BU, is it worth it?

[EntireTree]

Obviously I want to go to pre-med. I was initially planning on going to Tufts, but I was told that I should go to BU instead, as it will be easier to get a higher GPA there because it's less competitive. I was initially planning on applying BU afterwards, but the more I look into the school, the more bad things I hear about it.

1. Cost - I hear that the school's tuition is much higher than that of other schools. Is this true?

2. Grade Deflation. I looked at a lot of articles listing BU as one of the hardest schools to get a good grade in.
(http://www.cbsnews.com/news/grade-inflation-colleges-with-the-easiest-and-hardest-grades/)
(http://coed.com/2013/11/15/here-are...iversities-where-its-the-hardest-to-get-an-a/)

3. How is BU compared to other schools like Tufts and BC? I was also looking at Emory. Do you think I should choose another school rather than BU?

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[Spector1]

Personally I would lean towards tufts. BU is more of a mid tier school in my opinion. If you want easy grades, just go to your local state school and save your money.

(BU has hotter girls I hear though 😛)

 

[625233]

BU isn't hard. They should probably be charged with grade inflation.

I had a friend take biochemistry there this summer (we go to an unknown small liberal arts) and he said it was A LOT easier, and that the students there aren't gunner-ish at all.

 

[625233]

He was taking biochem while studying MCAT/Applying to Med school and still ended the course with a 96%.

 

[LuluLovesMe]

He was taking biochem while studying MCAT/Applying to Med school and still ended the course with a 96%.

BU can be easy or hard depending on what your major is and which classes you are taking. Certain majors in engineering have an average GPA of ~2.5 while others average 3.7

 

[mac04]

1. Tuition (not including room, board, or any other fees)

Tufts- $49,520
BU- $ 47,422
BC- $48,540

2. BU is known to have grade deflation, particularly in the sciences and engineering. Tufts is also known to have a rigorous engineering program, so it's known that engineering GPAs tend to be a little lower there (3.2 for cum laude whereas a liberal arts cum laude GPA is 3.5). I would hardly judge a school based on their summer classes. Different professors teach during summer, and the classes are so quick they do not go into as much detail. BU also might host many students from other schools in the summer, and may not want their classes to be too hard to get outside students to stay.

3. What are you looking for in a school? Do you know what you want to major in?

Each school has pros and cons. If you want to go into engineering, Tufts is probably best with BU being a close second. Do you want to study chemistry? Do you want really great research opportunities? BU might be worth a second look. Were you thinking more like something in liberal arts? Do you love football? BC.

 

[efle]

BU is known for being deflated. Personally I would go Emory > Tufts = BC > BU. Note that Emory is one of the most premedical universities, while Tufts does not even make a showing. Considering they have their own med school, are over 5000 students, and are very academic (median ACT 32 this year) that seems odd.

Summer classes are not indicative of regular term rigor, many universities have summer Ochem/Physics/Biochem that is notoriously easier than the real deal during the semester.

 

[FutureOncologist]

No one gives a damn where you went to UG unless you run a clinic later down the road and have a frame of your degree in your office. At most, it'll be a conversation starter. Go somewhere that you can see yourself excel at and have the most fun at the same (damn) time.

 

[aegistitan]

Don't do it man. Do whatever you can to get the highest GPA possible. BU is a mid tier school anyway, and you don't even get that ivy pride/prestige/connections for ruining your GPA.

Read this thread for reassurance on why you shouldn't even think about BU: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/thr...state-school-my-firsthand-experience.1105853/

"In short, I am utterly SHOCKED by the disparity in rigor between my alma mater, which isn't even top 20 (though our SAT scores are), and this average state school. I mean, a senior level biochemistry course at this state school isn't even half as difficult as the introductory biology course taken by freshmen at my alma mater. Having experienced both schools firsthand, it is absolutely MIND-BOGGLING and disturbing to me that GPA's from these two establishments are supposedly given the same weight. Whenever one of my state-school classmates tells me that he/she is planning on going to medical school, I smile and nod as I die a little bit on the inside knowing that they may have a statistically better shot than me even though they struggle with basic concepts of the sciences.

What. the. ****."

 

[efle]

No one gives a damn where you went to UG unless you run a clinic later down the road and have a frame of your degree in your office. At most, it'll be a conversation starter. Go somewhere that you can see yourself excel at and have the most fun at the same (damn) time.

Don't do it man. Do whatever you can to get the highest GPA possible. BU is a mid tier school anyway, and you don't even get that ivy pride/prestige/connections for ruining your GPA.

Read this thread for reassurance on why you shouldn't even think about BU: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/thr...state-school-my-firsthand-experience.1105853/

"In short, I am utterly SHOCKED by the disparity in rigor between my alma mater, which isn't even top 20 (though our SAT scores are), and this average state school. I mean, a senior level biochemistry course at this state school isn't even half as difficult as the introductory biology course taken by freshmen at my alma mater. Having experienced both schools firsthand, it is absolutely MIND-BOGGLING and disturbing to me that GPA's from these two establishments are supposedly given the same weight. Whenever one of my state-school classmates tells me that he/she is planning on going to medical school, I smile and nod as I die a little bit on the inside knowing that they may have a statistically better shot than me even though they struggle with basic concepts of the sciences.

What. the. ****."

Private medical schools rate undergrad selectivity as "highest importance" along with GPA & MCAT. It is only public/state schools which don't give a damn, they rate it "lowest importance". So you shouldn't operate under the idea that all GPAs are created equal unless you're aiming for your state schools.

My .02 is similar in part to both what you guys have said and what was covered in the other thread. You must first and foremost take into account 1) finances and 2) competitiveness of the student body you're about to be up against. The Top 20 are full of premed dropouts that would have been fine elsewhere (especially at places like Hopkins, MIT, U Chicago). From comparing my prereq work to my sibling's (at a LAC ranked 30-50) it can be a totally different world, a lot of her exams are easier than our high school was.

 

[Slave to the Game]

BU is a great school, but as many stated, has grade deflation. It has lots of research opportunities, robust student life (it has quite a reputation for being a party school), state-of-the-art fitness center, and a rich history. If your primary concern is getting into medical school, absolutely none of these things should matter because you should aim for a high GPA and MCAT, as research/volunteer/clinical opportunities can be found regardless of where you enroll. But you should treat your 4 years as an undergrad with more thought than a simple "will I get into medical school?". Many undergraduates with pre-medical intentions end up changing majors or entire fields of study, and overall it will be better to find a school that fits you where you'll be happy, and will probably succeed.

My personal advice would be to go where you'll accrue the least debt (state schools or full-ride scholarships). The last thing you want to deal with while studying for classes, the MCAT, and applying to medical school is the crushing debt of a quarter million dollars.

 

[ErbB1]

Deleted

 

[allantois]

None of those schools are worth 50k.

 

[goldy490]

Obviously I want to go to pre-med. I was initially planning on going to Tufts, but I was told that I should go to BU instead, as it will be easier to get a higher GPA there because it's less competitive. I was initially planning on applying BU afterwards, but the more I look into the school, the more bad things I hear about it.

1. Cost - I hear that the school's tuition is much higher than that of other schools. Is this true?

2. Grade Deflation. I looked at a lot of articles listing BU as one of the hardest schools to get a good grade in.
(http://www.cbsnews.com/news/grade-inflation-colleges-with-the-easiest-and-hardest-grades/)
(http://coed.com/2013/11/15/here-are...iversities-where-its-the-hardest-to-get-an-a/)

3. How is BU compared to other schools like Tufts and BC? I was also looking at Emory. Do you think I should choose another school rather than BU?

Just some perspective on Emory: great research ops and compared to Boston, gorgeous weather. It's also taken very seriously among med schools and is a pretty well know pre-med producer. That said if money is an issue, it is painfully expensive. Also, as a school where ~1/3 of students start out pre-med the weed out courses are particularly vicious. The average accepted student from Emory has a 3.6 gpa, but earning a 3.6 is no easy feat. For example, General chemistry grades average around a C, and this is AFTER ~20% of the students fail out after the first exam. But if you can succeed and get 3.7+, opportunities are endless. People I know who had 3.7+ GPAs mostly ended up at places like WashU, Columbia, Duke, etc. Sorry to rant, but there is the Emory Pre-med scene in a nutshell

 

[piii]

I went to BU undergrad and did my graduate degree at Tufts. Lived in Boston for 7 years. Honestly, I think that you should pick the school based on fit and environment, as both are great institutions and will provide you with a great education.

For undergrad, I can really only speak about BU. All these comment about BUs prestige and being a mid tier school is funny. The school has improved in 16 USNews rankings in the last 5 or so years. The school has a college called General Studies that takes 2000 students with much lower GPA/SAT/ACT scores but have shown the ability to excel through ECs, and gives them a chance to attend BU (for full tuition of course). This of course, has marred BUs stats, and I bet if this wasn't the case, the school would be in the 30s.

BU does have decent deflation. Many of the premed classes are 100-200 students and only the top 10% or so may only be allowed to get As. Sure you may have a 92 numerical grade in the semester, but not top 10% of class? B+.

