<p>I am a current senior who is trying to decide between University of Southern California and Northeastern University. I am havingb a difficult time making a decision because of the price tags at these schools.
At northeastern I would be studying chemical engineering, and was named a NEU scholar so tuition would be free, travel stipend for study abroad, and research opportunities would practically be handed to me. I love the idea of boston but I am worried about the name recognition of Northeastern, many people in the west don't know about the school.</p>
<p>At USC, I received the presidential scholarship (half tuition) to study biomedical engineering with a pre professional emphasis of pre med. I was also invited to join Viterbi's honors program, which would allow opportunities to be given to me research-wise like at NEU.</p>
<p>I am leaning towards USC, but because of the scholarship I received I am receiving no aid, and it's hard to debate with parents over the price tag of USC. If I could receive advice on which school to choose, that would be awesome. I really like the opportunities available at NEU, but also like the idea of the opportunities that would be available after graduating from a school like USC. Thanks!!</p>
<p>So basically would Northeastern cost you about $15,000 - $18,000 per year and USC will cost you about $37,000 per year and your parents would prefer that you go to Northeastern?</p>
<p>How do you feel about Northeastern’s coop program?</p>
<p>Where do you plan to work after you finish your undergrad program?</p>
<p>Are you thinking about going on to grad school/PhD?</p>
<p>First off, you are getting aid from USC, it’s just less than you’re getting from Northeastern. If this is strictly a financial decision the choice seems obvious - USC is going to cost somewhere in the vicinity of $70-80K more over your four years.</p>
<p>Northeastern has a very good reputation in the Northeast especially for engineering. As CalBearsMom points out, the co-op program is a big piece of the experience. Many students get their first job offers from those co-op companies. It does add a year to the experience but you are getting paid during that year. If you want to settle on the East Coast, Northeastern will certainly set you up very well.</p>
<p>USC will have a similar influence on the West Coast. My son’s experience with the Trojan Network has been spectacular - networking sessions, internship introductions, dinners with alums etc. If you want to set up shop on the West Coast it’s hard to beat USC. </p>
<p>To me it’s all about geography after college plus your assessment of whether you’ll get the added value for the added cost of USC.</p>
<p>I guess as a pretty naive high school senior, I am unfamiliar with how important undergraduate school is. Do people look at your undergraduate degree as much as your graduate degree? I was thinking of going to med school post-UG, so I’m guessing that NEU would be the best option to keep cost to a minimum.</p>