Why should I pay $200,000+ for BC when I could go to my state school for free?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Boston College
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<p>Hume15:</p>

<p>Actually they do look at the school, what science courses are taken and the grades received in these courses. A school like BC has a good reputation among the medical schools. They also look at the extracurricular activities including research, the recommendations received, and the committment to the profession. I am a director of a medical/dental service at a level 1 city hospital and is involved in a residency program which requires additional medical school training. We interview candidates for our residency program where a representative of the medical school attends these interviews and this is what they are looking for. Of course, the candidate still has to do well, but I can assure you BC is looked upon favorably.</p>

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<p>Your opinion, of course. But speaking as a medical school family who has gone through this process many times, there will be a comparison of student A with student B with the same GPA and MCAT score. If one attended a more difficult college one necessarily has to infer that the 3.5 from a difficult school like BC may mean more. There is also an early acceptance to Tufts Medical School for BC students who meet the GPA requirement. Of course everyone is welcome to their opinion, but if you can maintain a 3.5 or higher at BC versus college or university X which is easier, it is going to look better. The trick is to keeping the 3.5 or higher!</p>

<p>We have several students who applied to professional school. One attended a prestigious school in the Northeast (Bowdoin) and applied with a 3.3 and was accepted. Getting A’s in the sciences was not easy there. I applied with a 4.0 from a small school no one has heard of and got in too. Another relative had a 3.2 from Colby and got in, very difficult to get A’s in Science courses. All without legacy at that particular medical school. Yet we have 3.8 students graduating from our public university in state having trouble getting in. So yes, I am going to have to assume that in our world the harder schools carry more weight. Their professors know them better, write better letters at the small schools, and they have a well rounded liberal arts education which is important in a college experience, even if you are going into medicine. I was an English/Bio major and loved the English more than the Bio. It’s not just about the science courses, it’s about the person who is going to be a physician dealing with patients.</p>

<p>This is not a medical school discussion. I realize there are many premed-ers out there, and you can get the education for the required courses wherever you want, but college is the whole package. Ideally it should prepare you for your career while you experience the best days of your young life. Isn’t that what this discussion is about after all?</p>

<p>If I give premedical advice, it’s because we as a physician you want to help other students succeed and become physicians too. Not unless you are one can you really hope to know the hours of study and preparation and sheer elation of being accepted. Get the best grades you can wherever you go and study until your eyes hurt. Then study some more. </p>

<p>If you go to Boston College, you will receive a fine premedical education, volunteer opportunites at great hospitals, EMT training if you want it, service opportunities and preprofessional help during application time. There will be MCAT classes if you want in the area and research opportunites too. So yes, I do think it’s a good choice if you want to become a physician. Or nurse. Or teacher. Or business executive. It has a wealth of resources for just about everyone, and they are all right there at your fingertips.</p>

<p>In the case of Boston College, I believe “you get what you pay for.” As with the other private colleges and universities, the state schools are coming with less cost and will not equal the education or experience you receive in a private setting.</p>

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<p>blue,
You are stating your opinion as though it is fact. I don’t know what your agenda is, but you are not factually correct. Saying something and presenting it as factual does not make it so. </p>

<p>Case in point:</p>

<p>•"BC’s alumni network in strong in the NE, but not so much value farther away…" This is not true. This is merely your opinion.
•"pacheight: you need to check your data sources…BC is not harder than our instate public(s)“. Again, this is not true and I can attest to this firsthand. This is only your opinion and you should state it as such.
•"Unfortunately, BC is not as wealthy…who can afford to cap home equity. Thus, BC cannot compete with them on price”. List your sources please.
•” and “BC is 60% full pay…” Where did you get this? On the BC website under financial aid it states “Overall, 64 percent of the Class of 2013 received some form of financial aid from Boston College. This assistance included more than $18 million in institutional need-based grants.” Couldn’t find your assertion anywhere. Find it hard to believe.</p>

