Boston College Vs Boston University

[bostonguy1960]

Originally Posted by bostonbarney

As many Bostonians know, Boston College was originally a commuter school with the mission of "educating Boston youth." (Male youth.)

In the late 60s early 70s, BC was on the brink of academic and financial disaster. Monan is credited with bringing the school back from the precipice and changing the profile to residential and international students.

Then, though many scoff, there was the Flutie effect. :-)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flutie_effect

Hmmmm...so that makes BC, BU and Northeastern as "nothing" more than commuter schools -- with only a small percentage of students living on campus until...what, the early to mid 70s?

By 1978, when I applied from South Jersey, BC and BU seemed somewhat competitive. But nothing like today, correct?

Is this accurate, lifelong Bostonians?

Yet...back then, Boston seriously considered itself an educational mecca? Or did this label only start to "stick" in the mid-to-late 70s? It seems current students at these three schools, especially foreigners, may be surprised, thinking their colleges have always carried the current prestige?

[chicagoliz]

Originally Posted by bostonguy1960

Hmmmm...so that makes BC, BU and Northeastern as "nothing" more than commuter schools -- with only a small percentage of students living on campus until...what, the early to mid 70s?

By 1978, when I applied from South Jersey, BC and BU seemed somewhat competitive. But nothing like today, correct?

Is this accurate, lifelong Bostonians?

Yet...back then, Boston seriously considered itself an educational mecca? Or did this label only start to "stick" in the mid-to-late 70s? It seems current students at these three schools, especially foreigners, may be surprised, thinking their colleges have always carried the current prestige?

Before the 70s, there were a great many schools that were essentially commuter schools (including many that have great prestige now). People were not as mobile then as they are now, and a whole lot of people rarely ventured more than about 50-100 miles from home. These days, transportation is not that large of a barrier - certainly not like it was.

And this also ups the competition level, when you have lots of applicants from all over.

[bostonguy1960]

Originally Posted by chicagoliz

Before the 70s, there were a great many schools that were essentially commuter schools (including many that have great prestige now). People were not as mobile then as they are now, and a whole lot of people rarely ventured more than about 50-100 miles from home. These days, transportation is not that large of a barrier - certainly not like it was.

And this also ups the competition level, when you have lots of applicants from all over.

Good points.

I wonder if even schools like NYU, Syracuse, University of Washington (before Seattle was truly discovered and became so hip) were to some extent more commuter oriented...back in 1963 to 1970 or so. But back then, not as many went to college; it was often the more intellectually elite in some cases?