Top Universities in Boston Worth Mentioning

By Shawn Everett

Harvard University is the oldest academic institution in the United States, as well as the first and oldest corporation. With over 2000 professors and 20,000 students, Harvard is a mid-level school, by population. Many world-renowned notables have been educated at Harvard, including eight American presidents. Popular sight-seeing attractions at Harvard include the John Harvard statue, Harvard Square, and the Widener library. Harvard Yard, one of Harvard's most famous destinations, is home to Harvard's undergraduate dormitories and is a beautiful place to take a stroll on a summer day.

Not too far from Harvard Square is The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Opened in the mid 1800's, the mission for the new institute was: "To establish a new kind of independent educational institution relevant to an increasingly industrialized America." MIT's first president, William Barton Rogers, emphasized the pragmatic and practicable. He believed that professional competence is best fostered by coupling teaching and research and by focusing attention on real-world problems. MIT has played a major role in technology and engineering development for the government and the private sector. A study in 1994 reported that MIT graduates founded over 4,000 firms providing products and services, while employing more than a million people. 56 graduates and faculty members of MIT had been awarded Nobel Prizes through the year 2002.

Six miles from downtown Boston in Chestnut Hill, is the Gothic-style campus of Boston College. The school's name is somewhat of a misnomer as BC is in fact a University with more than 13,000 undergraduates studying 50 fields in its 11 schools. Founded in 1863, Boston College is one of the country's oldest Jesuit schools. The Jesuits have maintained a major role in every department, however BC has developed as a muti-ethnic, diverse university open to all faiths. BC has New England's only major Division 1 athletic program, achieving national prominence in football, basketball, and hockey, while successfully maintaining high academic standards for student athletes.

Only a few miles from BC is another famous Boston university... Boston University! BU is the fourth largest independent university in America. With more than 30,000 students from across the U.S. and 135 other countries, BU is one of the most diverse educational institutions. Its closeness to the city grants students the opportunity to easily navigate downtown Boston and discover the best of its shops and sightseeing attractions. BU students are especially prone to participating in outdoor activities along the Charles River throughout the summer.

After leaving BU, jump on the Green Line train at Kenmore Square and head to Northeastern University, where you'll find another of Boston's most notable schools. Known for having Boston's largest academic library, as well as the world's largest cooperative education program, NU is an urban campus with a large population. The school is home to the "Cultural District" which is also known for being the area surrounding the Museum of Fine Arts and Symphony Hall, two wonderful tourist attractions in the city of Boston.

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