Boston University

I <3 BU.
First, the bad: The only real downfall of going to BU is the high tuition. Personally, I didn't get much but loans, but I know from other people I've met that BU gives good scholarships that pay for up to full tuition, and they give many grants as well. Also, many people I know have a work-study job.

Actually, that's not the only downfall. The girl/guy ratio may be whatever it says up there but it feels like it's 9359385/200 sometimes, and out of those guys, about half are gay, which isn't nice if you're a straight girl like me. But that's not a big deal.

Now, the good: Academically, BU is good for my department (Archaeology) as well as many others. It has tons of libraries for all topics and many other resources. The classes would be huge, with all the students in the college, but like other big universities, they separate some classes into Lectures and smaller Discussions so that each student understands the material. I'm only a first-year, but only one of my classes is taught by a TA, and that's only in a few lectures a month.

Socially, everyone here is so friendly, or at least approachable. People don't mind if random strangers just go up to them, etc. Some people I know complain about cliques that form so quickly when the school year starts, but if you make the effort to meet people, tney are very accepting about talking to people outside of their clique.

What I love about the people here is diversity.. in all aspects. By the numbers, BU is pretty racially diverse, but what's more important is that everyone hangs out with everyone else. There are not many ethnic cliques, or people don't even seek out people of different races - they just hang out with who they feel like it, regardless of race.

Sexual orientation is also something that everyone is very accepting about. My friend jokes that at BU, you must first assume someone is gay, and then they can be proven straight, because there are so many homosexuals that everyone is just very open-minded about.

As for the Frat/Sorority scene, there are always good parties to go to on the weekend, but Greek life isn't that visible in BU.. Occasionally I'll see a girl with a sorority shirt, and they advertise Rush, but that's about it. There are also many many many clubs in other subjects, from religious organizations to something called the "People Watching Society."

Of course, there's the city of Boston.. Whether you like clubbing and going to bars, or you like film screenings and movie theaters, or like to listen to local and other bands play, everything's here right in Boston, or at least everything is accessible by the T. Harvard Square in Cambridge is right across the river and has lots of street performers and shops.

And as for the campus, it's not really a closed campus like in most colleges - Instead (what I like about BU) the schools and facilities of BU are integrated into the city of Boston. But if you still prefer the campusy feel, there are places with lots of grass like the BU Beach and West Campus Complex..

Dorms: According to Princeton Review ratings last year, BU got number one in Dorms like Palaces. I guess this is accurate.. I thought it was an average/small room, but according to my friends who go to other schools, our rooms are pretty nice. They come with desks, chairs, ports, dressers, mirrors, closets, and desk lights, though you probably would like to bring your own lamp anyway.

And dining: I don't know how to compare this to other schools, but for me, BU "cafeteria" food is not at all cafeteria. It's quite good, actually, and they have such a wide variety of meals (and icecream and cake and pie and cookies and Freshman 15), as well as Late Night every night with desserts and all that cal.Hm.. let's see, I'm trying to think of what I forgot. Anyway, if there's any questions you can just email me by clicking on the link to the left. Overall, I just can't see myself going to any other college but Boston University.

1st Year Female -- Class 2007

Education Quality: A+, Individual Value: F

My first year at BU was a blast. The School of Management provides a smaller community within the large university, something common in most of the "colleges" at BU. SMG can be really tough and time consuming, but I feel that I will be very prepared in the future. If it is not for you, switching into other colleges within the unviersity is fairly simple. Social life is incredible at BU, and I didn't know anybody who wasn't enjoying himself one way or another.

1st Year Male -- Class 2006

Social Life: A+, Collaboration/Competitive: B