Northeastern vs. American

College Search & Selection
1

Hello! I have recently been fortunate as to be admitted to many colleges, but I’ve narrowed down my choices to Northeastern and American. I am intending to major in International Relations right now, but I might possibly switch to business or journalism when I get to college. Both schools are offering me honors programs, and both will end up costing nearly the same (Northeastern being slightly less expensive than American). I’m just very conflicted on what to choose.

At American, I love the International Relations department and their offerings as well as the DC location. However, I didn’t like how American was so far from the center of DC/places I’d get internships. Also, though I know American’s extremely good for International Relations, I know it’s less highly ranked for the other majors I’m considering.

On the other hand, I loved Northeastern’s campus and it’s location in a more urban setting/close to downtown Boston. I also love the idea of the co-op program, their study abroad offerings, the idea of combined majors and the strength of the school all around/ in other majors I might consider switching to. However, I know Northeastern isn’t as strong as American in terms of their International Relations program (it has much less course offerings, concentrations, less prestigious professors etc.)

The other choices I was considering were Fordham LC (with honors and a nice merit scholarship), Georgetown (unaffordable), GWU (more expensive than American and denied me from honors), SUNY Binghamton (state flagship with honors but no major (it’s a concentration)) and SUNY Geneseo (honors, my only debt-free option).

I’m just feeling really conflicted right now. I think re-touring these schools would’ve been helpful, but unfortunately current circumstances don’t allow for that. Right now, I do feel that I want to pursue International Relations, but I also know that I haven’t taken any concrete courses related to it yet and could change my mind. I’m torn between choosing American and then having the possibility that I don’t like my major and not having other equally strong major choices, or going to Northeastern and enjoying International Relations but feeling “limited” by the academic offerings or the non-DC location. At the same time, I’m not sure if I should be considering any of other the choices I’ve looked over. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you all so much!!

2

Congrats on two great choices! My only suggestion is to not look at Northeastern as just a Boston experience, that is part of the strength of co-op. You can go down to DC and work for NGO’s or in a Senators office. There are a number of co-ops at United Nations in New York or co-oping internationally. Additionally Dialogue of Civilization is a great opportunity and it brings a lot of students interested in international relations to the University.

3

Northeastern is the better school and has coops nailed down. You’re not even sure you want to pursue study in international relations, which is the big draw of American. Should you decide to study something else, Northeastern would have a much wider selection plus the prestige

4

I’m an American student so I may be a little bias. I will say that AU is very much in the district. We get free metro passes and are in the same neighborhood as Embassy Row and Homeland Security. As for your other majors, AU’s journalism program is typically ranked within the top 10 for undergrads. While NEU might rank higher for business, they don’t rank higher for IR or Journalism.

5

The difference would likely be whether you really want to participate in Co-ops. That’s what Northeastern is good at and that’s why most people choose it. American has student intern on Wednesdays but stay on campus at least 7 of the 8 semesters (study abroad is very popular). So, basically, would you rather have 1 day a week professional experience, for several semesters, or would you rather have one full semester’s worth at once?

When you say “debt-free”, how much debt are you talking about for these two?
student loans (5.5K for your first year) or parental loans?

6

Cost is the only reliable rational fact in choosing a college. If you take that away, it’s an irrational decision. How much do they cost and how much debt are you planning to take out?