Last week, I got the chance to visit Boston and check out a few of the more than 70 colleges and universities in the city. My last stop:
Boston University
The atrium at BU’s Questrom School of Business hangs the flags of every student’s nation.
Why is this school awesome?
Olivia: The moment you step on campus you can tell how international and cosmopolitan BU is. It’s the perfect place for anyone who wants a super diverse community right in the heart of a bustling city. With 5 train stops on campus and the Charles River biking and running trail right across the street, both city life and natural beauty are just steps away.
Favorite spot on campus?
Olivia: The BU Beach, which is a green quad right across the street from the Charles River. It’s many students’ favorite place to hang out, host events, or just soak up the sun!
The BU Beach is a favorite hangout spot for students.
5 words to describe campus?
Olivia: Urban, Innovative, Connected, Cosmopolitan, Flexible
The Faculty of Computing & Data Science at Boston University defies gravity
The "typical student" is...
Olivia: Driven, career-oriented, enjoys interdisciplinary learning. Someone who thrives in a fast-paced urban environment
International perspective?
Olivia: BU is a great place to study as an international student! 20-25% of the student body is international on any given year, making it a great place to meet students from all over the world (118 different countries, to be exact). They also offer a wide variety of study abroad programs and opportunities for students to do research abroad (depending on your field of study).
Looking out at the Charles River from the BU Admissions Office presentation room.
Special programs/offerings applicants should consider?
Olivia: One of the best reasons to consider BU is how flexible they are with students changing majors/departments/schools. Even business and engineering are easy to transfer into from just about any other area of study. This kind of academic flexibility is hard to find at a large university, and is a huge draw for undecided students!
If you do already know what you want to study, be sure to check out the Questrom School of Business, College of Communication, College of Engineering, Faculty of Computing & Data Science, and Wheelock College of Education & Human Development for particularly strong programs.
BU also offers the College of General Studies, which can operate as a liberal arts gateway for students to enter BU if they aren’t quite competitive enough to earn admission to their preferred school or college.
Tips for the application process?
Olivia: BU, like many highly selective universities, puts a lot of value on building a diverse class, so let your particular quirks and passions shine in your application! Also, make sure you emphasize the unique aspects of BU that you love — not just that you love Boston! As they like to say, “There are over 70 universities in Boston, but only one Boston University.”
Standing on the plaza outside Marsh Chapel.
Fun facts?
Olivia: Don’t walk on the BU crest embedded into the plaza outside Marsh Chapel! Even if it’s covered in snow, you can count on students making a path around it — legend has it that if you step on the crest you won’t graduate in 4 years.
Also, BU is big on ice hockey and has historically dominated the annual Beanpot tournament against Northeastern, BC, and Harvard.
Stay tuned for my thoughts on my final stop in New England: