Boston University

Date: Sep 30 2003
Major: Political Science (This Major's Salary over time)
A lot of people (as I have) get very turned off by the bureacracies and money-grubbing ness of B.U. But, we all have to realize that every esteemed institution is a big business…we could all go to po-dunk community college in Anytown, U.S.A and probably feel like we're treated much better, but our degrees in the end would be of much less value than our degrees from B.U.

I've seen a lot of comments about being depressed…which makes me feel a bit better, I thought I was the only one. It is easy to get depressed here—I was depressed for virtually all of last year. But, when you find something you like at this school, you'll start to feel a lot better. I work for the radio station, which I enjoy, and I really like the political science dept. There is a PoliSci Head Faculty Advisory, whom we go to for everything except picking classes. I feel like she realizes that not many ppl. care about us as individuals at the school, so that is basically what she is there to do. I find my PoliSci. classes for the most part intriguing, and my discussions always spark debate.

I don't have tons of friends, but I do have a fairly small group of people that I feel I am close with. I will say, the majority of the people here are stuffy, money-grubbing, too self-involved, and very, VERY uptight. I'm from the midwest, so I'm pretty laidback and definitely not super-rich, so it was hard for me to find people even somewhat similar to me. We all need to feel a sense of belonging in our community, and that is difficult to find here. But once you do find those few people you click with, you'll feel much better about being here.

The housing (except the Student Village, where I currently live), isn't great, but really, is any undergraduate housing at any school? I think the biggest misunderstanding of students here (myself included) who've spent probably hours complaining about B.U. is that we don't realize that any private well-regarded college or university is going to have the same turnoffs that B.U. does. If you don't want to feel like you're being squeezed for every dollar you own, I would say not only don't go to B.U, but don't go to ANY private university…go public.

It is definitely hard to get good grades here…I would venture to guess that 60-65% of us have between a 2.8 and 3.2 GPA (that is strictly an assumption—based on no hardcore facts). Unless you're truly brilliant, and always do well in every subject, you'll do well in the classes you like, and you'll probably do average in the classes that don't spark your interest at all…that's been my experience.

Social life is really what you make of it. If you love drinking tons of beer with a bunch of random people, or clubbing, then you'll be quite happy here. I personally don't enjoy either that much—I'd much rather chill with a close group of people at a small bar…this is where the problem comes in. You can't even get into bars ANYWHERE in Boston on Thurs-Sat. nights unless you're 21. So, we do other things…go different restaurants/areas in the city, watch movies, drink on our own accord, etc.

Avoid the library like the plague—it's the most hideous building EVER. When I'm in there, I feel like I've been transported to a bad late 1960's office building. Which is actually probably close to what the library is.

I will end with this…if you come here, recognize that there will be many times that you will feel very alone and very isolated. But also realize that this is a good atmosphere to truly learn about yourself and grow as a human being. I know that sounds lame now, but when the parties are over and the keg is kicked, these are the things that you will want to have when you walk away from college.