<p>I think my son has narrowed his choices down to these two schools. He'll be studying engineering. He likes both locations. Clemson has the more appealing campus and weather, Northeastern has the pull of the co-op program.
What would others favor in this situation?
Thanks.</p>
<p>WOW! two totally different schools. Clemson big rah rah…Northeastern just got rid of football! I don’t really think you can compare, I just dont know how you’ll be able to pick unless you do an overnight at each…and go from there. Of course theres a BIG cost differance that may help!</p>
<p>I was accepted to Northeastern with a $15,000/year scholarship but chose Clemson. Here are the pros of each school that I see it:</p>
<p>Northeastern
-BOSTON
-Much better co-op program
-Emphasis on learning-based education
-urban living</p>
<p>Clemson
-beautiful campus
-better reputation throughout the US in engineering than Northeastern (more regional)
-less expensive (unless you got a scholarship)
-competitive sports programs</p>
<p>Personally, it’s up to whether you like living in an urban setting or a rural setting. Clemson has an excellent co-op program, it just doesn’t put as much of an emphasis on it as Northeastern. If you want a co-op position at Clemson, you can definitely get one. If you have any further questions, let me know!</p>
<p>Thanks guys. Pierre, I was hoping you’d reply. Sounds like you’re really happy with Clemson. How do you find the traveling back to Belmont (we live in a nearby suburb)?</p>
<p>Traveling is one of my biggest problems with going to Clemson, but this is due to the fact that Clemson is kinda in the middle of nowhere as far as nearby cities go. I didn’t choose to go home for fall break and thanksgiving because I just didn’t want to deal with traveling (though I know most other northern kids went home). On the way back from first semester, I took the Amtrak train which leaves right from Clemson all the way back to South Station (with a transfer in New York), I think that was about $160/each way. Biggest problem was that it was a 22 hour overnight trip, there was no wi-fi or anything to do on the train other than the cafe car. Luckily I had my ipod touch, laptop charged up with music/movies and a book to read. It’s quite a boring trip. </p>
<p>On the way back, I used some of the frequent flier miles that my dad had managed to save up to get a plane ticket to Atlanta. From the Atlanta airport, I went downtown via the subway, managed to burn a few hours in downtown Atlanta by visiting the Olympic Park, going to Underground Atlanta and eating at The Varsity before catching the 8 PM train leaving Atlanta to Clemson. Don’t know how much it costs to fly to Atlanta but the train was $40 (it’s probably cheaper if you buy the ticket in advance, I bought mine at the station) and it’s a 2-hour trip. The train option also works from Clemson to Atlanta as long as you’re willing to wake up early! (5:30 AM departure from Clemson!)</p>
<p>There are other alternatives, like flying to Greenville, or Charlotte (where it seems most of the students from the north fly to). It’s pretty expensive from what I’ve seen to fly to Greenville. From the airport in Greenville, there is a van service that can take you to Clemson for $45/each way. From the airport in Charlotte and Atlanta, the van service costs $130/each way. It’s definitely a lot more convenient than the train option, I just don’t feel like paying the extra money for the van service when it may cost potentially more than my airplane or train ticket.</p>
<p>Clemson has more of a national reputation than Northeastern??? I don’t think so.</p>
<p>I have to disagree with you. Northeastern has a fantastic reputation within New England and the Northeast. However if you went to California or Texas and asked if anybody knows about Northeastern, chances are not many people would while chances are more people will know about Clemson (while in the Northeast more people would probably know about Northeastern than Clemson).</p>
<p>I think the difference is unfortunately in the sports program. Clemson has a very competitive Division 1 sports program while Northeastern doesn’t (in fact, Northeastern just dropped their football program). Since we track college football and basketball very closely in this country, Clemson gets an extra boost in this category.</p>
<p>Both schools have about the same quality engineering program but Clemson wins in my opinion just due to sports.</p>
<p>I didn’t even know Clemson had an engineering program. Sure Clemson has D1 sports but its still relatively unknown out in the west or the northeast. I disagree that Clemson has more prestige or brand name. Sure Northel thatastern dropped football but what Urban colleges have a good football team? NYU? Georgetown? BU? Fordham? America? the only school that comes to mind is Pitt and they are more of a basketball school.</p>
<p>haha both of you make some pretty good points and I’m not gonna fight you too much since all three of us love our respective schools. But yes Clemson does have an engineering program and from the US News survey of all the engineering deans, it’s reputation is about the same as that of Northeastern (in some years slightly higher). True, Northeastern is on the rise but as of now I think the US News rankings show that Clemson is just above Northeastern right now. I don’t know, that’s just how I feel about things. In the end, it’s all about where you feel more comfortable going to school.</p>
<p>To the OP: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/869227-school-has-better-brand-name.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/869227-school-has-better-brand-name.html</a></p>
<p>Thanks Pierre!
This is making for an interesting debate.
I think it’ll be hard choice for him.</p>
<p>I’m also looking at these two schools =/ still have to visit Clemson, i think it mainly depends on money!</p>