If no one helps, I can't go!

Colleges and Universities A-Z Northeastern University
1

<p>I was amazed that NEU didn't offer me any financial aid, but in any case, I'm determined to attending NEU with or without my parent's support. Basically my father says he will not pay for me unless NEU offers more aid, which they have not.</p>

<p>I'm applying for many scholarships, none of which are guaranteed but in any case, I was wondering if the private student loan requires parental consent? Also, do costs reduce substantially during the subsequent years after freshman year because of the co-op program? I did some preliminary estimations and calculated an average $18,000 cost, subtracting $15,000 because of the one-semester combination with co-op, and another $15,000 because of the actual money earned during co-op (I assumed that salary increases with more experience gained from the accumulation of co-op terms).</p>

<p>I also heard that some companies will pay for debts/tuition if the student/employee promises to work for them upon graduation? Are there any specific companies with such program? (I am a CS major) Is it also true that the average starting salary of a NEU CS graduate is $80,000 while those of other colleges are close to $50,000?</p>

<p>I'm also determined to get a Master's degree. Where do most NEU graduates go to for graduate school? I heard that it is not uncommon for students to go on to elite schools like MIT and Harvard.</p>

<p>And finally, I was wondering how rigorous the integrated Business and Computer Science program is, and whether or not it is possible to complete it in four years? For my last question, which has frankly been on my mind since I discovered NEU, why is NEU's admissions selectivity unparallel to its academic ranking? The NEU selectivity is close to that of NYU and BU, or so I've heard, yet it is ranked at a lowly national 115 spot.</p>

<p>Well, NEU is my number one choice but my father can only afford $15,000 for 3 years. Damn fin. officer said she couldn't offer any more aid, as if NEU offered me ANY aid besides the federal stafford loan program.</p>

2

<p>Ranking is low because some of the things that the rankings are based on negatively affect coop schools.</p>

<p>I'd be surprised if the average starting salary was $80,000.. I'd be happy but very surprised.</p>

3

<p>KK is right. You should take the rankings with a grain of salt because they do not provide an accurate picture of co-op schools like Northeastern. Here's why:</p>

<p>The U.S. News methodology is flawed because it assumes that all colleges are following a traditional academic curriculum (i.e. comparing apples to apples). But Northeastern does things quite differently. It is one of only a handful of schools to have a fully integrated co-op program (i.e. it is an orange). For example, the way the current methodology works, the rankings make it appear as if Northeastern has a high student/faculty ratio. But this is only because U.S. News assumes that all students are on campus taking classes at the same time. This is far from the case; nearly half of the upper-class students are off campus interning at companies (unlike most schools, Northeastern students follow rotations where they alternate semesters of academics with semester long internships related to their major). Anyone who knows Northeastern knows that class sizes are actually on the small side. The amount of money spent per student and faculty resources rank also seem low in comparison to other schools in the top 60, but again this is only because U.S. News assumes that all students are on campus at the same time using resources. Students who are on co-op should be excluded because they do not pay tuition while they’re interning. Northeastern really has more money to spend on the students who are on campus taking classes. Again, anyone who has visited Northeastern recently knows that the school has plenty of money. All the facilities are new and the professors, administrators, etc. are earning top dollar. </p>

<p>Another flaw in the U.S. News rankings methodology is the use of a six year graduation retention rate. Again, U.S. News assumes that all schools are following a traditional four year academic model. But again, Northeastern does things differently. A very large number of NEU students choose the five year co-op program (a four year program is available but for some reason it is less popular). Northeastern also offers a six year PharmD program. Obviously, Northeastern's graduation stats would be significantly higher if U.S. News factored this into the rankings. But they don't.</p>

<p>Northeastern's rating, although still top tier (under the new ranking system), simply does not add up. Still, even with its nontraditional curriculum, Northeastern has been climbing in the rankings. This is primary because the university has made significant gains in selectivity. Northeastern should continue to rise as it becomes more nationally known. This year, the university received 6500 EA apps out of a total of 27,000 apps which is a new record. The university is also in the process of hiring 100 new star faculty. The new faculty will significantly lower the university's student/faculty ratio (this should make up for the shortfall in the rankings).</p>

<p>As a side note, the university administration has been lobbying U.S. News to make some changes to their rankings methodology so that it takes into account the university’s nontraditional academic curriculum.</p>

<p>**As another side note, external research funding to Northeastern increased by a whopping 40% this year. The increase can be attributed to the ambitious faculty hiring plan. All these new star profs that the university has been hiring are bringing their research grants with them.</p>

4

<p>nchung6689, what is your FAFSA's EFC? I still have no idea what my how much NEU is offering me... I'm scared that I will get nothing. Another school has sent me a financial package and it is decent, not a lot but decent. Should I go to that school or NEU? I forgot to mention that I am accepted for the Spring Semester of 2007 for NEU, and am waitlisted for Fall 2006. So I don't know when my financial package for NEU is coming. Anybody has any suggestions? I am conflicted with this problem.</p>

5

<p>I'm having the same problem as you. I got accepted to NEU though while you have got into the Spring semester which gives you time to save money, explore financial offers, etc etc so if I were you I'd finsih a semester at that one school and then perhaps transfer if NEU offers you decent aid.</p>

6

<p>My counselor suggested that also. By the way, what is your EFC?</p>

7

<p>What's that?</p>

8

<p>BTW, where's the other school you are thinking about?
I have to decide between Kettering, George Mason and Arizona (leaning towards here), and possibly/hopeflly U Washington (first choice of all).</p>

9

<p>I applied to six schools and got rejected to three. Among the three I got into, one is NEU and the other is Simmons. The other one I applied just for safety. Do your other schools provide good financial aid? NEU is off the list for you? NEU is a really good school. See if there are any other options. If not, you should go with your guts.</p>

10

<p>Violet, NEU is a good school but I'll be in debt $100,000 which will take a lifetime to pay off.</p>

11

<p>but there's a nice twist to going to NEU. You earn a lot of $$ as you co op and learn experiences. Up to you though.</p>