<p>Academically? and Socially?..and i guess geographically?</p>
<p>ummm yeah. All of those.</p>
<p>i meant, what specifically in those areas makes BU good?</p>
<p>Academically, some of the programs are really excellent. And some benefit a lot from being in Boston. COM, for example, is one of the best in its field and Boston is a major media and advertising buying and production center. </p>
<p>Socially, the place is not dominated by frats and sororities. I think that's good. It's a national university, only 20% from MA. </p>
<p>Geographically, Boston is one of the best cities in the world to spend time in. If you think about the great cities in the US - NY, Chicago, Boston, SF - only NY and Boston have quality schools right in the middle of things.</p>
<p>I'd say the University of Chicago is a quality school ni the middle of things.</p>
<p>Chicago is a long way from the loop and the near north side restaurants and bars. The area it's in isn't bad but there's some crap around it.</p>
<p>PENN is good too but the neighborhood can be a little sketchy but the crime is not as bad as many think it is at PENN. </p>
<p>BU is very safe and convenient. Taking public transportation in Boston beats Philly and again its a safe route. BU is in the city but near the edge. It is up against the Charles River and thats a nice scenic area. During the school year 1 in 4 people in Boston is a student so its a real college town but a real city too.</p>
<p>WE are in a Global economy and the world is getting smaller so BU's high percentage of interrnational students is a big plus.</p>
<p>dogs they overrate the crime crap here. Getting around using SEPTA (our 'T') Isnt much of a hassle. The crime is random and doesnt effect the schools as much as they act like it does. I took a class at Temple this summer and walked alone across the campus. I never had a problem with safety. Penn is in a pretty upscale part of the city too.
It doesnt beat Boston, but it's not as bad as they say.</p>
<p>I like Philly but it's a city with a lot of problems. Penn is in a weird, kind of transitional area, not really part of Center City but not too far away. I do not feel totally comfortable moving around there at night. I certainly wouldn't if I were a girl.</p>
<p>I didn't include Penn on my list because of Philly's issues, but it is a terrific school in an urban setting.</p>
<p>They make a much bigger deal than it really is.</p>
<p>I live in the area and have done work at PENN. It does have more crime so you have to consider it --including one or two student robbery murders in recent years which is very different than drunk kids having arguements or a stolen bike. I agree its improving and Phila itself is really getting nationally noticed as the place to be for young people, artists, etc. with the center city renaissance. As PENN builds toward Center City it will get safer but for now a couple blocks in some directions can be worrisome.</p>
<p>Funny thing is, they make a bigger deal about Temple then they do Penn. Penn has had alot of worse problems.</p>