<p>Crusader, the original comment was in contrast to Clark. I would venture to say that the same survey given to Clark students would yield a much more "liberal" response. Liberal and conservative are relative terms. Some of the responses identified as liberal on issues such as gay marriage and the death penalty in part may reflect views in Massachusetts, where gay marriage has been legalized and the death penalty has not been used in several decades. </p>
<p>Holy Cross is a wonderful school and I would be pleased to have my son go there. While I am sure there are students from different regional and economic backgrounds, there are more international students at Clark. Both are great schools in the same city, but have a different flavor in my opinion.</p>
<p>Boston is unique because of the New England Conservatory. This school hosts over 300 concerts a year at the famous Jordan Hall. It's also one of the best music schools in world nestled in the heart of Boston's art district. Jazz and Classical music thrive here. I believe NEC is also closely affiliated with the Boston Symphony and Tanglewood.</p>
<p>Boston College may well be "pre-professional" (particularly in the Carroll School), but this characterization doesn't do justice to BC students' wide academic pursuits. BC has more philosophy majors for example than any other school in the country ( <a href="http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/rvp/pubaf/chronicle/v13/f17/philosophy.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/rvp/pubaf/chronicle/v13/f17/philosophy.html</a> ) as well as an active arts scene ( <a href="http://www.bc.edu/offices/artscouncil/%5B/url%5D">http://www.bc.edu/offices/artscouncil/</a> ) including loads of performing groups ( <a href="http://www.bc.edu/offices/robsham/performance/%5B/url%5D">http://www.bc.edu/offices/robsham/performance/</a> ) and a well-regarded museum ( <a href="http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/cas/artmuseum/about/index.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/cas/artmuseum/about/index.html</a> ).</p>
<p>Among Catholic schools, BC is probably the most politically liberal (80% voted for Kerry, granted he's a BC alum, and over 1,000 marched for gay rights this year). Of course there are conservatives as well, many of them quite vocal. Ann Coulter's talk in November drew almost as many as Howard Dean's talk in October. Overall, I'd say its a good mix, with no one political ideology dominating.</p>
<p>As for being "old," par72's comments lead me to do some historical research: the original BC was in fact founded in 1827, 16 years before Holy Cross. Apparently this was once a big rivalry, which might help explain par's sour grapes. More info at: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_College%5B/url%5D">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_College</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/College_of_the_Holy_Cross%5B/url%5D">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/College_of_the_Holy_Cross</a></p>
<p>Thank you to all who've taken the time to give so much helpful input about the colleges in Boston or just outside of th city - this is a very helpful thread!</p>
<p>luliztee, how did your trip go?</p>
<p>Hi Blumini, thanks for asking. We ended up having not enough travel time to go to Boston. we spent the day in NYC instead and visited Fordham University( Lincoln Center) and Barnard.</p>
<p>My D did not feel Barnard was right for her at this time, but really liked Fordham. She has put this on her NYC list along with NYU.</p>
<p>As far as Boston goes...........we all like the sound of Boston College and would like to see it. Her Dad is going to try to make time in Aug. to take her. Also Tufts and Brandeis. perhaps BU too.</p>
<p>I think we are getting to that point where we are learning alot about colleges and majors and programs and now we are confused. She would like to attend a good university or LAC in an urban setting but is also interested in art/photography/graphic design.</p>
<p>The issue now is for her to deecide whether to apply undecided and look to implement art classes as a minor or concentration. Or go all out and apply as art major in a strong liberal arts program. The art emphasis is opening up new considerations such as Art schools too.</p>
<p>I guess you have to look at alot of avenues and colleges and what they offer to find the right fit.</p>
<p>It will be interesting to see which schools she actually ends up applying to......and then interesting again to see who accepts her and what kind of package they offer.</p>
<p>For any of you who definately know which schools you are appying to:</p>
<p>Would you mind sharing the name of school, your intended major or interests and why you chose that school?</p>
<p>By the way .....thanks to all of you who gave me such informational leads for Boston schools! </p>
<p>We do have a list now thanks to everyone and you prompted me to do much research on Boston colleges. </p>
<p>It doesn't seem like there is enough time to see all the colleges that are interesting and possibilities between now and application time!</p>
<p>I have learned on our first one....we should start earlier, like the summer entering 11th grade. At least now we are more familiar w/ college process and w/ colleges in general and will be able to sift through all this faster and w/ more confidence. </p>
<p>What do they say? You have to learn everything on your first child! We should be pros by our fourth.</p>
<p>By the way..........the college flavor of the week is: Rhode Island school of Design ( Tax guy spoke of this on the arts major forum and it peaked our interest) </p>
