<p>I cannot decide between the two. I’m looking for a solid liberal arts curriculum probably majoring in Political Science. Which one is better in terms of prestige and reputation needed to get into a top law school? Any input would be greatly appreciated!! UCLA or BC?? (might be able to visit bc but no time to visit both anymore!) mainly concerned about academics.</p>
<p>Two radically different schools. Both will get you into a top law school if you work hard. The political science department at BC is supposed to be very good. I'd say choose the school that you think has the better student body/location.</p>
<p>radically different? how so?</p>
<p>ucla's much bigger campus and student body and your classes will be bigger. bc is smaller and has smaller classes and better liberal arts curriculum. with the core at bc i would say it gives u a better liberal arts base. boston and la are different so pick between the two. weather-wise ucla is much better. academics are probably fairly even</p>
<p>I don't think they are so different, but one of the key differences is size (location is obvious). At Boston College, you can expect the majority of your classes to hover around 20-25 students. UCLA is much larger than that.
I also would assume that you would be paying out of state tuition for UCLA making the cost differential negligible, but that would certainly be a difference.</p>
<p>Overall here is what I would tell you: UCLA, like many large state universities is a trade school. You will have to go in knowing exactly what you want to get out of it and doggedly try to get in the right classes. At Boston College, which is essentially a liberal arts college in a universities body, you will be forced to learn how to think, to write, and to be, and from that you can pursue anything, although a career in politics and law are particularly good options when you look at the alumni body.</p>
<p>Yes, the biggest difference (besides the weather) is going to be size and I would say all the advice above is correct. I do think that UCLA has a better overall academic reputation. It is large and can be impersonal, but if you live in the dorms you will make close friends just like any college. Intro classes are large, but professors are good about staying to answer questions and also have office hours. You will have to make more of an effort to get individualized attention at UCLA, generally speaking. The law library is a great place to study, regardless of your major.</p>
<p>You said you were interested only in academics, but you should know that UCLA dorms are up a hill from campus, about a 20-30 minute walk from the center of campus, depending on which dorm you will be in. I belive BC Freshman dorms are also slightly away from campus. UCLA football is played at the Rose Bowl, about an hour away, but they have busses that go from the dorms and the tailgating is great. Basketball is played on campus, and the the tickets are hard for students to get. Both schools have lots of school spirit.</p>
<p>which school did you end up choosing? I'm in the exact same position as you except i want to study business. Any thoughts?</p>