Boston University Top Questions

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Make sure you attend a University that you can afford. Academics are most important. On campus housing is important. Work study is important.

It is important to really experience college life at a school, even if you are there visiting for a night. Some students base their decisions on solely aesthetics rather than real personal experience. I think it is extremely valuable for perspective students to research their schools as intensely as possible and ask attending students at that parictular university/college for their personal exepriences. Tours glorify their schools and sometimes overexaggerate things to entice perspective students. However, you will really know what school is right for you when you do visit-it should be an instant feeling of comfort and warmth. When I first visited BU, I immediately felt a sense of comfort; I loved seeing students sitting out on the bu "beach." But, it was really during orientation when I met a girl who became my best friend and still to this day is my closest friend. College will be the greatest time of your life, and you will meet people who could change your life forever. Make every minute last, it goes by all too fast. Get involved, do things you would never nomrally do, find yourself. Make yourself apart of the school and leave your mark!

In my opinion, the best thing I did to find the right school was visiting the campus multiple times before and after applying, being accepted, and choosing which school I would attend. Often, I would ask students at the schools questions from a list I had made of what was important to me (they are not "selling the school"; they are often times the most honest people to ask the majority of questions). At orientation, go to all the presentations and opportunity/club desks and ask your tour guide all kinds of questions- don't be shy. It is important to keep in mind that you may not want to stay with your major. Picking a school with many options may be a good decision for most students; too many options, though, can be potentially detrimental. Try not to choose a school based on the sports teams' records; in the long run, they are not important. Lastly, know how much you are prepared or able to spend on your education (if your school of choice is far from home, plane/train/bus tickets can get expensive). Apply for as many scholarships as you can from outside your university. Good luck!

When it comes to choosing a college, it seems that there are so many things to think about. Do I like the city the college is based in? Am I OK with the number of students at that college? Do I like the weather? Am I prepared to be this far away from home? Although these are valid questions, one of the most important ways of choosing a college and making the most of that college experience is actually going to that college and listening to what your heart is telling you. If, for any reason, you do not feel comfortable there, then you should listen to your intuition; you must realize that although you've answered all the above questions correctly and it seems like there is nothing wrong with the school, that is not where you feel you should be. So take college trips, visit schools, and listen to what your heart and head are telling you. Chances are, they won't be wrong. After you've figured that out, making the most of your college life will be easy.

Although every parent wants their child to succeed and go to the best school possible, don't pressure your kids to go Ivy League if they have the grades. Make sure they are going to be somewhere where they feel comfortable and mesh with other students, are in a setting where they can enjoy their surroundings, and can take classes which they believe will set them on their path to happiness. It is THEIR college experience, not the parents, and they are the ones who are going to have to deal with it for four years. I know lots of kids who were forced by their parents to shoot for schools like Harvard because it was so prestigious...but the students hated it there because they felt pressured all the time and couldn't have a normal college experience. Even if the student goes somewhere that might not be as well known it is what they get out of their education, not the school they go to. If they go somewhere they hate, I guarantee you they'll walk away with nothing.

Do plenty of research. Visit the ones your interested in. apply to a variety of schools in terms of size, location, diversity. Try to talk to students beforehand. In college, you can re-invent yourself. Take advantage of everytrhing that interests you, and get involved. You dont realize how much free time you have until you graduate, so fill it up with stuff you like.

In order to find the right college you (the student) need to find where you fit best. Do not think about where people think is the place to be, or where you should be according to your parents. You really need to find where YOU fit. Not every school will match you, and that is o.k. Just be confident that no matter where you end up, college will not determine your life path. Everyone is in the same boat in regards to making friends so you really just have to put yourself out there. The college experience is really just a name, a period in your life where you get to branch out from what your normally do, try new things, and most importantly fall flat on your face- a lot. The only way you will move forward and firgure out what direction you want to go in is if you take risks and make mistakes, and college is the safest place in your life to do that. Take advantage of a time with the greatest opportunity to make the craziest career, social, and life plans and then change them! Change is what college is about.

Make sure that the college you are interested in attending is really worth the money. Try your best to apply for as many scholarships as possible.

