Northeastern vs UMD vs UCSD for CS?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Northeastern University
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1

Hi, I recently committed to UMD but got off the waitlist at both Northeastern and UCSD, both of which are schools I had originally really wanted to attend. However, I also just learned a big scholarship I had will most likely not happen because of coronavirus-related circumstances (it was reliant on me interning). UMD is in state for me and significantly less money than the others with a great CS program.

My parents are more OK with me going to NEU than UCSD since it’s closer (especially with school probably being online in the fall) but I would have to take out loans for my third and fourth years of college or find another way to pay through scholarships or something. I love the idea of their Co-Op program and their unique CS curriculum, also the campus is beautiful and I had really wanted to be at a city school.

I know the safest option is UMD right now but both UCSD and NEU were my dream schools, so any thoughts/suggestions would be appreciated :slight_smile:

Thanks!

2

With a top CS school in UMD, there’s no reason to take out loans to pick Northeastern here. I’d stay put. I know it sucks to give up on your dreams/preferences for cost sometimes, but UMD is a very good option here. Set your mind there and make the most of all the opportunities there, of which there will be plenty.

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Thank you so much, I think I just needed to hear it from someone other than my parents and myself.

4

Amazing. Facing exactly the same problem with same set of schools. Accepted to UMD Honors (CS major) and visited Northeastern and loved it. Also got accepted to UC San Diego. UMD is my in -state school and Northeastern is about the DOUBLE the cost per year with the aid they gave me. What was your decision and how did the first year go (given it was covid messy)? Looks like CS program at UMD is rated slightly higher compared to Northeastern.