Boston University campus

Coolbrezze · 11-07-2009, 05:24 PM

I have high interest in Boston University but have a few questions concerning the campus.
How would you rate Boston University campus compared to other schools alike: New York University, George Washington University, University of Southern California. Viewing the campus from google maps it appears that all if not most of the classes are consisted in one building. Grass, fields? It also appears there isn't any, and only about a block is the actual campus. If anyone can give me an ideal of Boston University campus that would be great.

Ajibola · 11-07-2009, 06:19 PM

My sister attended George Washington University so when i visited this summer I expected and heard that they had similar campuses and although Boston University is not a "green" campus it is very connected and when you are in the middle of it, you actually feel like its Boston University. So although it may not be a traditional campus, the campus is very nice and distinctively BU not just buildings scattered here and there.

TheMan777 · 11-07-2009, 07:33 PM

Its pretty much like a long street of buildings... You might not think its a beautiful campus, but my dorm looks out into Cambridge and its beautiful! I have also seen really great views of the Charles.

Lauren591 · 11-07-2009, 08:23 PM

I haven't really explored any of those other colleges, so I can't quite compare. However, once you're here, I think you'd realize that it has quite a palpable campus vibe. You can feel the difference when you're on BU's campus surrounded by BU people and BU buildings. It's not all in one building at all. I have classes somewhat near each other, but in multiple different places. It is all based around Comm Ave, so the campus is very much a straight line with a couple side/back streets which are mostly extra residential areas. It's obviously quite different than a grassy green campus like many schools have, but you also get the city right outside your door, which is one of BU's many perks. It's kind of the best of both the campus and city life. Plus, Bay State Rd, BU Beach behind Marsh, and various little green spots along campus (COM lawn, little sitting spot next to the Kenmore Classroom building, West Campus) provide a taste of the traditional campus greenness too, even if it's obviously on a smaller scale. Plus, places like the Esplanade and Soldier's Field are super close.

Also, like TheMan77 mentioned, the views at BU can be pretty awesome. I live high-up in Warren, but look out down Comm Ave (basically the rest of the BU campus), and it's beyond gorgeous. I see Brookline on one side with all the trees, Comm Ave leading into Allston in front of me, and Marsh/Charles River/etc on the other side.

ben_breeg · 11-08-2009, 05:16 AM

The fact that BU is located in the city makes sure that you'll always have something to do in terms of social life. However, to be honest, there are not too many places, with the exception of parts of West Campus, where you can just relax, away from everyday tensions. The Esplanade is a very nice place though, and it has an amazing view of Cambridge, but you can not escape from the sound of cars even there. For me though, it works really well as a place where you can relax.
You can definitely feel the difference when you're on campus; you get that feeling very much during weekdays at least. The fact that the campus is a straight line rather than a enclosed rectangle is not as bad as it might seem. In fact, I actually liked it much more than I thought I would before I came here.

b216 · 11-08-2009, 12:45 PM

been to three of the four, BU,GWU, and NYU. I would say that aside from GW's proximity to the white house, BU has them all beat. Great views, great city,5 major universties within walking distance. NYU is just bldgs among other bldgs and has absolutely no college feel. GW has a college feel and great housing but I would choose BU over the others.

Coolbrezze · 11-08-2009, 06:31 PM

Thanks for the replies, all were very informative.

It seems like Boston University doesn't really have a campus but have the vibe of one due to school pride etc...?

knownaught · 11-08-2009, 08:10 PM

BU has a campus, it's about a mile long and ranges from one street to 2 blocks wide.

TrumpetDad · 11-08-2009, 10:37 PM

I took some grad school courses there in the late '80s/early '90s, and will be visiting in January for my son. As I recall, BU people would use the Green Line trolley cars that run the length of Comm. Ave., through the heart of BU, to easily traverse that mile, or parts of it.

TheMan777 · 11-09-2009, 10:41 AM

TBH - its a really nice campus, but I do get nervous that I am going to get hit my a car every now and then after crossing the street because of all the crazy drivers that we can get. So.... don't rush to class, you can get really hurt.

Lergnom · 11-09-2009, 01:54 PM

I wouldn't say BU has a ton of school spirit. Hockey is the big sport and thus you don't have thousands of students at football games. It's a big school but it's broken up into colleges and communities. For example, you can live in the Kenmore Sq. part of campus or the main older part near CAS (like Warren or Towers) or in West or in South (which is on the Boston/Brookline border and is a very nice area). You can live off campus in Allston. BU's location in Boston is fantastic.

As for comparisons, GW is a more residential feeling in parts, though I find that section of DC kind of dull and empty at night. You have to walk over to Georgetown for life because the adjacent downtown section is daytime offices only. NYU has no campus to speak of. It really doesn't. USC has a real campus but they call it an "urban oasis" for a reason: the neighborhood it's in sort of sucks.