I really need help deciding. I’m going in as a Chemistry major but I’m really not sure what school is for me. I love the co-op program NU has to offer, but I also like the small size of Brandeis. Brandeis also seems to have the edge with the sciences, but maybe I’m wrong about that. They both gave me merit scholarships so money isn’t really a factor in this. Thank you!
I wouldn’t say that Brandeis has a huge edge on the sciences if any. That said, Brandeis and NEU have very different environments. I would say they are pretty close to opposite. I visited both, and I didn’t even stay for the full visit for Brandeis because it wasn’t at all what I was looking for beyond academics. It sounds to me like Brandeis is your fit based on the little here. If you want city access, medium size (it doesn’t often feel like a big school, but one of the places it does will be in gen chem/bio/physics), and co-op, then go NEU.
Last year this time, my daughter was making this same decision. She was down to 3 schools and Brandeis and Northeastern were two of them. We went up for the admitted student day at Brandeis, and were invited to a scholars dinner the night before (She got into the Brandeis Scholars Program) After the dinner she was feeling strongly about Brandeis, but she wasn’t sure the vibe was right as we were walking around the next day at admitted student day. I was very impressed with the President and the faculty at Brandeis, and I agree that the science program was fantastic. We went back to Northeastern the next weekend as she was still undecided. (we hadn’t been there since the early action welcome day) It was at that visit that she decided. She loved that it was in the heart of Boston, and she thought they were more supportive of study abroad, as well as the opportunity for a co-op abroad. She inquired at Brandeis, and the science department didn’t have a lot of study abroad opportunity. She has absolutely loved her first year at Northeastern, and says she can’t imagine having gone anywhere else. They are both great schools, and both have great science programs, so you will do well either way. I think it boils down to what feels right and where you can see yourself for the next 4 or 5 years.