I was told by a friend who visited Boston University that I would not enjoy the campus. It was “too city-ish” and the school’s atmosphere was kind of sketchy.

Driving up to Boston after making a reservation for an information meeting and a tour of the campus, I was a little apprehensive. I had been to the city numerous times, since I have relatives who just recently moved away from Boston’s suburbs, so I had two conflicting ideas of what to expect. My expectations regarding the school were high, yet low at the same time.

My mom and I drove up on Columbus Day. It was perfect for a school visit. It was a sunny and warm day, and the traffic was minimal since it was a holiday. When we arrived at the campus, we got a little lost. The lack of up-to-date maps was one of the few things that I did not like about the school. On one map we had, although we found the Admissions Office highlighted in red, the map neglected to mention that the building was under construction and had been moved to another temporary building. Luckily, we had arrived early so we could spend the 15 minutes wandering around the campus.

On the other hand, however, we got a firsthand look at the campus without the burden of a rushing tour. There are co-ed dormitory buildings built from original brownstone. The original door frames with the decorations surrounding them were exquisite. If you as a fan of historical buildings like me, visiting Boston University would be an interesting adventure.

During the information session there was an BU Alumni named Christine Johnson, as well as a current senior named Brianna. Johnson graduated from the School of Management and the School of Education in 2010. She currently works in the hospitality field. Brianna is a journalism major. As she spoke, she told us about her desire to write from the age of five. She came to BU and wasn’t sure what she wanted to major in, so she decided to try out journalism.

The programs at BU are extensive, and the faculty is impressive. On staff is Professor of Humanities Elliot Wiesel, who won the 1986 Nobel Peace Prize winner and is a Holocaust survivor. The research programs are incredibly well-funded. Nearly $50 million is used to fund research topics for students, and the faculty to student ratio is 13:1. During the tour of the campus, I saw a class in session despite the holiday. It was small with the teacher was actively engaging with his students.

“I want to go to class every morning and ask my professors questions,” Brianna stated during her presentation.

BU even has an annual “Dancing with the Professors” competition.

The communal atmosphere at the school–as well as the city–was wonderful. The bustle of the city is two steps away from the nearest university building. Traffic running up and down Silber Way keeps you aware that the city is an arms length away. The trolley gives the community a homey and historic feel. The junior leading the tour was amiable and open, and the rest of the student body that I saw was also friendly.

“Everyone is really super passionate about something here,” said Johnson, and that was evident during the tour.

When we came to the library during the tour, it was filled with students working, and I caught a glimpse of what I assume to be film students, or simply students having fun, LARPing on the grass outside. After we left the campus, my mom and I walked around Boston Commons for a little bit. If you have ever been to New York City and experienced its non-stop hustle and bustle, life in Boston is similar, but it has a lighter feel to it. It might have been the weather and lack of traffic that made me think this, but the atmosphere of the city is more open than that of its counterpart in New York.

If you ever go to Boston, whether it is for a Red Sox game or just to visit the historic city, I suggest visiting Boston University. Any other specific information regarding applications, financial aid, and academics can be found at Boston University’s website: www.bu.edu