As the May 1st deadline creep up, I am still unsure about the college I will like to attend. Boston has an amazing study abroad program but no civil engineering, which is my second interest behind electrical engineering. Northeastern has civil engineering but the co op program is an important part of the school and I don’t think I want to participate in it. I plan on attending graduate school and potentially minoring in business or something. I also want a school that has a great social life. Please help!! Any insight is greatly appreciated!!!
Another thing, I am also considering Colby College. I received great financial aid from them and I don’t have to do work-study whereas with other schools it is a part of my financial aid package. Also, I would have to I would do the engineering program with Dartmouth.
Any advice?
All the schools mentioned should have good study abroad options; I wouldn’t choose BU solely on that point. BU or NEU will have a great social life due to Boston, but Colby is a strong option academically (is the engineering program with Dartmouth part of Colby?) However, Waterville is a really dull town; Brunswick and Portland are not far away and if you’re into winter sports, great.
There’s not much point in going to NEU if you’re not interested in doing Co-op. If money’s an issue, you could go to Colby and save money for grad school. BU and NEU are neck in neck academically; BU historically had better faculty and a more challenging curriculum in general. NEU’s been trying hard to move up in the college rankings and attract stronger students.
@PiccoloMom1995 Recently, I was awarded a scholarship and I would only get the money if I study engineering. So I can’t attend Colby. Do you think it would be wise to choose BU over northeastern although BU doesn’t have civil engineering?
Are you concerned about NEU because the Co-op makes it a 5 year program? It’s one of the best reasons to go there: many employers like hiring NEU students with practical experience (rather than MIT students, for example) due to their Co-op internships.
BU’s curriculum is pretty solid and there aren’t many weak depts. Because of Harvard, Tufts and MIT, BU doesn’t get the respect it deserves. One college guide said that you can get a better education here than at Harvard if you choose your classes wisely.
If you have any interests in areas besides engineering (students typically change their majors 2-3 times) BU is stronger in liberal arts, history, international relations and performing arts but the two are not all that far apart from each other. If one is considerably more expensive to attend, the difference may not be worth it.
@PiccoloMom1995 When I visited Northeastern, they said it was possible to graduate in 4 years. So I’ll probably do that option or stay 5 years and get my masters degree. I love BU and I can see myself there. But I also like Northeastern too. I don’t want to regret my decision of not having the option to try civil engineering. Being realistic, I know that many students change their majors and I may decide to change mine. That’s why I also want to attend the school that will allow me to do so.
If engineering doesn’t work, I may go into math, business or something.
Tough decision, I don’t envy you. But if you really think civil engineering is a strong possibility for a major, I think you should go with NEU so you don’t have to transfer. Check out both honors programs if interested in business (I hear BU has a London internship program, among others.). Good luck wherever you land, they’re both fine schools.