I was accepted to both. Does anyone have advice/opinions about Boston College vs Boston University MSW programs? Thanks.
BC vs BU MSW programs
- Thread starter rtbr
- Start date
Well, they both consistently rank in the top 25, so that may be a draw. I will say that BC ranks higher (pretty much without fail) and as a university in general outranks BU in a major way.
While undergrad rankings are pointless to this conversation in terms of programs, it can be important later in life. BC is a top 35 national university while BU is closer to 300-400. Perceived rank and prestige does matter in my view.
That said, feel and fit probably matter more, IMHO.
In that regard, there's not much similar about the two schools (I've taken classes at both).
BU is urban. BC is very suburban. At BU everyone is anonymous and everyone is a number. At BC NO ONE is anonymous. At BU you will constantly see faces you don't recognize. At BC it doesn't take long until you seemingly know everyone you see around campus.
BC feels very much like family. BU feels very much open and flowing. BC is a slow to react and a bit old-world. BU is 10,000mph and modern.
Go to both, walk around, see what feels right.
While undergrad rankings are pointless to this conversation in terms of programs, it can be important later in life. BC is a top 35 national university while BU is closer to 300-400. Perceived rank and prestige does matter in my view.
That said, feel and fit probably matter more, IMHO.
In that regard, there's not much similar about the two schools (I've taken classes at both).
BU is urban. BC is very suburban. At BU everyone is anonymous and everyone is a number. At BC NO ONE is anonymous. At BU you will constantly see faces you don't recognize. At BC it doesn't take long until you seemingly know everyone you see around campus.
BC feels very much like family. BU feels very much open and flowing. BC is a slow to react and a bit old-world. BU is 10,000mph and modern.
Go to both, walk around, see what feels right.
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2006
- Messages
- 2
- Reaction score
- 0
While PsychPoet gives good advice on considering the "fit" of each school, I have to disagree with what
http://www.forbes.com/lists/2009/94/colleges-09_Boston-University_94040.html
US News ranks BU high, while Forbes kills them. I feel like the Forbes ranking better elucidates the local sense of BU. Generally speaking, I've found that BU is not overly well respected.
Now, I feel like this perception is unfounded (except that the undergrad acceptance rate is >50%)
This thread sort of sounds like I'm down on BU, but I'm actually not at all. Seems ridiculous to consider undergrad rankings when choosing an MSW program, but in every other are they are so close we really are splitting hairs at this point.
Good luck. Both are awesome places to be!
US News ranks BU high, while Forbes kills them. I feel like the Forbes ranking better elucidates the local sense of BU. Generally speaking, I've found that BU is not overly well respected.
Now, I feel like this perception is unfounded (except that the undergrad acceptance rate is >50%)
This thread sort of sounds like I'm down on BU, but I'm actually not at all. Seems ridiculous to consider undergrad rankings when choosing an MSW program, but in every other are they are so close we really are splitting hairs at this point.
Good luck. Both are awesome places to be!
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2010
- Messages
- 64
- Reaction score
- 1
Ask what kind of internship placements they have. Most schools will work with you if you want to intern at a place they don't have relationships with, but it's sooooooo much easier if they do. Plus, it's not always a sure thing.
I'm at bu right now; mid of my second semester. I was accepted to bu, simmons and bc. I ended up going with bu because they gave me a scholarship and offer more total electives to take throughout the program. BC offers 3 while BU offers 6. I have a couple colleagues from work who are/were recently at BC; they felt so-so about the program and I pretty much feel the same way about this one. I think a big difference is in the required macro classes you have to take: bu macro classes are more societal issues while the bc macro classes are more policy organizational issues as they relate to the mental health field, which overall would be more useful. I find any sort of macro class annoying. BU definitely has an urban focus, while BC is a little different. I wanted the ability to take what I wanted/focus on through electives.
Either way you go, you're not going to get a bad education. I think either one are great choices. I am really looking forward to next year and really focusing in on clinical/electives. They both have solid reputations and have similar field placements. I almost had my second year placement w/a friend from the BC program. No one who hires you is going to give a damn about forbes/usa today's rankings. And if they didn't hire you because of that I'd be glad not to be working for them. Both school's will give you a solid education and will more than adequately prepare you for a career; go to the open houses of each one.
feel free to hit me up with a pm or email.
-Eric
Either way you go, you're not going to get a bad education. I think either one are great choices. I am really looking forward to next year and really focusing in on clinical/electives. They both have solid reputations and have similar field placements. I almost had my second year placement w/a friend from the BC program. No one who hires you is going to give a damn about forbes/usa today's rankings. And if they didn't hire you because of that I'd be glad not to be working for them. Both school's will give you a solid education and will more than adequately prepare you for a career; go to the open houses of each one.
feel free to hit me up with a pm or email.
-Eric
Last edited:
