Why is Northeastern (NEU) so popular with both parents and students these days?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hey! The NEU Booster is back!
Time to shut down the thread.

It’s baffling the speed they find these threads. My kid’s school often gets bashed on here but I just let it slide since everyone is entitled to their opinion. Apparently no one is allowed to not like NEU since it’s the best school ever.

[Anonymous]

NEU is such a weird lightning rod on this website it’s just bizarre. Yes, like many, I remember the days when it was a low end local school. Whatever marketing tactics they employed - THEY WORKED. They got 90,000 applicants this past year and the profiles of their accepted students are pretty smoking. There is just no getting around it. I toured the campus and was impressed. NO, I don’t like the whole satellite campus thing - it left us with a lot of distaste. So forget the ease of application thing which clearly jacks the funnel of applying students. If you focus on their EDs and who is actually GOING THERE, they are an impressive group. Period.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

.... It's just easier to apply because of the lack of supplemental essay requirements.

...which makes it popular.

Only from the standpoint you get to simply check a box. Most would never attend if they got in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC visited the main colleges in Boston area for spring break. FWIW, liked NEU the best. Didn't like NEU's pushing of other campuses like Oakland or London. Wants Boston campus. Will apply.

If your student loves business, CS or engineering, then ED full-pay/no aid on Boston campus is about 40% acceptance. Higher if you're willing to start one semester in Europe for NU.in or one of the other non-Boston tracks.

It's popular because co-op model of 6 months paid professional work - vs 3 month internships - and decades of strong connections with employers pretty much ensures students are gainfully employed and more prepared for real life.

Keep in mind that many of the students come from high SES backgrounds, suburban schools, internationally, and with lots of AP credit. So it shouldn't be too surprising they fare well.

For self-starter, independent students who don't mind scrambling for housing and want to be in central Boston, it can be a great fit. An interest in hockey and all things AI doesn't hurt.

FYI, non-Boston first semester students do not count toward Boston stats like acceptance rate. NU.in students have a blast in Europe, if they can afford to travel around on weekends. Grades now count toward GPA, but not Dean's List or honors. Used to be pass/fail.

[Anonymous]

FYI, other schools with co-op programs.

https://blog.collegevine.com/colleges-with-co-op-programs

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Couldn’t be the co-op program and experiential learning leading to jobs could it?

Or the hundreds of millions it’s pumped into dorms and research centers.


Nah it can only be the marketing and gaming the system. DCUM is stuck in the 90s. 🙄

But it really doesn't have any better career outcomes than other schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Boston, USNWR, co-op and possibility of merit (not sure if that's the case anymore).

This plus the fact there are no supplemental essays. It is no work to throw in an app.

There are a number of schools that don't require supplemental essays.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Couldn’t be the co-op program and experiential learning leading to jobs could it?

Or the hundreds of millions it’s pumped into dorms and research centers.


Nah it can only be the marketing and gaming the system. DCUM is stuck in the 90s. 🙄

But it really doesn't have any better career outcomes than other schools.

Citation?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Boston, USNWR, co-op and possibility of merit (not sure if that's the case anymore).

This plus the fact there are no supplemental essays. It is no work to throw in an app.

There are a number of schools that don't require supplemental essays.

Most schools do not have supplemental essays.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Couldn’t be the co-op program and experiential learning leading to jobs could it?

Or the hundreds of millions it’s pumped into dorms and research centers.


Nah it can only be the marketing and gaming the system. DCUM is stuck in the 90s. 🙄

But it really doesn't have any better career outcomes than other schools.

Comparing major by major on Obama scorecard--it's not really a standout.

[Anonymous]

Actual performance.
Major metrics of the school are on par with many of the T25 schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Easy App. Gamed the system and people have been easily duped. It’s working, they’re getting the applications and ED at that.

I understand the full picture (e.g., how they set out to climb in USNWR rankings), but I find these comments dumb. We've now visited 10 very competitive colleges and the co-op program at Northeastern is like no other. In fact I have a brother who works in Boston and he said that sometimes kids from other boston area colleges have trouble getting internships etc because folks take Northeastern kids.

So 2 things can be true... NE worked to game the system AND it's actually become a great school with rare opportunities and lots of smart kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Easy App. Gamed the system and people have been easily duped. It’s working, they’re getting the applications and ED at that.

I understand the full picture (e.g., how they set out to climb in USNWR rankings), but I find these comments dumb. We've now visited 10 very competitive colleges and the co-op program at Northeastern is like no other. In fact I have a brother who works in Boston and he said that sometimes kids from other boston area colleges have trouble getting internships etc because folks take Northeastern kids.

So 2 things can be true... NE worked to game the system AND it's actually become a great school with rare opportunities and lots of smart kids.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Easy App. Gamed the system and people have been easily duped. It’s working, they’re getting the applications and ED at that.

I understand the full picture (e.g., how they set out to climb in USNWR rankings), but I find these comments dumb. We've now visited 10 very competitive colleges and the co-op program at Northeastern is like no other. In fact I have a brother who works in Boston and he said that sometimes kids from other boston area colleges have trouble getting internships etc because folks take Northeastern kids.

So 2 things can be true... NE worked to game the system AND it's actually become a great school with rare opportunities and lots of smart kids.

What are these “Rare” opportunities that you claim for the school? Many others offer Co-ops. So what is it at NEU that is rare?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Easy App. Gamed the system and people have been easily duped. It’s working, they’re getting the applications and ED at that.

I understand the full picture (e.g., how they set out to climb in USNWR rankings), but I find these comments dumb. We've now visited 10 very competitive colleges and the co-op program at Northeastern is like no other. In fact I have a brother who works in Boston and he said that sometimes kids from other boston area colleges have trouble getting internships etc because folks take Northeastern kids.

So 2 things can be true... NE worked to game the system AND it's actually become a great school with rare opportunities and lots of smart kids.

What are these “Rare” opportunities that you claim for the school? Many others offer Co-ops. So what is it at NEU that is rare?

Co-op opportunities at a coveted school in a great college city.