Vanderbilt vs Boston College

College Search & Selection
1

Hi guys!

I want to go pre-med, but I am conflicted between these two schools.

BC Pros:
Less academically rigorous, “easier” to get a higher GPA for medical school
Lots of research/internship opportunities available in Boston
Boston>Nashville

BC Cons:
Classes are very run-of-the-mill and not unique (No writing seminar on Harry Potter, for example)
Limited list of majors, so if I want to quit pre-med it could be harder
40% of the freshmen have to live on Newton, a satellite campus, and travel to main by bus

Vanderbilt Pros:
Variety of opportunities and majors, especially in areas other than pre-med that I find interesting
med school/hospital within walking distance
Freshmen all live on one campus

Vanderbilt Cons:
Classes are much harder and possibly even known for grade deflation; I heard the student body is more cutthroat and competitive?
SEC culture/Greek life is huge and I have minimal interest in either; don’t know how well I’d fit in with southern life either

Thanks so much for your help! It would be great if you could post any contradictions/firsthand experience to what I’ve written.

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2

bump

3

BC’s majors aren’t that limiting…



MORRISSEY COLLEGE OF ARTS 
AND SCIENCES

Art History: B.A.
Biochemistry: B.S.
Biology: B.A., B.S.
Chemistry: B.S.
Classical Studies: B.A.
Communication: B.A.
Computer Science: B.A., B.S.
Economics: B.A.
English: B.A.
Environmental Geosciences: B.S.
Environmental Studies: B.A., B.S.
Film Studies: B.A.
French: B.A.
Geological Sciences: B.S.
German Studies: B.A.
Hispanic Studies: B.A. 
History: B.A.
Independent: B.A., B.S.
International Studies: B.A
Islamic Civilization and Societies: B.A.
Italian: B.A.
Linguistics: B.A.
Mathematics: B.A., B.S.
Music: B.A.

Philosophy: B.A.
Physics: B.S.
Political Science: B.A.
Psychology: B.A., B.S.
Romance Languages and Literatures: B.A.
Russian: B.A.
Slavic Studies: B.A.
Sociology: B.A.
Studio Art: B.A.
Theater: B.A.
Theology: B.A.
LYNCH SCHOOL OF EDUCATION

American Heritage: B.A.
Applied Psychology and Human Development: B.A., B.S.
Elementary Education: B.A., B.S.
General Science: B.A., B.S.
Mathematics/Computer Science: B.A.
Perspectives on Spanish America: B.A.
Secondary Education: B.A., B.S.
CARROLL SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT

Accounting: B.A.
Computer Science: B.S.
Corporate Reporting and Analysis: B.S.
Economics: B.S.

Entrepreneurship: (co-concentration)
Finance: B.S.
General Management: B.S.
Information Systems: B.S.
Information Systems and Accounting: B.S.
Management and Leadership: B.S.
Marketing: B.S.
Operations Management: B.S.
CONNELL SCHOOL OF NURSING

Nursing: B.S.
WOODS COLLEGE OF ADVANCING STUDIES

Communication: B.A.
Corporate Systems: B.A.
Criminal and Social Justice: B.A.
Economics: B.A
English: B.A.
History: B.A.
Information Systems: B.A.
Natural Sciences: B.A.
Philosophy: B.A.
Political Science: B.A.
Psychology: B.A.
Social Sciences: B.A.
Sociology: B.A.
Theology: B.A.
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4

Both great schools, but very different vibes. I don’t think you will find BC classes ‘easy’ and also think you are over statIng the grade deflation at Vandy.

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5

It comes down to personal preferences. Grade deflation at Vandy isn’t as pronounced as you think (from what I’ve heard) and BC classes aren’t easy - it matters exactly what kind of feel you like. It seems you’re more fond of Boston College’s city/east coast feel rather than a southern/preppy-greek vibe

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6

Is there a cost difference? You will want to avoid undergraduate debt if you are considering med school.

Will you know in advance if you are among the 40% not living on main campus at BC?

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7

@wisteria100 @2017journalismhopeful thanks guys! from what I’ve heard, BC is less academically rigorous than Vandy, but from what you guys have heard, would you say the difference is minimal?

8

Don’t let the 40% Newton thing sway your decision at all. It’s really not a big deal to live on Newton. Some people prefer it.

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9

You say you are interested in academic quality and see it as a CON that a school doesn’t have a Harry Potter writing seminar??

If you are looking for fads and fluff, a Jesuit institution probably isn’t for you.

10

@moooop in my experience, academic quality and having fun while learning are not mutually exclusive :slight_smile:

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11

Ok, in your first college English class, when the professor asks what literary works have impressed you most, please say, “The Harry Potter books,” and see how much fun it is to have the whole class laughing at you.

12

@moooop I’ll do just that this fall @ Vandy’s Harry Potter lit course! Thanks for the great idea :slight_smile:

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13

They are both top schools which will position you to go to grad school. Very similar. Go with the one which you like more.

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