Hello - Looking for any parents whose child has taken part in NU-IN program? Our kid got into this but with no aid and we are balking at the pricetag overall for Northeastern. T his is for a kid who is not sure what he wants to be when he ‘grows up.’ Any input?
As the mother of a Northeastern grad, I can say it’s not a great choice for kids who aren’t professionally oriented. Most students at NEU already have an idea of what they want – say engineering/business/pre-med etc – and start planning their studies around co-ops in their sophomore year if not earlier. IMO, that price tag is only “worth” it if a student has a direction and can take advantage of co-ops they wouldn’t be able to do through another school.
The international component didn’t exist until just a few years ago… some say it’s a cynical cash cow for the school…
I am a fan of NEU as it is a great school, but not a fan of the NU-in program. I think it is a moneymaking racket for the school. My D was offered NU-in which made Northeastern the first school she turned down. She graduated first in her class and had good test scores so I never quite figured out why she was offered this program. She had spent a couple of weeks abroad while in high school and spoke about it in her essay; perhaps someone figured she might go for it. At least it helped us narrow down choices.
I’m not a parent but I went to school in the Boston area and know several people who did NU-In… as other posters have said, it’s a racket. I think it’s a way to game the rankings and get as much cash as possible from students who are perfectly smart and capable but have lower test scores.
NEU gets to admit all of these full-pay students, but they’re not on campus in until the spring (so technically “Spring Admits,” not part of the “Fall Incoming Class”), so I’m pretty sure they can exclude those students’ test scores from their admitted student averages.
Also, I think spending the first semester abroad is a bad idea… study abroad can be fantastic for students taking upper-level classes, but I don’t see the value in taking a bunch of random intro classes in a different country, ESPECIALLY if the family is full-pay.
@apresski NUIn is an alternative freshman entry route. Many schools up to Ivy Cornell use variations on this. No one is forced to do NUIn, they are free to attend another university.
With all do respect, I think it is a matter of perspective. @apresski Spending the first semester abroad may not have been a solid choice for you, but for myself, I think it’s a great way to start my college years. I pref’d to be considered for N.U.in and I know several others did as well. We all have different needs and I’m proud to have been admitted to NU through N.U.in.
My son if he attends NU is really looking forward to the study abroad aspect.
I personally think it’s a racket as well, and that NEU is all about the test scores and GPAs at this time. I have said that I respect the institution on a whole, but I am not fan of the “race to the top” of the rankings mantra.
Their decision to reward the top 10-15% percent of applicants with what appears to be fairly generous merit and then leave the next tier of kids with nothing doesn’t really sit well with me. I understand why they do it, and I don’t have any issues with the top kids getting some $$ at all. I think it’s a great bargain for their parents! On the other side of things I’ve personally seen a group of 6-10 kids performing at a pretty high level academically with solid test scores, 31-33 ACT, get offered nothing in merit and a ticket overseas for their first semester.
Go to the University of Chicago thread - a school that always prided itself on not caring about ranking - Even they have added an Early Decision this year in order to bump themselves up in the rankings. Unfortunately, the rankings matter and many many schools are playing the game.
That said - lower level schools must be losing applicants in this game. I noticed Bentley University got rid of Early Action and only does ED and RD. There must have been too many kids using it is an early safety and the yield was poor.
Agree- but at least there is SOME merit to be had at NEU. As schools climb in the rankings - the merit disappears, so many kids who have high or medium-high stats are accepted, but the ones who don’t qualify for FA have to shell out $65K+ per year. NUIn is an option for a kid who can afford it and can’t get in to other highly ranked schools (that also won’t give them a dime if they don’t qualify for FA).
Like Northeastern itself, the NUin program is a good fit for certain types of kids. Many thrash it by saying that NEU is just trying to get money and that it would be ridiculous to study abroad first semester. However, those who are ambitious and adventurous are the target for the program. Many of the NUin students I have talked to say being in the program was far superior to being on campus first semester because of the opportunities and experiences it gave them. It’s all about perspective and personal opinions.
