Current experiences with BU or Northeastern

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How do those compare with Tufts or BC?

Tufts > BC = NE = BU

Tufts in an entirely different class

Even Elaine Benes whined about having to attend Tufts. It’s a decent school, but what’s it got to make it anybody’s preferred destination? Weird name? Blah campus? Div 3 sports?

We visited recently and I thought the campus is nice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

What about Maryland or Ohio State? They weren't very good year ago either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How do those compare with Tufts or BC?

Tufts > BC = NE = BU

Tufts in an entirely different class

Haha. This is entirely false.

+1

Not discounting Tufts, but it’s just not as appealing to some kids. Things like school size, location, and overall vibe matter, and I’m sure some students are drawn to it for those very reasons.

That’s why I think Boston offers great options for many students. Each of these schools has its own very distinctive character.

Academically, I don’t see a huge difference among them, and I’ve even seen students transfer between these schools. In the end, it’s really about finding the right fit.

[Anonymous]

Tufts is improving its campus infrastructure. I think it realized its dorms and classrooms needed some attention and now they're devoting money to capital improvements.

[Anonymous]

Tufts is great for students who want a combo of R1 & liberal arts, great for premed & IR, small enough that professors build relationships with kids and research is available to freshmen, large enough that it feels bigger than high school, fostering an intellectual & collaborative atmosphere. Close enough to Boston/Cambridge for the social & professional advantages.

BU is great for kids who want the excitement of an urban school but not as overwhelming as NYC, a global mindset & truly diverse campus, R1 research, great for engineering & comms & I’m sure other fields too, the city is your lab and your playground (and your enviable brownstone dorms).

Northeastern is similar to BU but I think has an even more pre-professional vibe — the kid who knows what they want and is motivated to go out and compete for co-ops will do very well there and graduate with a ton of useful work experience. May be a little tougher for introverts or those still figuring out majors.

BC is for kids who love a traditional campus and college sports experience, great for business, appealing (to me) Jesuit framework that encourages questions both personal and global, and encourages students to think about making the world a better more just place. It seems that kids who are interested in that framework really appreciate it, and kids who aren’t can freely ignore it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Tufts is great for students who want a combo of R1 & liberal arts, great for premed & IR, small enough that professors build relationships with kids and research is available to freshmen, large enough that it feels bigger than high school, fostering an intellectual & collaborative atmosphere. Close enough to Boston/Cambridge for the social & professional advantages.

BU is great for kids who want the excitement of an urban school but not as overwhelming as NYC, a global mindset & truly diverse campus, R1 research, great for engineering & comms & I’m sure other fields too, the city is your lab and your playground (and your enviable brownstone dorms).

Northeastern is similar to BU but I think has an even more pre-professional vibe — the kid who knows what they want and is motivated to go out and compete for co-ops will do very well there and graduate with a ton of useful work experience. May be a little tougher for introverts or those still figuring out majors.

BC is for kids who love a traditional campus and college sports experience, great for business, appealing (to me) Jesuit framework that encourages questions both personal and global, and encourages students to think about making the world a better more just place. It seems that kids who are interested in that framework really appreciate it, and kids who aren’t can freely ignore it.

The number of students from all over the world really adds to a dynamic learning environment. BC has the fewest number of international students but Tufts, BU and Northeastern have a huge percentage of international students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter had a great freshman year at BU. Highly recommend.

+1

Same here!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter had a great freshman year at BU. Highly recommend.

+1

Same here!

Great feedback, thank you

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Tufts is great for students who want a combo of R1 & liberal arts, great for premed & IR, small enough that professors build relationships with kids and research is available to freshmen, large enough that it feels bigger than high school, fostering an intellectual & collaborative atmosphere. Close enough to Boston/Cambridge for the social & professional advantages.

BU is great for kids who want the excitement of an urban school but not as overwhelming as NYC, a global mindset & truly diverse campus, R1 research, great for engineering & comms & I’m sure other fields too, the city is your lab and your playground (and your enviable brownstone dorms).

Northeastern is similar to BU but I think has an even more pre-professional vibe — the kid who knows what they want and is motivated to go out and compete for co-ops will do very well there and graduate with a ton of useful work experience. May be a little tougher for introverts or those still figuring out majors.

BC is for kids who love a traditional campus and college sports experience, great for business, appealing (to me) Jesuit framework that encourages questions both personal and global, and encourages students to think about making the world a better more just place. It seems that kids who are interested in that framework really appreciate it, and kids who aren’t can freely ignore it.

