<p>So I got accepted into both colleges (obviously), and I was just wondering which school would be a better fit for me, who's planning to major in the Psych area (not too sure about the specific field tho). I think I'd be better suited for a close-knit class system like Brandeis, but I heard that the overall environment (inc. off-campus area) was better in Northeastern U, not to mention the co-op system. Personally, I'm that kind of person who is outgoing ONCE he gets to know someone. Otherwise, I can be quite reclusive, so it'd be better if the school has more friendly people. It's just that Brandeis has a significantly higher ranking that NEU, which I <em>presume</em> asserts its superior academics to NEU, which is an aspect I value greatly. So could you please help me with choosing a college better suitable for me?</p>
<p>I’d definitely be interested in an opinion on this as well. My personal interest is clinical psych, if there are any opinions on that as well for these schools.</p>
<p>As a Behavioral Neuroscience major with a psych minor going into my 4th year of NEU, I can say I Love the psych and neuro program at NEU. Brandeis is also a research university, and if you feel it better suits your needs then go there. </p>
<p>You are literally dead wrong about the “academics being better at Brandeis”. NEU has challenged me and pushed me to new levels I never could have thought imaginable. The professors are brilliant and let me tell you, I too struggled with “going to a better school for better academics”. You’re in Boston. Almost every school in the top 75 has the same level of academics, MIT /Harvard excluded. You’re going to get a fantastic education at both schools. </p>
<p>However, NEU is in the city, and you have co-op, which is literally the best thing ever (i’m on my second one right now working for the state doing life sciences investments and I love it), and it’s a huge, liberal, open campus in the middle of the city school. I can’t speak for the student pop at Brandeis, but NEU is open, welcoming and loving and we don’t tolerate bullying or discrimination. </p>
<p>My co-op right now is in Waltham. I drive past Brandeis every day. When i was choosing colleges I applied and got waitlisted there. I didnt even want to go… Waltham kind of sucks compared to Boston. You will feel stuck in the suburbs after 2 years if you don’t have a car.</p>
<p>As far as the co-ops go, is that something you could do over the summer in your hometown? I’m applying as a transfer and I’m really interested in a co-op but am concerned that I wont have enough time to fit one in.</p>
<p>Except for things like pharmacy, co-ops are generally 6 months (half a summer and a full semester).
Being able to “fit one in” is a matter of perspective, odd as that sounds. If your goal is to graduate in exactly 4 years, that’s one thing. That was my original goal. But now I’m in my third year, starting my 2nd co-op in July, and doing 5 years. Extending the time you graduate by 6 months could be advantageous from an employment perspective because of your experience, and you don’t lose monetarily since you earn money and don’t pay tuition. Most of the co-ops are in the Boston area, but you could see if there’s something near where you live. Otherwise, if you find a willing employer you can set up your own co-op.
If you decide you don’t want to do a full co-op, though, there are still summer internships out there, and career services and your co-op advisor would also be able to help you with that.</p>
<p>Thanks for the insight! So is it possible for a psych major to not do a Co-op at all, but instead fulfill the requirement with an internship or specific class? As a transfer I’m not sure if I can fit all of NU’s requirements in in those two years after I transfer in the first place.</p>
<p>@JMasterson[Experiential</a> Education](<a href=“http://www.northeastern.edu/psychology/undergraduate/experiential-education/]Experiential”>http://www.northeastern.edu/psychology/undergraduate/experiential-education/)</p>
<p>^ Thanks a lot!!</p>