Hi everyone! I was accepted to Tufts and BU as a sophomore transfer and I am having a hard time making a choice between the two. I'm coming from a SLAC in the Midwest and having a hard time feeling engaged and I'm not doing super great in the rural area.
I would be an Environmental Analysis and Policy major at BU (environmental studies at Tufts), and I'd probably have an Urban Studies Major. It seems like credits transfer over pretty similarly at both schools. I want to go into a field where I can work with people and I want my major to help me build those skills.
I'm pretty outgoing and I make friends by doing extracurriculars and shared activities (most probably school band and environmental groups). I feel like residential life also might be important (i.e. making friends with floormates). I like going out sometimes but I prefer being outside and exploring cities/parks/etc with people.
The bottom line is that I want a school that offers social and academic stability, even if it feels like an oasis in a more chaotic environment.
BU is giving me better aid than Tufts so I am appealing, but even if the two offered the same aid, I would not be sure what to do. Any feedback or tips would be very helpful! And the formatting/wording might be a little weird because I'm on my phone.

Hi everyone! I was accepted to Tufts and BU as a sophomore transfer and I am having a hard time making a choice between the two. I'm coming from a SLAC in the Midwest and having a hard time feeling engaged and I'm not doing super great in the rural area.
I would be an environmental studies major at Tufts (Environmental Analysis and Policy at BU), and I'd probably have an Urban Studies Major. It seems like credits transfer over pretty similarly at both schools. I want to go into a field where I can work with people and I want my major to help me build those skills.
I'm pretty outgoing and I make friends by doing extracurriculars and shared activities (most probably school band and environmental groups). I feel like residential life also might be important (i.e. making friends with floormates). I like going out sometimes but I prefer being outside and exploring cities/parks/etc with people.
The bottom line is that I want a school that offers social and academic stability, even if it feels like an oasis in a more chaotic environment.
BU is giving me better aid than Tufts so I am appealing, but even if the two offered the same aid, I would not be sure what to do. Any feedback or tips would be very helpful! And the formatting/wording might be a little weird because I'm on my phone.

Hi everyone!

I was just admitted as a sophomore transfer to BU for fall 2026, and I’m not committed (partially waiting on more info, partially gathering more information). I’m currently at a Midwestern SLAC and it’s not been the greatest experience. I’m from NJ and grew up in a city, so Boston is a more familiar environment to me and it’s closer to home. I’ve seen a bunch of posts asking for help like this on here, so I wanted to make one because I have a few questions I haven’t seen asked before. 
Also I did create this account just now because I said a couple things about my personal info, I promise I am a real person who is very curious about all of these things!

1. I plan on majoring in Environmental Analysis and Policy (although I’m not declared). Would anyone be willing to share their experience with the major, professors, the community of students/staff/faculty, etc? Also, how many people are in the major?
2. How is the classroom environment? Do people raise their hands and want to collaborate? How are experiences with professors, especially in EA & P?
3. I definitely want to be involved in extracurriculars wherever I end up! Is it still possible (or not painful) to get involved as a sophomore transfer? I’m especially curious about environmental extracurriculars, but I’m kind of interested in anything!
4. I did marching band in high school, and I want to get involved with the BU band (marching and/or pep)? I haven’t found much on it, so I would love to hear about it, ranging from the time commitment, community, and anything about the experience.
5. I’m someone who isn’t going to go out every weekend, but I still am fairly extroverted and love being outside and exploring cities/places with other people. Is this a common perspective at BU? I’d hate to show up and have the only options be “party” or “hide in your dorm.” Any perspectives and experiences would be very much appreciated.
6. Is the transfer community supportive? Does BU do any work to support transfers specifically?

Thank you for reading, and once again, I would appreciate any thoughts and opinions!