University of Maryland or Boston College?

College Search & Selection
1

Hi everyone,

Looking for everyone’s opinion on this college choice I have to make. I am looking to study Economics and Public Policy next year as a double major, and right now I am stuck between University of Maryland and Boston College. I want to go to Law School after undergrad so the price of undergrad is very important to me. I have to take student loans out either way, but I’d rather have to pay less loans than more. My goal is to go to a decent undergrad school, but kill it and then get admitted into an Ivy-esque law school.

My preferences: I like to go out, party, hang with friends, adventure. School is also very important to me. I want a school with good sports teams so I can head out and do stuff. I’m looking for diversity (I’m Indian) but not too much, just enough to not make me feel out of place. I’m pretty outgoing so I think I would do fine socially as long as I’m going to a big school (which both BC and UMD are).

Here are the pros of each one, you tell me which school’s pros outweigh the other school’s pros.

Maryland Pros: Better Economics Program. Cheaper by 20k a year. Closer to DC, good for policy. Good sports teams. Better social life. Bigger School.

BC Pros: Name Recognition. Prestige. better job opportunities in Boston. Stronger Alumni Network.

2

Once you are in law school, your undergrad won’t really matter and your job opportunities as a lawyer will be based largely upon your law school (not undergrad). Also, law school admissions committees aren’t going to distinguish between BC or Maryland… they will consider GPA+LSAT. I would say save the money.

3

BC isn’t worth paying $20 per year more than Maryland. Maryland has good name recognition.

4

Dude, for 20k less per year it’s a no-brainer. UMD. BC has a good business school but for econ/public policy I don’t think it’s worth that much more.