Make sure that you know everything about the school. Make sure that your kids are going there not only for an academic education but also to build social relationships. The only time social relationships are built at B.U. is while drinking and doing drugs. You are either a library rat or you are a binge drinking druggie. There is no middle ground at Boston UNiversity.

If you apply to a school, make an effort to go visit it. Experiencing a campus for yourself is more valuable in the decision-making process than reading pamphlets, reviews, or website about the school. For a lot of my friends (and myself), visiting a school can make the difference of whether or not you decide to apply to or attend the school. Even if you have to miss a few days of high school in order to visit a college, it's a worthwhile thing to do.

I would advise students to spend a day/night with an actual student. Stay overnight and actually attend classes, lunch, and activites to get a real feel of the school. Don't simply ask the students giving the tours. They were specifically hired to say good things about the school, but you need to be aware of the bad aspects as well, because every school has them, and they can make or break your college career. Once you do find the college you think will be best for you, make sure that you begin getting involved early in your career. Talk to your professors on a weekly basis; tell them your hopes for the future and your fears-they've already gone through the college experience, and they can help assure you as you grow and learn about the real world. Don't wait until its senior year, and you realize you will be graduating in 4 months; you will regret all the things you did not do. Rather, get involved, explore possibilities, and find your passion. And most importantly, enjoy your college years; they go by extremely quickly!

I would tell students to visit as many places as possible and really decide what kind of campus was right for them, whether it be urban, rural or suburban. Another important factor is how far they are willing to be from home and how easily they must be able to get home for visits.

Most importantly, for all prospective students, be honest with yourself. Do not let anyone else's opinion influence what you believe will be the right enviornment for you to grow, learn and have the best time of your life in. You only get one chance to make these four years of your life count. Try not to think about the school's name or reputation, just try to imagine yourself there, and if it fits it fits. If there is ever a time to make a decision for the benefit of no one but yourself, this is it.

The campus and students are probably the most important factor in choosing a school. When you visit, you should feel like you could really find a place there, like you could see yourself making friends with the students you see around campus. If you visit a school in the city and its overwhelmingly large for you, you probably wont be happy at a school in a city. If you visit a school surrounded by farms you might feel as though theres not enough culture. Figure out what type of scenery you want to live in and go for a school that matches. Whether youre happiest in an urban environment, suburban, or rural; you need to figure this out before you arrive at school for the fall semester of your freshman year or you might end up unhappy and transfering.

Two of the most important things on my list in terms of considering which school to attend were location and size of the school. Of course you're going to pick a school with a great program in what you wish to major in, but few people recognize the importance of "where" and "how many. " I knew from the start I wanted to be in a big city, but not somewhere like New York where I'd be worried about getting lost everyday. Boston was perfect for me because of it's sense of community and the huge college population that exists here. I also decided early on that I wanted a huge school so I could have the opportunity to meet a variety of people, both from the United States and international students as well. Classroom size and a small campus weren't concerns of mine, but social life and teacher availability were. The best advice I could give would be to consider all the aspects of a school before making your final decision. Every college has something different to offer and you'd rather end up with the whole package then one or two great things.

Choosing the right college is a very important decision, and you should definitely put a lot of time and thought into it. I went to a very competitive high school and thought that what I wanted out of college was to go to an Ivy League school. Luckily, going with a suggestion from my guidance counselor, I applied to Boston University. I didn't know much about the school and didn't even visit until after I was accepted, but in the end, I chose BU over several higher-ranked universities, including Dartmouth, Duke, and the University of Virginia. It turned out that BU had the best program for what I wanted to study - education. I was student teaching during my second semester freshman year. Furthermore, now that I'm in Boston, I cannot imagine going to school in a smaller college town. Make sure you think through every aspect of your college selection process; I would hate for you to miss out on what could be the best four years of your life.

If they go to BU they will not learn anything, not be motiavted to study or work, and will feel outkasted unless they conform to the standard just to fit in. BU sits in the shadow of MIT and Harvard. If you want a future for your child, make sure they get into a good school. BU is just mediocre. More than 50{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of students are accepted, so it's not selective, yet they charge you more than the best universities in the world. Where is the value in that?

