<p>So i was accepted into the Phillip Merril School of Journalism at UMD and the College of Communications at BU. Wasn't expecting to get into BU at all, and was set on UMD. Now, I'm not so sure because I hear that BU has a slightly better reputation than UMD. </p>
<p>Some background info:
- I live in Northern NJ
- Money IS a factor, but with the financial aid I got from BU, the cost actually comes out to be cheaper than UMD
- I live in a suburb, never lived in a city but I periodically go into NYC
- Journalism major, maybe focusing in digital journalism </p>
<p>Please help! I know in the end I have to make this decision for myself, but what are your opinions about the communications programs at both schools? Thanks!</p>
<p>If there is no money factor involved, it will be relative easier decision after you visit both schools. UMCP has advantage on close to DC and government agencies, which provide lot of opportunities other places may lack. BU is at Boston, college town. So you will have different kinds of opportunities.</p>
<p>Agreeing with Judy…go to BU and visit…the school atmosphere is much different than UMD’s. BU is very much of a “city” school, the campus is a bit spread out and more integrated within the neighborhood around it. UMD has the close proximity to DC, easily accessible by the Metro, but the campus itself is more standalone. D1 originally wanted to go to Boston…she applied to MIT and BU. MIT dissed her, but unfortunately BU didn’t offer any merit aid (1/2 B/K at UMD) and the FA was comparable at both places, so BU was significantly more $$ than UMD for her. In her case, I don’t think she could have made a better decision than to go to UMD, and she’s headed up to live in Boston for grad school!</p>
<p>I can’t compare the two schools of journalism but agree with astrophysicsmom that the two universities are completely different due to their locations. Let’s not sugar coat it-- College Park is a dive with little to offer within the city confines. That said, I can tell you about the positive experience of a current senior (from our hometown) in the Merrill School who has had wonderful internships by making connections at the school’s career fairs. In the fall of his sophomore year he attended the career fair which resulted in an internship at ABC News in NYC the following summer. When he returned to school that fall as a junior, he landed an internship in VA at USA Today writing sports columns. During the summer after his junior year, he interned with CBS Sports in DC. This semester he is participating in a senior year program that puts you in front of the camera to cover news stories so that you can assemble a portfolio of on-camera work. He is thrilled with the opportunities that the school has provided.</p>
<p>I actually know a brother and sister from Northern New Jersey, the brother is one of my best friends and is here at Maryland. His sister goes to BU.
Not helpful, just a coincidence.</p>
<p>Like everyone has been saying, they’re completely different schools. UMD has a true campus surrounded by a not too great (but not as horrible as people assume) city, but a fifteen minute Metro ride from a great huge city. BU-from what I remember-has a campus but it is not at all isolated from Boston itself. As a Yankee fan, I cannot in good conscience call Boston a great city, but it is way better than College Park in terms of what it offers. That being said, Boston pales in comparison to DC.
If you want a campus, Maryland is your place. Yeah, the town isn’t great, but the campus is pretty much a self contained unit. You could easily go an entire semester without leaving if you wanted to. If you think of the college campus that movies have taught exist, Maryland encompasses that and then surpasses. Also, every once and a while I look around and realize it’s pretty beautiful here.
The journalism program here is one of the best in the country (usually hovering around 11 or 12 on most rankings), but I can’t speak for BU. If you’re focusing on digital journalism, the school also has top rated graphic design and computer science programs (I know they’re different, but the realtionship is there) I also think there’s an honors program dedicated to it.</p>