<p>S has been accepted at both, but he has not seen Villanova and won't be able to make it before 1 May (Americans in Europe). He is pre-med/natural science track.</p>
<p>Would love to know any pros and cons between the two.</p>
<p>Since no one else is answering I will take a shot- I’m just a Dad, so I’ll stick with some observations. Hopefully a student will jump in with better information.</p>
<p>Student Body- Very similar. BC is slightly more selective, using SAT as a barometer the average attending student might have +20 on V and M.</p>
<p>Cities- Very similar. Both have lots of other schools plus major cultural and historic attractions. Both are not NY for better or worse. Philly 15 mins from 'Nova, Boston 10 from BC.</p>
<p>Campus- BC is classic architecture, fairly large not tremendous open space. Villanova from the front beautiful and classic looking. While inside it’s a hodge-bodge of different architectural design. I’d sat BC’s is generally more pleasing but that might be a matter of preference.</p>
<p>Weather- Nova much better weather. You are about six hours south of Boston. That translates to maybe an extra week of summer, fall and spring. Yesterday- rainy and 50 in Boston, sunny and '65 in Philly. Today sunny and 60 in Boston, sunny and 75 in Philly. Next few days won’t break 70 in Boston, should be high 70’s Philly. Just for comparison, results will vary.</p>
<p>Surrounding area- Both suburbs, both very nice. Slight edge to BC for a more hospital surrounding. Boston people generally nicer then Philly folks.</p>
<p>It is important to read up on the differences between Augustinian ('nova) and Jesuit (bc)…one is faith based (Aug.) and one is intellect based (Jes.) </p>
<p>My D1 applied to both, deferred, waitlisted, disappeared into cyberspace at 'nova, deferred waitlisted, denied, started at Conn, waitlisted as a transfer to BC, wrote a note to BC saying she was no longer interested & got accepted! She is graduating BC in May, absolutely loved it, from beginning to end!! The courses are very tough, the sports are rah-rah, a great diversion from all that studying, she is in Boston every day mentoring, interning, parties etc…Fantastic friends, great games, study abroad in Paris VII beyond wonderful…She lives off campus with 4 women in a beautiful roomy apt yet spends a great deal of time on campus…BC has fantastic grad schools and career counseling as well…She spent a ton of time in the Bapst library, you are required to be quiet there! No cell phone!!</p>
<p>I will say she fell in love with 'nova on our search; it was on our “drive-thru” list and we ended up spending 3 hours there…But when all is said and done, I am SO glad she went to BC!! As we speak she is in D.R. sunning with a friend from Santa Domingo for Easter break!</p>
<p>Regarding religious differences, they don’t appear to be very stark in terms of education. Both orders put heavy emphasis on learning.</p>
<p>What are some of the principal difference between religious communities? </p>
<p>Among religious living in communities the most significant distinction is between those who are more contemplative and those who are more active - the balance between prayer and ministry. Here, it is not a question of either/or: every community must be engaged in both prayer and ministry. Some communities, however, place more emphasis on one rather than the other. An example of a primarily contemplative community would be the Trappists, who live in a cloister (enclosure) and spend most of their time in contemplation and prayer. An example of a primarily active community would be the Jesuits, who have more open living arrangements and spend most of their time in some ministry such as teaching or missionary work.</p>
<p>The Augustinian Recollects would fall somewhere in between these two different styles of religious life. They have both a strong life of prayer and a strong life of ministry. Pope Paul VI once aptly called the Augustinian Recollects “Contemplative Apostles” indicating that they incorporate both ends of the religious spectrum in their tradition.</p>
<p>[Augustinian</a> Recollects - Frequently asked questions](<a href=“Augustinian Recollects — Advice, news, and more for Real Estate Investors”>Augustinian Recollects — Advice, news, and more for Real Estate Investors)</p>
<p>My d is a senior at Villanova, and BC was also high on the list when she was applying. She has loved Villanova both academically and socially, and speaks glowingly of her professors there- not one was less than stellar in four years. That is a remarkable commentary, I think. She is an English major, headed to Columbia Teacher’s College, her first choice grad school. </p>
<p>BC is also a great school, and they are very similar both in academic strength and student body. As noted by the above poster, Villanova was founded by Augustinians, an order of priests from Ireland. There are core requirements that include the writings of St. Augustine freshman year, which my d actually enjoyed since the professor was so good. However, I don’t think students would say there is a very visible religious element other than the range of possible classes in that area. There is a focus on community service which many if not most students participate in.</p>
<p>Neither school has a diverse student body, the campuses are similar enough so it’s Philly or Boston. There is a train station right at the campus at Villanova with a short ride downtown.</p>
<p>PM me if you want more info from a parent perspective. Best of luck to your son, these are 2 great choices. A nice problem!</p>
<p>bc is a top tier catholic school (with notre dame and georgetown) while villanova is one below…</p>
<p>My D was also accepted into both.According to one 2010 college Review book bc has a lower academic rating than Villanova(87 vs 88) but a higheradmission rating(97vs 96).Professors also rate slightly lower at BC 82/83 vs 86/89 at Villanova.Another guide lists Villanova as the BC of philly. I think they are both great schools academicaly.It comes down to where you feel you fit and the location that works best for you and perhaps financial aid. Good luck.</p>