College is a time where you learn a lot about who you are and what you like. It is hard to know what you are going to like about a school before you get there. The person I was when I chose a college is very different form the person I am today. The most important thing to look for when making a decision about going to school is finding a place where you think you will have the most opportunity for personal growth. Whether that means going to a school in a big city, a school with a lot of research opportunities, a school with a great academic department that you are interested in, a school with a great athletic reputation etc. you should find a place that provides an atmosphere for you to get to know yourself better. Trust your gut when you visit a campus. I chose Boston University because the moment I stepped on the campus, I felt certain that it was a place that would offer me the freedom and support to achieve the personal growth I was looking for in college.

Truthfully, every student draws from his or her college's "universe" to gain a personal life education, an education broader than books--but deeper than wild weekends. The most telling decisions probably hinge less on reputation and more on the personal experience, the overall environment, and the available "tools." These choices distinguish bustling city campuses from serene traditional colleges; access to monumental government labs is pitted against access to prestigious alumni, and most importantly, the character of the students and faculty--erudite philosophes, Blackberry-carrying wunderkind, normal kids, etc--something difficult to gauge without a campus visit or some insider information. Fortunately, insider information is easier to get with the internet: social networking makes the currently enrolled more accessible, and most students are excited to dish their views to potential peers. Also, prospective students should always reconsider self imposed limitations--far from home becomes essential novelty. Finally, never be afraid to aim high, financially or academically. "Reach" schools can be surprisingly within range, and between private institutions, school aid offices, and government help, the only limit to financial aid is how far one is willing to dig. At college and on the way one rule prevails: be fearless!

Take advantage of the environment around you. I love living in a city and I picked the perfect balance between academia and urban culture (preprofessionalism). It suits me.

Go where it feels right, but also remember that monetary considerations are important.

Finding the right college is a journey. A prospective student and their family should take the time to visit schools and truly weigh different options. Attending college is the next big phase of a young person's life, so it is not a process that should be taken lightly. There are a lot of schools out there, so prospective students should research and determine the key components that they would like to see in their future college. Touring schools is important; it allows students to get a sense of the school's atmosphere, and tours also provide great insight on the overall mission of a school. The college experience can be exceptional, but students must always remember that their experience is a direct outcome of what they put into it. Though it may take time for a student to become adjusted to the college life, staying involved academically and extracirricularly will surely contribute to an extraordinary college experience.

First, I would visit each school you are applying to because you can get a sense of wether or not the school is right for you just by walking on campus. Second, I would make sure that the schools you are lookng at have a strong program in the major you want to persue. If you are undecided pick a big school, so you have many options to choose from. However, my real advice is that ultimately no matter where you go, every experience in your life is what you make of it. It really does not matter what school you pick if you are open and willing to make the best of your experience there. I chose a school pretty far away from my homeand I love it, but I realized that I love this school because I want ot love it. I could have gone anywhere and felt the same way. Make the best of whatever situation you are thrown into, have fun and be optomistic. Enjoy college while it lasts becaue you only get to do it once and it goes by rapicly, so take advantage of itamd your experience will be that much better.

The most important factor for finding the right college is to make sure that there is a balance of social activities and academic drive. It's extremely important to be happy with your colleagues, the extracurricular activities as well as your courses and your professors. Enviroment is also a big factor when it come to choosing the right school. The difference between city and rural school is paramount and it affects every facet of your social life which is important to a happy student. No parent should force a student to go to a specific school and conversely every student should try to understand the reasoning behind their parent's prefeerence of school.

Visit the college you are going to attend! Visiting more than once would be ideal if possible. Talk to students who are not tour guides to get a more realistic look at student life. Don't be afraid to look into colleges you have never heard of because they can offer great educations too. Consider colleges that offer majors in many different fields because you will probably end up changing your major at least once. Make the most of your college experience by going to class and participating! You will learn so much more through debate and conversation than just through sitting quietly in class. Don't be afraid to try new things, you'll discover interests you never knew you had.

Just find the right college based on financial circumstances, size, location, and other general factors.

