brit89

Hey!

Would you say that BU's campus is similar to that of NYU? Is it as urban? I've heard BU is slightly more of a real campus..

HarlemNY

BU is more of a real campus, but it's similar to NYU because it's spread out.

Lergnom

NYU isn't really a campus at all. BU is a long campus that stretches along Comm Ave and the river. It's in two basic parts, divided by the bridge that goes over the river. The bottom half, which comes down to Kenmore Square is the older part and has more of a traditional campus feel. The side streets have BU buildings and dorms. The upper half - west campus - is where the fit rec center and the newer dorms are. It connects to the Allston section of Boston, which is heavily international and student.

nathansc

BU's campus is not as urban as NYU's. unlike NYU in downtown nyc, BU is not in downtown boston. i would still say BU is mainly urban, but it definitely has more of a campus feel than NYU does, especially on west campus and bay state road. and BU has more grass.. and of course there's the charles river, which frees everyone from all the buildings and cars.

a similar thread:
random questions about BOSTON UNIVERSITY

dogs

BU campus environment

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

There are a lot of questions about the type of campus at BU. While it certainly does not have a traditional walled in campus in a bucolic setting, for an urban environment there are plenty of park like areas in and around BU. So when you visit be sure to get off of Comm Ave, and even away from the bottom part of campus where the tours tend to stay because that area is close to the admissions dept. Go around and behind the buildings that end along the Bay St. Townhouses. There are areas with grass, benches, a zen garden and areas with courtyards, cobblestone enclaves with outdoor seating and an outdoor cafe in the Student Village which is brand new and important to see. Go inside the new Arena and Rec Center area and check out all the running/walking paths along the river that runs along the BU campus including "off the beaten track" areas of campus like the BU boat house for sailing. South Campus, which is a great transition area for upper classmen transitioning to adult apt. style living, is all brownstones along tree lined storybook streets that look like a turn of the last century neighborhood.

Its not Haverford College, far from it, but if you desire an urban lifestyle yet need some grassy areas you'll be able to find them. Altough far from some classes the WEST campus has a little more of a campus feel and a dining hall that has cafe style seating with windows and a nice courtyard area overlooking the playing fields with views of the river and Boston skyline. Travel down Comm Ave about 5 minutes on the T to Boston Commons for a true park like experience and be sure to check out the Newberry St area of Boston which is also nearby.

It is in the city but not in the middle of the city so you'll need to take a 5 -10 min. T ride to get to the middle of downtown or harbor area. BU is a more college oriented urban environment than NYU and while NYC is incredible Boston is more of a "college town" and you'll be close to MIT, NE, Emerson, Tufts, etc. and Harvard Square in Cambridge.