<p>Hi, I'm currently deciding between NEU and RPI and the deadline is coming soon. I'm completely split between both universities and I'm having a really hard time with the decision. I'm going to be a chemical engineering major, possibly with a minor in business. I'm definitely more of a math and science person than a humanities and social science person. I have minor emotional problems, but I'm not sure which university would be a better fit for that. </p>
<p>I'm pretty nerdy, which would make me fit in at RPI, but at the same time, meeting girls is a major factor, which will be a huge problem at RPI since it has 70% guys, 30% girls ratio wheras NEU has a 50/50 ratio. There is an all girls college four minutes away from RPI, but its pretty small. Speaking of which, I prefer the size of RPI (5400 undergrads) over the size of NEU (16,000 undergrads). </p>
<p>The academics at RPI are better than NEU, especially for engineering. However NEU has a better co-op program. While I'm not crazy about Co-op, it still would help. I like the city that NEU is in (Boston) better than the city RPI is in (Albany, New York).
So which college do you think I should choose? Thanks, I really appreciate any advice.</p>
<p>I can honestly say after reading this I am just as split. I do want to add a few things to consider though. Full disclosure, I will be attending Northeastern for CS.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>I have heard that RPI can get kind of depressing. If the minor emotional problems involve depression, I would think Boston would be much better.</p></li>
<li><p>Money, if a factor, could be the deal-clincher here. Classic but true CC response. Is there a difference or is money not a factor?</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Overall, assuming the minor emotional problems aren’t depression and money is a non factor, I think RPI is probably the choice I would go with. school size and the great engineering program at RPI as a Math/Sci person isn’t really outweighed by the co-op program and girl worries. Now, if depression/money is in play, it would start shifting to Northeastern / the cheaper school.</p>
<p>@PengsPhils I forgot to mention that I got a scholarship for RPI: Guaranteed $13,000 per year. Plus my parents shouldn’t have too much trouble affording college. Northeastern didn’t give me any money.
My emotional problems does sort of involve depression, but that’s not the main issue. I have mild asperger syndrome. When I’m happy, I’m really happy, but I can also get somewhat depressed sometimes. I don’t have depression, but I guess somewhat minor things can sometimes make me feel unhappy. I just think that RPI would be better for emotional problems because it’s smaller (so I won’t get lost in the crowd), more intimate, less judgemental, and has a support program.
I think I’m going to choose RPI. Thanks for the advice!</p>
<p>I’m having the exact same issue! I don’t know if academics or location is more important. The ratio is a bonus for me as I’m a girl who likes guys, but otherwise I feel you. I think something else to consider would be diversity. RPI is full of people from the tri-state area while Northeastern is a more diverse (and more diverse major-wise too) so consider how much time you want to spend with people who are all engineers from NY. I guess also consider how important your social life is. There definitely is fun to be had at RPI, I think you just need to be able to lead a much more disciplined life there.</p>
<p>I would make sure to visit each school and the city. A lot of people are not going to like living in Albany for four years, so I would make sure that you actually could see yourself enjoying living there before even considering the schools there. </p>