Best Schools in Boston and DC for Science?

Parents Forum
1

<p>My son wants to study the physical sciences in an “interesting” city (urban or suburban, just not ghetto). We already know Chicago and are considering schools there, but what about the Boston and DC areas?</p>

<p>Boston: Let’s assume for a moment that, like most kids, he won’t get into Harvard or MIT. Among BC, BU, Northeastern, Tufts, and Brandeis, which would be good for physical sciences? Am I missing any?</p>

<p>DC: From what I hear, neither Georgetown, GWU, nor American are particularly strong in the physical sciences. Is that true? Would Maryland be a better DC-area choice? Am I missing any others?</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<p>In the Boston area, there’s also WPI. </p>

<p>In the DC area, there’s Catholic University.</p>

<p>Not saying these are the best, but do have programs in engineering, and may be an alternative to larger schools.</p>

<p>Baltimore is not too far from the DC area, so maybe check out schools in that location.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

3

<p>WPI is in Worcester, not really that close to Boston.</p>

4

<p>It really depends on interests. Brandeis for example is well known in psychology but I’d go to BU for biomed. All of the schools you listed are good places, with Brandeis being by far the least urban. And yeah, WPI is fine but Worcester is another place entirely.</p>

5

<p>I think Boston College should be on your list as well.
JHU is very good, if Baltimore “counts”…</p>

6

<p>BC’s chemistry program, in particular, is considered very strong.</p>

7

<p>What kind of “physical science” are you talking about??</p>

8

<p>Thanks, everyone, please keep your thoughts and suggestions coming.</p>

<p>thumper1, he’s mainly interested in something materials-related, which could be materials science at a school that offers it, or physics or chemistry at other schools. His summer research involved nanomaterials, but he’s not necessarily bent on continuing in that field, although I think he’d be happy to if the opportunity arises.</p>

9

<p>Johns Hopkins is a good choice. Boston University and Tufts too.</p>

10

<p>

</p>

<p>This is an interesting suggestion. I have worked at Notre Dame, and we visited there with our son this year; I think he would like it. Is Catholic University similar? Would he, as a non-Catholic, fit in there?</p>

<p>thumper1, thanks for suggestion Johns Hopkins. I wasn’t thinking of it as in the “DC area”, but now that I look at a map, I suppose it is. We’ll look into the programs at JHU and Tufts as you suggest.</p>

11

<p>I never realized GW had an engineering school, it’s small but apparently has the best MF ratio in the country. Brandeis is a suburban school and Tufts feels fairly suburban, though it’s within walking distance of the T.</p>

12

<p>UMD has highly ranked science/engineering/CS programs. Also merit $$ possibilities!
[University</a> of Maryland College of Chemical and Life Sciences](<a href=“http://chemlife.umd.edu/]University”>http://chemlife.umd.edu/)
[College</a> of Computer, Mathematical and Physical Sciences - University of Maryland](<a href=“http://www.cmps.umd.edu/]College”>http://www.cmps.umd.edu/)
[A</a>. James Clark School of Engineering, University of Maryland](<a href=“http://www.eng.umd.edu/]A”>http://www.eng.umd.edu/)</p>

13

<p>Just FYI…yes Tufts is within walking distance of the T…but it is a LONG walk.</p>

14

<p>I’ve heard that BU is good for physics, and BC good for chemistry as mentioned before.</p>

<p>Northeastern has received some NSF money for nanomanufacturing research which you can read about at [Nanomanufacturing</a> Center Receives $12.25 Million from National Science Foundation](<a href=“News | UNH Today”>News | UNH Today)</p>