<p>So my son has narrowed his choices to Lehigh and Northeastern. He will be majoring in mechanical engineering and wants to concentrate in nanotechnology. Which to choose?</p>
<p>He really loves the co-op program at NU and also loves the location in Boston. NU has a research program that they are currently heavily investing in for nanotech maunfacturing, exactly what son wants to do.</p>
<p>But, Lehigh has a better reputation(?) and has a large nanotech research center. Son really loves the campus and school.</p>
<p>Any insight from those with experience with these schools and especially their nanotech programs would be appreciated.</p>
<p>Not sure Lehigh really has a better reputation, but I don’t know anything about nanotech. </p>
<p>I live near Boston and know many kids who really love Northeastern. D toured there, and their co-op program is the original and the best. Other colleges are now pushing internships, but NEU has been doing this for decades and has contacts everywhere.</p>
<p>I’m probably not the best person to comment on Lehigh, since I went to Lafayette (as did H and my son…) :p</p>
<p>Northeastern has a good engineering for engineering co-op grads, and it is in general on the upswing in ratings etc. I think it is #1 or #2 for Career Center support. If a student likes the co-op approach, it is a terrific way to get some early job experience.</p>
<p>Lehigh and NEU are very different in terms of campus style. Both have strong engineering. I don’t know the difference specifically of which is ranked higher for each specialty though. I don’t think he can go wrong with either. I think at this point it is probably a matter of which type of campus experience he wants. The co-op and city vs. the more traditional “campus” experience is probably what he needs to think about. I will say DD graduated from Lehigh last year (she was not engineering) but all, and I mean all of her friends who were had high paying jobs waiting for them by early senior year. They also did a co-op program where they had a paid internship over the summer, and a semester with the company instead of classes. Perhaps someone who’s child was in Lehigh’s engineering program knows more about that than I do. Congrats to your son, this is a good dilemma to have :-)</p>
<p>Forgot to mention that he was accepted into the honors program at Northeastern with a $20,000 merit scholarship. Still waiting on the Lehigh package for details.</p>
<p>There would be a big difference on NEU (more “campus-y” than you’d expect, but still a city location) vs Lehigh. Some students would have a strong preference. Others could adapt easily to either setting. </p>
<p>The NEU Honors program will give him the option of living in International Village, a very nice new dorm highrise. It also has Honor class options.</p>
<p>I also agree that it depends what type of setting he prefers. NEU obviously has a strong co op advantage, but I have no point in comparison to the connections at Lehigh.</p>
<p>The two schools are quite different in vibe. One is suburban and traditional, the other urban and less so. At NEU, the collegiate vibe is different, because starting with the second semester of your sophomore year, many of your friends will vanish from campus as they go on co-op. The entire focus of the school is pre-professional, whereas Lehigh is a bit more collegiate. So much of the decision regarding Northeastern should be based on what kind of experience the student wants.</p>
<p>Yes, students attending NEU definitely need to be on board with the co-op emphasis. The neat thing is that students are guaranteed housing at least through 3rd year (of 5 years, assuming three 6 month co-ops… you can do two). Many students live on campus while doing co-op… they don’t save much, but they keep in step with campus life. They still continue with their friends, clubs, etc. This give better continuity than many co-op options at other schools, but it still it would not be a good fit for a student who wants a more collegiate experience. </p>
<p>Good luck - I hope there are good merit package from Lehigh too!</p>
<p>Good point about the living on campus/“keeping in step” with campus life while on co-op. There are so many amazing opportunities in Boston (and NEU is so well connected in/around the city) that it’s easy to find nearby co-ops. My daughter was able to participate in her sport while on co-op since practice was in the early evenings, and tournaments held on weekends.</p>
<p>$20k at NEU, plus honors program (nice housing in the International Village tower) is significant. If Lehigh doesn’t match it and he likes Boston, I think his choice is much clearer.</p>
<p>I just wanted to add that Lehigh also has a co op program. You still graduate with your class and are off main campus for fall semester junior year. Some do the co op but others choose not to and find summer internships. It’s just what your preference is. </p>
<p>Sounds like he got a better deal at northeastern, sounds great.</p>