<p>I was just reading on neu site that with co op graduation usually takes 5 years and it can be done in 4 years with one co-op. My question is that even with one co-op it seems it takes one extra semester(which u do over the summer) to graduate compared to other universities where u have only 8 semesters. I dont see doing one extra semester with or without co-op as an advantage? And do the majority choose to graduate in 5yrs or 4yrs? Also with this weird scheduling, is it hard to hang out with friends? I am sorry for so many questions but i couldnt find the answers anywhere else, and I would rly appreciate if someone in NEU or someone who knows about this answered this question.</p>
<p>You can make up 8 credits (2 courses), attending each of the available summer sessions, Summer 1 - May/June and Summer 2, July/August for a total of 16.</p>
<p>The majority of students take 5 years and do either 2 or 3 co-ops. Even my friends who came in not wanting to co-op have decided to squeeze one in. There are so many advantages, and watching your friends all go out on co-op usually convinces people that it's worth it. The semesters equal out. We don't take 9 semesters to graduate (if you manage to finish your credits on time--this is an issue at all schools), we only take it.</p>
<p>A sample schedule, with # semesters completed each year:
Freshman year: Classes Fall, Classes Spring. (2 semesters)
Sophomore year: Classes Fall, Co-op spring, classes summer II (1.5 semesters)
Middler year: Classes Fall, Co-op spring, classes summer II (1.5 semesters)
Junior year: Classes Fall, Co-op spring. (1 semester)
Senior year: Classes Fall, Classes Spring (2 semesters)
Total = 8 semesters of class</p>
<p>This is a sample 3 co-op schedule, meaning you do two 2-month sessions of classes over summer. You can eliminate having to do summer courses by only doing 2 co-ops.</p>
<p>As far as social life while on co-op, it isn't much different, if anything you actually have more social time. You work 40 hours a week but that's it. You come home after work with no studying. Your weekends are totally yours. Plus, most people stay in Boston while on co-op, and live in the same area they would while in classes, so co-op really doesn't affect social life.</p>
<p>Emily2007 - do most people elect the 5 yr or 4yr plan? and also is that the only way to do co-op or cant u have internships at different than the one u said above? Also if u know how much does co-op factor into medical/dental schools? Will it help? o and btw i thought summer II was equivalent to two semesters for some reason. srry about that!</p>
<p>As Emily already said (please read), most people do 5 years. You can do "internships" like for a few weeks over the summer if you go and find them, but whats the point? Why would you go to northeastern just to be graduate with the same experience as everyone else? Medical schools have applicants all with good grades and good recs, so it can actually come down to experience. Therefore, co-op could really factor into med schools.</p>
<p>Everyone starts off thinking "Ugh, I don't want to be there for 5 years. All my high school friends will be done in 4 years." Except by the end of the first semester, you are already over it. 5 years means more time to do what you want and figure out whats right for you. You'll graduate with FULL TIME experience. So chill, it's fine.</p>
<p>And its one more year of fun that you can't really have once you graduate. Talk to any senior in college before their last semester and I guarantee they will say they don't want to graduate.</p>
<p>^yep</p>
<p>As a second semester middler, I am VERY glad next year is not my last year of college. Blech. And my friends at 4 year schools are pretty terrified of next year's applying to grad school/med school/law school, or the even worse prospect of trying to find a job in this economy. Sucks to be them!</p>
<p>As far as medical school, co-op is very appealing. You have real-world experience in health care or research, excellent letters of rec from employers, lots of impressive application fillers, etc.</p>
<p>emily -- thanks!!! that sample schedule was very, very helpful. the co-op program sounds like it's really fun :) i do have a question that i think you might be able to answer... how does the co-op program affect students who are in 6 year programs like physical therapy? like how does that fit into the schedule? is it any different than a regular 4 year? thanksss!</p>
<p>I'm pretty sure its just the same kind of thing (3 co-ops) but you take more semesters of classes.</p>
<p>hey thanks for the info guys. you really helped me out ty.</p>
<p>as a sophomore and middler, do you live on campus during the summer II classes? and do you pay tuition/room and board fees for those times?</p>
<p>You can live on campus or not. Some students take coops near their families home to save the money. If you live on campus you pay room and board. My experience as a parent has been that the room and board is the same or more as the salary. That is why I caution students that they may not be able to count of saving their coop salary to use for tuition in the following semester(s).</p>
<p>Unless you're a chemical engineer in which you'll make more than double the living expenses (yesssssss) even as a first year coop.</p>
<p>^ True story. Some co-ops make bank, including engineers, some business, and an occasional biotech.</p>
<p>Otherwise, people usually make around 9k-12k in the 6 months. I made enough to pay all my living expenses, but living expenses took up about 70% of my paycheck so I wasn't able to save much.</p>
<p>Of course, I also live around campus which is outrageously expensive. The Hill is much cheaper, and a good option if you want to save money and don't have a problem with living in the area.</p>
<p>what about classes? so basically, northeastern runs all year long because of the summer classes too? that's interesting, and i love that nu is different than other schools.</p>
<p>I know a couple of first year chemical engineers pushing close to 25/hr</p>
<p>What about medical co-ops? How much would they make? Saaaay like physical therapy? :-p</p>
<p>Not sure about PT...sorry</p>