<p>My son cannot make up his mind between these 3 schools- urban, suburban, rural. Any thoughts? His major is either engineering undecided or predental. Northeastern is the most expensive, but he got a partial scholarship, then U del and Uconn with scholarship/ financial aid. We are planning on revisiting all 3. Do they ever decide???</p>
<p>I can’t answer your question about which school to choose, but I know what you mean about deciding–My D has been admitted into 4 schools already (inc. NEU) and we are still waiting to hear from 5 more. In 3 weeks, we will all be in anxiety hell weighing school against school and, more importantly, fin aid pkg against fin aid pkg. I’m trying to get D to revisit or do one of the overnights for admitted students at the schools she’s gotten into, but getting her to go the Admitted Student Day at NEU last month was like pulling teeth. She says going back and staying over at a school is too awkward and would make her NOT want to go to that particular school (?). She has no #1 and says she will “flip a coin” to decide because she would go to any of the ones she’s applied to.</p>
<p>Don’t know how much of a help I’ll be, but here goes.</p>
<p>My son goes to NEU. We visited each of the schools mentioned. One of his best friends goes to UDel., and a friend of mine has a son who goes to UConn. They’re all freshman, so my experience and knowledge are very limited.</p>
<p>I assume you’ve researched the area of study at each school and you’ve found each meets your child’s needs academically. If not, you should do that.</p>
<p>Otherwise, here are some things to think about…</p>
<p>NEU - Great academics. Also, the coop program is really attractive. You come out of school with a resume, and potentially a job offer. Even though the school is in the city, it has a campus-feel about it. As my son gets older, I am sure he will appreciate all that Boston has to offer. However, right now, I honestly think he feels a bit limited in social activities. (Especially since he visited some friends at Penn State!) There isn’t really a big frat scene at NEU. He has joined a club sport, and that has been great! He goes to dinners and parties with the guys from this club, which has been fun. He’s made a lot of friends in his dorm, and lucked out with a great roommate who he plans on rooming with again next year. </p>
<p>He’s only been home for the major breaks, even though he could easily come home on the weekend whenever he wants (we’re not that far from NEU and live near an Amtrak station). He chooses to stay at school, so I think that’s a good sign. What he REALLY misses is a big time sports program to follow. (He was really into HS athletics.) There’s not much in the way of school spirit related to sports - hockey being the exception. But this is where being in Boston comes into play. Next week he’s going to a concert to see a favorite band. He’s taken the train out to visit friends at Boston College. He’s looking forward to the start of Pro Baseball. (Fenway is so close.) So all-in-all I think it’s been a good experience thus far. Academically, he made the Dean’s List, and I keep reminding him that he’s in school to learn, and grow as a person. (I actually think living in a city helps with the second part. He’s so much more independent now - he has to be!)</p>
<p>UDel - Great academics. Really nice campus. Close to Amtrak (if that’s an issue for you).
Lots of parties because of the frats and sororities. Also lots of activities related to the popular football and basketball programs. Newark is a nice enough college town. My son’s friend is enjoying himself, and doing well academically. He had some roommate issues and the school dealt with them very effectively. He had a super long winter break (something like 6 weeks). Most of his friends had already gone back to school, so that was a bit off-putting. Because of the long winter break (which is a school session if you choose to take classes) he will be getting back much later than all his friends
for summer. (Not sure of the date.) He’s worried about getting a summer job since he’s back so late. Otherwise, so-far-so-good.</p>
<p>UConn - I know the least about UConn. It’s very rural. I don’t believe it’s near a major rail-line. There’s a ton of school spirit. I’m not sure my friend would be willing to share anything negative about the school. (You know you’ve invested so much in making the decision, and then financially to the school, it’s tough to say bad things.) I know her son is enjoying himself. I don’t know how he’s doing academically. I’d be worried about kids at UConn heading home for the weekends(?). I’d ask about that on the UConn board.</p>
<p>I think my son would have been happy at any of the three schools. He chose NEU based on the financial aid package (he got a nice scholarship and an invitation into the honors program) and the Co-op program. There were other schools in the mix as well. It’s not an easy decision and really no one school stuck out for him either. I hope this helps a little…GOOD LUCK!</p>
<p>My sister goes to Uconn and she loves it! She says the best part about it is the fact that the professors really care about their students. You find out once in college that a professor caring about their students is extremely important. She is an engineer major. My friend goes to NEU and hes transferring next year, says he had really unmotivated professors and too much emphasis on hockey within the school. And one big thing he mentioned that it was tough for him to make friends which was a surprise to me since I know him very well. He was an undecided major. Also my godfather’s son goes to Udel he loves it too. He says it gives him a very cozy feeling living there, like he never left home. I think he was a bio major. In order to help you in this decision we’d have to know more about your son. We need to know his personality, like if hes outgoing or the quiet type. If he loves parties or would rather sit back and relax with some friends. Anything that you think would help describe him.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for all the advice. Ultimately, it will be his decision. Personality-wise he comes across as quiet, but he has a very active social life. He refused to go to Penn State’s accepted student day (he doesn’t want to miss school), but I am forcing him to visit these last 3 schools. Still hasn’t heard from 2 more. All of the colleges have something to offer. It was easier in my day when my parents said, you’re going to the state school, and you’re paying for it. Kids today have too any options!!</p>
<p>location, location, location. if all else is equal, boston is a fantastic city for college students. it has everything – from sports to culture to history to music scene to whatever. the northeastern coop program will give him a HUGE edge coming out of school. having said that…i don’t think he can lose with any of these three choices. i always tell my kids to follow their gut, not their emotions. btw, i have no personal agenda here. my son was accepted at all three of these schools as a nursing major but i think he will probably (not sure) choose ud for different reasons – status of nursing program, proximity to brother at johns hopkins, being further away from home (we live in boston). good luck with the decision. remember that all things happen for a reason and he (and you) will be fine. ;)</p>
<p>I grew up in Storrs and graduated from Northeastern, so I can offer some perspective on Northeastern and Uconn. Uconn is rural and insular, but there is stuff to do on campus. There are a lot of students and a lot of activities. That said, you won’t be able to go to the mall without a car… It’s a gorgeous campus, a bit larger and more spread out than Northeastern’s. Great if you like to bike. The other benefit I see Uconn having is sports – Northeastern is not a big rah rah sports school (except as an earlier poster mentioned hockey). Most of our teams are just bad. Uconn’s men’s basketball team just won the Big East championship and their women’s team is the #1 overall seed in the NCAA tournament (and first round tournament games on campus). I still follow Uconn sports.</p>
<p>I think Northeastern’s clear advantage is co-op. How big an advantage that is depends on what you are studying – if you’re planning on going straight to grad school and becoming a history professor, co-op might not do much for you, but for a lot of career paths, I think it’s huge. The city location is an advantage to most people, but it depends on what you want. I think academically those two schools are fairly similar, except that each has some standout programs. I’d also say that I think Uconn is a little bit more of a party school. I don’t think there’s necessarily more drinking, but there are frats on campus and a huge spring weekend…I feel like Northeastern might have less huge on-campus parties. Take that with a grain of salt because I’m judging Uconn by reputation from my high school years. I do know students at both schools who are non-drinkers and have tons of friends and find lots to do, so I don’t think it’s really a defining issue.</p>
<p>Thanks. I like to see the different perspectives. He will be visiting all 3 next month. Hopefully, he will have a breakthrough. I think that it’s pushing it kind of close to decision time, though!!</p>