@Kramer1 I would agree, that it does seem like a good fit for some, my son included. He was actually considering applying to schools on London and McGill, so this gives him an opportunity to try the schools without having to commit to 4 years overseas in one place. He has talked about doing another semester abroad in a different locale if the first term goes well. I would describe him as somewhat ambitious and curious to explore.
My son got into NU through the NU.in program and the more we investigate it the more we think he will like it. If you are really opposed to going abroad, there is the option of Montreal, which really is only 5 hours from Boston. I’ve heard that the kids that do the NU.in program develop very strong friendships that can last the whole 4 or 5 years. it does sound a little intimidating for an 19 year old to be in London/Dublin/Greece, but what an experience that will be and it will teach the kids to grow up quickly. I never thought my son would get in to NU (he was 3.6/4.0 UW, 1300 SAT and great EC, all honors programs at private high school, etc.) but if he is “forced” to spend three months in Dublin/London/Montreal to get into NU, then lets do it!
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I know this is an old thread but figured I would respond for parents who will undoubtedly search this board in 2018 when their child is offered NU In. My daughter is currently at University College Dublin as part of the NU.In program. She chose Northeastern because she wanted a larger big city school. She is an introverted type who typically has 3 or 4 good friends and is usually not part of a crowd. She liked the Northeastern campus and the fact that it was right in the city - she could escape the campus is she wanted. I’m not sure why she was picked for NU In She had test scores above Northeastern’s average in both math and english and also an above average GPA. No EC’s at school (but several outside of school) - we assume her not being part of the community at school was why she was picked for NU.IN. That and we did not need financial aid. So it probably is a money maker for the school which is fine but if we had to do it over again I think I would discourage her from going.
So now she is at UCD with 130 other NU.In students. She says it feels like a being in a small high school (which she doesn’t like). Even though UCD is large, so far the NU.In kids seem to stick together and both her Chemistry and Bio classes seem to be for NU.In students only. She didn’t click with her roommates (and two of them seem to be inconsiderate at the very least, bullies at worst). There is no cafeteria so they need to cook for themselves which wouldn’t be a problem except her roommates often invite other people over to cook for them and then tell my daughter they don’t have enough food for her or take the food and cooking implements (and forks) to another apartment and cook their meals there. And, yeah you guessed it they don’t invite her. Tonight she made pasta and ate it with a spoon because her roommates took all the forks to someone else’s apartment. She has thankfully made a couple of friends but she feels unwelcome in her own apartment and there’s really no where to escape since everything on campus seems to close early. The library is not open on the weekends and students are not allowed to sign into the gym between 5:45 pm and 8:30 pm. Dublin is a 30 minute bus ride away so it’s not as easy to escape campus as it would be at Northeastern.
So my point is that if your students gets into the NU In program seriously consider whether your child will really enjoy it. And also consider the school that he or she will be going to - the UCD environment is nothing like Northeastern. My daughter really wants to go to NEU so she wants to stick it out at UCD but she’s pretty miserable.
My son participated in the Nu in program last fall. We were all unsure about it in the beginning, but this was his first choice school so we rolled with it. He LOVED it and grew so much from the experience. He transitioned seamlessly into Boston in Spring, joining a fraternity and expanding his friend group. He is still rooming with friends he met in Greece, but has made numerous friends outside of the experience. He even has a job on campus! Yay!
He was/is not totally sure what he wants to do as a career, but probably business. He is currently is a finance major.
I think if your son is undecided but sort of knows what direction he wants to follow - business, liberal arts, engineering, etc., I think it is a NEU is a fine choice.
@hudsonmom02 Sorry your daughter is having such a bad experience. That must be so tough to hear about when you are so far away. Are there RA’s at the NU In sites that she can talk to? Hopefully she can become closer with other friends and spend less time with the roommate (although not optimal to have to run away from your own living space).
