Manager
Joined: 26 Sep 2013
Posts: 151
Concentration: Finance, Economics
GMAT 1: 670 Q39 V41
GMAT 2: 730 Q49 V41
Agonizing over Boston University VS. Boston College.
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22 May 2014, 09:03
Alright, so I'm trying to decide between Boston University and Boston College.
With Boston College I like their curriculum better; I want to end up in investment management, and they have a specific asset management curriculum that is VERY intricate and deep. During the application process they also made me feel more welcome/wanted than any other program. Issues started to arrive after this however. Now, I already have a master's from BC, I enjoyed the campus/environment. I had a 3.8 in that program. My GMAT is a 730, their average is a 670. I have a few extra years management/work experience as well, beyond their average. I also interviewed well, I thought. I figured I was in line for a pretty hefty scholarship. Instead I got wait-listed. Their suggestions are to get extra recommendations, retake the GMATs, or show them more transcripts. The last two were clearly out since I exceeded their averages, and my recommendations got me full scholarships from other programs. I wrote a letter detailing my qualifications again, and why I thought I was a great candidate. I heard back a week later that I had been admitted, with a half scholarship. I began communicating with them again, asking to reconsider for a larger scholarship. Eventually they agreed, and now I have a full scholarship.
In the meantime, Boston University had already accepted me and offered me a full scholarship. From the very day I was admitted they have communicated with me constantly about upcoming opportunities to meet fellow classmates, current students, faculty, etc. They have had sponsored events to get the community together, including a full weekend event where we got to meet the career services people, faculty, etc. and I've gotten to meet a ton of people from the program, all of whom have made me feel welcome. BC doesn't really do anything like this; I contacted them and asked. They did say there are student orgs that occasionally do things, which is nice, but the program itself doesn't sponsor/hold/organize anything. Also a factor, when BC was hemming and hawing I put in a $1000 deposit to BU.
So now I'm torn; During the application process BC was great, I really saw myself going there, and I love the curriculum, it's EXACTLY what I want (assuming I don't change my mind while in the program). I felt so welcomed, and it seemed like the whole admissions office knew my name. Since then though it was like pulling teeth to get in, and get a competitive offer. BU on the other hand has a curriculum that is good, but I just prefer BCs. However, they have been amazing ever since the interview, and I feel like they've gone the extra mile to let me know I'm a wanted member of their community, and they've done great in helping everyone meet & mix before classes. I'm stuck.