Boston University
Written: Nov 08 '99 (Updated Feb 02 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Excellent faculty, wide range of programs, great location
Cons: Expensive, poor administration, small living quarters, no school spirit except for the hockey team
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| 32_Footsteps's Full Review: Boston University |
Boston is called a college town for a reason: literally dozens of colleges have campuses in the Greater Boston area. Myself, I decided to enter Boston University, for a character I noticed in it that I did not get from other colleges, and the fact that I wasn't laughed right out of the visitation for wearing jeans and a T-shirt. Now, having completed two years at Boston University, I feel that I should let you know about the campus.
First, the faculty: Boston University has an excellent staff of professors. Many in the area debate over taking a position at BU or at Harvard. In particular, the College of Communications is one of the most highly-regarded in the nation. The medical programs offered are considered excellent as well. I study French and Japanese, and I can assure you that the language programs are excellent, staffed with teachers that know what they are doing, and how to best help you.
Student and campus life is rather different here. While most colleges and universities have defined campuses and gathered student life, Boston University does not, and there is a lack of unity and school spirit among the school. Athletics, except for the popular hockey program, receive little attention, to the point that the football team lost funding two years ago. A true BU football team thus no longer exists. However, there is an upshot to this fragmentation: there are clubs to cater to nearly every interest on campus. Clubs ranging from ethnic societies of all types to fencing to role-playing exist for those so inclined.
Residential matters have been a sticking point at Boston University in the past. Living accomidations provided by the university are not very spacious, and many have communal bathrooms rather than one per room. However, since Boston is a fairly small city spacially, this cannot be helped. However, you may want to consider carefully what you bring to college, also given that you will obtian much more stuff once you get here. Also, each of the large dormitories have security guards, so be ready to show your ID card. The dorms vary in quality, but avoid Warren Towers, Rich, Sleeper, and Claflin Hall if you can. The rooms there are very tiny, and only suitable if you can find one of the sought-after singles. The prize dorm on campus is Shelton Hall, which has larger rooms and one bathroom for evry room. Although for upperclassmen, the brownstone appartments are excellent, which have a bathroom for about every three rooms, much more space, and no security guards.
The food at Boston University's dining halls is excellent for a college campus; only Cornell has higher rated dining halls. While you will get tired of the food after a while (this is college... nobody can live on dorm food forever), it is still better than most other colleges. The menu also varies, so do not worry about having meat loaf five times in a week's span.
Perhaps the largest drawback is the administration. It has earned a reputation of being unresponsive to students and uncaring about their desires. Below them, a large amount of beauracracy exists, which can hamper anything from obtaining a new ID card to applying for financial aid (given that BU regularly competes with Harvard for most expensive campus, you will most likely need that aid, too). However, since you don't need to encounter it too often, you can spend an enjoyable time studying at Boston University.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
32_Footsteps
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 - Top 1000 |
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Member: Rick Healey
Location: Boston, MA
Reviews written: 234
Trusted by: 278 members
About Me:
Back from E3 - tiring, but worth it.
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