How is Boston University campus life?

Boston University (BU) campus life is defined by its vibrant, diverse city setting, offering extensive clubs (over 500!), sports, arts, and cultural activities, with community found in lively dorms and the broader city, catering to independent students who enjoy urban exploration and a wide array of social opportunities, though making friends in a large environment requires proactive effort.

What is campus life like at Boston University?

University living begins with academics, but it doesn't end there. At Boston University, the list of social, athletic, artistic, and other types of clubs is more than 450 lines long and runs from Ad Club to Zen Community. There are literary clubs, rocket clubs, music clubs, and dozens of intramural and club sports.

Are students at Boston University happy?

Unigo, a student-oriented ranking and review organization, asked college students around the country if they were happy as they could be on campus. Citing BU's size, as well as the city of Boston, Unigo found Terriers to be the third happiest bunch in the country in its 2013 Unigo College Rankings.

Is Boston University a good campus?

YES. No doubt. Boston University's highly ranked graduate schools include the School of Law, School of Management, School of Medicine, College of Engineering and School of Education. Boston University's ranking in the 2019 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 42. No doubt, It's a good choice.

Is Boston University in a good neighborhood?

The entire area around BU is safe. A few blocks south of BU is Brookline, one of the wealthiest towns in the state. Allston to the west of BU is where a lot of students live, but it's a little dingy. East of BU is Fenway, which is a little touristy and has some high end hotels.

BOSTON UNIVERSITY// Everything You Need To Know Before Attending

Is it safe to walk through Boston Common at night?

Seaport and the other neighborhoods you mentioned are all fine after dark. Just don't walk through Boston Common or Public Garden after 8pm Walk around outside of it and Downtown Crossing area can get deserted after 7pm.

What kind of students go to BU?

Boston University students come from all walks of life and every corner of the globe. There is no single type of student at BU as our community includes students with a wide variety of life experiences and from different backgrounds.

Why is BU so hard to get into?

The acceptance rate at Boston University is 11.1%.

For every 100 applicants, only 11 are admitted. This means the school is extremely selective. Meeting their GPA requirements and SAT/ACT requirements is very important to getting past their first round of filters and proving your academic preparation.

Where to avoid staying in Boston?

For tourists in Boston, avoid areas far from main attractions like parts of Roxbury, Dorchester, and Mattapan due to higher crime, and be cautious around the Mass Ave & Melnea Cass Blvd intersection (Mass & Cass) near the Medical Center, as it's known for homelessness and drug issues, though most tourist areas like Back Bay, North End, and Beacon Hill are very safe; always stay aware of your surroundings, especially late at night. 

What do BU students do for fun?

BU students have fun through over 500 clubs (from anime to robotics), attending vibrant campus events like hockey games, comedy shows, and cultural festivals, exploring Boston's museums and parks, and staying active at the FitRec center with intramural sports like popular broomball, all while balancing academics and community building.
 

Is Boston University stressful?

Boston University has a strong academic rigor, and the workload can indeed be pretty intense depending on your courses and major. That being said, stress really depends on you as an individual and how well you handle your academic responsibilities, extracurricular activities, and your overall sense of balance.

Where do top 1% send kids to college?

The "top 1%" of students, referring to those from the highest income brackets, tend to attend elite universities like MIT, Harvard, Stanford, Princeton, and Yale that consistently rank high in national and global lists, with some even having more students from the top 1% income bracket than the bottom 60% combined, according to The New York Times data. Top-ranked institutions like MIT, Princeton, Harvard, and Stanford are frequent top contenders in various 2026 rankings from U.S. News & World Report and Times Higher Education. 

What is the safest college campus in Massachusetts?

Bay Path University ranked as the safest campus in Massachusetts, third safest in the U.S. Bay Path University is the safest college in Massachusetts and the third safest in America, according to a recent list compiled by Niche.com, which reviewed 1,400 schools and ranked the safest campuses in America for 2024.

Is Greek life big at BU?

