NEU vs American University

Colleges and Universities A-Z Northeastern University
1

<p>Hello!
I am an International student that will study in the US. I was accepted EA to Northeastern University and I plan to double major in either Pol.Sci and economics or Poli.Sci and International Affairs (any of this options with a minor in Law, policy and society). I know that Northeastern is not especially known for its Pol.Sci. program, but NEU has great faculty indeed (f.ex. Dukakis teaches there). Furthermore, they offer a concentration within the Pol.Sci major on Public Policy and administration. Since I would like to go to Law School and eventually work in the US as a political consultant, this major combined with NEU's unique co-op program and a prospective good academic standing makes the path not that difficult. To make the decision more difficult, NEU is actually going up in a lot of rankings, and the current administration is really focused on fulfilling this objective.</p>

<p>However, I also applied to AU because I know they do have a strong Pol.Sci program. AU is in DC as well, and I think that will makes easier when it comes to internships with political consultants. I have some friends living in DC and they have told me time and again the prestige that AU has in Political Science and Int. Relations. They have even told me that when it comes to Public Policy, there's not a better school (they say GTWN is much more based on pol. theory)........</p>

<p>What do you think?</p>

<p>I think I may be accepted to AU, so... I NEED YOUR HELP!!!!!</p>

<p>Thank you!</p>

2

<p>It seems like to me what Northeastern has going for it outweighs what AU has (the major + concentration you want, co-op, rise in rankings). AU is more prestigious in the Poli Sci department, yes, but I think that’s all it has going for it. Considering Northeastern is #1 in America for Co-Ops/Internships, I think Northeastern can definitely help you get jobs with political consultants, and even in DC if you want. Graduating with Northeastern with 18 months of work experience in the political realm will come a long way, and I don’t see how it wouldn’t help to get you into law school. I think Northeastern would really pull through for you bud. I too applied to AU but I got into Northeastern as an EA admit and I know for sure I’m going to choose NU over AU, because its co-op program will do wonders in the long run. Maybe I’m being biased (since I’m definitely going to NU in the fall) but this is what I truly think.</p>

3

<p>Academically, I think AU is going to be a stronger program. I think the courses will be slightly more rigorous, and while NU has a good polisci faculty, I would think American might have an edge in that also. If you had asked me this two years ago, I’d have told you to go to American and never look back, because as a freshman I essentially left my social studies major because it wasn’t challenging or very well structured. Now things really seem to have changed–faculty is better, standards are higher, and the students are at a totally different level than my year.</p>

<p>I still think that American will have a more solid academic setting for a poli sci major, and possibly more connections, but you’re right that co-op is going to be a huge advantage and give you lots of opportunities. Right now I have a friend co-oping in Ireland working for the parliament, and two other friends spending the semester in DC working with the DIA… so the opportunities are definitely there.</p>

<p>Once you graduate, an American poli sci degree is probably going to look a little better, but I think any college grad looking for a job will tell you that work experience trumps the name of the school you went to (usually, but obviously not the rule).</p>

<p>For opportunities, I think NU = AU. Just because AU doesn’t have co-op doesn’t mean you can’t get some solid internships done, there will be great opportunities at American. For academics, I still have to give AU the vote, but that’s also just opinion, and my opinion is only right about 99.32% of the time. </p>

<p>I think both are going to be solid choices. You get DC or Boston. Both are stupidly expensive to live in, but offer sweet city life and lots of opportunities. American is substantially smaller, which you should consider. You also want to consider other factors, like housing, price, clubs/organizations you’re interested in, facilities… blah blah, whatever you crazy kids care about these days. Either way I think you’ll get a decent poli sci education.</p>

4

<p>Now I don’t know much about poli sci, but when I visited American they said most student bascially have Wednesdays off (very little classes are held that day). This is to allow students to spend a whole day at their internship/jobs, as opposed to a few hours a day. AU may not have the same opportunities that Northeastern’s co-op may present you, but they still try to give you time a longer time than most schools do to test out your different interests.</p>

5

<p>The bottom line is that this is not a bad choice to have to make. Either way, you are going to have a great college experience. Personally, I’d lean toward the opportunity to study political science in DC, as the internship opportunities and potential connections seem enormous. But the choice will come down to which of the campuses you feel most comfortable being on. I’m hoping you’ve had the opportunity to spend some time at both schools, have watched and spoken to students, and had the opportunity to speak with faculty as well. That’s where your going to find the answer to this one. Congratulations and best of luck.</p>