Great overview.

For the detractors, 90% of applicants can't get admitted to any of these four T50 schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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!

Current experience with Northeastern. DD is there and loves it. It is not for someone looking for traditional college experience. But the Northeastern experience is pretty amazing. The campus is incredible, administration progressive, professors dedicated and students diverse in every way imaginable. The gym is crowded but I think that is everywhere. My DD goes to a smaller gym on campus because not into Marino gym scene. She and most of her friends live off campus and cook for themselves so dining hall not a big part of her life. She did her first year in London and loved it. Transitioned to Boston campus second year and is now about to start first co-op. She had four co-op offers. The process of securing a co-op is really helpful and shows the students the real world. It was a great choice for my DD.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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!

Current experience with Northeastern. DD is there and loves it. It is not for someone looking for traditional college experience. But the Northeastern experience is pretty amazing. The campus is incredible, administration progressive, professors dedicated and students diverse in every way imaginable. The gym is crowded but I think that is everywhere. My DD goes to a smaller gym on campus because not into Marino gym scene. She and most of her friends live off campus and cook for themselves so dining hall not a big part of her life. She did her first year in London and loved it. Transitioned to Boston campus second year and is now about to start first co-op. She had four co-op offers. The process of securing a co-op is really helpful and shows the students the real world. It was a great choice for my DD.

Very helpful, thank you! I'm happy she's having such a great experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tufts is great for students who want a combo of R1 & liberal arts, great for premed & IR, small enough that professors build relationships with kids and research is available to freshmen, large enough that it feels bigger than high school, fostering an intellectual & collaborative atmosphere. Close enough to Boston/Cambridge for the social & professional advantages.

BU is great for kids who want the excitement of an urban school but not as overwhelming as NYC, a global mindset & truly diverse campus, R1 research, great for engineering & comms & I’m sure other fields too, the city is your lab and your playground (and your enviable brownstone dorms).

Northeastern is similar to BU but I think has an even more pre-professional vibe — the kid who knows what they want and is motivated to go out and compete for co-ops will do very well there and graduate with a ton of useful work experience. May be a little tougher for introverts or those still figuring out majors.

BC is for kids who love a traditional campus and college sports experience, great for business, appealing (to me) Jesuit framework that encourages questions both personal and global, and encourages students to think about making the world a better more just place. It seems that kids who are interested in that framework really appreciate it, and kids who aren’t can freely ignore it.

Great overview.

For the detractors, 90% of applicants can't get admitted to any of these four T50 schools.

+1

[Anonymous]

DD is at Northeastern and has completed 1 amazing co-op. Just wanted to let prospective parents know that the semester before you intend to do a co-op, you must take the co-op course, which meets once a week. You learn how to prepare an effective resume, practice interviewing and learn about follow-up letters, etc. They just don't throw you to the wolves. I was concerned how DD would fare in an interview since she always seems to have her head in her phone, but remarkably (at least to me) she learned how to look an interviewer in the eyes and give a firm handshake.

[Anonymous]

If you go to Northeastern just be prepared to be independent. NU Works gives you access to hundreds of Co-ops but these are real jobs with real responsibilities. Chances are the Co-op will be with your eventual employer so these are very big decisions being made at quite an early age.

The Co-op class does prepare you, but in the end the student either sinks or swims based on their own ability.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't have student there now but just looked at them recently on a day trip to Boston. Not a fan of NEU - way too transactional. Really liked BU for what my kids is interested in. Also, I'm old-fashioned and like a school that has some requirements. For sure going to dissuade NEU and encourage BU. Loved BU campus and location. Didn't like NEU campus as much.

That's usually the opposite of people's reaction to BU's campus. It stretches along Comm Ave with interruptions from commercial businesses so you don't even have a campus feel. Northeastern has more of a campus feel with the way that their buildings are structured.

We live in NYC so BU has a campus feel to us. NEU's campus felt so haphazard.

I don’t live in NYC, but BU still feels like a campus to us. It’s just not a traditional campus that most people have in mind, which is why some people don’t like it. But for those who love the city, it’s a great campus.

Also, don’t just judge it from the main road. Walk between the buildings and explore. The brownstone houses, BU Beach, and the view of the Charles River from the top floors of CDS building and so much more to discover.

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