College Town USA

When people think of the Boston area, the volume of outstanding universities is among the first topics to arise in conversation (trailing only perhaps politics and sports). It’s not hard to see why.  Across varied majors, school sizes, and locations both urban and suburban, going to school in or around Boston has something for everybody. 

You want to shoot for some of the most elite programs in the country?  Focus on Cambridge Massachusetts – not only is it home to historic Harvard Square, kayakers rowing down the Charles River, and the world’s only Curious George Store, but you will also find Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology within shouting distance of one another. 

But don’t be thrown by low admissions numbers. Harvard students study and find fun things to do in equal measure.  The MIT application meanwhile encourages some of the most creative essay topics of any university.

If you want to achieve your undergraduate education within a bustling city, head a few miles inward north and you will discover Boston University and Northeastern.  BU, located on Commonwealth Avenue, draws many of the nation’s hungriest applicants in Biology (explore the Combined Med Program), Communications, and Law while offering thrilling hockey games at Agganis Arena. 

Northeastern has become a focal point for many students interested in Business, Marketing, Engineering, and more. It’s minutes from some of the country’s best restaurants and bars and a healthy walk to Fenway Park, home of Red Sox (BU is even closer to Fenway on the other side).

Seeking more of a suburban campus with easy train access into the city?  Check out Tufts University and Boston College. Tufts, located in Medford, draws students from all over the nation and has tremendous offerings in the Social Sciences, the Biomedical Sciences, Computer Science, and Engineering. It also has one of the highest student retention rates anywhere.

Boston College, located in Chestnut Hill, is a leader in liberal arts education, and also draws applicants far and wide. Some of the strongest academic programs include Economics, Finance, Psychology, and Bio. BC is also close to Cleveland Circle, the Alston/Brighton area, and Newton Centre, the latter home to our local Insight Education office.

Want to experience something you haven’t heard of?  Head over to visit Brandeis, located in nearby Waltham Ma, a tremendous private research university with a significant liberal arts focus, and fewer than 4000 undergraduate students.

Want to explore the Arts with a depth and focus nearly unmatched anywhere?  Take a tour of Emerson College, which will set you on an amazing track.  Notable alumni include Paul Thomas Anderson, Jay Leno, Denis Leary, Norman Lear, and Henry Winkler (that’s right – the Fonz).

This is only the beginning – I’ve also worked with students who’ve had their sights set on Suffolk University, Bentley University, and of course UMass, the state’s public research university system, with campuses in Amherst, Lowell, Dartmouth, Boston, & Worcester.

It’s a great college town, and I can’t wait to continue the conversation with you!

Zach Pava is our local Newton high school and college admissions counselor! Learn more about Zach in his Insight Interview!