<p>BU? I don't know. We didn't look at it I guess, partly, because I think he probably wouldn't qualify for any merit money there and no way are we paying THAT bill. Also, once a match/reach university enters the equation it opens up a whole new ballgame. I think his search will remain mostly tech schools where he might qualify for money, or out-of-state strong engineering programs that we could afford even if he gets no money. (Our in state is SUNY and he probably won't apply to any.) I realize Northeastern doesn't seem to fall in either of those categories...but he is certainly more apt to get money there than BU and I think the school just has a different focus more in line with his vision of college.</p>
<p>taxguy:
I'll look at Cincinnati's web site. My other son is outside of Columbus, and I actually love Ohio. Nice people. My son has actually NO preference about big city/fancy city/rural/whatever. (Except he says he doesn't want to be down south or really far from home, i.e. California/West Coast.) He does not get the thrill out of Boston that I get - he is more interested in the school I guess.</p>
<p>I work in HR for a small manufacturing company in the Boston area and I can tell you that Northeastern grads have quite the edge in the Boston area. First off there are so many of them that chances are in the process of being hired you will be interviewed by several at any given company. Also, it has been my experience that Northeastern engineering grads are more professional and more mature by virture of the intensity of the co-op program. I do not see the level of experience on the resumes of newly graduated engineers from other schools that can be seen with Northeastern and that generally translates to a hire pay scale.</p>
<p>My daughter will be a sophomore at Northeastern in the fall. Her freshman dorm was on Huntington, an apt style, dorm and really quite large. She is in the honors program, a business major, and loves it. The co-op experience is what drew her to NU and had her turn down schools closer to home (USC and UCSD). Even here on the West coast NU is beginning to be recognized for their co-op program. My D is interviewing for her first co-op (which will be next spring) and employers (Boeing, Girl Scouts, Toyota, Mattel) were all aware of the program. Her co-op advisor has been available all summer to answer questions and assist her in locating co-ops. Her boyfriend will be a Middler (the year between Sophomore and Junior) and completed his first co-op with a medical engineering firm in Boston. His older brother just graduated from NU in engineering and turned down some job offers with substantial pay to go on to grad school (NU with a full ride). The plus is that the 5 year plan provides kids with a solid resume but more important to this mom the experience she will leave college with will help her make an informed job choice.</p>
<p>regarding finances---yes NU is expensive but there are merit scholarships for students. My D had $18,000 as a freshman and it was increased for next year. A friend from her HS will be attending as a biology major and she has $15,000. When my D talked to them and discussed the amts she was offered from another school they increased her money.</p>
<p>My S was offered a merit scholarship for NU. One word of caution re co-op - Some fields are easier to get jobs in than others - engineering, business, nursing, etc. If you are in a field without good co-op prospects, NU is not a great choice. Since my youngest is looking at at history major, he will not be looking at NU. Another advantage of the five year program is that the tuition is spread out, and co-op wages can help. Boston is , however, I very expensive city to live in. My H's senior year (I had graduated and was working), we lived in an apartment in the Fenway. Rent for a nice 1 bedroom was $400/month. We saw someone coming out of the apt. after a Red Sox game last year. Told them we used to live there and asked them if we could ask them how much they paid in rent. $1600/month for a 1 bedroom. Wasn't that nice. My S is in a 3bedroom in Pittsburgh. Total rent is $750/mo.</p>
<p>Has anyone had any experience with Need-based financial aid at Northeastern? How did the money earn during co-op affect that?</p>
<p>My nephew graduated a few years ago with a business degree from NEU. Since his family lived within commuting distance to New York City he always went home to live during his co-op which saved on housing expenses. He also felt that he had greater opportunities because he wasn't competing with as many students for jobs in the Boston area. He had some excellent jobs in major brokerage firms on Wall St. It's an option.</p>
<p>Thanks for the trip report, Weenie. Northeastern is also on the radar screen for my daughter - she's really interested in an urban school with good internship possibilities. (Plus, "her" school has to have a great indie-punk music scene.) So far, Boston schools are looking pretty good..... Thanks for posting!</p>
<p>Weenie,
My nephew graduated from NEU in '05 and really enjoyed the co-op experience. He was a criminal justice major and had co-op jobs in everything from campus security to security at a major Boston hospital where he learned such important things as how to properly use mace and handcuff a prisoner! Anyway, I am sure that his co-op resume was very helpful is demonstrating some practical experience. He is now a police officer in a major metropolitan area. Good luck to you and your son in your search!</p>
<p>momof3sons..good to hear. My son is entering as a freshman this fall in the college of criminal justice honors program...of course, speaking as a mom I'm hoping he goes on to grad school rather than become a police officer but that won't be my decision..</p>
