Current experiences with BU or Northeastern
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Anonymous
| These are top choices for my rising senior and I have heard that Northeastern's resources are taxed, meaning lines to use the gym, get into the dining hall, etc. and that dorms aren't great. Their co-op program is appealing but BU seems preferable in most ways in my limited perspective. Any feedback on current or recent experiences at either would be greatly appreciated! |
Anonymous
| Northeastern is a commuter school and BU is really just an over glorified private school that should be public. UMass better than both. |
Anonymous
Is this based on personal experience? |
Anonymous
UMass (assuming you mean the flagship Amherst campus) is not a bad school, but's it's not in Boston, and it's ranked 20 spots lower. UMass is not a comp to BU or Northeastern, and kids who want Boston are not interested in UMass. |
Anonymous
| Both have limited prestige only thing going for them is kids that can’t get into a top 40 school will take a look at BU and NEU. Agree with others UMass is a better value. |
Anonymous
|
You're going to hear from the peanut gallery. NEU if your child is independent and ready to jump into real employment. The campus is a bit more central than BU's and the gym gets crowded, as do the pickleball courts.
Keep in mind that Boston is a lottery ticket to get into, but if you don't mind a semester abroad, have good rigor, good stats, you have a good shot at NU.in. Likewise BU has their alternative entry program. As for prestige? There are 3,000 colleges in the country and these are both T50. Don't listen to the trolls and boomer malcontents that inevitably will pop up like a rancid sore. |
Anonymous
| My daughter had a great freshman year at BU. Highly recommend. |
Anonymous
| Being in Boston lifted their profiles. Way overpriced for mediocre schools. |
Anonymous
x 100 My daughter is going into her senior year and still loves it. She has made a bunch of great friends, all of whom are smart, hardworking kids. Spending her college years in Boston has been a truly remarkable experience. |
Anonymous
This isn't really true. I don't have firsthand experience with NEU, so I can't comment on that, but I've seen plenty of students choose BU over other top 40 universities. |
Anonymous
| I still can't get over that they both attracted remarkably average kids in our generation, and though they have theoretically become a lot more competitive, I'm not sure if all employers have gotten over that too. Both schools have a lot going for them and Boston is awesome. But make sure you buy into the vibe, particularly at Northeastern. |
Anonymous
+1 If your kid really likes the coop model, go with NEU. NEU also emphasizes integrating data science into the social sciences. For a more traditional arts and sciences education, BU is the choice. |
Anonymous
| DS is at Northeastern and loves it. Has done 2 co-ops already and traveled abroad ! When students are on co-op, they work full-time for 6 months, get paid and don't take classes. It's a nice break and the real world experience looks great on a resume. Note that co-ops are not the same as a summer internship or shadowing- they are actual jobs that the employer needs to fill. DS was not what I would call a go-gettter before college but his independence and confidence have soared through these programs. Also, the dorms he has been in (suite style) are really nice and spacious. And it's not a commuter school- I think that was in the 80's. |
Anonymous
| my cousin's son is at Northeastern and his freshman room for 2 became a trio and it was tight space but he loved his first year. He was unsure about it at first but he loves Boston, seems to be leaning towards health sciences, has really liked his classes and is thriving in the honors program. He is planning on going to Italy in January. |
Anonymous
| How do those compare with Tufts or BC? |