<p>I have no idea what to do! Please help me decide!</p>
<p>I was accepted into Northeastern with nearly a full ride. I am in their College of Science's Chemistry program. From what I can tell, it's not a bad program at all. I have never visited either school by the way but something tells me Northeastern will be the better fit for me. This may just be because I currently know more about it that I do about CMU. NOW, here's the dilemma. I applied ED to CMU, long story short, my decision never came on time and I thought I got rejected until I got an acceptance letter in late March. No financial details yet but according to their financial aid office, I would have to pay around $15,000 per semester. Also, I was accepted into HSS, their liberal arts school. I applied for their science school. </p>
<p>I DO NOT know what I want to do... I have always thought that I would be in a science profession because that's all I've ever done. If I go to CMU, I would most likely have to major in Econ (with Tepper School of Business) and transfer to their science school in sophomore year if I don't like economics. The problem is... I don't know if I will like Economics (my friends just always talk about it, it's rubbed off on me). Even worse, I don't know if I want to do chemistry! That being said, CMU might provide me with a better reputation in a major aside from science or business. However, NEU's co-op programs are also very enticing. </p>
<p>TLDR:</p>
<p>I don't know what I want to do yet but I would be doing science (what I've done for most of my life, I "think" that's what I want to do but not sure) at NEU and doing economics at CMU (temporarily because I didn't get into their science school, no economics experience). </p>
<p>I have to pay $5,000 x 5 years[?] for NEU.
I have to pay $15,000 x 4 years for CMU.<br>
Money is a big issue because I do intend on graduate school but I don't think either are too substantial of an amount of undergrad. </p>
<p>I feel like NEU might be the better fit (my best friends which attend may be impacting my decision) but I feel CMU's reputation is too good to possibly pass up. </p>
<p>I've lived in NYC my whole life so Pittsburgh or Boston won't feel nearly the same but I think I'll be able to deal with it.</p>
<p>Note that tuition at Northeastern is only charged for 8 senesters regardless of whether you take the 5 year or 4 year option. If at all possible, try and visit each school.</p>
<p>$20-25,000 in loans is not bad. $60,000 in loans is getting into the burdensome range and some of that would be parental loans.</p>
<p>Is it possible to get out of your ED agreement with CMU because their decision didn’t arrive when it should have? I don’t know much about ED agreements except that they are binding unless the school defers you(?) to the RD pool. I think NEU sounds like a better option, not only because of loans but because you aren’t sure what you want to do. CMU-although great in areas other than science- is definitely science oriented. You can’t go wrong with either(in terms of attending a quality school) but those loans at CMU could seriously hurt you if you want to go to grad school.</p>
<p>In my experience the area around Northeastern has much more of a NYC feel than CMU. The students at CMU work hard and they are happy because they like to work that hard. I think of it as the workaholic work ethic. They get good jobs because employers know they work really really hard at school. Northeastern is more balanced but doesn’t have the same prestige. At Northeastern they know you work hard because they get to know you as an employee in their coop program. Think of the $55,000 difference as 2 new cars or 2 years of rent when you start your life after college so you don’t have to live with your parents. Also, Bolt bus from NYC to Boston is cheeeep.</p>
<p>If you are planning to get a PhD in chemistry, that should be fully funded with a stipend. (If you’re paying for grad school in the sciences, you’re probably doing something wrong.)
Yes, I would aim to keep debt low, though. That’s still a good chunk of money you’d be taking out, and you’re not going to be earning a lot to pay it back while in grad school.
I don’t know about CMU’s chemistry program, but I have a number of friends here at Northeastern in chemistry who love it. I think they’ve also got a big push going for green chemistry right now, if you’re interested at all in that.
Also, while on co-op you’re not paying tuition, but you will have to pay for housing, though co-op pay can cover that. Even if that comes out awash, you’re still not going to be paying more than you would for a 4-yer school at the same per-semester cost. (Does that make sense?)
I’m not sure what to make of being admitted to a different college than you applied to at CMU. That seems odd. Does it mean you haven’t been accepted as a chemistry major, or what? Maybe you know what that all means, but if you’re uncertain, I’d definitely talk to their admissions department and get it cleared up!</p>
<p>I visited both schools with my son, and he and I liked them both. But Northeastern felt better to him (and to me). My daughter goes to NEU and loves it. She is in graphic design.</p>
<p>In your case, I would recommend NEU over CMU for three reasons:
Cheaper;
Get the major you really want from the start;
NEU’s co-op program, where you work in your major for pay from 1-3 semesters before graduation.
College is now largely about getting that first job, which is why NEU is the most sought-after private school in the country (highest number of applications). Go visit them both!</p>
<p>My husband and son visited Northeastern yesterday for the college of computer science admitted students day. They were very impressed with the faculty commitment to the personal success of all the kids there. The fact that he has a full tuition scholarship means that he will definitely attend. They had more than two co-op offers for almost every student. The co-ops were in great cities with great companies. All the facilities looked great-dining hall, dorm, library, student center. Boston looked spectacular. I think it beats CMU at full price.</p>