<p>"momof3sons..good to hear. My son is entering as a freshman this fall in the college of criminal justice honors program...of course, speaking as a mom I'm hoping he goes on to grad school rather than become a police officer but that won't be my decision.."</p>
<p>The Northeastern CJ program has some excellent co-op opportunities such as the Department of Justice, Major Law Firms, Customs, and the FBI (forensics work). The program also has a strong law school placement rate.</p>
<p>Weenie -- Your post really had me chuckling! My son and I have just returned from a visit to NEU and we both found the video presentation VERY annoying and distracting with all that singing that was just as loud as the talking! I couldn't even concentrate on what was being said and found myself really being annoyed by the singing and video of singers! I had to laugh when you, too, described it as 'annoying'. We also agree on the admissions staff person; I came out of the session commenting to my son that she seemed unable to answer many of the questions and unsure of some answers, quickly moving on to the next person's question. I found her to be rather unprofessional in comparison to the admissions reps from all the other schools we've visited. However, you're also correct that she did explain the co-op system very well. It was extremely hot on the day we visited, as well...a heat wave was passing through. Although our tour guide was very good, informative, friendly, thorough, etc., it was very difficult to hear him over construction and traffic. (I always wonder...do those tour guides have to audition for that position and pass a rigorous test of walking 67 acres backwards before they get placed into that role?) NEU is now my son's #1 choice of schools to attend. The campus was really nice, we hear over and over that the apartment housing is phenomenal, and we did get to meet one-on-one with the Music Dept. chairman. My son will be pursuing a major in Music Industry (not performance based, but business/management based) and it was really nice that the music professor was willing to give us a good amount of his time to meet with us personally and answer any questions. I found him to be down-to-earth, unbiased, honest in all his answers and perspectives. It really made a huge difference in deciding which school would be the best fit for my son. Boston was incredibly difficult to drive around and not spend 1-2 hours being lost and since most natives don't have cars, they give incorrect directions. Plus...nothing is marked and the avenues are generally free-for-alls. I felt as though I were driving through Gotham City and I desperately wished I could call on Batman to change the chaos to harmony and make Boston a safe city. Aside from that, lessons having been learned, Boston is one beautiful city and lacks for nothing in the area of entertainment or keeping busy!!! Now I just hope my son gets accepted! Syracuse University was another great school for someone who doesn't care about the setting (my son wants urban) and Hobart/Wm. Smith was my personal favorite (again, boondocks but beautiful boondocks) and Drexel was awful with no campus and no housing for anyone other than freshman or honors students. That was ruled out very quickly, although we like Philly. Belmont U. in Nashville was by far the nicest; most beautiful campus, wonderful people, best campus tour and admissions reps -- plus they provided lunch for us, they gave us an info session specific to our area of interest, and they had the nicest and biggest (all state-of-the-art and new) facilities. They also had the perfect student body size (about 5,000), great location, plus Nashville itself was an amazing and fun 'city' (so they call it). However.....my son decided it's a bit too far from NJ. It's rated in the top 10 of southern universities, though. We loved it, and it was half the cost of Drexel, NEU or Syracuse. It had great programs, too. Again....it's staying on the list of schools to apply to, but it's FAR. Hobart/Wm. Smith was small, phenomenal, and gives TONS of money out for both merit and financial need. We loved everything about it. This college search has been both fun and informative, and I do believe we are about done now. It was fun to hear someone else feel the same way about NEU, though! Best wishes in your search and application process!</p>
<p>By Robert Weisman and Marcella Bombardieri, Globe Staff | August 10, 2006</p>
<p>Bernard M. Gordon , founder of the Peabody medical imaging company Analogic Corp., is giving away $40 million to support engineering education and research at two major Boston institutions: the Museum of Science and Northeastern University.</p>
<p>The two $20 million gifts will come from a foundation created by Gordon and his wife, Sophia , the Gordon Foundation, and are scheduled to be announced today . They are the largest donations ever received by either institution .</p>
<p>boonch:
Wasnt that video annoying! I wanted to yell, "BE QUIET!"</p>
<p>We used to live in Boston, so we understand the traffic "issues," but I can see where it would be tough for visitors! But, one plus to having sutdent there is no need for a car. Saves some money I guess.</p>
<p>My son continues to be uncertain about NU. When I asked him to put the schools he's seen so far in order, NU came out second to last. Wouldn't be my ranking, but, oh well! I also know their perception can change a lot in a few short months.</p>
<p>Marite:
Thanks for the article. I liked the observation about the Roman aqueducts lasting 2000 years and the big dig falling down after 2 years; especially since I suspect there were plenty of politics involved back then too!</p>
<p>You have received some interesting responses and your son sounds great. Has he considered WPI or Union? I believe he might pick up some merit money at WPI. The campus is beautiful.</p>