Hi! I am a high school senior trying to make my college decision. I am faced with the conundrum of choosing between the University of Connecticut and Boston College, based on the following factors:
I am salutatorian of my public CT high school class and got the Presidential’s Scholar Award from UConn, giving me free tuition. However, I also got great aid from BC, making the two about equal in cost (total cost for BC is slightly less than room and board at UConn, actually!)
I have a total of 34 AP/UConn ECE credits that are totally transferable to UConn, allowing me to enter with sophomore status and graduate in three years! With BC, I’d have to apply for advanced standing after committing (partway through my freshman year), and they said it is virtually impossible to double major or study abroad for advanced standing students, both things that are important to me.
I love the city of Boston, and also that BC has a beautiful campus that isn’t right in the middle of the city, but is very close by, giving me options. I also know they are much more prestigious/highly ranked than UConn, and have a strong alumni network. I like the studious atmosphere (I am absolutely not a partier!), but I am afraid of the rumors that BC is all snobby rich kids, because I come from a small town and not a private school! I am really turned off by elitism, and I want to grow in a collaborative and supportive environment that’s academically focused but not obnoxiously cutthroat.
I also do not know what I want to do in the future, as I pretty much love school and all its subjects!! I am planning on double majoring in biology and English and seeing where that takes me. That’s why I am not sure graduating in three years is even a good decision for me, as I’m not decided on a career track yet and want to explore my options while in school. Still, it hurts me to think I’m giving up the 34 AP credits for which I worked so hard in high school!
Some other things about me that may help:
-I grew up singing in a children’s choir (choral music is a passion of mine!!) and want to sing both in a formal choir and in an a Capella group in college.
-I want to get involved in community service as well as leadership opportunities.
-I have a twin brother who is, coincidentally, also deciding between BC and UConn. It doesn’t really matter to me whether we go to the same school, as I know both are big enough where we’d each find our niche.
-I could really use any help or insight anyone could offer to help me make this decision!!
Thanks for taking the time to read this and help me out:) I know that both schools are great options and this is a great problem to have, but input/a sounding board is much appreciated!
BC is extremely welcoming to people of faith or people of no faith. You’ll find a handful of jerks everywhere, but in the main, students at BC are willing to help others. Indeed, service to others, the academic community, and local community are key. In addition, plenty of research opportunities on campus and in the Boston environs.
Socially, there are plenty of parties and plenty of folks studying in the library, which as a Bio major, you’ll be doing. No one will look down on you for heading to Bapst.
BC has several singing groups so you will find your peeps. BC is big on study abroad, either a semester or a 3-6 week jaunt over the summer. Bio and English are strengths. Also, consider Philosophy, which is a popular double major/minor at BC.
But yes, plan on staying four years. Many kids would stay for a 5th if they could!
The good thing about BC is that its big enuf that you might not even see your sibling for days. if that was a concern.
Finally, a Jesuit education is a wonderful thing. They do it right.
There are rich kids and there are less rich kids. At both BC and UConn lol!
Go to BC. It’s not the preppy sporty rich kid school, purportedly, of years past. I was remarking to my d22 and her roommate about this over the weekend. It was actually very much not a preppy scene on upper this year for freshman. Very diverse group too. They seem to feel the really rich students are the international contingent. And they pretty much hang together.
There was some cliqueyness with some of the young women from a handful of wealthy towns in ny. But I’m sure there is that sort of thing anywhere.
My d roommates are from California and Oregon. Both on financial aid. Both awesome young women.
But you’ll have to navigate life with all kinds of people. College is no different.
I hope you went for free. UConn is a great school and though different from BC, no one should choose a school just because of the city life. I like the idea of not paying out of pocket. Congrats on your Sal status and I’m sure you will succeed whereever you decide to attend.
Thank you all!! You were very helpful I feel reassured that I will find a good group of friends at Boston College. Both your comments and a visit on accepted students day helped encourage me that the snobby stereotype was just a rumor, or at least, quickly disappearing - I decided to go with BC, and I am very, very excited about it! It feels like the right decision.
I went to BC and I am a Latina from the Bronx. I met all kinds of people from all walks of life. I made the best group of friends there and in fact 4 of us are planning a weekend getaway to make up for missing our 30th Reunion. Boston is an amazing place to go to college. There are so many other colleges around and so many things to do. My son was also accepted but did not receive any financial aid so he passed but he absolutely loved it. We visited UConn but my son thought it was too big. He ended up at a school with 4,000 students so he prefers smaller schools.