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<p>1) count up the BC alumni in Fresno, California, for example, and compare with any NE city. It is no secret that historically BC has been a NE-centric college. While that is certainly changing, some alums graduated years ago. There are just more of them in the NE, which makes the alumni network stronger there. That is no different than a college like Dartmouth which also has a lot more NE alums; conversely, USC, has an extremely strong network in SoCal, but not-so strong in the NE.</p>

<p>2) Concur, rigor has to be an opinion (as was the quote posted by hume), which anyone would readily perceive. But I still would argue the point. BC may be harder that a lot of state schools (and privates, for that matter), but not necessarily Cal & UCLA, and even UCSD. I know plenty of kids at BC and their HS preparedness, and plenty at the top UCs, which are brutally competitive with gunners, and classes with lots of kids who already have 5’s in their AP’s but are retaking Frosh courses for the “easy” A. (A good reason to choose elsewhere, but that is a different topic.)</p>

<p>3) Plenty of data on cc regarding college endowments by student. Plenty of public data sources, as well. (There are a couple of endowment ‘experts’ on cc, btw.) Indeed, the data sources must be made public since colleges are non-profits and must release their info as a matter of law.</p>

<p>4) IPEDS – federal reports: 39% of BC students receive need-based aid from the College (excludes athletic aid). I also exclude federal aid alone (~10%) since anyone can qualify for an unsubsidized stafford, regardless of need. Also, since loans have to repaid, they are nothing but another form of self/full-pay.</p>

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<p>blue,

  1. Put in this context, of course. But since this applies to most colleges, what’s the point of bringing it up?</p>

<p>2) I don’t know where you are going with this. All top schools are difficult to get into. For a Californian, it is easier to get into a public school than it is for the OOS. As for AP courses “lots of kids who already have 5’s in their AP’s but are retaking Frosh courses for the “easy” A.” What? This can apply to most colleges. I also know kids at BC and their HS preparedness and plenty at the top ucs (as a native Californian, most of my friends and lots of relatives), and your point is…? </p>

<p>3) Yes, obviously there is plenty of data. However, when you use specific data you should list that particular source. What specific source did you use?</p>

<p>4) Again, only part of the picture.</p>

<p>What I’m trying to ascertain here, and please, I’m not trying to denigrate you, is what your motives are with regard to your posts. You seem to be all over the place.</p>

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<p>carla: the first thing they teach you at Cal is to finish every sentence with “it’s a known fact”…that’s where blue got his attitude.</p>

<p>the real fact is that Cal, UCLA, and UCSD (the 3 best government schools in California) have udergrads with lower SAT scores than the two top privates in California, Stanford and USC. I wonder if BC kids have higher SAT’s too? And the gpa’s of a large portion of the kids at these huge California publics come from rural, low IQ, high schools…that kids 4.0 is more like a 2.8 at a tough college prep high school. Cal and UCLA are full of kids like that because state law requires the UC’s to admit the top 10 percent (maybe 12%) of every public high school in California.</p>

<p>Cal, UCLA, UCSD are known universities because of their grad schools not their overcrowded, sadly somewhat mean-spirited, undergrads.</p>

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<p>pacheight,</p>

<p>What you stated is true. However, I didn’t really experience any meanness, rather a lack of cohesiveness, lack of caring and guidance and an unbalanced level of academic capabilities among the undergraduates. Since it is much harder for OOS to get accepted, there seems to be the idea that these schools are therefore “better” and “prestigious” , but this isn’t the case. Californians get preference because of the regulations and as a result there are less openings for out of state kids. Lots of kids getting accepted to Cal and UCLA instate couldn’t get accepted to top schools outside of California, based on grades and test scores. I also agree that the grad schools are the reason for the rankings.</p>

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<p>I think people are getting off track here. Even if the UCs aren’t as good as BC, that still doesn’t answer the OP’s question.</p>

