Looking for input on these 4 schools , applied to all for honors colleges as a mechanical engineering major (also interested in electrical engineering and robotics. Still waiting to hear from 2 schools. I like Lehighs IBE program, but not sure if I will get in. Really liked Northeasterns co-ops and research opportunities. I think Purdue and Pitt have similar, but not sure - have not visited yet (visiting Pitt soon, waiting until the mid west weather gets a little better to visit Purdue). Looking for any insights. I really want strong work experience co-ops, research projects and international study. I will most likely do a 5 year dual degree program wherever I go. I got a scholarship and GAP award to Pitt, have 15 APs soo will test out of most freshman Calc, physics, etc: also have 2 college courses from CMU in engineering that should transfer. Thanks in advance!
My daughter is a freshman at Purdue. She’s in honors college and LOVES everything about Purdue. They have great advising, weekly programs, honors mentors, honors study abroad program, smaller classes for some courses, research, etc… Great honors program. She’s going abroad this summer to Italy and has already locked down a co-op with a multibillion dollar corporation. The career fairs are huge and the school in general is very career focused. The career services center is dynamite. My daughter had a polished resume before classes even started thanks to their input. Classes are collaborative, there is wonderful makers space, and tons of academic support. Socially, school spirit is huge around sports, and there are tons of clubs, and music groups. Never a lack of stuff going on.
Purdue will accept most AP and DE courses but your faculty advisor will review what they think is good to take rather than skip. AP courses are automatically accepted if you score high enough but DE courses are reviewed. It took until the middle of the summer before my DD knew hers would be accepted.
Purdue’s calc I, II and III courses post all their midterms and finals on line so it’s easy to see if you think you know the material covered. If you are in the honors program, physics is integrated into the engineering design course so there is no getting around it. If you don’t use the credit to place out of a class, it still counts towards your standing which helps for scheduling and housing.
Let me know if you have any other specific questions.
First, congrats! These are all great options.
In terms of co-op’s, Northeastern has the bigger co-op program in general but Purdue’s engineering co-op’s are very solid as well so you won’t see a huge difference there like you may for other majors/schools. Not personally familiar with Lehigh/Pitt for co-op, so do look into those as well.
All of these should also offer research and international study opportunities, though of course you can dig into the specifics to be sure. I know Northeastern personally so I can say there are very solid opportunities there with good variety such as summer dialogues where you don’t miss fall/spring classes as well as international co-op’s. Again though, dig into all four to be sure. Generally though, you shouldn’t have an issue going abroad at any of these.
IMO this is a situation where fit and cost become most important. You have four great options, so figure out how important cost is to you, what the cost differences are, and which you fit best at in terms of things like city/suburban/rural, size, social environment, and anything else that’s important to you. Visiting (again if you have already if you can) is a great idea. Good luck!
Although Northeastern builds its curricula around co-ops, the other three offer optional co-ops:
https://opp.purdue.edu/
https://www.engineering.pitt.edu/Student/Student-Programs/Coop/Co-Op-Home-Page/
https://careercenter.lehigh.edu/node/25
Note the GPA requirements for students in the engineering division to declare major at Purdue and Pittsburgh:
https://engineering.purdue.edu/Engr/InfoFor/CurrentStudents/enrollment-policy
https://www.engineering.pitt.edu/First-Year/First-Year/Advising/Choosing-a-Major/
At Northeastern, changing major may be restricted:
They are all good, but in many ways very different. Lehigh is the smallest, in a revitalizing, small, steel town. Purdue is the biggest and in a small town. There are roughly the same number of students as there is total population in W. Lafayette. Northeastern and Pitt are both about the same size, a bit smaller than Purdue, and very urban. Personally, I would base this decision on the intangibles of preferred location, support for non-academic endeavors, desire for athletic teams to cheer for, and price. As a side not, students can co-op at any school, but it’s baked into the ethos at Northeastern. Good luck. All good options!