Listen to friends and family who have gone through the college application process. Really bug them. I didn't do that because I was trying to be polite. But really, your future depends on what school you attend, so bug away. Ask about everything. Ask about the grading system the type of professors and everything. Some people will glaze over the bad aspects to promote a better image of their school. Know when to call their bluff. If they make a remark that is slightly negative, it is probably an issue you need to look at carefully.

I would suggest to students that when making the decision upon a college or university to attend, find one where you feel most comfort and at home. For me, Boston University filled my desire to be on an urban campus within a historical city. It's academic programs and prestigious alumni networks are impressive and will be helpful in the years to come. For parents of perspective students, allow your child to tour a variety of schools. This will give them the opportunity to discover what they do and do not want. Also, I would suggest an overnight stay. It allows the student to witness firsthand what the college or university is like.

First of all, do your research, campus size will play a BIG role!! Then, look at the curriculum, class sizes, faculty. But I think the academics will not differ greatly from college to college. The most important thing about going to College is your living experience outside the class. Why? Most of your time you will spend OUTSIDE the class, with friends in the city or town, in your dorm, library, gym and so on. You MUST visit the campus and get a feel for the actual experience. Please don't forget about the weather!! This will also play a big role. City/Suburban/Rural, all make a HUGE difference!

If you visit schools, talk to students that aren't tour guides ? they're always willing to answer questions and you'll get a less biased view. Ask them the questions you're concerned about: size, size of classes, attitudes in student body, etc. You'll get an honest answer. With BU, a lot of people are concerned about the size. The honest answer is if you don't want to actively look for a way to fit in, it can be hard to find. But once you find it, your options are endless ? you'll see that within a group, everyone knows everyone and suddenly a school of almost 20,000 feels tiny. Don't apply to schools just because you like the cachet; there are a lot of great schools that are underrated because they don't have the history or the endowment, and they often feel they have something to prove.

The journey begins with touring different types of schools. It seems so obvious, but make sure that you don't pigeon hole yourself by repeatedly touring the same type of school. Categorize the schools that you are interested in. Three overwhelming factors that determine how a school feels are size, location and student body. You can get a feel for a school's academics by looking in a college guide book. Determine how large a school you are interested in attending, what type of environment you feel comfortable in and what type of people you want to be around. Once you figure out where you want to be, you want to make sure that you are getting the most out of what is offered. Take care of your work first. You will quickly realize that it's a lot easier to be happy at school if you take pride in your academic performance. You paid good money to learn. You will meet so many people. Resist the temptation of vieing for other's affection. Remain a strong, independent individual and people will want to befriend you. Discovering your true identity is one of the greatest aspects of going to school.

Make sure you the school is similar to the environment you grew up in. Large schools can cause depression if you grew up in a small town in the suburbs

Students should visit a variety of campuses. Try to visit city bound campus and country campus. Though it may be one of the last thoughts when looking for a school for most students, I feel the weather should be a major determining factor. If you are not a winter person you should avoid the north. If you love to ski, the north may be just the place for you. If you need to always have something going on, or at least the opportunity to do something, a city campus is for you.

Pick a university that has a diversity of majors. There is a good chance you will change your mind once you take a class or two.

Choosing the right college is all about knowing who you are as a person. Especially at Boston University, you can be whoever you want. There are so many programs available, and there is no pressure to be anybody that you aren't. Nobody will ever make fun of you for the choices you make, because there is such a diverse student body and diverse personal tastes. No matter what, the best thing that anyone can do in college is to find friends that are like them. Once you are able to find people who enjoy the same activities as you and have similar values and goals to yours, you will be comfortable and will enjoy just being who you are.

The college search can be full of emotions, disagreements, and excitement. It's easy for a family or student to become overwhelmed, but keep in mind that happiness lies at many colleges. Although, some colleges you visit or look up will just "click" with you. By visiting campuses, you can feel the atmosphere and surroundings of the school, and once in a while the feeling you get when you're walking down the sidewalk or quad of that campus feels right--like you belong. Apply to the schools that feel right even if the collge might be an admittance reach. What can you lose? Then narrow down your choices to the colleges that you can afford, see yourself at, and gain the utmost knowledge in. Take advantage of your chosen school by viewing their webpage and lists of activities. Plan ahead of time what you want to be involved in so that when you arrive at school on move-in day, you have some type of extracurricular activity to look forward to. Outside of class whether it be at club meetings, school functions, sports events, concerts, or at lunch is the best place to meet your future friends. Get involved!

