<p>I've heard mixed things about these schools, so I was wondering if someone could give me the differences between these schools socially and academically? I'm considering applying to one of these schools and it would be really helpful to know.</p>
<p>Thank You :)</p>
<p>The biggest difference between the two is that Northeastern is all about the co-op, whereas BU is a more traditional educational experience. If you’re not on board with the co-op idea, you’ll find Northeastern kind of odd. (At any one time after your sophomore year, many of your friends will disappear off campus because they’re working.) So really ask yourself what you want out of your college experience before deciding between the two. Other than that, the differences are pretty apparent: BU tends to be more classically-academically oriented, NEU is more professionally-oriented, and that’s reflected in the student body as well. Northeastern has more of a traditional campus; BU is more spread out but arguably more architecturally interesting. BU has more of a national reputation; NEU is quickly becoming a school of note due to rising selectivity and a significant rise in rankings.</p>
<p>I agree with what a lot of the poster above said. They also have some different strengths on the department level. BU has a great Communications school and Econ dept. NU is better for Sociology and most types of engineering. Their business schools are pretty equal. You really need to look at what is important to you. That said even though they are separated in USNews rankings by a few spots, NU is harder to get into, with their average SAT scores being over 100 points higher than BUs and NU admits a third of applicants compared to BU’s half.</p>
<p>I agree. It depends on what you are looking for out of a school. If you are career driven and are looking to get a job at some Fortune 500 company or similar, Northeastern may be the better option. It tends to have better career prospects for students.</p>
<p>Alternatively, if you’re looking for an education that focuses more on the arts, BU is probably a better option. It has a decent humanities program. BU is also a little easier to get into.</p>
<p>Note that if you are thinking about graduate school, I would steer clear of BU due to its practice of grade deflation. You can google it to find articles written about the GPA and grade deflation issues at BU.</p>
<p>Either way, both schools are in terrific locations and offer great educations. Note that both schools are pretty expensive.</p>
<p>maybe try brandeis U or elon U. when you start off by saying you heard mixed things and you have internalized those things maybe a plan b is a good idea.</p>
<p>There will be “mixed things” said about EVERY school.</p>
<p>sure katliamom, but opening up with a statement like that means move on (IMO)</p>
<p>I’ve heard pretty mediocre things about Brandeis. Never even heard of Elon.</p>
<p>Can you guys elaborate on the differnces in college experience at both schools?</p>
<p>I’ve heard of brandeis and elon but I haven’t really looked into them but I’ve also heard medicore things about brandeis…</p>
<p>Would try to avoid Brandeis if possible. It’s a great academic school but it’s in a dull location, dull student culture, dumpy campus, and unkempt/very disheveled looking people (aka. Also dumpy).</p>
<p>The best choice on here is NEU by far. It’s in a great location, quickly rising, strong co-op, and a strong student body.</p>
<p>while I am not a super fan of brandeis because they triple freshman and a few other things, they have a very high student retention rate (a very important indicator about a school)
the op seems to want to be in the greater boston area , brandeis packs more punch then BU or NE. that said if the op is willing to go outside of boston a school on tier with BU and NE would be Elon.(it is one of those up and coming schools that really does seem to care about it’s students)
[About</a> Elon University](<a href=“Elon University - America’s Top-Ranked Teaching University”>Elon University - America’s Top-Ranked Teaching University)
I also think everybody should look had hidden gems like Hendrix College and the not so hidden gems Muhlenberg College and Rice University (this of course is IMO)</p>
<p>Why is the OP trying to pick just **one **of these to apply to? Why not apply to more than one?
Could you tell us more about what you are looking for? What are your goals, grades/gpa, financial constraints etc.? Without more background people are just going to throw out names of random colleges. as they are doing. Since there are thousands of colleges in the US, this is not a good way to develop a list…</p>
<p>beantown those are not “random” schools. one (brandeis) is on par with BU and in the same general area, just an overall better setting.(IMO) the other elon is also on par in a super beautiful setting and overall just a more supportive atmosphere to attend college (these are my opinions, but the two schools are not random)</p>
<p>Which one do you like better?</p>
<p>My point was that since the OP gave us NO information except that NEU and BU are under consideration, just about *any *recommendation is somewhat “random”.
Is he saying BU and NEU because they are in Boston? If so, then Brandeis might be good. But Elon or any other non-Boston-area school is random.
Did he pick them for a particular major say, Biomed engineering? If so both Brandeis and Elon are not appropriate.
Did he pick them because they are in the heart of a big city? then Brandeis and Elon won’t work.
Did he pick them because they are big universities with huge numbers of different major? Again, Brandeis and Elon don’t fit.</p>
<p>Additionally, the OP didn’t ask us to recommend any other schools. He asked about the differences between those two.</p>
<p>Well I was mostly wondering about the social aspects and the college experience of these schools more then anything. I’m not necessarily limiting myself to one or the other but I’m trying to see which one I like better. While I do want some traditional college aspects, I’m not planning on going to football games every weekend and spending my life in a frat house. BU might be the more traditional of the two but I’ve heard that a lot of people are dissatisfied with it. I’m not planning on going into engineering or medicine so I don’t know if that should come into play at all. Lately I’ve been interested in going into law or politics but I’m also very good at math and history and I love english.
I have 3.96w, 3.62uw but that might go up this semester and I as many AP classes as I can.
And honestly I do find it helpful when people recommend similar schools.</p>
<p>theconnoisseur-many people know the ivy league, their state schools and a few other schools and never broaden the net they cast to find a school. you really should visit schools outside of the ones that you have heard of or your cousin goes to and your aunt always says you really should apply.</p>
<p>My son wants to study computer science, and wants nothing to do with studying a foreign language in college, so BU is out of the picture.</p>
<p>Daddio - are you the parent of the OP? If not, you should start a separate thread to ask your question.</p>
<p>BeanTownGirl, I didn’t post a question. I posted a difference between the two schools, which is what the thread is about. If the OP would like to avoid taking a foreign language in college, look at those requirements for majors in question at both schools. I suspect lots of students don’t consider that until they arrive at the school.</p>