We are at a crossroads right now. Our son applied to 10 schools. Admitted into 7. His top choices are Davidson and Boston College.
He’s leaning toward BC since his twin brother will be at Northeastern College of Engineering plus we are mid Atlantic folk.
He did go to the Fly in for Davidson and seemed to like it. But he doesn’t have a clear front runner. BC currently has about 60 Chemistry majors. Not sure how many Davidson has?
Any thoughts? Would love feedback from parents from both schools.
Using the same source for each school, BC graduated 13 chemistry “first” majors in a recent year, Davidson 19. Note that BC graduated 53 biochemistry majors, however:
https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?q=Boston+college&s=all&id=164924#programs
https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?q=Davidson&s=all&id=198385#programs
Chem is great at both places. A former parent poster’s son was a Chem major at BC and went onto Stanford for his PhD, so students can do well.
Which does he like better? Which could he call ‘home’ for four years. One thing that BC offers is a Jesuit education, which is wonderful.
Easier to be closer to home and nice to be close to sib. Much harder to fly to the West coast than drive.
He is graduating from a Jesuit high school this Spring. He’s quite familiar with the Jesuit values and teachings 
Wondering though…it is very sport heavy? He’s not big on that, that’s the one draw for Davidson. Is BC an ok environment for the non-sporty kid?
Demographics certainly are better to have both sons in Boston. Davidson is in N.C. Not that far, but still in the opposite direction!!
BC definitely has a lot of school spirit, and many peeps attend football and hockey games, at least when they are winning (yeah, some fair weather fans). But then there are always kids in the library during football afternoons, and BC is big enough that he’ll find his group of folks.
Of course, BC is mid-sized Uni, while Davidson is a LAC. So fit is key.
BC is strong in Organic Chem if that is an interest.
The new Schiller Institute will add a larger focus on STEM, to go with traditional liberal arts.
Thank you!!
Thanks!!
Both are wonderful schools, congratulations to your son for having such terrific choices! Are Fraternities a consideration? As a Jesuit school, BC does not have Frats. I believe about 1/3 of the male students at Davidson participate in Greek Life.
Fraternities are not in the picture…so one more point for BC!!
I think BC is stronger in sciences, and may have a larger variety of course offerings as well as faculty in the area. Check the department web pages of both places and read the mini bios of faculty and view the course offerings.
My D is a first year at Davidson and said it’s more like 20% of guys in frats so not huge and Greek life there is very low key b/c all houses are non-residential, and all parties are open to all students --except formals which are off campus.
Both great schools – size and weather are biggest differences I’d say.
Davidson has brand new science building that is simply amazing – I’m sure he saw it. Very strong sense of community and LACs are great foundation for grad school. My D is biology major on PhD track and she’s really loving the department so far.
I’d encourage your S to look through course catalog and read about profs – that helped my D as she got a feel for the academic strengths. She has a friend who’s a first year chemistry major and is staying on campus to do research this summer!
Congrats to your son and keep us posted!
Thanks so much! I’ll relay the information to my son so he can research the courses/professors!!