<p>A good friend is heading off to BC next year. I know that BC has some good things going for it: location in Boston, strong students(as shown by average
SAT scores), and Jesuit affiliation(a draw for some). But really, what is it about BC that attracts so many top students? I know that applications have risen sharply in recent years.</p>
<p>Good question. Some commonly stated reasons include:</p>
<ul>
<li>D1 Athletics</li>
<li>Party School</li>
<li>High Ranking (#35)</li>
<li>School Spirit</li>
</ul>
<p>I really do not know why so many people are drawn to BC. I came here because I wanted to stay fairly close to home and this was the best school I got into that wasn't far away. I personally didn't choose BC for any of the above reasons except academics (if only I had known). It is hard to believe that BC has as many applicants as it does.</p>
<p>in my opinion it's quite easy to believe there are so many applicants </p>
<p>i think the school's main appeal is its "all-aroundedness." good academics, awesome sports, many opportunities, reputation, location, campus....the list goes on</p>
<p>The rise in applications isn't a BC phenomenon. Every school is reporting huge spike in applications. We are experiencing the growing up of the mini-baby boom, plus they are getting more and more paranoid about college. All of this adds to the rise in application in the overall population. BC director of admission, John Mahoney, predicts in a casual conversation that BC along with other universities will see a decrease in admission percentage within the next 10-15 years once the mini-boom is over. Overall I wouldn't use the application number/admission number as an indicator of the school competitiveness. I would rather track the increase in the average SAT/ACT score at a school. I think this gives the clearest indication of a school's competitiveness. If the mean and the 25th percentile keep increasing every year, then that school is attracting more and more competitive students each year, which, unfortunately for future applicants, is what BC is also doing.</p>
<p>Over the past 10 years, the 25th percentile for the SAT has increased by 60+ point (using the 1600 scale), and the 75th percentile has increased by 70+ points.
<a href="http://www.bc.edu/publications/factbook/meta-elements/pdf/07-08/07-08_fact_book.pdf%5B/url%5D">http://www.bc.edu/publications/factbook/meta-elements/pdf/07-08/07-08_fact_book.pdf</a></p>
<p>If you are worry about the current state of college admission, blame your parents for having you so early, they should have waited a decade more. (semi-sarcasm). </p>
<p>Now, about what make BC great? I don't know, but it's not Doug Flutie (don't make me bust out the charts). It's a combination of things. I think it gives every type of student something that really draws them them in. We are regularly described as the Jack-of-all-Trade and I agree with that assessment. What sealed the deal for me was football. Sport wasn't even in the top-5 most important things, but it was a tie breaker in BC's favor. I'm sure other people have many different story.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Now, about what make BC great? I don't know, but it's not Doug Flutie (don't make me bust out the charts).
[/quote]
haha, i'll agree with that!</p>
<p>to me: everything.</p>
<p>when i was applying here it was my <em>almost</em> dream school (besides for penn, but really i would never get in there so i didnt consider it a possibility). </p>
<p>the campus is beautiful, its in boston- the biggest college town in the country, yet it still has its own campus that makes you forget a huge city is right next door. friendly students, great all around academics, good food, BEAUTIFUL campus (really just wait until it snows, and the fall, and the spring). FOOTBALL!!! did i mention football? basketball and hockey are tons of fun too, intramurals are big here, millions of clubs and ways to get involved. </p>
<p>no frats/soroities.. might be a downer for some people. dont get me wrong, frats are great fun but i like the social scene here without them. the jesuits- really the coolest priests youll ever meet in your life, even if youre not that religious (like me). more service opprotunities than you could imagine, and all around just a great place to spend four years.</p>
<p>enough for you?</p>
<p>hows the party scene and the social life</p>