Should I go to Boston College or Northeastern?

Choosing between Boston College (BC) and Northeastern (NEU) depends on your priorities: BC offers a traditional, Jesuit, sports-focused experience with strong finance/consulting prestige and a suburban feel, while NEU provides an urban, co-op/experiential learning focus (great for tech/STEM) with a modern, city-integrated campus, though potentially longer graduation paths. Your decision hinges on your desired academic environment (liberal arts vs. career-focused), campus culture (sports-heavy vs. city-immersive), and career goals (finance vs. tech/STEM).

Is it harder to get into Northeastern or Boston College?

If you're looking at acceptance rate alone, then Northeastern University (NU) is more difficult to get into. However, each college is looking to fill its incoming class with a variety of students with different strengths, backgrounds, etc.

Is BC ranked higher than Northeastern?

Among Massachusetts universities, BC placed third behind MIT and Harvard, and ahead of Tufts (40th), Boston University (43rd), Northeastern (53rd) and Brandeis (60th). Access rankings of all colleges and universities at the U.S. News website.

Is Northeastern or Boston University better?

Neither Boston University (BU) nor Northeastern University (NEU) is definitively "better," as the choice depends on your major and career goals; BU is often seen as stronger in liberal arts/academics with broad study abroad, while NEU excels in practical experience via its famous co-op program, especially in STEM/Engineering, though both are highly-ranked urban Boston universities with strong programs in many fields.
 

Is a degree from Boston College respected?

In terms of reputation, a degree from Boston College is highly respected and well-regarded nationally, and even internationally. Academically, BC is known for its rigorous curriculum and notable programs, particularly in the fields of business, education, nursing, and liberal arts.

DON'T Apply to NEU if...

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. 

Is Boston College as good as an Ivy?

Boston College (BC) is a highly respected university that rivals some Ivies, often ranked near them and even labeled a "New Ivy" by Forbes due to its strong academics and employer reputation, though it's not technically an Ivy League; its strength lies in its rigorous programs, strong Jesuit tradition, and desirable career outcomes, making it a strong choice often compared to schools like Tufts or NYU, placing it just below the traditional top Ivies in some rankings but excellent overall. 

Is Northeastern actually prestigious?

Yes, Northeastern University is widely considered prestigious, especially for its innovative co-op program, strong rankings in business, engineering, and tech, competitive admissions, and growing national reputation as a leading research institution with a focus on experiential learning. While it's not in the same tier as Ivy League schools for traditional "bumper sticker" prestige, its real-world focus and strong career outcomes make it highly respected in professional circles. 

What is the #1 hardest school to get into?

There isn't one single #1 hardest school, as it changes slightly by year and criteria, but Harvard University, Stanford University, MIT, and Caltech consistently rank among the top with extremely low acceptance rates (often 3-4%) and intense competition for spots, though other top global universities like Oxford and Tsinghua are also incredibly selective. Harvard is frequently cited as the hardest due to its high volume of applications and focus on global leadership potential, while Caltech is known for its extreme difficulty in STEM. 

Is Boston College really hard to get into?

Yes, Boston College (BC) is very hard to get into, with recent acceptance rates around 14-16%, making it highly selective, requiring strong academics (GPA, test scores), impressive extracurriculars, compelling essays, and strong recommendations to stand out in a holistic review process. Successful applicants often have high test scores (around 1440-1540 SAT, 33-35 ACT), demonstrate significant intellectual curiosity, and align with BC's Jesuit values, even if not religious. 

Is Northeastern or NYU harder to get into?

It's extremely competitive for both, but Northeastern often has a slightly lower acceptance rate (making it technically harder by numbers), while NYU has a higher volume of applicants, making both highly selective; Northeastern's recent acceptance rate was around 5.2%, compared to NYU's roughly 8% for the Class of 2028, but admissions depend heavily on individual strengths, programs, and the year. 

What is the best university in Massachusetts?

The state's two top universities, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard University, are both located in the city of Cambridge, just a short drive from Boston.

How prestigious is Boston College?

Yes, Boston College (BC) is widely considered a prestigious university, recognized for its strong Jesuit liberal arts tradition, rigorous academics, excellent undergraduate teaching, high career outcomes, and consistent high national rankings (e.g., #36 in U.S. News 2026). It's known for producing well-rounded graduates with strong critical thinking and ethical reasoning skills, making it a top choice among selective universities.
 

What are the cons of Boston College?

Cons: 1. Expensive: Boston College is a private institution, and its tuition and fees can be steep. However, the school does offer financial aid packages to help offset costs.

Should I submit a 1470 to Northeastern?

Yes, you should submit a 1470 SAT score to Northeastern, as it falls right at the lower end of their typical middle 50% range (often cited around 1470-1550), making it a solid score that can help your application, especially given Northeastern's test-optional policy through 2026 where submitting a good score strengthens your profile. While some might advise against scores below the median, yours is strong enough to be a positive data point, not a detriment, in their holistic review. 

What kind of student is Northeastern looking for?

We value your educational strengths just as much as your entrepreneurial spirit, or your global outlook, your community involvement, and your many other strengths and interests. Northeastern students are worldly, wise, aware, and proactive.

What is the #1 party school?

For 2026, the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), is widely ranked as the #1 party school by sources like Niche, based on student surveys about campus party scenes, access to nightlife, and Greek life, followed by schools like Florida State and Tulane. Other strong contenders often mentioned include the University of Wisconsin-Madison, USC, and the University of Alabama, with rankings varying slightly by publication and criteria.
 

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 easiest ivy to get into?

While all Ivy League schools are highly selective, Cornell University is generally considered the "easiest" to get into due to having the highest acceptance rate (around 8-9%), partly because it's the largest Ivy with diverse colleges, like the less competitive Agriculture and Life Sciences, though its engineering programs are tough. Dartmouth College and Brown University often follow as the next most accessible Ivies, while Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and Columbia are typically the most difficult, with lower acceptance rates. 

Is Tufts or Northeastern better?

Neither Tufts nor Northeastern is definitively "better"—they offer different strengths, with Tufts leaning towards strong liberal arts, international relations, and traditional campus feel, while Northeastern excels in experiential learning (co-ops), STEM/Business, and urban environment; the best choice depends on your academic focus, desired campus atmosphere, and career goals, such as career-driven co-ops at NEU vs. strong advising at Tufts. 

Is getting into Northeastern a big deal?

Given this private university's high ranking, many students decide to submit applications to Northeastern. So, it's no surprise the Northeastern acceptance rate happens to be one of the most selective in the nation.

Is Northeastern a new ivy?

No, Northeastern University is not part of the Ivy League.

What are the 11 little Ivies?

The Little Ivies are also sub-grouped by the following consortia: The New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) members: Amherst, Bates, Bowdoin, Colby, Connecticut College, Hamilton, Middlebury, Trinity, Tufts, Wesleyan and Williams.

What is so special about Boston College?

Boston College, the first institution of higher education to operate in the city of Boston, is today among the nation's foremost universities, a leader in the liberal arts, scientific inquiry, and student formation.

Is BC a baby ivy?

Yes, Boston College (BC) is often considered a "New Ivy" or a "Hidden Ivy," recognized for providing an education and career outcomes comparable to the traditional Ivy League, attracting top students, and being highly regarded by employers, even though it's not an original Ivy League school. It appears on lists like Forbes' 2024 "New Ivies" list and in Hidden Ivies guides, signifying its elite status and strong performance in the academic and professional worlds.