Boston College Or Villanova

Hi guys, I want to go into some sort of finance with hopes of landing on wall street or some nice business center in a major city.

I currently am accepted into Villanova’s business school and waitlisted at Boston College. My guidance counselor recently emailed me telling me that the admissions officer called her saying that they are going to give me a decision by mid-may.

I’m just on here to ask if just in case I get in, which should I go to? Everything online says that the opportunities will be relatively the same , and many sites rank Villanova and Boston College around the same tier.

I also hear how about how Boston College is like super religious, which doesn’t bother me, because I am Catholic myself, but what bothers me is that it’s apparently extremely strict which makes me kind feel like the experience there might not be as great as the one I’d have at nova. Especially since I’d get to watch their basketball team or up and coming NBA stars! Haha.

Thanks guys, leave your suggestions below please.

This will be so helpful in my decision.

10 Comments
 

Ok, but say I decide to not do investment banking. How does VSB compare to BC? I also know that Villanova has a great reputation in the real world but online it's a bit skewed.

 
Most Helpful

Business school rankings you read online (i.e. US News, Poets and Quants, etc.) don't matter for this purpose. In general the street will view BC > Villanova, no matter what the rankings say. This will not change before you graduate (if at all) as school perception is fairly sticky.

I've ran into plenty of alum from both schools, so you'll have a chance to break into high finance from both. Friends from HS went to both and honestly they seem to have pretty similar experience (small, highly religious, D1 sports, limited party scene, suburb of major city). If the $ is much better at one or you strongly prefer one for some other reason (Nova basketball vs BC Hockey) then I would probably go there. 

Maybe the "prestige" advanatge of BC is worth it for buyside recruiting, but I really wouldn't weight this into your decision as you are still in HS. Seems that you think you'd prefer to go to Nova, so I would stick with you original plan. Minor benefits in "prestige" is never worth you happiness.

 

Plenty of others have opined on the prestige question, but as an alumni (2017) I can promise you BC is not overly religious. Bang out Perspectives Freshman year (which allows you take only 4 classes freshman year, unless that has changed) and you're in the clear for any religion courses. 

My BC experience was absolutely incredible, wouldn't change a thing. They also just built a brand new rec center which came out amazing. Feel free to PM me with any questions. Good luck

 

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