I’ve been looking at northeastern university. I like their programs, what yet have to offer, etc. I haven’t visited yet (I plan on doing so later) but I was curious about the size of the campus. It’s only 73 agree which isn’t very big with 20,000 students. Anyone have an opinion on the size of the campus. Is it convenient to have a smaller campus? Does it seem small, or crowded? Do you notice it since it’s in Boston?
I would describe it as condensed. There is not a lot of space between anything. There is a grassy quad, but it’s small and populated. Urban campus, but a campus proper with edges. You won’t really be able to “get away from people,” there, however it’s very cute and a nice campus, and upgraded. It is conveniently located, on both the orange and green lines of the subway system.
The campus is an award winning newly developed campus. The buildings are fairly modern or contemporary in design, and the dorms in particular have some amazing views.
Note that because of the Co-Op program, half of the student body is not on campus at any given time. It has never felt crowded when I have visited. Quite the opposite. It has much more open space than GW, BU or NYU (three similar urban schools in large cities).
^^^^ Yes, this is true, I think. Crowded is relative. Compared to the types of schools you usually see in the “prettiest” lists, with the beautiful tree lined quads and peaceful vistas that inspire a contemplative feel, NEU feels crowded and packed in. But not compared to BU or NYU, which are also crowded and noisy–NEU feels like a “campus” compared to those two! NEU is a great campus, actually. They did everything they could with what they have. It’s pretty adorable.
^^^Northeastern is negotiating with the City of Boston to acquire Forsyth Street and convert it into a pedestrianized campus area. Also there are plans for a landscaped pedestrian bridge over the T tracks to link with the new ISEC and South Campus. The latter project requires coordination with the T and its expansion of the Ruggles station platforms so it has been delayed.
Northeastern is definitely an inner city campus. They have a few new, modern buildings and little green space. The area is much better now than in years past. They have revitalized the area in the last 10 years. It used to be in one of the tougher parts of Boston, now it’s very student oriented…still need to pay attention to your surroundings. It’s a good location, near Symphony Hall, Boston Museum of Fine Arts, Wentworth, Mass College of Art, Berkelee College of Music.
@universityjoe The area around Northeastern has been a student oriented area for 50 years. The adjacent institutions you mention go back a century. Being an urban institution is part of the draw.
^^^^But it’s fair to say it was commuter-student oriented 20-50 years ago. The area has definitely changed for the better with the revitalization efforts. Still, being aware of your surroundings is always a good idea.
@redpoodles Actually the apartment buildings in the East Fens have been home to students from area colleges going way back. Also the previous poster used the tern "inner city’ which has some unfortunate connotations.
Unfortunate but not completely inaccurate.
I think you would find Northeastern ’ s campus to be sufficiently green and hardly feeling overcrowded unless you are waiting in line for stir fry. It’s now a beautiful city campus in an area that is full of students and has been for years including when I went there 30 years ago. Back then the other side of Ruggles was a dusty overflow parking lot and was.not that secure and there was little to any green to be.found other than the MBTA green line which didn’t count. NYU doesn’t have a campus to judge student crowding vs. the rest of the city population. It’s embedded with the city in many locations. BU has proximity to the Charles River so it has nice nice green areas it claims too. All of these are city schools with city experiences.Different from say USC that really is a huge traditional campus in a big city where one may find that most of their college experience takes place on campus.
Cool news about Forsythe and the pedestrian bridge.
I’ve read some posts that it’s hard to connect with people? Can you comment on that? How did you meet your friends and is it hard to stay connected due to people leaving campus for co-ops?
@jjmama I think this thread below discusses a lot of your question - please let me know if it leaves anything out!
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/comment/19571627