I am a high school senior graduating this May. I have been accepted to both Pitt BioE and Northeastern biomedical engineering.
I am from TX so both schools are quite far from home and is not a negative for me. I am planning to study on a pre-med track and go to medical school after getting my undergraduate degree.
Which has better academics/resources/opportunities for pre-med students? I know that Pitt has a strong med school, and strong ties to UPMC (which is right on campus), so are the undergrad research opportunities plentiful? Also, UPMC attracts students from nearby Carnegie Mellon, which makes me wonder about the competition for these spots.
I know Northeastern does not have a med school but it’s surrounded by hospitals also. Does the co-op program benefit a pre-med student? Does it provide you experience that med schools are looking for? Is it worth paying the high tuition at Northeastern?
Also I want an opinion on what school has the better bioengineering degree in terms of research and education.
Can anyone in the same/similar situation or currently at either school with similar track please help me. Thanks a lot in advance!
Hi, my son also has to decide between the two for pre-med programs. It is a difficult choice to select either one because of the similar cost and program. UPITT should have many different choices to choose from its programs and courses and may be able to provide more flexible schedules. Northeastern is very expensive like Ivy. If both programs are similar and you can afford it, then I would go with the brand name - Northeastern. If money is one of the factor, I would go with UPITT.
Please contact me if you are a current NorthEastern student as soon as possible before 5/1. I would like to find out more about how pre-medical track fit into the busy Chemistry major schedule.
40K for UPITT and 65K for Northeastern. 25K differences, and probably can recover some money from coops at Northeastern. Both Chemistry major looks similar and packs with Chemistry classes in Junior and Senior years. Probably more flexible with schedule at UPITT. Is it worth it to go with the brand name school - NorthEastern?
How will you pay the difference? Can your parents pay it easily? If not, go to PITT. (And I love Northeastern). Don’t count on coops to pay for the costs.
Can you do Northeaster in 4 years? I know some co-op are set for a 5 year program. I would say Pitt . $100,000 is a big difference to me and I do not think NE is worth that delta vs Pitt.
@NJdad07090 Any Northeastern major can be done in 4 years with 2 co-op’s, though it’s often made less packed with AP credit. The 5-year plan also includes another co-op. Either way, the cost of attendance is the same regardless of 4 vs 5 years as you only pay for when you’re in classes.
That said, 80K is still significant and even though OP said they could afford it elsewhere, it’s gonna have to be quite a strong preference.
@PengsPhils - thanks for the info , I am more familiar with Drexel’s Co-op program than NE, my point on 4 year svs 5 is it gets you into the work force a year sooner which depending on the year could be good or bad I guess.