My SAT isn’t stellar, it’s 1290.
I’ve been focusing on test TO schools because I really do not want to take it again to raise my score.
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U Conn vs. U Mass- neither is better than the other. But U Conn is relatively isolated (rural area, the university is the biggest employer in the region) whereas U Mass is in the Western part of the state- so not near Boston, but because of the other colleges in the area it’s a more lively place. It will feel “student-ish” at times, and at other times, it’s just a neat place to live. I think U Conn is more rah rah rah (probably because it’s the only game in town). Both will be fine for you academically.
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So although that is not a superficially irrational sentiment by your parents, I will be blunt and suggest this may be interacting with rankings and binding admissions in a way that may well be against your ultimate interests.
Like, I think it is totally fine for your parents to not be sold on, say, a Syracuse yet. Maybe in fact they would want to see if you get a merit offer first. And so on.
But that conversation ends if you apply binding to somewhere and they admit you. And that may not really be the best outcome for you, or in fact them.
And personally, I also wonder if a variety of public universities near NYC might be a better fit for what you are looking for. Like, I also started thinking about Delaware as you were describing your ideal college. Really nice campus, traditional college experience, a convenient 2-hour train ride to Manhattan . . . . And they have an Honors college, and they offer merit sometimes.
I also thought of Rutgers. Among other things, it has really, really good Honors College. Rutgers is around 1 hour by train from Manhattan.
So, like, are you SURE that both you and your parents would really be better off paying whatever BC wants to charge you over taking anything Delaware or Rutgers or so on might offer you?
Of course if by the ED deadline you are simply sure that BC is the best college for you, that you are fine paying whatever they charge, that you don’t want to even see what else you might get offered . . . OK!
But if you don’t really get there, I would also caution against binding yourself to them. Generally, you really do not have to apply ED to a very expensive reach school if that is not what makes sense for you.
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You’re very welcome!
I said nothing about the quality of the schools or which would be “better” for you. I simply indicated what I thought your chances might be at those schools based on info in College Navigator and such. Knowing now that you have a 1290 SAT, that actually moves UConn up into the Likely category for me rather than the Toss-Up.
UMass had no more than 31% of students submit a test score with an overall acceptance rate of 58% (source) while UConn had no more than 41% submit a test with a 54% acceptance rate (source). The acceptance rates between them is quite minimall, but UMass seems more open to TO kids, which is why I gave it the nudge into likely for you. But a 1290 is a very respectable score and one that, if you submitted to UConn, I feel would make it a likely admit for you.
A school’s admission rate should not be mistaken for the quality of its instruction or of its students. For instance, Rochester Institute of Technology (not a school that I think would be a good fit for you) has a 71% acceptance rate, significantly higher than at UMass and UConn. But more than half of students submit a test score and their test scores are higher than those at the two aforementioned state flagships. Applicants tend to self-select there, so the admissions office doesn’t have to do a lot of turning away there, but the quality of the students and instruction are very good.
From what I’ve read (have not visited), UConn is pretty remote but has everything that students need and life very much revolves around the campus. UMass is in Amherst, which seems to be a bit bigger of a college town, and with the consortium possibilities with the other colleges, the area tends to attract bigger performers because there’s just a bigger pool of college students in the area. I think both will have ample social opportunities for you as well.
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I toured American in the spring and found it lacking in school spirit and I went back several times that week and just couldn’t connect to the campus vibe. It’s too bad, DC is such a great city.
James Madison and Virginia Tech are on my list—it seems that the students at both are very happy.
BTW, I am a legacy at BC, and I think that might matter for admission. But my Dad and Uncle were both so focused on their studies (35 years ago, so it has likely changed) they didn’t have much in the way of social lives so they are not much help in this area. haha
Again, this is so helpful, thank you for your time.
I’m home with Covid and I feel like I’ve learned a lot from my time spent here. Thank you.
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You raise some very excellent points. Thank you.
I need to sit down with my list and rethink this based on all of the good information I’ve gleaned here.
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You really need a budget. Full pay but not overpay is tough. Is Cornell at 95k ok but Syracuse at $60k not?
Some schools are $20k. Some are $90k plus.
All will get you to the same law schools (but you’ll need to crush the LSAT for that so will need a lot of prep).
Maybe you have a shot at BC due to the major but do they want to pay that when you can go to a SUNY for less than half or Delaware for half etc.?
It’s the kind of conversations you need to have.
Many families - mine included - were full pay but set a budget. I didn’t say but depending on the school. Some do say but I can’t personally reconcile that. So if it was over x $ with no chance of merit it was out.
Btw many from the NE today go to Coastal Carolina - another easy hop to NYC but like Pitt and Tulane a flight. Mad football culture.
It’s good you have a larger list - it’s great to explore.
Good luck.
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Not sure what this “huh…” is pertaining to. I’m aware that students go aboard from many or most schools, and often excellent ed-travel companies facilitate.
Perhaps that comment was intended for someone else, but I don’t see where it fits here. In any case, thank you for your time.
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Another current BC parent here! I would agree with all that IIIinoisparent12 said about BC.
Many, many NY/NJ kids at BC. You could likely find a ride to NYC if not take the train back.
