Hi there, I'm trying to make a decision between Boston University and UMass Amherst and I'm struggling! Can anyone share their thoughts or experiences with either school to help me make a more informed choice? TIA!
Hi! Both Boston University (BU) and UMass Amherst are great schools, but their strengths and educational experiences differ. Let's break it down for you:
1. Location: BU is located in the heart of Boston, and provides urban life with ample job and internship opportunities. UMass Amherst, on the other hand, is located in a college town and offers a quintessential campus experience with a strong sense of community.
2. Size and class size: BU is larger, with approximately 18,000 undergraduates, while UMass Amherst has around 24,000 undergraduates. Keep in mind that a larger student body can mean larger class sizes, especially for introductory courses. If you prefer smaller classes where you can interact more with professors, you might want to consider this aspect.
3. Campus culture: While both schools have many clubs and activities, UMass Amherst is known for having a strong sports culture and school spirit while BU has a more diverse mix of interests but perhaps less emphasis on sports.
4. Academics: Both schools have strong programs, but their strengths vary. BU programs in communications, business, and engineering are well-regarded. UMass Amherst has excellent programs in computer science, engineering, and natural sciences. Consider which school has stronger departments in your areas of interest.
5. Cost: UMass Amherst is often more affordable, especially if you're an in-state student. Be sure to compare their financial aid packages and use the net price calculator for each school to get a better estimate of your costs.
6. Study abroad: Both schools offer a variety of study abroad opportunities, but BU has a particularly strong Global Programs division, allowing you to study at one of their international campuses, as well as through other programs.
7. Alumni network: BU's alumni network is larger and more international, which could provide more networking opportunities if you're thinking about working outside of Massachusetts.
Take these factors into account and think about your personal preferences, such as campus environment, class size, program strength, and cost. Try reaching out to current students at each school or attending virtual campus visits to get a feel for the schools. Ultimately, trust your gut and go with the school that feels like the best fit for you - both will provide you with a fantastic experience and countless opportunities for growth, so there's no one objective "right choice."
Remember, you could always apply to both schools and give yourself more time to make a final decision, although if you were planning on applying Early Decision to BU, that unfortunately won't be possible, since ED is a binding commitment. But, if you weren't going to apply ED, applying to both is an option!
Regardless of which of these two schools you end up applying to, if you want tips on how to maximize your chances of acceptance, check out the following blog posts from CollegeVine, which break down how to tackle their respective school-specific supplemental essays:
- BU: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-boston-university-essays
- UMass Amherst: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-umass-amherst-essays
Good luck!
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