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<p>I feel this discussion would be better served if some current BC students or parents would weigh in and give their opinions as to what the education has been like at Boston College.</p>

<p>It would be helpful to hear if the experience was what they imagined, if there are any regrets, and how attending has changed them for the better or worse.</p>

<p>If there are any BC students or parents out there, would you be willing to share?</p>

<p>And please, no more talk about California schools! This student who asked the question is asking about BC versus Rutgers. </p>

<p>At this time of year, the seniors who applied are experiencing senioriitis, winter blues, midterm “what’s the point” feelings and overall happiness about being almost done, but still for many if they don’t know where they are going to college, it’s interspersed with pure panic about getting in. Sure, there’s not much they can do, and they are happy to be done applying, but still wringing their hands metaphorically waiting.</p>

<p>Is there something that makes Boston College special for the kids who applied and are waiting to hear, or trying to make a decision if they should go there if admitted? Even though our student already submitted an enrollment deposit and is going, she is second guessing herself and saying “did I make the right choice?” which all too often invariably comes after you make a life changing decision. If you have first hand knowledge of this, why is BC the right choice for a college student?</p>

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<p>Dear CTMOM56 : First, some disclosure before responding to your questions. Both of my children are attending Boston College; both were High School valedictorians (a first in the history of our school district to have sibling vals), both are part of the CAS Honors Program, and both were regular decision round Boston College applicants as, like with so many top academic candidates, we were Ivy-chasing.</p>

<p>Second, the information that we have shared about the price point for Boston College comes with a great deal of experience : in short, there are no discounts for having two at the university. As I said on page one of this entire thread, the question is NOT about whether Boston College is worth $X per year since the concept of value is a personal measurement. The point that I did make was that as a private institution, Boston College provides an educational experience beyond many other private institutions and to that end has established a price point commensurate with the facilities and options offered.</p>

<p>So much for the preamble. Let’s start sharing some of the advantages that both of my children enjoy at Boston College. </p>

<p>At BC, you have a campus that is relatively self-contained, well-maintained, residential, and well staffed across the board from faculty to facilities. You have well-kept green space areas and a campus police presence that is part of the entire security ethic for students. The on-campus and off-campus dining choices are varied, campus entertainment is readily available (intramural sports, plays, concerts and more), and campus spirit and student cooperation is strong … however more than all of this, the students know how to work hard.</p>

<p>Boston College is about pride in seeing your Division I school on television for a Bowl Game, cheering the National Championship Hockey team, celebrating the National Sailing team … however the campus recognized just how important one individual’s personal struggle like Mark Herzlich can be in galvanizing the purpose of the BC community.</p>

<p>Faculty is readily available to students from the First Year Experience through to the Research Opportunities … from the Freshman 48 hours to the Senior 100-Day Ball. As an undergraduate, students have research opportunities unlike many Top 30 universities and publishing even in your early days is possible with personal effort.</p>

<p>Boston College is about community. From Appalachia to For Boston, from teaching internships to nursing, from Marathon Monday to College Football Saturdays, Boston College is about teaching youth to be part of their environment and make that world better for themselves and those around them.</p>

<p>Tell your daughter that she has made the right choice.</p>

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<p>scottj, if a single person gave that endorsement to all the kids and parents at the admitted eagle day today, i think checkbooks would have been flying out of pockets and handbags. you are an awesome spokesperson for BC, and everything you write about it makes me love it more. thank you.</p>

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<p>As a potential full payer (if I get in RD) and could get a free ride at my state school of Florida or FSU, this thread has been helpful in seeing other peoples opinions and thoughts. Everyone seems to love it and think really highly of the school, and it seems like a great fit for me.</p>

<p>Thanks again guys for the posts. This forum has been the most helpul resource through this whole college process. I hope I get into BC come April!</p>

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<p>Our son is a junior at BC. He has commented many times how happy he is to be at BC. He is working hard and playing hard. His professors got him excited about his studies, have really challenged his thinking, and have allowed him to view the world quite differently. He’s volunteered on several of BC’s outreach programs. He’s involved in a variety of activities. And he’s made a solid group of close friends. </p>

