I also checked the infamous Bologna box and was pretty upset about getting in there, esp. since I live 5 blocks from the DC campus. But...I went to a reception on Tuesday for Bologna alumni and newly admitted DC-area students, and I think it changed my mind about going to Italy. Everyone raved about the experience and I was surprised at how many alum were there who had studied in bologna 10, 20, even 30 years ago. It's clearly a close-knit bunch of alumni.