NORTHEASTERN V UMASS AMHERST

Hi! I have just finished my freshman year with an intended major in statistics and business. My current school is ranked top ten in the country in both areas, but it just doesn’t feel like the right fit for me. I am trying to decide whether to transfer to Northeastern or UMass. NEU is considerably more than UMass would be and slightly more than my current school. But I really hate classroom learning, so I think the co-ops could be a really valuable experience for me. I also love Boston and how close it is to everything. It’s also a great place to find jobs in my field and interests. However, I would have to find my own housing and I wouldn’t be able to double major. UMass on the other hand is very affordable. Amherst is an adorable town but it’s far from just about everything. I like the idea of the Five College Consortium, and I have a particular interest in the sport management program in the Isenberg School of Business. However, I’m not into partying and am not interested in the party culture at UMass. I unfortunately was not accepted into the Honors Colleges at each of these schools due to a subpar first semester. I am now stuck debating whether it will be worth it to transfer or if I should just be miserable for another couple years and get the best degree.

What specifically do you not like about your current school? Where are you studying? Will you try to transfer after two years at your current school or 1.5 years? If you only need to pay for 2 years at NEU, maybe better. But will all your credits transfer to both UMA and NEU?

I actually applied for fall 2018, so chances are I would be doing 2-3 more years at any school I choose. I currently have sophomore standing at my school and I believe most of my credits will transfer to Norheastern and UMass. My school has a reputation for great academics but everyone there is miserable. The severe grade deflation only helps make people more depressed and competitive. It’s also on the other side of the country from my home (MA) so I never get to see my friends and family.

I think the best value is always a good idea. Northeastern co op sounds like something you would love. And being depressed isn’t healthy for you. I would go where you’d feel happiest.

The co-op system at Northeastern does sound like it would be a good fit for you. And you can use the money you earn on your co-ops toward your tuition.

That said, what I’m trying to do in my head is make UMass into a Northeastern situation for you, because I suspect that even with the money from the co-ops, UMass will be significantly less expensive than NE is. And knowing the cost difference between the two schools, I REALLY want you to go to UMass. Assuming all your credits transfer into both schools, you’d have 2-3 years left, which would be (assuming it’s two years) nearly $140k at NE. That’s untenable. Even if you made $40k total from your co-ops, NE would still be over $40k more than UMass would be. All this gets worse if you have to stay there for three years. IMO, it’s just not worth it.

I’d ask you to look into the co-ops and internships at UMass now, so you get familiar with how all that works, and plan it into your program just like you would at NE. Although the UMass co-op/internship system isn’t as integrated into their degree programs as it is at NE or Drexel, it is there for you - it’s just that you need to drive the bus/do the integration. Do things to gain career related experience on campus. Do internships and co-ops - companies list them on campus, and you can also reach out to organizations directly. And even if you don’t major in sports management, if you may be interested in that, you can get involved in the management side of their sports stuff, and do internships related, so you build that resume.

To be honest, although there are parties at UMass, it’s not the party school it was in the 1970’s. I’d suggest you not live in Southwest, as that’s where most of the remaining party culture is centered. If you want more quiet, live in Northeast. If you want a happy medium - so more party than Northeast, but less than Southwest, look at Central or Orchard Hill.

And yes, I do suggest you transfer. If you’re miserable, it will impact your grades, your performance in and outside of class - I’d suggest you transfer. There is no reason to be miserable, when you’ll be perfectly employable out of either UMass or NE, especially if you do co-ops and internships.

Adding to what RoaringMice said, I have friends at UMass and have been up there a few weekends. While it is known for partying, you can completely avoid that if you want to. At a large school like UMass, you will find all sorts of students, and there are students there that are smart and take their academics very seriously.

If you are miserable where you are now and think you’d be happier at Northeastern or UMass, I would suggest transferring. While college may not be the “best years of your life” as people often tell students, you should not be absolutely miserable either.