<p>If he were to talk to any prospective HS senior right now about BC, I can only imagine how passionate he’d be. </p>

<p>OP: I echo scottj’s comment: “Tell your daughter that she made the right choice.”</p>

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<p>The post titled “What is Boston College’s Reputation?” started by swimrat back on 05-29-2010 is also very informative and worth checking out for additional insight.</p>

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<p>On the med school thing, there seems to be little advantage for BC versus public schools:</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/pre-med-topics/1062224-med-school-admissions-gpas-weighed-same-all-undergraduates-all-universities.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/pre-med-topics/1062224-med-school-admissions-gpas-weighed-same-all-undergraduates-all-universities.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>What about that -22 degree chill factor in Boston today???</p>

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<p>The amount of time people give to premed discussions and California school discussions which are totally irrelevant to this discussion makes me wonder if they could be incredibly narrow minded.</p>

<p>I truly appreciate all of the Boston College endorsements. Reading the responses here and to Admitted Eagle Day which we could not attend, it seems like an unrivaled college education and experience. It has been incredibly helpful to hear from the parents and students why they think BC is worth the money. It seems like most students and parents would choose this school if they could. It’s really not hard to see why.</p>

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<p>I have a current sophmore S in CSOM. My daughter was accepted into CAS Honors for next year, and my husband and I are facing down a double tuition next year! My son has decided on an Accounting concentration and my daughter is interested in a pre-med track. Let me explain how happy we have been with our S’s experience and why we would even consider sending our D to BC when we have an highly ranked instate flagship:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Our S has been inspired and challenged academically and has become the student we always imagined he could, but only saw glimpses of in high school. He truly enjoys his classes and professors (some he has really made a solid connection with). He has decided to add a History minor with his Accounting major- because of one inspirational professor.</p></li>
<li><p>He does not want to graduate in 4 years because there are so many classes he wants to take that he won’t have the time. His Perspectives course has been one of his favorites- a combination of Theology and Philosophy- this coming from a non-humanities student in high school.</p></li>
<li><p>He’s just finished a semester of extraordinary grades and is studying harder than we have ever seen him, while holding down a job 10 hours a week. He is excited and finally finding the academic success he sometimes struggled with in high school. I have to attribute some of this to the professors and faculty whom he goes to meet at office hours and always encourage and help him. He started reading his next semester’s text books over Winter Break.</p></li>
<li><p>He just came back from a service trip over Winter Break to Nicaragua through the Campus Ministry and attended weekly pre -trip meetings since last Spring. He told us it was one of the best things he’s done at BC so far.</p></li>
<li><p>He has an incredible group of friends and has joined several clubs and is on the board of an academy in CSOM. He’s actively involved and takes advantage of what BC offers and at the same time contributes to the community- which is what I believe BC is all about. This may not be as important to some students, but BC does a very good job of accepting those who are have been actively involved in high school and can bring that level of commitment and enthusiasm to BC.</p></li>
<li><p>He has always been a kid involved in service and leadership and we wondered if he would continue on that path in college. He has become an even more open-minded, open- hearted and generous person and I have to believe it must be partially due to the environment, faculty and fellow students at BC. </p></li>
<li><p>He is truly happy and a die hard BC sports fan. And he’s met a wonderful girl he’s been dating for a year.
He has become a better person, more confident and is very grateful that he gets to attend BC. My H and I see what he has gained and I guess for us, that is something hard to put a price on. We understand and value BC’s holistic approach to educating the whole person- and while no college is perfect- BC has influenced our son positively.
I experienced a Jesuit education in my youth- so I get it. My husband is agnostic- and he ‘gets’ it too.</p></li>
</ol>

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<p>Oh- and just got a text from my son informing me it was -15 degrees today. Ok- there are some negatives!</p>