<p>"A GPA of 3.5 from NEU is better than a GPA of 2.8 from MIT. "</p>
<p>Disagree. Everyone will get a first job out of MIT. After a few years, no one will ask GPA, but they will ask what school.</p>
<p>OP, you need to ask yourself which environment would truly be better for you. Struggling at MIT may make you miserable, or it may bring out the best in you. I am sure they saw potential for success in you if you were accepted, and they have many resources to help you. I know in my DD’s case (applied MIT EA, was deferred and then rejected, so she does not have your dilemma), my concern was that if she got in, she would be in the bottom range for MIT, and quite frankly, she really likes being one of the top students. it’s a confidence boost for her, and when she is confident she does great work. Regarding academics: MIT is MIT; you would be in classes with the best of the best. On the other hand, learning can take place in any environment and as long as you challenge yourself you will go far. From what I have learned about NEU so far, it looks like you will have plenty of peers at NEU even if the averages overall are lower. I would also recommend that you approach NEU about honors.</p>
<p>@Malm59, my D is also making her final decision and leaning very strongly NEU. She passed on her top ‘prestige’ admit to a top 20 school with no $$ without a second glance. I guess she was listening during all of our dinner conversations about the ‘value’ of a college degree!</p>
<p>53% students graduating from MIT take a job after getting their bachelor degree. 39% go on to do a Masters. No information given about what the 8% remaining. The salary of a MIT graduate (bachelor’s degree) -$66,000
Master in Engineering -$90,000</p>
<p>4 years is a long time to be in college if you do not enjoy it. I know plenty of MIT grads who are alcoholics. I think every college student has different expectations and desires. It is difficult ot just look at salaries of graduates and decide if that is the experience for a particular student.</p>
<p>MIT has a lot of success students. Follow your heart. There are always failure students at every schools including alcoholic students as well as druggies.</p>
<p>There are many roads to success. No college is perfect.</p>
<p>ddahwm – I would guess of the MIT kids who do not go for Masters - not certain where your data is from - do you mean any graduate work? If not, maybe MDs, maybe also armed forces (I think there is ROTC at MIT).</p>
<p>“I know plenty of MIT grads who are alcoholics.”</p>
<p>To be fair, I know alot of COLLEGE grads who are alcoholics…</p>
<p>As a current top 15 university student who is looking to transfer to NEU, I would say go to wherever you feel more comfortable. I bought into the brand name for my current school and overlooked the 20k scholarship I originally had from Northeastern. I’m still not 100% sure about transferring, but fit really makes all the difference. </p>
<p>On the other hand, my best friend goes to MIT and he loves it. He goes out often, has many friends, and is generally getting the full college experience.</p>
<p>MIT. This is a no-brainer. The degree will take you farther and so will the connections you make. I guess you shouldn’t go there if you would be truly miserable, but if you were my child I would encourage you to attend MIT even if it meant more loans. (I’ve studied at both places and both are great schools-- postdoctoral at one and clinical doctorate at the other-- still, MIT is not an opportunity to pass up, in my opinion.)</p>
<p>I agree, MIT is a no-brainer. A dear friend is a student there and she is very happy. Yes, the academics are rigorous but there exists an element of crazy fun - if only to blow off stress - that she didn’t expect. Attending both schools’ accepted students day is a great idea.</p>
<p>And remember, you can always transfer after freshman year if you are unhappy. I’m sure MIT on your application will be taken seriously by any potential college you apply to.</p>
<p>Heard that D of friend of my friend got C’s and D’s at the second year into MIT. How intensive is the work load there? Is grading curved?</p>
<p>Also learnt a lot good sides about NU. Is grading curved there too? What is pros/cons of NU?</p>
<p>What exactly do you mean by curving at Northheastern? In some of the classes (like organic chemistry) there is a curve within the section to actually create a bell curve/normal distribution of grades.</p>