Northeastern vs. Bucknell???

College Majors Engineering Majors
1

<p>Please help! I'm narrowed my colleges to these two schools, (I'm aware they're basically opposites) but I'm not really sure what I want or where I'd fit in the best. Girl from south-east Pennsylvania. Planning on majoring in bio-medical engineering. I'm not sure if I'm going greek, however I am a very social and would love to go to a school with an active social scene (ie. sports games/house parties/ student organizations etc.) Also very into out-reach and volunteering. hoping to study abroad one semester.</p>

<p>Bucknell: 60K (appealed for scholarship but will hear in a week),
very rural, 3,500 undergrad, low teacher-student ration, ranked #32 in LAC's, strong alumni network, strong engineering program </p>

<p>Northeastern: 60K (14K engineering scholarship) so about 45K w/ scholarship
Very large city,13,000 undergrad, higher student-faculty ration, ranked #49 in National Universities (rising quickly), amazing co-op, strong engineering program</p>

<p>Visited Bucknell during winter semester; it was snowing but I still loved the campus. Students seem very preppy/well-off but still down to earth, very hardworking and friendly- felt like I would fit in easily. Visited Northeastern during the summer so I can't say much about the students (any input??), yet the campus was very nice with great facilities, and a campus-y feel despite the location. It seems Northeastern's location and co-op could offer me a variety of opportunities that Bucknell's remote location would not be able to (professionally and socially). At the same time, Bucknell being a LAC could offer me much closer relations with my professors and more a more hands on education, especially in a difficult field like engineering, and the strong alumni network provides a very high job placement for engineers.</p>

<p>Any input? Thanks in advance.</p>

2

<p>It’s going to be tough to get further information here because each has validity to you for the reasons you’ve already stated. Someone might chime in and tell you NE engineering is better than Bucknell, but you already know that. Bucknell is in a beautiful location with lots of school spirit. It is a very social atmosphere, but students, especially engineers, still work hard. You are seeking a COMPLETE college experience by YOUR definition, as you should. So, as such, no one here can really parse those two for you. Go with your gut knowing these truths: 1) We make our own way. What you do matters far more than where you go. 2) Both are respectable engineering programs. 3) The vast majority of students are happy with their school no matter where they go, even if it was their last choice.</p>

<p>I just tried a similar strategy to get further information for my son who had narrowed to three very different programs. He already knew every pro and con put forth, plus many more. He let his instincts guide him knowing they were all good options for different reasons.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>