They all seem like good options. Wait til your offers come back, If one has a big financial advantage, consider that factor.
Northeastern is well-known for its coop programs and Boston is a great city for college students.
Lehigh’s IBE would be totally different from the others academically so if that’s the draw for you then I suppose uou’d have to look at whether it’s possible to set up a similar major at any other university.
That being said, your choices are all good.
If you do (tuition, fees, room, board) - (scholarships, grants) =
what’s your result for each?
(Do not subtract any loan)
It is time for my counter @ucbalumnus post 
The minimum GPA requirements to get into Purdue Engineering is a good thing if you are a good student. It assures that not everyone is a ME and that the university has capacity to handle everyone who gets in. Don’t let this “I’m afraid I’m not a good enough student or smart enough drive you away from an option.” The consolation prize at Purdue is admission into another engineering school which isn’t awful. I also know plenty of MEs by job that are Aeros, IEs, ChemEs by degree.
With that being said, I don’t think it is a great idea to go to a OOS (I don’t know where you live, PA maybe from your schools), or private (Lehigh, NE) engineering undergrad if you have a decent option in state. Undergraduate In State Engineering programs are not worth half as much as OOS or Private ones. I still shudder at Indiana residents who decide that they want to go to MIT, or Illinois residents who want to go to CalTech, or [Insert state resident here] who want to go to [insert private Name school here]. You won’t be taught any different tools.
My D was admitted to Purdue, Pitt and Lehigh and after multiple visits and lots of research, Purdue was a clear choice. Virginia Tech was close 2nd, then a significant drop down to the rest. Lehigh was probably 3, Pitt was 6 of 7. Northeastern wasn’t even on the original long list of 20. Currently a Sophomore, she’s very happy with her choice.
As obvious from my handle, Pitt is just down the road, but the cost difference wasn’t that much (~$6K/yr), and not enough to make up for the quality difference. Purdue is a bargain and PA state schools are the most expensive in the country, iirc, so the in/out-of-state decision may be different elsewhere.
Fwiw, my experience at a top 10 engineering undergrad, when compared with HS friends who went to state school/other big schools, was that the skills you come out with are indeed different. It’s not the “tools”, it’s the thinking behind how to apply them.
Thank you all so much for your feedback! Still waiting to hear from Northeastern and Lehigh, although I know a number of people recently heard from NU RD that they got in to the Honors College with merit $$. I did not get into Honors at Purdue, not did I get merit $$ there, although I did get in to the engineering school and am visiting end of March. I’m getting nervous waiting to hear - I thought my stats were strong, but maybe not so much? 4.309 weighted GPA, 1590 SAT (800 Math, 790 English) 800 Math 2 subject test, 740 Chem subject test, Captain of Robotics team, many robotics related outreach programs, mentoring, SAT tutoring, National Honor Society. no sports unfortunately - I am def all engineering all the time… Again, getting nervous, what are my chances? Visited NU and really liked it - followed up with the admissions counselor a few times.
Weighted GPA doesn’t mean anything to colleges and universities, because the weighting systems are all over the map. Your stats look strong assuming the weighting didn’t massively boost your unweighted GPA. Hang in there. You will do fine no matter where you land. Also remember, no school is perfect, no school. Every school has strengths. Make the most of wherever you go. Good luck!
I agree with eyemgh. You’ll get some nice acceptances. After that you can start comparing costs / fit etc. We can help when you are ready.
@Maureenbd - your stats ARE strong. You’re a great candidate but Purdue gives little merit money for OOS applicants. Surprised you didn’t make honors! My D has done a double degree in 5 years at Purdue and we couldn’t be happier with her experience there. I agree with @RichInPitt - Purdue is a bargain at full price and the reputation (especially for ME) opens doors, we’ve seen that already. You will have options and I am sure you’ll make a great choice!
unweighted GPA is 3.8 and weighted is 4.38. visiting Purdue end of March for admitted student day, hope to have heard from NU and Lehigh by then!