Boston College vs. Other tier competitors

Seachai86442 · 10-19-2009, 11:09 PM

Guys, I heard that BC is a bit rigorous on their courseworks, but I heard from some BC people that it's possible to get As if you come to class and do your assignments. Comparing BC to Holy Cross, HC is very intense on academics. However, when you go to a non-ivy school, academics are manageable and save stress. Is it true that Boston College is a school that has the "competitor" reputation, but with kind of less stress than other competitive private colleges?

Let's say Im in College of Liberal Arts and Science. Does it usually take students more than 2 or 3 hours to complete their homeworks, projects, essays, etc..? Do I have to stay up all night and kill my body?

ColdCase · 10-20-2009, 07:13 AM

If you are the typical excellent student and want to get straight As in a bio-chem major, you won't have much of a life. In general, students choose BC over other quality schools because they want some college life outside of academics. As a result you won't see as much cut throat competition for grades as you would at the more science oriented Ivies. If you keep up with the course work, you won't need to pull all-nighters and will also have some time to work out. There are no weekend classes to endure.

bluebayou · 10-20-2009, 12:00 PM

Like any college, it depends on your major and goals. If you want to graduate with a C average, a grade-inflated Ivy League college is the way to go, or better yet Stanford since they banned F's and its virtually impossible to flunk out.

If you are premed, you should plan on zero life anywhere if you wish to be successful in the med school gauntlet; otherwise, attend a college where you are easily in the top decile stat-wise. Engineering majors are also typically overloaded, but grades don't matter as much; of course, no Eng at BC. "Studies" majors tend to have the "easiest" course work at any college, including the Ivies. OTOH, a "studies" major aiming for Yale Law will need all A's, so not much "life" for that student either, unless they are a naturally gifted writer.

Seachai86442 · 10-20-2009, 02:33 PM

Im an undeclared major. But I wish to enroll in BC's College of Liberal Arts and Science one day (hope the work isn't that stressful, well at least hope for some stress).

Also for the tutoring in academics, are there both students and professors to help you out on the weekdays + weekends?

XX55XX · 10-20-2009, 03:13 PM

There is a tutoring center in the O'Neill Library. You can just walk in and get a tutor, I believe. Some campus groups (like AHANA) have tutoring services available as well.

leanid · 10-21-2009, 11:26 AM

Some universities have a "college of arts and science", others have a "college of liberal arts", but none (to my knowledge) has a "college of liberal arts and science".

BC's is called "college of arts and science".

nesh1080 · 10-21-2009, 11:36 PM

As a former freshman at BC and a current sophomore at Cornell, I can tell you that the workload (as a Biology major) is very similar. I definitely have more work at Cornell (maybe 1-2 additional hrs a night) but I'm also taking harder classes (ex: Orgo), so it probably balances out. Also, students at BC are generally a bit less cutthroat/competitive but again, the difference isn't huge.

nicole1500 · 10-21-2009, 11:54 PM

My daughter is a senior at bc now, a transfer from Conn Coll...both schools have rigorous academics..she is taking 5 classes...plus she spent 7 months in Paris studying, played fall lax, tutors a local child pro bono, is a Big Sister to another young girl 4 hours a week, is in an internship in the South End (unpaid) 3 mornings a week from 9-12 ..and babysits 3 nights a week for 3 different families.. and YES she goes to the football/hockey etc games and has a social life..
I guess it is all what you make of it!

TheDukeofEarl · 10-30-2009, 01:51 PM

If you get into BC then you can handle it at BC. It is definitely a school where if you go to class, do the homework, and take advantage of office hours, then you will do fine. And you will have a social life because at any given moment at BC, there is always someone you know somewhere who is looking to do something other than studying. It's a pretty balanced school in terms of academics and student life. It's not a spirit crusher, but nor is it a cakewalk... If you want all A's you will work pretty hard for it.

Seachai86442 · 10-30-2009, 04:15 PM

Thanks alot everyone, for the infos on academics at BC, but it seems that I do not have the grades to get in. But the school seems about a "fit" for me so far.

1980collegegrad · 10-30-2009, 10:13 PM

Just spoke the other day to an acquaintance who sent his three children to BC, ND and HC in that order....all within the last 8 years. He himself is an ND grad. His comments:

"HC I think is a bit easier to get into these days than ND or BC. But based on my kids experience I truly believe HC is significantly more difficult to get through and the education provided is first class...at least as good or better than BC or ND."

required_details · 11-01-2009, 11:16 AM

Princeton Review rates HC's academics at a 98 and BC is rated an 87 and ND a 93.

Seachai86442 · 11-01-2009, 12:09 PM

Man, I don't have the grades or scores to go to BC. =(
But I'd be soo happy if I get in as a transfer.

Balanced academics in the school.

Seachai86442 · 11-01-2009, 12:27 PM

What about the Boston College Honors Program? How stressful is it with that "87%" ratings?

nesh1080 · 11-01-2009, 12:56 PM

Boston College's honors program isn't stressful at all ... I actually think I had less work than my friends who weren't in the honors program (since the class is 6 credits but has the workload of a 3 credit class), though it varies based on your professor.