<p>Alison must have some connection to BC. BC is a very good school and its reputation has grown. Still, the two elite catholic colleges are Notre Dame and Georgetown. BC is a step down from those despite what the Jesuits tell you at the BC orientation. Villanova and Holy Cross are also a step down from Notre Dame and Georgetown and are on par with BC. The next step down would be Fordham, St. Joseph’s, Creighton, etc.</p>
<p>Here it is:</p>
<p>Tier 1: Notre Dame and Georgetown (each with different strengths and environments - a matter of personal preference)</p>
<p>Tier 2: BC, Villanova and Holy Cross (different stenghts - depends on preference).</p>
<p>Tier 3: Fordham, etc.</p>
<p>BC people will tell you otherwise but this is the generally accepted hierarchy. As indicated, BC and Nova are similar in a lot of ways. Really it is a matter of feel.</p>
<p>lol @ alison…back up your argument with some facts as to why bc is in the top tier…</p>
<p>Current Nova law student and former BC undergrad. They are similar atmospherically, but BC is significantly more highly-regarded academically. You want facts about why BC is in the top tier? How about the fact that the US News explicitly ranks BC a Tier 1 school? In the national rankings ND is ranked 19th, Gtown 21st, and BC 31st overall. That sounds pretty close to me. Nova is a good school, but it is ranked with the regional schools for a reason.</p>
<p>BC’s acceptance rate is >10% lower than Nova’s and its mean SAT score is 100 points higher.</p>
<p>I agree with olouhgla~most top 10% students at my school apply to Georgetown, Notre Dame and BC. Villanova is an excellent school with a top 10 Engin. school and excellent business school, but not viewed as being as competitive as the other three. Still, I like the “feel” of it, much more welcoming than the others.</p>
<p>holy thread revival batman!</p>
<p>Old thread but entertaining nonetheless. I love to read BC folks trying to put themselves on par with Notre Dame. </p>
<p>To the guy that revived a 6 month old thread: Where did you get the stat that BC has a 100 point higher average SAT? (you really should check your facts since they are readily verifiable).</p>
<p>Average SAT scores:</p>
<p>BC - 1340 (Math 685, Verbal 655)
Villanova - 1295 (Math 665, Verbal 630)</p>
<p>For comparison purposes, Notre Dame’s is 1420. (Math 720, Verbal 700). </p>
<p>BC students average 45 points higher than Villanova (about 20 points per section).<br>
Notre Dame students average 80 points higher than BC.</p>
<p>Therefore, BC students SAT scores are closer to those of Villanova students than those of Notre Dame students! Pretty simple math.</p>
<p>The President of Nova is personable & has big plans for the school. If the economy can support his goals Nova will continue to look more & more attractive & competitive. Will it become ever become a G’town or Domer school? ND has a big negative w/ distance & G’town loaded itself w/ incredibly academic elite–(HPY rejects) which can be a negative as well. </p>
<p>I agree w/ SJU Hawks- tier generalizations.</p>
<p>I’m a biased BC grad … visited Nova with senior D this year and wanted to like it … but found the campus to feel very dated … alot of buildings in need of refurbishment or replacement. They do have the pre-season #1 hoop team though!</p>
<p>BC’s biggest drawback is that it is comprised of two campuses separated by a few miles and students have to take busses back and forth. This wouldn’t be such a big issue in Florida but in Boston winters it is no fun at all waiting for the bus to head back to your dorm each night in temps of single digits and wind chills below zero.</p>
<p>I graduated from Fordham many moons ago. I also visited Villanova this summer with son and was very disappointed in the look and upkeep of the campus. Like schoolsearcher stated, many buildings were run down and dirty. The lawns on campus were poorly tended. Also visited BC, Holy Cross and Fordham and there was no comparison.</p>
<p>Landscaping is of the utmost importance in choosing a college!</p>
<p>Of the 4 schools I think Holy Cross would be the best for pre-med. Then flip a coin over BC and Nova. Fordham is a big step down.</p>
<p>I never meant to imply that landscaping is of utmost importance when choosing a college. However, I think that it is reasonable to assume that a school of Villanova’s reputation and pricetag would be a little better maintained.</p>
<p>S is at Nova having applied to BC as well. First, there is no question at all that BC is a tougher admit. Boston is just that much more appealing to students, nationally, than Main Line Philly. Second, BC is a more national school. Not dramatically so, but V even keeps its student enrollee geographic distribution confidential. BC doesn’t. V is a middle Atlantic, emphasize PA, NJ, NY, MD and MA school. Third, V is pretty strict in terms of cracking down on drinking and partying. Not much happens on campus. To the point of absurd. BC is a little more chill. Though drinking in your dorm room isn’t exactly a thrill. Fourth, V has a stronger emphasis on getting a job. This is an issue that predominates the educational focus at the school. See the long thread, Villanova Visit Shock for more on this. May change if Donahue, the president, decides to step it up at Nova but he hasn’t yet. See how many Nova faculty are quoted in the press as scholars, etc. vs. BC. Neither has a large presence but BC is superior in this regard. Fifth, as noted earlier in this thread the BC campus arrangement is not ideal. There is a significant distance between the campuses and this has a negative effect on the experience (my view). Sixth, maintenance? Give me a break. Nova’s campus looks great. Of course, if you visit Yale, Harvard or a lot of other top end schools that charge the same price, you will realize that you are getting a lot less in the way of facilities for your $$ than at Nova. But that’s tough. Too bad. Get in there if you can. Seventh, I thought that BC was pretty stuck up on itself. It isn’t Georgetown or Notre Dame though it seems to think it is. Flip side, Nova has a lot of helicopter parents in it and some of the students there seem like they have never left high school. Less of an issue than I expected however. </p>
<p>I’m not expressing a view on the choice between the two. You need to see both and decide.</p>