The RA could help with ground rules and roommate contracts (like don’t take stuff that belongs to both roommates).
Thanks @suzyQ7 - I just saw your reply. Only 6 more weeks to go and she is doing slightly better but still feeling unwelcome in her own apartment. She has become friends with some other international students and Irish students who are not part of the NU In program which has helped. I encouraged her to talk to her ISA (basically an RA) early on but she wants to avoid drama. So again I don’t want to put down the program as a whole - many of her peers are having a great experience - just really think about whether it’s the right experience for your kid.
Also replying for students and parents who may find this searching for the NUin program. My son recently returned from the Shanghai China program, and he and all the kids there had a fantastic time. Only 34 students, so it is a much smaller class than most of the other sites (it was the first year for China). Also not sure why he was selected for the program - his grades, scores and ECs were on the top end; cynically, we assume it was because we could afford to pay the entire amount. It is very expensive, but it was an experience he would not trade for anything, and now he’s got a great group of friends on the NEU campus for Spring. All NUin students are required to make a video of their experience and post to YouTube. Go to YouTube and search “NUin 2017” for the most recent group of videos from all the different sites. NEU is all about experiential learning, and travelling around the globe for an out-of-the-ordinary education is about as experiential as it gets. Northeastern NUin program did a good job, at least for the China group.
@dadofgrad2017 does your son speak Mandarin? I wonder whether prior exposure to the language is required?
Nope, he did not know anything at all (four years of high school Spanish, although the HS did actually teach Mandarin and Japanese). He did take a conversational Mandarin class while there and he seemed to learn quite a bit of the language. He’s taking Intro level Mandarin now in Boston and I believe he joined the Chinese club too. Again, he’s having a great time with NUin friends and new friends on the NEU campus.
My son is currently a freshman, he was accepted into the NUin program and honestly it was the BEST thing experience for him!!! We were so happy with everything, yes it is a big leap but when he checked that box for NUin he said I really want to go to NU so I’m open to study abroad. It does seem odd to go first semester but it makes sense and it all worked out!! My son has a great group of friend now that he is back in Boston. My son is a health science major and went to Melbourne, Australia. He loved it, it’s hard to let them fly away but there is plenty of supervision, we always felt he was safe. I could go on and on…My advice is go to the NUin admitted student session, depending on your major is where you can go. Hope this helps!! and like the previous post said go look at the you tube videos. Hope this helps!
My D was just accepted to NU In Program. She is very excited. We await information on destinations, and wondering how best to match her w a destination where she is a biochemistry intended major. Are any of the locations best geared for sciences? It is definitly pricey, no financial aid @ $34,500 for the Fall Aug 28 - Dec 15. Havent looked closely enough to see other costs/fees needed. So im hoping the courses all apply toward her prerequisites/major as i dont want/nor can afford an extra semester just for travel - even knowing that a semester abroad can really shape a student/persons growth and independance.
As for gaming system, im sure that being a fully paying student factored into her placement into the In Program. However, she did check the box for this on her application. We just didnt fully realize if selected, it is binding for admission. If she rejects the In Program, her offer is rejected for admissions. She really likes NEU. Her SATs were 700 700 = 1400; with 4.15 weughted GPA many EC in and out of school/leadership etc. she applied EA and was Deferred (surprise) however now accepted to In Program.
She has been open to studying abroad and was also accepted so far to St. Andrews in Scotland and Forham (safety) w a $25k package which was a great surprise. So on the gaming the numbers, i think my Ds academic record was solid enough for inclusion into their “numbers game”. I think she was accepted to In because she checked the box. Again, our mistake for not realizing its binding if offered. We will keep open mind and wait for decisions from Tufts (ED Deferred), BU, BC, HOLY CROSS, William & Mary, and Brandeis.
I eoukd love to hear from more parents/student on how the In Program worked out for them. And how the transition BACK at NEU was in the spring (ie housing, social integration, classes)