<p>There is no application for BU’s Honors Program, or for most of the merit sholarships, so that’s a plus. Basically if you are in approximately the top 10% of the particular college you are in, say CAS, you are offered the Honors program. Although PSU, the example given, has a more substantive Honors Program it enrolls far less than 2% of the college population and at least the first yr they are required, I believe, to choose Honors housing. So from a social viewpoint the mere size of BU’s Honors program and that students can choose to be fully integratated into the rest of the Univ. experience is a plus.</p>
<p>Our S received the Univ. Scholarship half tuition. Like you he did not qualify for finacial aid and sees grad or law school in his future. BU also gave him merit money for a summer abroad program he did over his first summer. Both Honors Housing environments are phenomenal. The Bay St Rd Town house is in a great location, overlooking the river. However, most Honors kids choose to live in regular Freshman housing for social reasons. There are trips, activities, and a retreat but my son would have nothing to do with that aspect. He does enjoy the Honors segments which are smaller and engaging and occassionaly involve a trip. You can definitely ad it to your resume or grad school applications. He only needs to earn a 3.2/3.3 to maintain his merit aid and Honors status so you don’t need to reapply every yr. I’ve also been told that if one misses the GPA for a semester and sends a letter with an explaination BU is flexible. If not, you gain it back as soon as you pull up your next semester grades/GPA.</p>
<p>Like any school there will be students at the higher end statistically as far as admissions stats. Since BU is so large thats a lot of kids. The Uni students and 7 yr med students also have stellar records as do many in other colleges like BME. (Biomedical Engineering–a BU top program)
Many kids, my s included, chose their sure bet college over match/reach school so its really about what feels right for you and like him you may feel that the merit award tips the scales in BU’s favor. He has been challenged in all his classes. BU has high expectations.</p>