Boston University vs. NEU Honors

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Background information:</p>

<p>-Major/focus of study is undecided, leaning towards a more technological field
-Have visited both and would, lifestyle-wise, be happy at either
-Both have offered financial aid to the point where cost of tuition is irrelevant
-Accepted to the BU College of Arts and Sciences, and NEU Honors Program (Undecided)
-Am seeking information on their comparative academic standards/reputations/future weight</p>

<p>I'm looking for advice/suggestions that would help me determine which of these schools, Boston University or Northeastern University, would be the better choice for me. My undecided area of study seems to be appropriate for either school, as they both offer numerous options. Currently, I don't see myself majoring in a field such as English, Political Science, any of the natural sciences, Education, etc., but rather in something more technologically or mathematically (but not pure mathematics) based. Possibly something in business, but that seems a little more doubtful.</p>

<p>I do not necessarily jump at the opportunity to use the Co-op system at NEU, given my lack of direction. I am also a little hesitant about what the Co-op does for campus life, as I have heard that it causes it to become a little fragmented (due to students leaving/arriving to/from co-ops throughout the year), but this is something I lack information on. It also appears to me that BU has a stronger academic reputation, and I am unsure of how Honors at NEU would compare to it.</p>

<p>Even if you cannot offer me advice specifically, I would love to hear your general opinions/knowledge on either of these schools as well. Thank you!</p>

<p>(My third choice is the University of Rochester, which appears to be academically superior to both of these schools. However, I live in Rochester, which means I would miss out on living/learning in an entirely new location if I attend there. But, if someone more knowledgeable/experienced than me can demonstrate that it may be a superior choice for my future (over BU and NEU), by all means do so!)</p>

2

<p>You should think about it a little more…find out what your priorities for colleges are</p>

<p>I have heard that BU and NEU are quite different…</p>

3

<p>Boston University has a better academic reputation than NEU, but nowadays, to the informed people, they are about the same. One is better in some things and worse in others. I think, in general terms it comes down to this: while both have really solid programs in everything, BU is a little better in the Arts and Sciences, while NEU is a little better in Business, technology, and nursing. Engineering I would point to BU as well. </p>

<p>Given your lack of direction and unsurity of what you want to do in life, I think either would be good. I know that NEU students, even Undecided ones, typically enter with some sort of idea of what they want to do (Arts, science, technology, business) or a career. NEU students can be more future oriented then other schools, because of co-op. Co-op is what attracts most students to Northeastern, and its also an excellent way for you to test out a job or field for six months. </p>

<p>Northeastern can be a bit fragmented with people leaving and coming back all the time, but that is also what makes it exciting and keeps you on your toes. None of the students seem to have a problem with it, and you can always do co-op around the Boston area to keep close to be part of the activities. I mean, come on, for 250+ clubs to survive in the ever changing NEU campus, they must be able to make it work. </p>

<p>As you can tell, I know a lot more about NEU than BU, since I don’t particularily care for BU only giving me $5000 in loans. Still, BU is a really good school, diverse, part of the city, etc. </p>

<p>At this point, I’ll say what my friends told me when I had a similar problem: If you’re having doubts about it, don’t go. Pick the other one. Since you have doubts about NEU, go to BU, where you know your going to be happy. Especially since you don’t have to worry about financial aid packages and different locations.</p>