This may be a dumb question or trivial to some people, but what’s the ranking of Northeastern?
On US News and Niche its like #39 and #32 consecutively (on niche its #42 but its ranked #32 for biology which is my major)
I also looked at their research program and Biology department which seem pretty good.
I also heard that its a good school that prepares you for the pre-med path (which is what I intend to do)
However on other websites its ranked in the 100s to 200s(on Forbes and some other websites), which scares me because of this massive difference. Why is there such a huge difference?
Does anyone know how good Northeastern is for Bio majors who intend to go the pre med path?
I’d really appreciate some insight.
I know rank shouldn’t “matter” but my family cares a lot about rank so that’s why I’m asking.
Northeastern’s difference often comes from rankings using the 4 year graduation rate, which is very low since Northeastern is a 5 year school for most of the student body with the co-op program. Northeastern also changed a lot in the past 20 years or so, and rankings that use metrics of opinion and perceived prestige lag behind.
7.5% is that graduation rate, 7.5% is prestigious fellowships, 2.5% is percent who go on to get a Ph.D. (lower at Northeastern given the co-op program’s professional focus).
Some of the other Forbes metrics use very inconsistent data like Payscale and Ratemyprofessors. Northeastern has an internal rating system called TRACE for faculty reviews, which is used by students more than RMP. I think most data for Northeastern there is pretty old at this point, beyond the bias of it attracting only really happy and unhappy students.
Forbes also combines National Universities and LAC’s, further pushing Northeastern down. US News and many other sites separate them.
Northeastern also paid close attention to the US News rankings when they were working on improvement in the school, hence the specific high uptick there.
Overall, Northeastern is a very solid choice for pre-med and Biology, and most will place it with peers in the 30-60 range of most traditional rankings.
@PengsPhils
Thank you SO much for that clarification.
I was wondering, but what are the details concerning the co-op program?
I haven’t been accepted yet, since I applied for transfer, but if I applied as a biology major could I also do this co-op program?
What are the requirements for it?
Also, do you think someone like me would be able to get in?
I have a 3.69 GPA (which is deceptive because I did badly one quarter because my grandmother passed away and for other extraneous reasons. I’ve been getting mainly A’s and a few -As. If its not for this quarter I’d have a 3.9)
My SAT is 1700, my HS GPA is pretty low…3.0
I just have no confidence that I’m going to be accepted…anywhere
The co-op program is a huge part of Northeastern and is for every major. Basically, you go out for 6 months and work full time for a company. It’s usually better paid and more real work than an internship due to the extended time period. It’s also obviously great for connections and experience, and for a pre-med student, Boston’s hub of medical companies and hospitals are obvious choices.
Typical freshman do 2-3 in their time at school, hence why it’s a 5 year program. Not sure on the details for transfers, but you can try to find more info at the link below. The transfers I know do at least one co-op, and I’m guessing two could be possible.
https://www.northeastern.edu/coop/
I don’t know transfer admissions too well but your college GPA is very good and that should give you at least a chance. Good luck!