Why Boston Is The Ultimate College Town

Boston and the immediate surrounding area are home to 250,000 students attending more than 100 colleges and universities.  These institutes of higher learning didn't just pop up over night.  Boston is home to the oldest college/university in America, Harvard, which was founded in 1636.  Of the dozens and dozens of colleges and universities in the vicinity of Boston, 21 were founded before 1900.  To put that in perspective, the city of Philadelphia doesn't even have 21 four-year colleges or universities.

Obviously, the city's most prominent school is Harvard—it's one of the most esteemed institutions on the planet.  However, it's far from being the only renowned college or university in metropolitan Boston.  The area's other famous learning establishments include Boston College, Boston University, Brandeis University, Emerson College, Lesley University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Northeastern University, Suffolk University, Tufts University, and the University of Massachusetts Boston.

Just having a bunch of old colleges doesn't necessarily make you the "ultimate college town."  What really puts Boston over the top is its numerous, seemingly organic, amenities for college students—it's like the city was specifically made for them.  The three most important facilities in Boston for college students are its diverse and vibrant neighborhoods, its great public transportation system, and the large number of businesses offering both retail discounts and career opportunities.  

It doesn't matter what school you're attending or what you're majoring in, there's a neighborhood in Boston that fits your personality.  There are trendy cafes in the South End, Little Italy in the North End, great bars in Allston, South Boston's Irish heritage, and of course the popular Fenway neighborhood, home of Fenway Park and the Boston Red Sox.  All these neighborhoods create a vibe that's uniquely Boston.  It's a wonderfully inviting atmosphere that perfect for young adults on their own for the first time.

Despite being at the center of one of the largest metropolitan areas in the nation, the city of Boston is fairly small.  You can actually walk from one end to the other in just a couple of hours.  Furthermore, Boston has a great public transportation system.  The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) offers several modes of travel including bus, train, subway, and boat.  As you can see, getting around in Bean Town is quite easy even if you're a "poor, struggling" college student.

With one in five Boston residents attending a college or a university, businesses have no choice but to offer lots of deals for college students.  Many Boston-area businesses participate in a program called "Student Advantage."  With a "Student Advantage Discount Card," collegians can save on a variety of items like clothes, food, and bus tickets.  Going to college and living in a major U.S. city can be very expensive, but Boston-area businesses do their best to help students stretch their money.

Another way in which Boston-area businesses help college students is by providing ample opportunities for internships.  Even with a high number of college students in the Boston-area there are still plenty of chances to get valuable real-life experience that's related to your major.  

In her essay "What Makes Boston The Ultimate College Town," Barbara Ford turns the following memorable phrase, "Boston is too small to intimidate but too big to hold you back."  If that statement doesn't accurately sum up the perfect environment for college students, than nothing does.  

Bottom line, it doesn't take a Harvard graduate to realize that Boston truly is the ultimate college town.

Web site: http://www.bc.edu

617-552-3100

140 Commonwealth Ave.

Chestnut Hill, MA 02467

BC was founded in 1863 and its sports teams are called the Eagles.  Boston College is a private Roman Catholic Jesuit research university comprised of nearly 15,000 part-time and full-time students.

Web site: http://www.bu.edu

617-353-2000

One Siber Way

Boston, MA 02215

BU is one of the largest private universities in America with an enrollment over 31,000 and one of the city's largest employers. 

Web site: http://www.harvard.edu

617-495-1000

Massachusetts Hall

Cambridge, MA 02138

Harvard was established in 1636 making it the oldest college/university in the United States.  It's also one of the most prestigious learning institutions in the world.  Harvard is a private school and part of the venerated Ivy League.

Web site: http://web.mit.edu

617-253-4795

77 Massachusetts Ave.

Cambridge, MA 02139

Founded in 1861, MIT is made up of five schools and one college.  All of its 32 academic departments have a strong focus on science and technology.  Graduates make up about sixty percent of its 10,000 enrollees.  

Web site: http://www.northeastern.edu/neuhome/index.php

617-373-2000

360 Huntington Ave. 

Boston, MA 02115

NU was founded in 1898 and is a private research university offering 65 undergraduate majors.  The university is located on a 73-acre campus that's situated in Boston's Fenway Cultural District.

Web site: http://www.tufts.edu

617-628-5000

Medford, MA 02155

 

Founded in 1852, Tufts is a private university noted for its emphasis on public services and its study abroad programs.  The university enrolls about 9,500 students.

Web site: http://www.umb.edu

617-287-5000

100 Morrissey Blvd.

Boston, MA 02125-3393

UMass Boston is the only public university in the city of Boston as well as the second largest campus of the five-campus system belonging to the University of Massachusetts.  Over 15,000 students attend Umass Boston and its 177-acre campus.