A Day In The Life Of Boston University Students

Boston University is a private teaching and research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. The university has a total undergraduate enrollment of 18,656 students, with a gender distribution of 41.9% male students and 58.1% female students. The campus size is 140 acres, and the school offers a range of academic opportunities, including 10 undergraduate schools and colleges, 300+ majors and minors, and 200+ study abroad programs. The student body at Boston University is diverse, with a mix of domestic and international students, and the school offers various resources and support services to enhance the student experience.

Boston University has an urban campus with a small student-to-faculty ratio

Boston University is a private teaching and research university located in the heart of Boston, Massachusetts. The university has a total undergraduate enrollment of 18,656 students (as of Fall 2023) and is situated on an urban campus spanning 140 acres.

The campus is just a minute's walk or ride from the city of Boston, which is known for its vibrant student population, with over 60 schools within a 10-mile radius and students making up 20% of the city's population. The city's resources and opportunities are easily accessible to BU students, who can take advantage of internships, research, and job prospects. The university itself also offers thousands of research and internship opportunities, both in the US and abroad, preparing its graduates to lead in an interconnected world.

With over 16,000 undergrads, some students may be intimidated by the size of the university. However, the campus is designed to foster a sense of community, with Commonwealth Avenue, the main street running through the campus, providing a familiar setting where students can connect. The university guarantees on-campus housing for all undergraduates who want it, offering both traditional dormitory-style and apartment-style living options.

The student body at BU is diverse, enhancing classroom discussions and cultural exchange. While some students note that domestic diversity could be improved, the university has a geographically diverse student population, with significant representation from the Northeastern US, California, and East Asia. The university also has a small student-to-faculty ratio, providing access to top-tier professors and fostering intellectual growth.

The student body is diverse, with students from almost 100 countries

Boston University has a diverse student body, with nearly 38,000 students from almost 100 countries. The university offers a wide range of academic programs and is one of the largest employers in Boston. The main campus is situated along the Charles River in the Fenway-Kenmore and Allston neighbourhoods, while the Medical Campus is located in the South End neighbourhood. The Fenway campus houses the Wheelock College of Education and Human Development, which merged with BU in 2018.

The university has a strong international presence, with its largest study abroad program based in London, England. The London Internship Program (LIP) combines a professional internship with coursework that explores British history, culture, and society. BU also has a significant number of domestic students, with over 16,000 undergraduates and a total undergraduate enrollment of 18,656 as of fall 2023.

The student population at Boston University is academically driven and takes advantage of the city of Boston's resources for internships, research, and job opportunities. The urban setting of the university provides easy access to late-night school buses and public transportation. The campus size is just right, according to some students, as it feels big but also manageable and safe.

The university's ranking in the 2025 edition of Best Colleges is #41 among National Universities, and it is classified as an "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity" institution. The high academic standards and faculty are often cited as reasons for choosing BU, despite the increasing cost of tuition, which is a common complaint.

The university has a variety of living communities and guarantees on-campus housing

Boston University (BU) is a private teaching and research university located in the heart of historic Boston. The university has a total undergraduate enrollment of 18,656 students (as of Fall 2023), with a gender distribution of 41.9% male and 58.1% female students. The campus is conveniently situated in an urban setting and spans 140 acres, offering a blend of academic rigour, diverse opportunities, and a vibrant campus life.

BU guarantees on-campus housing for all undergraduates who want it, boasting the 10th largest housing system in the country among 4-year colleges. The university offers a variety of living options, including both traditional dormitory-style and apartment-style accommodations. With 69% of students living in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing, the campus is always bustling with activity.

The university's urban location provides easy access to late-night school buses and public transportation. The campus itself is spacious yet manages to foster a sense of community, with students often running into familiar faces as they walk down the street every day. The campus is also conveniently located near the river, bordering the residential towns of Allston and Brookline, providing a calm environment for students to reside in.

In addition to its on-campus housing options, BU offers a diverse range of living communities that cater to different interests and needs. With over 650 global courses, $1 million in research funding for undergraduates, and 200+ study abroad programs, students can easily find like-minded individuals who share their passions and interests. The university also has a strong presence of Greek life, sports teams, and clubs, providing numerous opportunities for students to connect and build lasting friendships.

There are over 450 student groups, including sports teams and Greek life

Student life at Boston University is vibrant and diverse, with over 450 student groups catering to a wide range of interests. The university is home to a variety of sports teams and Greek life organizations, as well as numerous other clubs and societies. With such a vast array of options, students can easily find like-minded individuals and pursue their passions.

The university's Greek life includes 12 fraternities and 12 sororities, contributing to a small but active Greek community on campus. While BU is not primarily known as a Greek life-centred university, these organizations still play a significant role in student culture. Fraternity and sorority houses are described as relatively low-key, and dues are considered more reasonable than those at other schools. Additionally, Greek life at BU is less time-demanding, allowing students to also enjoy the city and other aspects of campus life.

For those interested in sports, Boston University is part of the NCAA I and offers various sports teams for students to join. The university also facilitates several professional organizations and honour societies related to specific fields of study. For instance, students in the College of Communication can join the Public Relations Student Society of America, while engineers can get involved with Engineers Without Borders. These organizations provide valuable opportunities for networking, industry insights, and academic recognition.

Beyond academics and extracurricular pursuits, Boston University fosters a sense of community engagement and social responsibility. The university's Community Service Center (CSC) boasts a volunteer base of over 1,500 individuals, contributing 75,000 hours of service annually in the greater Boston area and beyond. Students can participate in the First-Year Student Outreach Project (FYSOP), which allows them to move in a week early and engage in service projects across 11 different issue areas. The Alternative Service Break (ASB) program also enables hundreds of students to spend their vacations giving back through service projects in the US and Canada.

Students can take advantage of the city's resources for internships and research

Boston University (BU) is an urban school with a total undergraduate enrollment of over 16,000 students, 69% of whom live in college-affiliated housing. The city of Boston is a hub of opportunities for students, with over 60 schools within a 10-mile radius and students making up 20% of the city's population.

BU students can take advantage of the city's resources for internships and research in various ways. The Research in Science & Engineering (RISE) program is a six-week summer program that offers academically motivated rising seniors the chance to conduct hands-on research under the guidance of faculty members, postdoctoral fellows, or graduate student mentors. Students in the RISE program gain experience in the scientific process, research ethics, interpreting research papers, presenting independent research, and networking in their fields. They also benefit from workshops aimed at building their academic and professional skills.

Additionally, BU's College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) offers the On-Campus Internship Program, which provides critical workplace experience and a one-credit course focused on students' academic and career goals. Opportunities through this program include internships in marketing, administration, sustainability, archiving, and IT. For students interested in social justice, inclusion, and sustainability, CAS also offers the Social Sciences Undergraduate Internships, which provide experiential learning opportunities and can be funded through the Yawkey Nonprofit Internship Program.

BU also facilitates internships through its Student Employment Office, which helps students find work-study and campus job opportunities, as well as through Handshake, an online platform with an expansive and constantly updated list of positions. The university's location in Boston means that students have access to a wide range of internship, research, and job opportunities in the city and beyond.

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