Suffok vs Umass Boston (Braintree, Harvard: homes, neighborhoods, private school)

[BostonMass20]

Hello, this is my first post here.

I am 16 years old and graduating high school this spring. I am from outside of New England. (was homeschooled) I wish to attend college in the Boston area and am thinking of a few options. I will apply to BC, BU, NEU, Harvard and MIT but my chances of getting into those schools are very slim. I am considering Suffolk and Umass Boston. I have visited both campuses and like Suffolk better but Umass isn't bad either. I really like the fact that students at Umass tend to be more focused on studying and getting their degree. I don't like the party crowd so I would ft in at Umass.


My questions are:
-Which school is better for Finance?
-Is suffolk more of a party school or is it pretty similar to Umass Boston?
-Is the neighborhood around Umass safe?
-How long of a walk is the red line from the middle of Umass campus?
-Is that section of the Red Line safe? It seems like it goes through some bad areas.
-Which school is more respected inside New England?

Thanks!

[Boston Shudra]

I don’t know much about the programs at either school. In my experience, Suffolk is pretty well regarded in the area and isn’t considered more of a party school than BC, BU, NU, etc. Both schools are respected in the area. Maybe Suffolk is seen as being more hoitie-toitie as it’s a private school and UMass is public.

The area around UMass is safe enough: if you walk west from the station you reach Uphams Corner, which is one of the city’s less-polished neighborhoods, and there are some housing projects north of the station along Old Colony. The red line is fine until you get to Fields Corner and Shawmut, and even those areas are generally fine during the day.

Looks like the walk from the station to campus could be 15-25 min, but I’ve never walked it myself.

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by BostonMass20

Hello, this is my first post here.

I am 16 years old and graduating high school this spring. I am from outside of New England. (was homeschooled) I wish to attend college in the Boston area and am thinking of a few options. I will apply to BC, BU, NEU, Harvard and MIT but my chances of getting into those schools are very slim. I am considering Suffolk and Umass Boston. I have visited both campuses and like Suffolk better but Umass isn't bad either. I really like the fact that students at Umass tend to be more focused on studying and getting their degree. I don't like the party crowd so I would ft in at Umass.


My questions are:
-Which school is better for Finance?
Not sure.


-Is suffolk more of a party school or is it pretty similar to Umass Boston?
Neither are party schools.


-Is the neighborhood around Umass safe?
Like the other poster said, stay east of the train tracks and avoid the Old Colony projects to the north.


-How long of a walk is the red line from the middle of Umass campus?
15 minutes maybe? I think there is a shuttle.


-Is that section of the Red Line safe? It seems like it goes through some bad areas.
The Braintree Line is fine, Ashmont Line most of the problems will be south of Savin Hill.


-Which school is more respected inside New England?
Think it depends on the major, again I don't know much about the Finance program at either school.

Thanks!

My responses in red.

[BosYuppie]

My opinion is that Suffolk is a better regarded institution.

[CaseyB]

Originally Posted by BosYuppie

My opinion is that Suffolk is a better regarded institution.

Agree.

[Brave Stranger]

Suffolk has a better campus.

[Boston Shudra]

Originally Posted by Brave Stranger

Suffolk has a better campus.

Suffolk doesn’t have much of a campus? Better location, sure..

[Brave Stranger]

Originally Posted by iAMtheVVALRUS

Suffolk doesn’t have much of a campus? Better location, sure..

Same difference. Downtown Boston is the campus. Their own slogan is: Our Campus is Boston.

[masssachoicetts]

UMass Boston is a great grad school. there isnt much for undegrad and its very commuter heavy, but you land great jobs.. you just might miss out on the college experience.

[johngolf]

I think locals have a higher opinion of Suffolk than it deserves. Those "from off" would have a higher opinion of UMass.