Now the benefits. BU has a remarkable science department. So much more research and science and technology compared to Tufts, and to BC and Northeastern, for the matter. The biology department and degree opportunities are super diverse, and you can specialize in like 7 different biology specialities. BU is in the city, very connected with fenway and close to brookline. Also just a hop over the river to cambridge and a 15 minute T ride downtown. There is so much art, culture and music at BU to explore your creative outlets. Its a bigger school with more of a social scene.

One of the downsides I really didn't like about BU is how you felt like an ant to the administration for the most part. You are just one of 18k students.

I loved Tufts grad school, and I chose it over a grad program at BU, because of the community feel. The administration and interaction with the faculty felt more relaxed and personable. Now, Tufts is out of the way from Boston. I've met a ton of students at Tufts who maybe ventured into the city a few times a year. Going to undergrad in an urban environment was important to me so I wouldn't have liked that at Tufts undergrad.

 

[efle]

the acceptance rate for Tufts undergrads applying to Tufts Med is ~50%

whoa. Is this like explicitly stated by your premed advising or more like your impression based on half your premed friends getting in?

None of those schools are worth 50k.

Luckily they tend to only ask for it in full from people who can afford to pay it. Financial aid can make the private schools cheaper than publics.

 

[ErbB1]

whoa. Is this like explicitly stated by your premed advising or more like your impression based on half your premed friends getting in?

Explicitly stated by premed advising.

 

[wagonwheel23]

Go to a college that you are excited about and that will provide immense opportunities for personal and intellectual growth.

Your decision should not be based on where you will be able to get a higher GPA. I went to a school with notorious grade deflation, and I have no regrets. I was challenged in incredible ways and am so thankful for my education.

 

[piii]

Also go to a place with better city planning. The roads and finding anything in Boston is a serious nightmare.

Lol not really

 

[ABecks1717]

Go to a college that you are excited about and that will provide immense opportunities for personal and intellectual growth.

Your decision should not be based on where you will be able to get a higher GPA. I went to a school with notorious grade deflation, and I have no regrets. I was challenged in incredible ways and am so thankful for my education.

Absolutely this. All the people telling OP to actually choose a school based on the potential GPA he can finish with are being ridiculous. All of the schools mentioned here are so incredibly different. Visit the campuses, take the tours, talk to current students, and find out what school you think fits best for you. I'm not saying to completely ignore the things you're mentioning when you make your final decision, but the grading scale should only be one part of a large variety of reasons of why you chose a certain school. We don't know you as a person, OP, so how could we possibly tell you where you should spend the next four years of your life?

 

[Glazedonutlove]

Luckily they tend to only ask for it in full from people who can afford to pay it. Financial aid can make the private schools cheaper than publics.

This is very true, most schools have need based for majority of students and many have merit as well. Rarely will anyone have to pay sticker price

 

[altblue]

Go to a college that you are excited about and that will provide immense opportunities for personal and intellectual growth.

Your decision should not be based on where you will be able to get a higher GPA. I went to a school with notorious grade deflation, and I have no regrets. I was challenged in incredible ways and am so thankful for my education.

It helps that you managed to do better than the average student there.

Tufts undergrad is very difficult. It is HARD to get good grades here. However, most schools know how hard Tufts is and you may get a little leeway. Thats pretty much the only Con I can think of…..Tufts is difficult. Your GPA may suffer, but I think the other things make up for it.

The other things aren't going to make up for grade deflation, if you're finishing with a 3.1.

 

[altblue]

.

 

[LuluLovesMe]

It helps that you managed to do better than the average student there.


The other things aren't going to make up for grade deflation, if you're finishing with a 3.1.

A friend of mine goes to Tufts. The average GPA of med school matriculants who went to Tufts undergrad is a 3.6 The average GPA of all med school matriculants is a 3.7. You really don't get much credit.

I think going to BU would also probably give you 0.1 or maybe even no modifier to your GPA. BU grade deflation is worse than Tufts. (Not that I think there's grade deflation at Tufts at all)

 

[wagonwheel23]

@altblue my GPA suffered by attending my undergraduate institution.

 

[piii]

Yea really. Compared to the other half of the United States I've been to the road planning is hella confusing. It's like layer upon layer of confusion. No wonder most people just ride public transportation at Boston afaik

I think it is a little over dramatized for people who don't live there. I never have a problem and got used to it pretty quickly. The MBTA map is pretty easy to understand, and people ride public transpo because it is cheap, safe, and Boston is a smaller city where a car is expensive and impractical - not because the roads are bad. It isn't a grid like NYC, SF, or LA, but it's not some terrible inconvenience people are always on about.

 

[Lost in Translation]

Well for one, the subway system is garbo (Green Line, anyway.)