<p>I was in Boston over break and decided to check out a few schools (Harvard, BC, Tufts and Brandeis ... my dad and I will do the real "East Coast Trip" this summer). I absolutely fell in love with BC. Seems like exactly what I'm looking for (size, campus, proximity to a great city, community/spirit, etc). I actually liked it even more than Harvard, though I will still probably apply there. My problem might be superficial, but I wanted to get a read on what people think ... I'm pretty sure I could get in (decent shot at least) but I'd feel better about it if it were ranked higher.</p>
<p>it's top 50--that's not low. It lacks quality high level grad school would be my guess.</p>
<p>boston college is actually pretty hard to get into. a lot of prep school kids apply, and it's pretty competitive. yeah its top 50</p>
<p>It's silly to pick a school you don't like over one you do like just because one is rated higher than the other. The "best" school is the one that's best for YOU. Check out BC's programs and you'll see it's a quality school with a good rep with grad schools. And, BC students tend to be very happy with their choice so BC must be doing something right. My advice: don't worry too much about rankings, just worry about finding schools where you feel all of the pieces fit for YOU and your specific needs and desires.</p>
<p>It is #37 on USNWR. That IS not low. (Of course USNWR rankings are kinda stupid and can't be taken too seriously.) I imagine that BC isn't higher since it competes in the Northeast and in a major college town. Tufts has the same problem. I wouldn't pick a college based on the rankings. </p>
<p>Interestingly, the most selective college in the country each year based upon the percent of applicants accepted is usually the US Coast Guard Academy.</p>
<p>well, the rankings are on academics, not social life/atmosphere too</p>
<p>It depends on your definition of low. But there's no way BC belongs in the top 25 or top 30. If you look at the list, I don't know what school in the top 30 it could possibly replace, at least from an academic standpoint. If you ask me, BC is overrated--BU should probably be ranked higher than BC.</p>
<p>BC was a commuter school for most of its history. Also it trails Gtown, Holy Cross and Notre Dame-the long-standing National Catholic Schools in number of Rhode Scholars, alumni giving rate, grad placement. Like NYU, USC, BU,and Northeastern it benefits by those seeking a city campus.</p>
<p>Like I said in the original post, I realize the problems with putting too much importance on ranks, but I'm not sure I could justify spending $40,000+ on a school thats not even in the top 20. BU isn't even top 50 so my worries would be even greater there. Why do you think it should be higher? I didn't get a chance to really see it (we just drove by), but I'll do more research and maybe stop by this summer. Deservedly or not it has a poor reputation from what I've heard: its "the bad one" when people are distinguishing between BC and BU. I'm not Catholic, so BC's standing among the school you mentioned isnt really important to me. At the same time I liked what I heard about the Jesuits who seem to be more liberal and big on human rights/justice issues. I'm definitely going to check out Georgetown this summer, but don't think I would fit into a place like Notre Dame or Holy Cross (hadn't heard of it, but based on their webpage). The measures you bring up though are exactly what prompted me to write the original post. BC's Rhodes Scholars, alumni network, grad placement, etc all seem a lot better than its actual rank (BC homepage today says 13 seniors won Fulbrights this year), so I can't really figure that out. I did get the impression that BC is rising, so your point about having been a commuter school is probably right on. I just wonder how quickly that rise will continue (by the time I graduate??). As for your last point, I actually disagree. One of the reasons I liked BC so much was specifically because it was NOT a city campus, though I can see myself at an urban place like NYU or BU too.</p>
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I'm not Catholic, so BC's standing among the school you mentioned isnt really important to me.
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<p>I don't think you can divorce Catholicism from evaluating BC. It is a strongly Catholic school, historically serving the huge (largely Irish) Catholic population of New England. </p>
<p>Like many formerly so-so schools (BU, NYU, etc.), BC has gained academic prestige over the years. BU was the big commuter school in Boston. BC has been the New England version of Notre Dame, although not as highly regarded. Here in New England, BC has been regarded as a "better" school academically than BU, but a step down from the many top-shelf academic schools in the region. </p>
<p>If the suburban location attracted you to BC, there are many other schools with similar settings.</p>
<p>its probably ranked low because for years it was an insane party school that was pretty easy to get in to for rich new englanders. it had that reputation until about 15 years ago, now the academics are VERY solid. and i personally think its much better than BU because its a real campus. i still didnt end up applying to BC, i could never get in and i hated the fact that so many freshman lived so far away from campus</p>
<p>Our D just finished her second year at BC. She picked it over several other very good schools for many reasons.
1) They really care about their undergraduates. She has only had a few large classes, but has still been able to go to the professors, and the TA's for those discussion sections have been excellent. She has been incredibly pleased with her academic experience at BC.
2) The school is large enough to have everything a student could want in the way of academics, sports, social scene and activities, without being so large that you are lost in the shuffle. We have often said that it feels like a much smaller school, and has very friendly people & lots of school spirit.
3) The location is ideal (except for the weather this winter!) being right on the T (even called the BC stop) so that you can go into Boston whenever you want. But it has lots of green space, and is really beautiful! The campus has its own police department, so it is very safe, and they are always available.
4) Yes, it is Jesuit, but the Catholicism is not in your face. You can be as religious, or nonreligious as you like--no one judges you. All faiths have access to services, many on campus--and there are a number of student organizations that are religious in nature, but not Catholic.
On the other hand, the Jesuits have a real commitment to a liberal arts education, service to others and the community and a great deal more. They encourage and help arrange many, many service projects & trips, including "alternative Spring Break" trips to Appalacia and other areas in need of help. The students spend their week doing an incredible amount of service in these places, and have a great time!
5)It has gone way beyond the commuter school status it once had. About 15-20 years ago half of the student body was from Massachussetts, now it is probably less that 25%, with students from every state, many other countries, and an ever increasing number of applicants--this was the most competitive year ever and many highly qualified students did not get in, or were waitlisted--we know several who were denied--all very good students!</p>
<p>In the end, everyone has to pick a school that is the best fit. BC is not for everyone, but deciding on the basis of rankings isn't usually the best way--the top schools on the list will not be changing any time soon--it would take some critical issue to knock them off the list--so the schools that have really done a good job of broadening their appeal by making the right changes and stepping up to the challenge will not take their place--but that doesn't mean that you won't get an outstanding education there!!!!
Good luck--I hope you have a great visit!</p>