Hey guys! So first, I want to wish you all luck in the next college admissions cycle, and I hope you guys can all find the enjoyment in a period of life that may not seem so enjoyable. We got this!
Ok, so basically my situation is a relatively simple one. Based on past/current data and all that, I’m pretty much guaranteed to quality as a NMSF (the bar is low here in South Carolina, lol).
So, this opens up a lot of financial opportunities that I haven’t previously considered. The top two on my list are BU and Northeastern, but there’s a problem. To get the NM scholarships for those schools, you have to list them as your “first choice” college on some ballot given to you once you qualify. Obviously, I can only list one, so I have to choose soon which college I would be doing this for.
I would just go and visit the campuses, but obviously I can’t do that. I feel that I can’t adequately research each college to be able to make a choice. Thus, I need some help.
Does anyone here know enough to compare them beyond numerical data? Like the vibe of the two schools? What kind of people fit in there? What kind of people hate it/love it? Are they really that different at all?
Major? Both are simpler in campus structure in a city. It’s not your typical college campus but Boston feels like a huge campus of colleges. Both attract similar student body now compared to my time. Very large international student body. Keep in mind Boston is expensive. We considered BU for my son as I was hoping to have at least one of my kids go to BU as an alum but thought cost of living was high.
BU has a medical school if that’s a field your going into. I think that’s the main difference.
You wouldn’t want to be a Huskies if you can be a Terrier ?
My son was accepted to both and we toured both. He got more aid from NU and chose that. Both schools have a diverse student body. NU has a more contained campus in the heart of Boston with green areas, whereas BU is more spread out along a street with a few T (subway) stops and no real central outdoor space. NU has the co-op program where students have the opportunity to work at two or three six-month jobs which they will interview for and earn money at. The co-op program is unique and can help students figure out what kind of job they want after graduation and give them a nice resume. NU also has interesting “Dialogues of Civilization” short-term study abroad programs.
NU has been doing a lot of planning and preparation for COVID-19 and students have the choice of being on campus or doing all remote learning this fall. I have been impressed with the advisors for my son’s program and the school’s many efforts to provide a safe environment during the pandemic and think my son made a great choice.
My child was accepted to both NEU and BU last year; the merit from NEU was better. They were a NMF.
Regarding how to choose which school to list as first choice on your NM application, I don’t think it matters all that much at this point (unless you are doing so to demonstrate interest.) You can change your NM school choice until May 1, if I remember correctly. Multiple schools told my kiddo they were awarded the school NMSF scholarship IF they declare their school as number one by X date. It seemed as long as you are NMSF, it doesn’t matter which school was listed as 1st choice, all schools “awarded” their NMSF level scholarship to my child with the caveat their school be listed as number 1 by the deadline. You should poke around here for more info on NMSF scholarship info. http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/national-merit-scholarships/
The biggest thing that stuck out to me between BU and NEU was coop focus at NEU. If your child likes the idea of taking a semester or two off mid-college, to work in their intended field (paid internship) before graduating, then NEU is for you.