Case Western vs. Northeastern

College Search & Selection
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Intended major: Psychology, but might end up switching to something else. I’m kinda hoping to not go to grad school, but I probably will have to.

Case Western vs. Northeastern

Case Western (45k)

CWRU pros:

  • I really really liked the campus when I visited
  • I also really liked the area around campus (University Circle)
  • Smaller size (I feel like I wouldn’t do well at a huge college)
  • There seems to be a lot of academic advising which I appreciate
  • Lots of opportunities for research and internships that I can get involved in early on (3 hospitals within walking distance of campus, close to downtown Cleveland, like 84% of students complete research in their first year)
  • Easier to switch majors

CWRU cons:

  • I’ve heard it’s kinda bad socially
  • Further from home
  • Lower ranked in psych than NEU is
  • The rest of Cleveland lmao
  • The food isn’t the best either I think
  • Expensive

Northeastern (45k)

NEU pros:

  • The co-op program, could possibly help me pay for college a bit more and I’d like to gain working experience
  • Boston seems like a great place to be for college
  • A bit closer to home
  • The social environment seems better for me
  • There is a BS+MD program in human factors engineering that I might be interested in (a psych degree fulfills the requirements for it)
  • Ranked higher in psych than CWRU is

NEU cons:

  • I got into the NUin program so I would have to study abroad first semester. I have never really left home alone before and I don’t know how I feel about having that first type of experience abroad
  • I haven’t visited Boston (yet) and I’m worried about not liking it
  • Social life after the NUin program is kinda hard apparently (I do have at least one friend who is definitely attending NEU who was admitted to the Boston campus though)
  • Not as much emphasis on research
  • Harder to switch majors but not impossible
  • A bigger school
  • Also expensive

I was also considering the University of Pittsburgh since it gave me good aid (31k overall cost) and was better for my major, but when I visited it, I really didn’t like the campus. I’m not sure whether I should still consider it or not because paying for college will probably be hard for my family and I’m going to have to take out loans no matter where I go. Thanks for your input :slight_smile:

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Congrats on two great choices!

I think you answered your own question when you said you feel like you wouldn’t do as well in a bigger school —CWRU is much smaller. Have you visited? There’s a great food scene in Cleveland and little Italy is right near campus with lots of delicious options.

To address two of your cons, at Northeastern, it’s really not hard to switch majors at all, just need to talk to your advisor when you get there. Also, it is a R1 school, lots of research activity happening here. You’re right that NUIn will require an adjustment back to campus in the spring, but there are lots of students who have loved their time abroad and wouldn’t trade that experience in hindsight.

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if they cost the same amount, definitely go with NU. Co-op is absolutely incredible. NUin definitely shouldn’t be a con! I have many friends who did NUin and were very nervous about leaving home, but absolutely loved it! You could also opt to do NUin Boston if you really don’t want to go abroad. I’m from the midwest but I absolutely LOVE Boston it’s the best city and the perfect size. Social life isn’t hard, I’ve had the same group of friends since freshman year (I’m a 3rd year) and have made tons of other friends through clubs.
We are a Tier 1 research institute and there’s a huge emphasis on research so not sure where that one came from ahah. There’s research happening ALL the time, we have over 40+ research institutes, many of which are interdisciplinary. Undergrads of any year can get involved in research.
Not hard to switch majors at ALL. I would argue it’s probably one of the best schools for wanting to switch majors because literally all you do is email your advisor and request a major change. That’s it.
Bigger school = more opportunities and more amazing people to meet!

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