<p>I'm looking at a number of very competitive schools (University of Chicago, Columbia, University of Virginia), and I hadn't really been considering Northeastern. However, I recently did some research on it and there are some really generous scholarships that I think I would qualify for, most notably the National Merit finalist scholarship for $30,000. (I'm currently a semifinalist and fully anticipate being a finalist). However, I'm worried it may not be as academically challenging as other places I'm applying. Can anyone tell me what the academic environment is like? And also how it compares to similar or more competitive schools? Any input would be appreciated.</p>
<p>I passed up University of Chicago for a full scholarship to Northeastern. The reality is, I can’t really say how course difficulty compares because I’ve only taken courses at one of them.</p>
<p>Academics in college and high school are very different. What you do outside of class is often going to be much more important than what you do in class. Learning is important, but it’s demonstrating that you can apply those skills is much more so. This is why Northeastern emphasizes its co-op program so much - whether you’re entering the workforce or continuing in academics, having used the knowledge you’ve acquired is a major plus. Other universities have co-op programs, but Northeastern’s is one of the best (if not the best).</p>
<p>My general advice is consider what your plans are in the long term. If you’re going on to graduate school, where you attend undergraduate isn’t nearly as important as what you do while you’re there, and managing to negate a large amount of debt is a huge plus - if you find your goals changing, either before or after graduation, it’s nice to have the flexibility to do so without worrying about a significant amount of accrued debt. If you’re planning on going directly into the workforce, already having significant actual work experience is a massive plus.</p>
<p>I was admitted to Stanford and Cornell last spring, but I chose to take a full merit scholarship to Northeastern instead. It is by no means easy - you really have to work for an A. I am in a social science, by the way. Fields like engineering and CS are even more difficult.</p>
<p>I’m astounded by my peers every day. I really feel challenged by them. This year, the school had way more Honors students and NMFs enroll than they anticipated. The number of top students is making classes even more rigorous and stimulating. Without a doubt, Northeastern will be academically challenging enough for you.</p>
<p>My first semester was easy, since I had a lot of the intro classes out of the way and took some electives. It didn’t stay that way, though. College is what you make of it, and since I wanted to be challenged, I took challenging courses, added a minor, and got very involved in research. I was a little concerned about this, too, when I started, but my fears were completely unfounded. Northeastern is full of very smart students. With the NM scholarship, you are also automatically part of the Honors program, which will also give you a chance to meet similarly driven students like yourself.</p>
<p>I was also in the same boat as you, wanting to go to a different school because I feared not being challenged enough. HONESTLY-- it depends on your major, and how much you care about your grades. people I know in Comm have no homework and can write papers the day before theyre due. People in Biochemistry have 4 term papers,4 lab reports and 2 exams to focus on all the time every semester. If you are fine with getting a 2.0, you can study for a couple hours a week and do half your assignments. If you want to get a 4.0, you have to study 40 hours a week and do all of your assignments and more. You WILL fail at NEU if you don’t try to pass. There are only a few courses here you can take, not attend class and still pass, and most students who care about their education don’t take those electives.</p>
<p>Im a neuroscience major and I have to work so hard for an A that I feel like i can never achieve it solely because of the time I would need to devote to all of my classes really puts a damper on my social life (haha… seriously though). As others have said, I feel challenged by my peers and professors, and NEU likes to recruit smart students with enticing scholarships. Also, honors is really no different than regular students after the first semester. 1st semester freshman year is NOT representitive of college, so don’t judge it on that. </p>
<p>I have friends at Ivys and Georgetown that complain of the workload, because it sucks. So unless you are an academic person by nature and literally don’t want to have fun or a social life, NEU is plenty.</p>