Carnegie Mellon vs. Northeastern

Colleges and Universities A-Z Carnegie Mellon University
1

<p>I have no idea what to do! Please help me decide!</p>

<p>I was accepted into Northeastern with nearly a full ride. I am in their College of Science's Chemistry program. From what I can tell, it's not a bad program at all. I have never visited either school by the way but something tells me Northeastern will be the better fit for me. This may just be because I currently know more about it that I do about CMU. NOW, here's the dilemma. I applied ED to CMU, long story short, my decision never came on time and I thought I got rejected until I got an acceptance letter in late March. No financial details yet but according to their financial aid office, I would have to pay around $15,000 per semester. Also, I was accepted into HSS, their liberal arts school. I applied for their science school. </p>

<p>I DO NOT know what I want to do... I have always thought that I would be in a science profession because that's all I've ever done. If I go to CMU, I would most likely have to major in Econ (with Tepper School of Business) and transfer to their science school in sophomore year if I don't like economics. The problem is... I don't know if I will like Economics (my friends just always talk about it, it's rubbed off on me). Even worse, I don't know if I want to do chemistry! That being said, CMU might provide me with a better reputation in a major aside from science or business. However, NEU's co-op programs are also very enticing. </p>

<p>TLDR:</p>

<p>I don't know what I want to do yet but I would be doing science (what I've done for most of my life, I "think" that's what I want to do but not sure) at NEU and doing economics at CMU (temporarily because I didn't get into their science school, no economics experience). </p>

<p>I have to pay $5,000 x 5 years[?] for NEU.
I have to pay $15,000 x 4 years for CMU.
Money is a big issue because I do intend on graduate school but I don't think either are too substantial of an amount of undergrad. </p>

<p>I feel like NEU might be the better fit (my best friends which attend may be impacting my decision) but I feel CMU's reputation is too good to possibly pass up. </p>

<p>I've lived in NYC my whole life so Pittsburgh or Boston won't feel nearly the same but I think I'll be able to deal with it.</p>

<p>Thanks for reading and help me out!</p>

2

<p>Neither school is too far from you. Pgh is about a 6 hour drive and Boston 3.5. Visit if at all possible. I know it’s a significant investment, but as you know you’re making a big decision. Lots of NY’s go to CMU too.</p>

3

<p>The location is the least of my concern. I’m wondering about the other aspects of both colleges.</p>

4

<p>anyone else?</p>

5

<p>1) before anything ask yourself why you want to study chemistry/econ beyond “what i will do with my degree”. Do you truly enjoy (your high school exposure) to both subjects? Do you see yourself studying them for next four years?</p>

<p>2) CMU specific advice: if you entered in as h&ss, you should mine as well stay in that college. There really isnt a big difference between colleges. In fact, there are some special quirks for being in h&ss in terms of classes. U can easily double major between colleges. </p>

<p>Econ is not an easy-to-pick-up doublr major. Neither is chem. Since you got into h&ss already, why dont you look at its majors offered? There are some unique interdisciplinary majors that you might enjoy (and not offered anywhere).</p>

6

<p>If you want to study chemistry go to NE. You could try to tranfer to MCS but I don’t think that’s a sure thing.</p>

7

<p>What about full tuition at Northeastern versus almost full pay at CMU for computer science? That’s my son’s choice right now.</p>