For one week in March, select students at the Modern American School had the great opportunity to learn about college life and make connections at a broad range of American Institutions of Higher Education. The College Tour, hosted this year in Boston, Massachusetts, included visits to Harvard, Tufts, Boston University, Boston College, and Suffolk University. Our students explored the colleges’ and universities’ facilities, student life, campus culture, academics, and programs of study.
Exposure to college campuses and surrounding areas allows students to make informed decisions about where they would like to continue their education. According to the College Board, a leading resource for higher education guidance, a student can only learn so much from college catalogs, brochures, and websites. “To really get a feel for the college, you need to walk around the quad, sit in on a class, and visit the dorms.” This spring, some of our most promising future college scholars did exactly this.
During their time in Boston, students sat in on college classes, submitted homework in these classes, took mock exams, met and spent time with current students, toured the dorms and dining facilities, and met with admissions officers at the respective schools. Class topics ranged from Engineering to Political Science, exposing our students to a plethora of disciplines that may appeal to them in their continued education.
In addition to the campus visits, students were able to take part in other cultural activities around the city. The students visited the Museum of Science, attended a Celtics basketball game, and toured the New England Aquarium. Visiting a college, touring its campus, and exploring the surrounding area can be pivotal in a student's decision to apply to school, and we are thrilled to have had the opportunity to provide this experience to our students.
For further information on our students’ experiences on this trip, please visit the photo hut album we created with pictures from our visit. Also, see reflections from some of our participating students below.
Raed Jaffal – Grade 11:
Boston is not just a place that I visited with my school; Boston is a place that I would like to call home. I enjoyed the sense of exploration we had during the trip. We met different people and travelled to different places every day. It was an enriching experience unlike any other. The trip was very beneficial as it helped me to recognize what type of college environment is best for me. Surprisingly, the urban campus lifestyle at Boston University now seems like my sanctuary. I would not have believed that if you told me that a week before the trip.
During the trip, we got to experience life as if we were students attending each of the colleges. We took a broad range of classes that helped us to see what we enjoy studying and how we fit into the class environment. Also, the trip exposed us to the college world and gave us an idea of what living abroad in a big city like Boston would be like. We experienced this through public transportation and eating at locally-owned diners, like the Boston public. The Celtics game was an experience that I would not give back for the world. That night made us feel like we were part of the Bostonian society, supporting the home team in the loudest and most passionate way we could.
The trip was a messiah, as it reduced my fear of the complex and scary university horror thriller story. It also helped me to understand in which environment I would excel. Thanks to our Boston college tour, I can say that Boston is the place to be and that I am definitely applying to universities there, with Boston University topping my list.
Dania M. Abu-Rajoh – Grade 11:
I had an unbelievable experience visiting universities in Boston. Every one of them was remarkable in its own, unique way. However, the one that appealed to me the most was Tufts. The lectures were incredibly interesting and professors and students were very welcoming. The atmosphere, the energy, and the unique aspects of the university that distinguishes it from all others gave me the best impression any US university has given me. In my daily life, I find very few people who I sympathize with, who share my mentality and who understand me. Yet, at Tufts, I felt surrounded by such people. It is not only a beautiful place, but a place that I feel I truly belong. With its beautiful buildings and perfect location, it was definitely my personal favorite. It also helped that Dr. Maher Zamel, our Deputy Principal taking us on this trip, is a Tufts Alum. It was also great meeting an MAS alum that is currently studying at Harvard and talking to him about his experience.
Zain Al-Mayyah – Grade 9:
Before I went on this trip, I was not really aware of what transpires in the college admission process. I thought we just apply to a college and they accept us or they don’t. This trip showed me why I should really work hard and get high grades in school. It is actually a very difficult process that begins in grade 9 and ends when you graduate from high school. The admission offices look at everything. They look at what your college counselor has to say and your teachers’ recommendations. Then, they look at your 4-year transcripts. If you have a high cumulative GPA, you can also apply for merit scholarships. Although we learn about these things during our school orientations and meetings with our academic counselors, it resonated so much more after hearing it first hand from the college admissions officers and current college students that we met.
All of the five universities we visited were interesting yet very different. When we first went to Suffolk University, we all loved it right away. The urban city campus had a very unique feel to it. Then we visited Boston University; it was so different and just as amazing. While we enjoyed our time at all of these unique universities, we more importantly discovered which university environments would be a better fit for each of us individually.
My favorite two universities were Boston College and Tufts University. I really liked the individualized attention we received and the idea of a liberal arts education. Even though I want to be an engineer, I loved being able to take a variety of classes. We also had lunch with the Professors at the Universities. All of the professors and students were courteous and were very welcoming. This trip was amazing and I learned so much.
On a separate note, watching a Celtics game and visiting the Boston Museum of Science, and the New England Aquarium was so much fun. Big thanks to Professor Robert J. Allison for giving me signed copies of his two amazing books about Boston.
Akram A. Abu Kmeil – Grade 11:
Although I am hoping to one day study in Canada, I found this trip to be very helpful in regards to choosing a University. Rankings on websites should not solely determine which school you decide to attend. For example, Harvard offers a great education, but the school culture does not suit my needs. This trip taught me that I should look at many factors when choosing a University, including quality of education and campus environment. This trip was a great experience and I would love to do it again next year.
Laith Kayyali – Grade 11:
Although I enjoyed the entire trip, I most enjoyed visiting Boston College and Tufts University. In the political science classes, we discussed the Arab Spring and the many issues that surround the Arab countries. We shared our viewpoints on different controversial topics and even debated with students and professors. I really enjoy talking about politics and conflicts in the Arab world, so I really had a great time. I was most surprised when we had to take the same test Boston College students were taking as well!
Hala Al Najjar – Grade 10:
The Boston trip was a remarkable one. I liked Tufts University and Boston College the most because of their campus vibes. They have so many interesting programs and student groups that students can participate in. Their students were very friendly as well and fun to talk to.
