same home!) Your son really needs to decide on what type of experience he is looking for over the next four years. Both schools will provide a great education and experience, it really comes down to what he thinks will be a better fit for him personally. Once that becomes clearer, I think the financial piece will work itself out.
@xyz123a Thank you for your thoughtful and insightful comment. I need to really discuss these issues with my anxiety-paralyzed son. It’s comforting to hear from a BC grad and a soon to be BC mom that he would not make a mistake choosing to stay with Trinity as he may well be an LAC kind of kid.
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@Charlie2772, please feel free to PM me with any specific questions that I may be able to answer as your son ponders his decision. My son narrowed his choice to two schools and was anxiety-ridden as well. He waited until the last minute to make his decision, which drove my husband and I crazy!