<p>I have been looking at many colleges offering criminology programs and basically, I have come down to my two final options: University of Maryland, College Park VS. Northeastern University. Northeastern is by far is the best private (key word, PRIVATE) undergraduate school for criminal justice/criminology in the nation (yes, UPenn is technically the highest on U.S. News but they only have a weak interdisciplinary program with one research center and less than a dozen students). University of Maryland at College Park has had the highest ranked graduate department in criminology for decades but it is a public school and I am not from the state of Maryland. I have compared the two for days and simply cannot decide which one would be better for me as an aspiring professor and researcher of criminology/criminal justice.</p>
<p>MONEY IS NOT AN ISSUE. DO NOT TRY TO GIVE ME ADVICE ON THIS AS I HAVE FUNDING, please give me your choice on where you would go. </p>
<p>If Money isn’t an issue, definitely go with Northeastern, which is a better university overall and likely the better program. However, if UMD is cheaper, you should consider it even if you have the funding. Northeastern is very expensive compared to state schools with in-state tuition. </p>
<p>Which program turns out more professors? I would think there are many more opportunities at UMD College Park to meet FBI, Homeland Security, etc. professionals due to Wash DC proximity.</p>
<p>Have you been admitted to both of these schools? If not, why are you agonizing over a decision you may never get to make? Apply to both and if admitted to both, then you can decide.</p>
<p>@Joblue, I’m applying as a transfer with a 31 ACT and a 3.95 GPA (60 credits/A.A.). I am a minority and I have strong ECs. I have very strong work experience related to criminology and criminal justice. Neither school is particularly hard to be admitted into as a transfer also. Let us just say that I am as good as in. Besides that is not the topic of this thread. :-)</p>
<p>People, I am just looking for people to post whether or not I should go to one or the other. So just post Northeastern or Maryland.</p>
<p>For example: I think you should go to Maryland.</p>
<p>Since you appear to be headed for graduate study in criminology, I would aim for the school that will get you further in that direction. The public vs. private thing is a moot point if getting in and paying for it are non-issues.</p>
<p>Since UMCP has a stronger graduate program, you’d be well positioned to get affiliated with a research group, find a mentor, start doing work with them and preparing for graduate studies. If you don’t want to go to Maryland for graduate school, or if you don’t want to stay in the same place for the next 5-7 years, then I would say go to Northeastern and you can search for graduate school opportunities from there. </p>
<p>That is great advice. I’m just scared about the prospect of a public university. I mean yeah, I’ve done well at CC but this is a whole different ball game. UMCP has the best criminology program but it is public and NEU has much better career services plus a better overall reputation.</p>
<p>As a graduate of a large public, I can tell you that if you are self-motivated and aren’t working 40 hours a week outside of school, it is possible to find and take advantage of more opportunities at a public than almost anywhere else. There’s just so much going on at a flagship like UMD. My son will be graduating from CP this semester, and there’s just a ton of things to do every day of the week. You’re already sold on the quality of the criminology program at UMD, so I’ll leave that alone. Northeastern is a fine program, too, but it’s not in the center of the universe. The opps for school year criminology internships here are unparalleled. I’d definitely weigh your choices carefully, but UMD is a no-brainer. And it’s a lot cheaper.</p>
<p>I’d pick UMD because it’ll prepare you better for grad school (since that’s your goal) AND the internship/professional opportunities are endless in that area.</p>