I would advise to really consider the money. I found that I placed more value on the experience and opportunities, but the money problems have caught up to me. Budgeting is an issue that applicants should not ignore. I would also advise to consider the job placement opportunities and internship oppurtunities available. My experiences in the city put my resume far above those of my peers in rural colleges. However, cities are only for those who love them; some people on my campus are not really city people and usually end up transferring after having invested quite a bit of time and money.

Students: start narrowing down at least a general field of interest as early as possible. Health care? Business? Communications? This way, you don't waste time switching from major to major. Also, try to get as much EXPERIENCE as possible in that interest. Moreso than being a member of your high school's "Italian club", colleges would rather see you volunteer at a hospital if you are, for example, interested in health care. When choosing colleges, LOCATION should be first priority and THEN academic quality. If you're at Yale but HATE suburban Connecticut, then you're going to be miserable. Likewise, if you went to Columbia just for its acadmic standings but hate city life, then you should have picked a "worse" school someone you would have actually enjoyed.

Visit the places you apply, walk around, and see what feels right. You should decide based on where you can see yourself spending four years learning and growing as a person. Once you're in, get involved on campus. Any activity will do as long as you're excited about it. Have fun!

Research and make sure you are going to major in something you are interested in.

When choosin a college it is important to realize that this will be your home away from home for about four years. Once on campus it's important to get involved as much as possible. You will have so much more fun if you explore new things and find great friends in the process. Also, it is very important to get good grades as soon as possible. College will more than likely be tougher than your high school, so you should keep up with your work ethic and remained focus. Time management is key. You can do all you want to do and more, if you plan and manage correctly. Don't forget to maintain relationships with your friends and family back home. You'll need them when times get tough, and who doesn't love a nice care package once in a while? Above all, have fun and remain true to yourself.

When considering the right college an important aspect is the opportunity to switch majors since hardly anyone really knows what they want to do until they test out the waters. A large and diverse university like BU with great specialty programs in many fields such as business, physical therapy and athletic training offers a chance for a student to switch if they need, and go into another great program of their liking with ease. The environment around the university is hugely important and Boston offers endless activities. The opportunity for jobs and internships is one of the most important aspects of a college connection and BU has amazing connections to companies and facilities throughout Boston in all fields of study. Getting experiential learning is key to deciding what one wants to pursue as a career, and it will set one up very well for the future as they graduate and move on into the real world with real connections to streamline their life into the working life, or fulfill their dreams of higher education as they easily get into a top graduate school coming out of an amazing undergraduate program.

Make sure that you thoroughly research and visit the school. It is a good idea to talk to alumni and/or current students in order to get feedback about the school. I also recommend taking quizzes that match you with universities such as the "counselor-o-matic" available on www.princetonreview.com, which can be a helpful resource to people unsure about which school to apply to.

An student warns freshmen about the undeclared major.

A sophomore tells us what he wishes he knew about the engineering program.

A student describes the things he wish he knew before going to BU.

I would advise parents and students to realize that BU is a unique school in it's size, and to know that there is a different type of atmosphere at a city school than a school any where else.

Make sure you like all the aspects of the school, and visit the campus before you decide to go there.

Make sure you can afford it! In this economy, getting student loans will be even more difficult than before. Plan your finances so post-graduation, you will be less stressed out than your peers when the time comes to pay your loans back. You will feel that your education was alot more worth it without thousands of dollars in debt weighing you down. Don't let others decide which college would fit you best. I was always told that I would only do well in a small school since I had a quiet nature about me. Instead I went to a huge school in the city and it made me a more confident person. College is the time to branch out, to develp who you are as a person. Remember high school? Everyone grew up in the same place with similar experiences. You were labelled as "that type of person" in high school. Don't try to choose a college that is an extension of high school. Be open minded; there are so many different types of people to meet, activities to participate in...really these four years only come around once. Enjoy every second. And of course study!