The social scene is there if you want it. The tailgates and school spirit around sports is very fun and an easy way to socialize and meet people. There are lots of students with parents who are alums who still come to campus to set up a tailgate party. Even if your family isn’t there, chances are good, one of your friends has connections to a tailgate you can go to. Honestly, all the alums there love to chat with current students and share their food/drink in a very casual, friendly, fun way.
There are no frats. That is a clear social difference. I find frat culture to be mostly toxic, but that’s coming from a 50 yr old mom! If you want to go to a frat party, you can go to a BU frat party or another Boston school. There are off campus BC parties and many options for taking the green line into Boston to catch a game at Fenway or the Garden and go out for late night burgers and wings. Lots of options for things like that in such a student centered city.
The “work hard” concept is really up to you as a student to define. Is your goal to have a 3.9 GPA and get a big internship in NYC or not so much? Will you be happy with a 3.2?
My observation is that there are a lot of kids who have ambitious goals at BC and take their academics seriously-maybe in some majors more than others. There will be those weekends around midterms and finals where some will opt out of the parties in favor of studying. Then there are kids who go out 3 nights a week and don’t care so much about their grades. Your call!
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A little late to the conversation but wanted to weigh in as a parent of a current Tulane freshman, we also looked very closely at BC and spent a week in Boston looking at multiple universities. A few observations maybe not mentioned here:
While Tulane definitely has a party reputation, so far my D (who is extremely extraverted and social) is doing a pretty good job balancing academics with social life. She absolutely loves Tulane and now can’t see herself anywhere else. One positive aspect about Tulane is there is ALWAYS stuff going on so students don’t seem to have as much FOMO for missing a party, event, concert, etc. if you need to stay in and study. It’s such a vibrant, wonderful city… the music, sports, food - so unique and unlike any city in the US.
Tulane vs. BC - obviously greek life is pretty big at Tulane so that’s a big differentiator. Getting into 21+ is a non-issue in NOLA, but is a big issue in Boston.
Tulane has a deep network in NYC and the east coast, which is helpful for internships, networking, jobs. My daughter’s friends are all social but still very serious about their education, joining clubs, getting internships, etc. I think the party rep is a bit overblown. My older daughter is at Vanderbilt and I might argue that the drinking culture is just as wild in Nashville, I’m actually finding my Tulane student to be having a more balanced freshman experience than Vandy.
My D was accepted EA, TO with strong GPA and extracurriculars and many of her friends were also accepted TO. Everyone had high GPAs, like 3.8-4.0UW. Your profile looks strong, Tulane loves volunteering and leadership. If you apply EA and get deferred, I believe Tulane offers an opportunity to switch to ED2, so that’s one option.
While we don’t know official numbers, word on the street and our experience is that ED numbers are down and many more are being accepted EA/RD than in past cycles.
We are not Jewish, and it’s an absolute non-issue.
Hope this helps :)) Good luck!
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Thank you so much! This is so helpful. I really appreciate the firsthand experience you and your daughter have had and that you also considered BC. I’m so glad she is thriving at Tulane!
This forum community is so valuable; I’m very grateful.
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Thank you! My Dad and Uncle went to BC, so I have an alumni connection, but neither were very social and spent their days mostly focused on their academics, but as a social person, I can imagine connecting with people across different clubs and activities as you described.
I appreciate your insight very much.
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I don’t have more advice to add, but wanted to commend you on your inquisitiveness, openness to advice, and graciousness to those who are assisting you. I think you will succeed wherever you land.
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Thank you!! That means a lot to me; I have been amazed by the kindness and generosity of the people here 
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My daughter is a senior at Tulane and we visited Boston College because my older daughter was also considering it and my best friend went there. neither daughter ended up applying there; they both felt BC seemed kind of boring and not close enough to Boston. One went to USC, and the other at Tulane has absolutely loved every year of it and has made the most tremendous friends. She is a finance and marketing double major but has friends in all different different areas at the school. My senior son just applied there ED! He attended two summer Stem programs there and absolutely loved it, met a lot of older kids who ended up going there, so he really wants to attend. I was trying to persuade him to go somewhere with a higher ranking for engineering, but he feels so at home there. I’ve been really impressed with my daughter’s business education there (I have an MBA so I ask her a lot of questions) and she definitely works hard and has a great social life, and had a fantastic time abroad meeting up with so many other Tulanians all over Europe. She has a lot of friends from NY, there are definitely nonstop flights!
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I believe BC will be extremely difficult to get into even if you ED unless you have great test scores or outstanding ECs. Also Tulane would be near impossible unless you ED. They just don’t take applicants outside of ED unless you have phenomenal stats. They are yield driven. Both schools and cities have radically different vibe. As everyone has indicated, you should try to know for sure you’d like to go to that school before you ED.
This has not been my child’s experience of BC. Part of the campus is actually in the city limits of Boston, and there is a T stop right next to campus. The kids are in Boston all the time. And, there is so much going on on campus between football, hockey, Boston Marathon, Beanpot and other fun campus activities. I’m sure Tulane is great too, but it’s simply not the case that life at BC is “boring.”
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@WestCoastal what about the weather?
Boston gets snowstorms and cold winters. New Orleans gets tropical storms, and hot and very humid weather.
Do you have a preference?
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I was about to post the same comment as Meg.
The courteous way you are responding, coupled with amazing vocab (be still my heart - “malleable”) shows maturity, openess and intelligence that far surpasses many kids your age. And I say this as an adolescent therapist trying to support clients to get where you already are!
Well done.
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