I got into both UVa’s Rodman Scholars Program (top 5% of the SEAS pool) and Northeastern’s University Scholars Program. While I was admitted to the Computer Science departments of both schools, I’m kinda undecided between a career in CS and Finance.
Because of UVa’s extremely beautiful campus, better weather, and seemingly more fun people, I feel like I’ll have more fun at UVa. McIntire’s target school rep also keeps my options open, should I have a change of career plans and shift to finance. I also generally like how there are gardens and trees in the campus (compared to NEU). The problem is that I’m an international student (though interestingly, my sister’s American by birth), and that I don’t qualify for any aid at UVa - except the Rodman Scholar’s stipend of $2000. I’ve also been hearing that the engineering department at UVa isn’t as good, and that the school emphasizes on the CAS. I also heavily prefer the honors housing at UVa compared to NEU, it just seems more home-y.
At Northeastern though, I think I’ll have lots of fun too, but I don’t think their campus is a pretty one. When I visited, it was freezing (in spring) and it seemed like a concrete jungle. I love Boston though, and I like the focus and attention that the USP gives the scholars. With regards to my undecided-ish career path, my program at NEU is a double major in CS and Business. Moreover, my tuition and fees would cost significantly less that that in UVa (20k vs 60k). I also have issues with the breaks and terms at NEU, since I hear that they study and coop a lot, so there’s a chance I could rarely go home if I get homesick. I’m also unsure about staying in school for 5 years, though I have the option of overloading and finishing in four.
Lastly, I’m kinda thinking about transferring after my first year (if i can, I love MIT and CalTech too much. I might go to the IMO this year). In that case, would UVa’s better reputation allow for a better chance to transfer? I’m fine though with staying at NEU or UVa for my whole college life. In terms of ROI and average starting salary, UVa’s CS grads earn around 20k a year more than NEU’s, even if they graduate in a year less.
My main question is, would a better college vibe and better prestige justify an extra $40k a year? My family can take on UVa’s tuition, but it’d be a burden.
I don’t to think you should go to either school with the plan to transfer. Get out the course catalog and figure out which courses you will take at each school to complete your major and that should help. If you are worried about being homesick you can plan on doing coop/study abroad closer to home if you go to neu. They have programs everywhere. For a transfer the most important thing will be your grades and activities. I doubt that uva computer science grads make 20,000 a year more than neu ones. These college salary ranges are not very reliable in my experience. Is uva computer science in the engineering school? Neu has its own comp sci school. This is really a big difference in the philosophy of the department.
@Malm59 Thanks for the input, and transferring surely won’t be my main objective, it’d just be an afterthought. Anyway, you seem to be implying that Northeastern is a better option even without the 40k difference?
What are your thoughts on choosing a school based on its vibe rather than the financial implications? (I do think that right now, UVa and Northeastern are pretty much equal in terms of education in CS)
You’ve got to go where you are going to be happy and thrive. Scholars at neu is an amazing program. What a great set of choices you’ve got. Computer science right now everywhere is hot. Things can change tho and in 4-5 years you might be in a different situation. You need to build a resume of skills for the long term, not just for that salary at graduation. If the money matters go to neu, if you don’t care about the money choose the school that you have the gut instinct will be right for you.
@Malm59 While money doesn’t matter that much, and I like UVa a bit more, it’s the fact that that marginal difference in happiness and fit would cost a Ferrari over four years. That’s why I feel so unsure.
My son chose northeastern over an Ivy league school. He is not in the scholars program. It would be an understatement to say he’s pretty happy where he is. We are saving 40,000 plus per year.
@everiste a couple other things to consider - UVa is a very southern state school, with the majority of the kids hailing from Virginia - I’m not sure where you are from but it could be potentially difficult as a foreigner to fit in and adjust socially. Once you leave the Washington DC area, Virginia can start feeling more and more like the deep south. At NEU, it is already a very international student body in a very international city. NU Scholars program is a great program with a lot of perks that will open doors for you . Save the $160K for grad school and go to Boston!
The financial situation really makes this a tough choice, but it really sounds like you’d be much happier at UVA. You don’t seem to value co-op so that doesn’t make NEU better for you. I would doubt the UVA CS number, you will get a good salary at either school. The academics are comparable.
Are there any other options similar to UVA that cost less? If you can’t afford UVA, I don’t think NEU sounds like the place for you. I would go UVA or a better priced alternative if there is one. Fit is an important factor: you’re going to be there for 4-5 years of your life.
