2016, I did running start
That’s great, especially with your outstanding GPA.
I also like the idea though of finishing my degree in 5 years. Would Northeastern be worth 10k more per year over UW? Even if I do materials engineering instead of mechanical?
Absolutely not. Northeastern is no better than UW.
@LBad96 what about BU vs UW?
They are also at the same level, according to my thread on school ratings. I’d say they’re about equal tbh
@LBad96 I heard Northeastern and BU are the same too. I saw that northeastern has higher average SAT scores. How is northeastern worse than BU?
For what it’s worth, it appears that Washington is consistently ranked higher than BU and Northeastern in engineering. Here are some examples based on a Google search on the subject:
http://m.university-list.net/us/rank/univ-0036.htm (says it contains the USNews undergraduate engineering rankings)
http://nturanking.lis.ntu.edu.tw/DataPage/countries.aspx?query=Engineering&country=USA&y=2015
http://www.shanghairanking.com/FieldENG2015.html
http://www.valuecolleges.com/rankings/best-value-engineering-programs/
Not all rankings agree though: Here’s one that has it as NEU > UW > BU
http://www.businessinsider.com/best-computer-science-engineering-schools-in-america-2015-7
I think what’s clear is that the programs will over very comparable academic standards and opportunities.
First, NEU has a materials engineering minor, but not major. It is offered through the chemical engineering department. Here’s a full list for NEU: http://www.coe.neu.edu/academics
As far as price, it depends where the money is coming from. If that would be in loans, I would cross NEU off your list right now. It’s not worth 40k more in loans when you have so many great options. If your family is paying, it could be worth it, but that is for you to decide.
^ Good points. However, other than that survey of “over 400 Business Insider readers” combined with “average SAT scores … for the students at each school” (which, to its credit, have increased dramatically at Northeastern in recent years), computer science/engineering might not the best place to draw comparisons against Washington:
http://m.university-list.net/us/rank/univ-0045.htm
http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/engineering-doctorate-computer
http://nturanking.lis.ntu.edu.tw/DataPage/countries.aspx?query=ComputerScience&country=USA&y=2015
http://www.computersciencedegreehub.com/50-innovative-computer-science-departments/
http://qz.com/343521/18-universities-produce-half-of-us-and-canadas-computer-science-professors/
In terms of assets and research funding, the UW-Seattle surpasses NEU. As regards Materials Science, Northwestern is one of the very best programs, but I wouldn’t say that it’s worth the extra cost on that proposition alone. Yes, the secondary admissions process at UW is a major point to consider. The important thing to remember is that if you graduate with strong grades from any of these universities, you will likely do very well in the job market.
“The important thing to remember is that if you graduate with strong grades from any of these universities, you will likely do very well in the job market.”
@LakeWashington, I agree – and would emphasize ANY: if you graduate with strong grades from ANY of these universities, you will likely do very well in the job market.
In other words, if money’s not a consideration (lucky you) or if you get enough scholarship money to make all of these schools similarily priced, then just pick one you like best in terms of overall life/education experience.
Either way, you’re likely to do well after graduation.