Hi there!!! I know there are many forums discussing this already, but anything will be helpful! Also no, I’m not really leaning towards one or the other, I just posted this on the Northeastern and BU page to get a fuller picture. Please help! I’m really conflicted.
I was accepted into both Northeastern and Boston University. I got into BU with a full tuition scholarship (so not counting room and board), so Northeastern will be around $6,000 more a year for me. I am probably going to major in bio on a pre-dental track, but I am having problems with deciding where to go. Any information will help (thoughts and opinions).
Some questions I have particularly:
Which school has a better Bio/ Health program?
Which school may be better for getting into graduate/dental/med school?
I heard BU has grade deflation. Is it really hard to get good grade/ A’s then?
How much of an impact does co-ops really have? Is it hard to find internships by yourself? Does Northeastern have dental co-ops? Does everyone get co-ops? Are they all good ones?
Which school has better advising?
Which school seems to be less cutthroat, with students more willing to help others?
Which school provides more opportunities (internships, research)?
My daughter also got into both (minus the full tuition scholarship) and is interested in majoring in biology and applying to med school. She is also wanting to graduate in 4 yrs. since she has many years of schooling and residency ahead of her. We just went to the Northeastern Admiitted Honors day last Sunday and talked extensively to a 5 yr. graduating pre-med who is taking a gap year. He said it is doable to finish in 4 years but you will inevitably spend a summer taking classes unless you have a lot of AP credits that transfer (you need a 4 min. in your AP’s to transfer). I also read on CC that BU had grade deflation but I haven’t talked to any undergrads to confirm. The NU student we talked to had a 3.97 and volunteered at Mass General and did a research internship at the Cancer Institute nearby.
I was very impressed with what Northeastern had to offer - especially the Honors program which I am guessing you were invited into? My daughter didn’t connect with the other admitted students that she had lunch with but she liked the campus. Because NU gave her a decent merit scholarship and she got 0 from BU, we are no longer considering BU. Can I ask if you recieved the BU Trustee Scholarship? Congratulations on the full tuition scholarship - that is hard to pass up!
As far as advising, my daughter would have an Honors advisor, her school’s (College of Science) advisor, and the pre-health advisors (two of them and their staff) to help her map a 4 yr. plan. If my daughter goes to NU, she will meet with her pre-health advisor the 1st month she’s there to map out her 4 years so she finishes on time.
Both schools will prepare you very well. I would try to talk to graduating BU students that have gotten into medical/dental school to see what their 4 yrs. looked like. If you contact your regional admissions counselor, they should be able to connect you with a couple of students.
@SeattleMom1 you will be hard-pressed to find a premed who goes into med school without a gap year, these days. I think the premeds that do the 5 yr program at NEU, don’t generally take a gap year because many do 2 coops only (reserach or clinical work) and prep for the MCAT… They don’t really “fall behind” other students who go to a traditional 4 year then take a gap year to prep for med school. Very very few students, at any college, are able to graduate in 4 years and then start med school right away since the application would have to be 100% complete by spring of junior year. That’s why the 5 year/2 coop program at NEU gives some breathing room and ability to get meaningful premed ECs, while having time for MCAT prep, Especially if the student has AP.
Both posters answered all this very well - to add to a few of your questions:
Co-op in my experience, regardless of major, makes a huge difference indeed. While they vary in quality like any jobs do, they offer great experience that in your case will be looked upon fondly versus anyone who goes through college without getting those experiences, as well as having personal confidence that you enjoy your field professionally as well as academically. Placement is very good (I think 95%-99%), and while you can find internships, the program makes it easier, gives you more resources to find jobs, prepares you better for interviewing, writing a resume, etc. Co-op also gives you 6 months vs 3-4 from an internship which also helps translate to more meaningful work.
Both schools are pretty collaborative versus cutthroat in my experience and from those I know at BU
Also no, I’m not really leaning towards one or the other, I just posted this on the Northeastern and BU page to get a fuller picture. Please help! I’m really conflicted.