I am currently admitted into both Cal Poly Slo and Northeastern University in Boston.
I am in the Business Schools at both schools.
I am in a very tough position, while I try to make my decision. Cal Poly is a California state school, whereas Northeastern University is a private institution. The price tag on Northeastern University is over $67,000, however, Cal Poly is $28,000.
This leads me to the following questions:
Is their a significance difference between the academics, environment, and professors (specially business) at the schools?
Is the price tag at Northeastern justifiable?
Is it possible to decrease the price tag at Northeastern over the 4-years, or is foolish to think that?
Is one school better to transfer to Wharton School of Business? I want to pre-empt responses to this question, by saying I do understand I should not make decision largely based on this, and it can ruin my first year if I get caught up with the trying to transfer.
I am greatly appreciative of any help, as this will be the next big step in my life. Thank you!
Environment will be the biggest difference (co-op, Boston, etc) - Northeastern will be better academically for business as well, but SLO is a solid school and the difference isn't so big that you can't end up in similar places coming from either.
Northeastern would be worth some premium, but this much? It depends on where the money is coming from. If any of that extra cost is loans, absolutely not.
You could by a few thousand or so per year, but nothing significant in the end.
Northeastern has the co op program, which is something that is heavily emphasized for their program. You gain experience through the co op that you wouldn’t necessarily find at Cal Poly. However, Cal Poly do offer some co op but mostly focus on learning by doing in a classroom environment. Internships and part time jobs are readily available for those who seek it. In addition, Cal Poly has a more “learn by doing” motto that applies for all its lab and lectures. Northeastern has a lot less hands on teaching. In addition, I would say that Northeastern would not be as rigorous as Cal Poly for certain majors like engineering and etc. Cal Poly definitely has smaller class sizes and you can get to know your professors more. The town is more secluded unlike Northeastern where it’s a huge college town surrounded by BC, BU, and MIT.
It depends on what you are looking for in a college. Is money a huge factor?
That would be up to the financial aid office.I doubt it.
4)Cal Poly has a great undergraduate business program! You can definitely transfer to Wharton, but I don’t see why you wouldn’t from Northeastern either. I mean, take the cheaper option with a great education and save money. However, you’d be surprised how many people go into college wanting to transfer, but end up enjoying their time at their current college. They don’t always want to switch.
-cal poly student who almost went to northeastern.
-I chose cal poly because I’m from California, but mostly because of its affordability and its better academic program for my major.
Cal Poly also has a very entrepreneurial culture if you choose to seek it out. Many businesses have been started by students while at Poly with seed money from the school. Jamba Juice is the poster child.