Boston University ranks in the upper quartile of most “buzzed” about colleges online, according to a ranking The Global Language Monitor released Wednesday.
The study judged colleges’ Internet brand equity, the schools’ ability to use social media, blogs and media outlets to make itself known and placed BU 29th of 210 ranked colleges.
“Obviously Boston University is an innovator and a leader in its presence,” said BU spokesman Colin Riley. “Having a high ranking in media buzz shows that there’s lots of students interested, people around the country, alumni and others checking in to see what’s going on at Boston University.”
Ellen Cohn, co-vice president of public relations for the BU Public Relations Student Society of America, said Dean of Students Kenneth Elmore is skilled at getting BU’s name out there.
“There is a very active media presence,” said Cohn, a College of Communication senior. “I know that when I interned at Yahoo! they were totally aware of BU and the College of Communication.”
However, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University ranked above BU, making the top of the list.
“The Ivy Leagues are always going to be more prominent,” Riley said. “There’s not going to be any changing at the top, and that’s in every category, not just social media.”
Don Wright, a PR professor, said BU, MIT and Harvard’s social media skills have a lot to do with their urban locations.
“Boston is a very ‘with it’ community when it comes to technology,” Wright said. “When you think of parts of the U.S. that are media savvy, you [think of the] West Coast, but Boston is also right in there. Facebook started here, there’s all sorts of things going on.”
John Carroll, a mass communication assistant professor, said BU’s high-profile researchers attract national and international press.
“It’s a university that tends to be in the news fairly often,” Carroll said. “Up until six months ago, most of this news was positive. . . . I think that one of the issues for BU is they’ve crossed the line from publicity to negative buzz.”
Carroll said part of the online buzz is from sports teams and faculty.
“And also, how often is [BU] in the news?” Carroll said. “Because then you start trending on Twitter and things start to accelerate pretty quickly.”
PRSSA Vice President Miles Branman, a COM and School of Management senior, said many of his professors integrate social media into the curriculum.
“By that example students are encouraged to make their online reputations and brands for themselves,” Branman said. “I believe that BU is really encouraging students to be very involved in social networks.”
College of Arts and Sciences senior Mary Chase said BU is pretty well known.
“I almost think it should be higher,” Chase said. “It’s well known across the country.”
BU may just have an online presence because it’s “academically superior” to other schools, which is attractive to the media, Branman said.
“It might just be [BU’s] name,” Branman said. “At the same time, BU is doing some really great things with its student, academic and faculty leaders.”
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