Q: How big is Greek Life at BU? A: Approximately 15% of undergraduates are engaged in Greek Life here at BU.

Is BU harder to get into than NYU?

NYU is generally harder to get into than BU, with significantly lower acceptance rates (around 8% for NYU vs. ~11% for BU for recent classes), indicating higher selectivity, though both are competitive private universities where specific programs like NYU Stern are even more difficult, notes Reddit and College Tuition Comparison. 

Is $100,000 enough to live in Boston?

Yes, a single person can live in Boston on $100k, but it requires careful budgeting, especially with housing, using public transit, and potentially having roommates, as high costs for rent, taxes, and expenses make it tight, while it's generally insufficient for a family without significant sacrifices. Your comfort level heavily depends on housing choices, with lower rent in value neighborhoods or with roommates being key to saving money. 

Is it safe to walk around Boston at night?

There are still areas you should avoid, such as Park St and Downtown Crossing. At night, these attract vagrants and addicts. Anywhere else, however, is safe enough to walk around at night. As mentioned above, pickpockets congregate in the more central, touristy neighborhoods like Downtown.

Is $70,000 enough to live in Boston?

Yes, $70k is enough to live in Boston as a single person, but it requires careful budgeting, prioritizing roommates, and using public transit to manage high housing costs, making it tight for comfort but feasible for survival and modest savings, though not ideal for thriving without roommates. Living alone on this salary will be very challenging, with little left over after essentials like rent (which can easily eat up half your take-home pay). 

Is Boston a tough city?

Boston is among the safest big cities in the US, with a relatively low crime rate for its size. It's a place where you can feel secure and at ease.

Is BU or tufts harder to get into?

While both are highly selective, Tufts often appears slightly harder to get into based on lower acceptance rates (around 9-11%) compared to Boston University (around 11-14%), but BU is also very competitive, with the difference often coming down to campus fit (Tufts' suburban feel vs. BU's urban integration) and specific program strength. Tufts is considered more exclusive with a traditional campus, while BU offers a larger, bustling city experience, making fit as crucial as stats for either. 

Where do the 1% go to college?

The 1% of the wealthiest Americans disproportionately attend highly selective, elite universities, particularly Ivy League schools (Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Dartmouth, Brown, Penn, Columbia) and other top institutions like MIT, Stanford, Duke, and UChicago, where they make up a large percentage of the student body, often outnumbering students from the bottom 60% of income earners combined. Liberal arts colleges and prestigious public universities also attract many wealthy students, with specific examples including WashU St. Louis, UVA, UCLA, UC Berkeley, Vanderbilt, and Johns Hopkins.
 

What is the 90/10 rule for colleges?

The 90/10 Rule in higher education requires for-profit colleges to get at least 10% of their revenue from non-federal sources, with a maximum of 90% from federal aid (like Title IV funds and recently, military benefits) to ensure they aren't solely reliant on taxpayer money and offer real value. Failing this rule for two consecutive years results in losing access to federal student aid, a penalty designed to protect students from low-quality, predatory institutions. Recent changes have closed loopholes by including GI Bill and military assistance in the 90% calculation, forcing for-profits to diversify funding.
 

What is the neighborhood like around Boston University?

One of the area's pricier neighborhoods, Brookline is attractive to families for its beautiful parks, charming community feel, gorgeous real estate, and access to the Brookline school system. The Village is centered around the town's civic center, but the neighborhood also includes a number of popular restaurants.

What is BU culture like?

Our slice of Boston is a mosaic like no other: a swirl of languages, cultures, and religions; more than 500 student clubs; shows and lectures; a state-of-the-art fitness center; a slew of pubs and restaurants; and the thrills and spills of Terrier ice hockey. Come see what BU has to offer.

What is the most beautiful college campus in Boston?

At Wellesley College, we live, learn, and find inspiration on one of the country's most beautiful campuses. Located near Boston, Massachusetts, Wellesley's 500 acres include a lake, public gardens, groves of conifers and hardwoods, and winding paths through open meadows.