<p>Hello Everyone,</p>
<p>My brother is off to college and now it is my turn! I am choosing between Boston College CSOM as a Finance major and Chinese minor or Wake Forest with hopefully getting into the business school with a Finance and Accounting double major and Chinese minor. I would probably do Accounting at Wake, even though it doesn't sound that interesting to me, just because of the strength of the program, and then maybe stay a fifth year because of it's success with the CPA. If academics, prestige, job prospects, name brand, and national/international recognition were my sole deciding factors, then I would absolutely, without a doubt go to Boston College CSOM. Their business school is the pride of the University, and it was recently ranked the 6th best business school in the country. Boston College just sounds like the more "hotter" school right now and that seems like too much to pass up. I've heard they're Finance department and Business schools are top notch, and ultimately I want to settle down in Southern California, and I feel as if it's national recognition may be more known than Wake's. Wake is ranked 27th and BC 31st, so academically I know they're at the same level. BC recently approved it's 10 year master plan, bc.edu/imp , which is a 1.6 billion dollar construction and strategy to revamp the university, which means that throughout my entire career there will be construction on campus, however, I feel like this will make the school a lot better and more prestigious.</p>
<p>Putting this all aside, I feel as if I belong more at Wake Forest though. The school is absolutely gorgeous, I prefer it's architecture and campus to BC's, the weather is amazing, the people are friendly and beautiful, it's in the south, has Greek life, etc. I live in Boston and feel as if I won't get all the personal growth or have my college experience be as fulfilling if I were to go to BC. I also haves the ability to walk on to the Football program at Wake Forest, an opportunity that I won't have at BC so that is also a deciding factor. </p>
<p>My brain tells me to go to Boston College, and my heart tells me to go to Wake Forest.</p>
<p>As a graduating senior, I can easily say that 90% of what I learned from college was outside the classroom. Most of professor-mentors agree that a lot the classroom and academic experience end up being a small portion of all that one can gain from a college experience.</p>
<p>If your plans are to move to SoCal, both BC’s and WFU’s reputation will be relatively weak in that region compared to the east coast. Furthermore, academically, I wouldn’t say that BC has a huge victory over WFU.</p>
<p>Top graduates in both business programs will have excellent job prospects. </p>
<p>Trust me, you’ll do better academically and enjoy your college experience at a school you like more. Brand name and prestige has very little effect on how much you’ll enjoy being at BC vs WFU. Now if this was like MIT vs WFU or something, I’d say that prestige factor will be much more important in terms of its advantages for post-college opportunities. However, in this case I’d really think that personal fit should be the deciding factor.</p>
<p>Hi, @urm1216:</p>
<p>You’ve definitely done your homework! It’s great that you know so much about both schools and that you are making an informed decision. I looked at both schools and much preferred Wake, but this is a decision that many students go through. </p>
<p>I am not saying this because I go to Wake, but if I were you, I would definitely pick Wake if that is what your heart is telling you. The schools are comparable academically and you really can’t go wrong. A lot of the reasons you seem to like BC are hard facts and rankings, whereas the reasons you like Wake (social aspects, Greek life, weather, people, general experience) are things that you really would like in a school. Outside of academics, it is important to actually enjoy the place that you pick since you will be spending so much time there. Don’t get me wrong - academics are extremely important - but it is important to weigh the other aspects as well. It seems like you think that Wake is the place for you, but something is holding you back. </p>
<p>Regardless of which school you pick, I am sure you will enjoy yourself, but I hope you pick a place that makes you truly happy! Both schools are great options. Best of luck with your decision - let us know what you decide.</p>
<p>Bc would be the best option . Both my siblings goes to bc and wake . One for finance and the other for biology. From what they tel me bc, I think, would be the best option</p>
<p>I think it is great that they have all these rankings for students to pour over when making the decision on where to attend. Often overlooked is the retention rate & graduation rate in 4 yrs. A high retention rate shows happy students. A high 4 yr graduation rate makes happy parents. Boston College makes everyone happy.</p>
<p>Billyblaze, while I do agree with you general assessment, I would say that comparing BC and Wake’s 4 year graduation rate as an unfair comparison.</p>
<p>Wake’s 4 year graduation rate is artificially lowered because about 10% of our student body play D1 athletics, and many athletics tend to do a 5th year for non-academic reasons. As the smallest D1 school, this makes our 4 year graduation look lower than our peer institutions. As a current senior, I can only think of perhaps a handful of non-athletes who will not be graduating next month.</p>