<p>I tend to think my D is better off in a university or LAC as an undecided major studying the humanities ( another of her interests) in a school which also has a strong art dept. Rather than majoring in art or attending an Art school.</p>
<p>But it is her who has to decide on where her interests will take her and what kind of career path she wants to develop, not me.</p>
<p>It sounds to me Boston College is a good balance.....strong art dept, Catholic(Jesuit, excuse me) and Urban(kind of) and good liberal arts.</p>
<p>We shall see..........</p>
<p>If your daughter is wavering between a specialized art school and a broader liberal arts curriculum, RISD might be a great match since it has the best of both worlds (top art school with cross-registering options at Brown). I'm not sure what the specifics of the RISD-Brown collaborative relationship is, but I have a good friend at RISD who loves it. He also has been very pleasantly surprised by Providence, and from my few visits I'd have to agree. </p>
<p>Boston College might also be a good match, especially if she wants to be more fully integrated into a liberal arts/university setting. BC's visual arts program is relatively small but this is also part of its strength. I have a few friends who are studio art majors/minors and they form a pretty strong bond amongst themselves and with profs since they spend so much time together (and many late nights/early mornings) in studios. A few of the studios are in converted stables and carriage houses on the south end of campus which adds to the community feel. But compared to RISD its a much smaller program with fewer facilities, and hence fewer opportunities (I have specifically heard complaints about no metal shop and no printmaking studio). The facilities they do have (drawing, painting, ceramics, photography, digital media, film) are all top-notch. Bapst Library is the fine arts library, and probably the most beautiful building on campus. It also has a student art gallery on the mezzanine level. These are all things you should check out when/if you visit, since they are probably not on the campus tour.</p>
<p>
[quote]
babboo, Stonehill is one of that group of colleges that has recruited athletes that tend to get in trouble outside of the classroom, at least based on my anecdotal observation of Boston Globe articles.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Eh, I dunno what type of trouble you mean because Stonehill has a pretty strict drug and alcohol policy (it's basically one offense and no more on-campus housing for a weekend, two offenses and no housing for a month, three strikes and no on campus housing the rest of your stay - and the offenses carry over throughout the years) so there's little room for leeway if you're caught with anything.</p>
<p>luliztee
Is your D aware of the portfolio requirements that come into play when applying as a Fine Arts major? She would have to be preparing now...and make sure she attends some sort of portfolio review day locally so she knows what the strengths and weaknesses are and can be prepared.The same way a music major has to be prepped and ready for auditions.</p>
<p>To Cathymee</p>
<p>Yes she knows about the portfolio. </p>
<p>She has attended a sudio art portfolio prep course for all years of H.S. and also attended an Art School outside H.S. for a 1 1/2. I was wondering about having her return in 12th grade because they will help her to finalize her portfolio and send slides etc. but they want $2000 just for Sept-Jan! I was going to ask her to see if her H.S. teacher could help her instead or try doing it ourselves. Especially because she may not even need one if she does not apply as an Art major to a University or apply to an Art School.</p>
<p>If she decides she definately wants to major in art, then yes, we will put together a professional portfolio. But if not, we may pass on it or just try to do it ourselves. </p>
<p>She also has her own website w/ many art displays and photos.......perhaps they would be interested in that. i know RISD's graphic dept. accepts a website as portfolio. That is something that she is very good with and I know she could put something great together that way too.</p>
<p>regarding Boston College studio art...kind of late to post, but....</p>
<p>My D is a talented artist with an interest in drawing/printmaking. Her high school has a new state-of-the-art arts building with cutting edge printmaking equipment. She took one look at BC's art studios and declared it off her list! Bad lighting and space, according to her discerning eye.</p>
<p>You might also consider Villa Nova outside of Philly, if a Catholic school is a priority and Boston is not. Boston College is a beautiful campus, and a great location, it fits both criterion. My son attends Tufts University and absolutely loves it. It is non-sectarian, 4800 undergrads, (about half the size of BC, about the same distance on the "T" to Boston, has a pretty campus, and friendy, intelligent, laid-back students. Sports are not a huge spectator event, but many of the students participate in varsity and intermural sports. If Boston area is a priority, I would definately look into Tufts. The overnight stay is what sold my son on Tufts over Cornell, William and Mary, Bucknell, Lehigh, and BC. Good luck!</p>
<p>Ditto on the info on Barnard. It's hardly all-girls . When I was there , there were guys ( and weed ) all over the dorms and classes were always a mixed group . But be careful , there are lot of "older students " on campus too -- not a real collegiate rah-rah atmosphere .</p>