Should I transfer to Boston College?

Question

I am a focussed and motivated student at Syracuse University. I have the chance to be a Finance, Accounting, and Entrepreneurship and Emerging Enterprises triple major in the Whitman School of Management, which is ranked 42nd in the country by BusinessWeek.com. Or, I have the choice to be a Public Relations, Television Radio Film (Management), or Advertising (Management) major in the SI Newhouse Communications School, which is one of the top schools in the country. Whichever choice I take, I feel may change my life down the road one way or another. I am not so passionate one way or the other about the subjects, I am just a focussed student. Which path do you think I would be better off taking? Should I transfer for Boston College if I get the chance? Please state your expertise or background when answering the question. Thanks so much for your help, this is one of the biggest decisions I will have to make. THANKS!

Answer 1

First off, Syracuse is a great school. It would be tough to compare it against BC because both are very well-respected, and you can get a top notch education at either one. The Whitman School is a very good school, and you wouldn't go wrong there, but the Newhouse School is, by far, one of the best among communication/media/journalism programs in the country. I'd suggest factoring other things into the equation as well such as cost of living. Syracuse is relatively cheap and much easier to live in than Boston. Boston, however, is just an overall amazing, American city with so much to offer. Think long enough and you'll come up with a huge list of trade-offs.

I would say that eventually you will need to find a passion, or at the very least an area that you're good at and work your hardest to become the best at it. Many people study a subject in college that they don't even end up practicing in their careers, but that doesn't mean you should arbitrarily study modern dance with hopes of becoming a neurosurgeon. :)

My background: Bachelors and Masters degree, previously worked as a journalist, now working in government and public policy.

Answer 2

Why are you considering transferring to BC? Is there something compelling about that program, which you can't find a Syracuse? If not, then don't transfer.

Are you unhappy at Syracuse? If you aren't unhappy, then don't transfer. Syracuse is roughly comperable to BC in terms of academics and reputation. If you like Syracuse, stay.

In terms of which major - that's a very personal decision. You need to decide which major is right for you. If you really are undecided, like I was, go through the university course catalogue and start circling classes that interest you. See if you see a pattern. If more fall under their school of communications than under their school of business, then let that sway you.

Syracuse's communications school is one of the top in the country. It's a very good school. But Syracuse in general has a good rep, academically. I don't think, if you decided to major in business instead, that would adversely affect you.

And if you're seriously considering double (or whatever) majoring, can you not double with one from Comm, and the other from Business? Get the best of both worlds? Say, do Advertising Management and Entrepreneurship?