<p>I am stuck between Northeastern and Vanderbilt right now. I like the Co-op at Northeastern, love Boston, and feel that I am an overall better fit at Northeastern. Vanderbilt, however, is offering me much more financial aid. At Northeastern, my parents can cover food (board) but not housing (rent) and fees (my scholarship covers tuition) and I will have to personally take out loans to cover this. I attempted to get more financial aid from Northeastern but they said the wouldn't give any more. Vanderbilt's financial aid is good enough where ill not have to take out any loans but I'm not as sure how good of a fit it is? What should I do?</p>
<p>P.S. I'm not sure what I want to major in. I only know I do not want to do engineering or anything with too much math or science. I feel like NEU is better for finding a career (wider range of practical majors and the co-ops) while Vandy only has a few practical non-engineering majors (education, econ, and a few others). Please factor this in to your responses.</p>
<p>I think NEU isn’t a good school for those who don’t know what they want to major in. The school is all about co-ops, which are all about a specific field. Most of its students are business/engineering/science-tech majors. </p>
<p>Vanderbilt offers a greater breath of fields for you to explore. It offers a more traditional college experience – at NEU after your 3rd semester, many of your friends will disappear off campus at any given time to go on co-op – and will save you a lot of money. </p>
<p>I think Vandy wins in this case – and I’m the mother of a NEU grad.</p>
<p>Just to clarify my brother has 15k saved up for me over the 4 ( or 5) years, so ill be looking at 20-25k of loans before interest is factored in</p>
<p>In accord with all of the above responses, I think you’ve got a very good indication of which is the wiser choice here. Vanderbilt is both better academically and more prestigious and will more, more likely than not, place you in a better position for getting a career post-graduation. Also, in this case, Vanderbilt happens to be cheaper.</p>
<p>When I read the heading, I thought you were going to say:</p>
<p>I got into both, but NORTHEASTERN WAS A LOT CHEAPER.</p>
<p>Had you written this, I would have said – Vanderbilt is the better school, and unless it presents a hardship to your family you this would be my choice.</p>
<p>However, in fact Vanderbilt is the cheaper school. Unless you really hate Vanderbilt (in which case why did you apply) or REALLY REALLY love Northeastern, your choice is a no brainer.</p>
<p>note – on really hating schools. We had one of those with my D. She had applied to one school with out a visit, and when we did the campus tour, she really hated it. She would have chosen a much lower ranked school over the ‘better’ school she hated. Also – there were many schools that she didn’t even apply following a disappointing campus tour. I guess she rejected those too.</p>
<p>I agree - I was thinking “Full Ride Northeastern vs. Full Pay Vanderbilt.” I can’t imagine choosing Northeastern over Vandy. You will have BETTER internships through Vanderbilt, it doesn’t matter what your major is. The exception is that if you’re looking for something in marketing, but you can still network in through Vandy. There is so much more to offer in every way. I don’t think you will regret the choice, to me its a no-brainer.</p>
<p>Did you visit Vanderbilt? If not, I’d visit and then compare how you feel about Nashville vs. Boston and you’d get a better feel regarding fit. My son is headed to Vanderbilt for his freshman yr in the fall. We are from the Phila area and were unsure about fit until we visited.</p>
<p>My thoughts are the same as zephyr and slipper. I wouldn’t worry too much about the major being practical. The process of learning about something is sometimes as important was what you are learning about and liberal arts education is good for this.</p>
<p>Vanderbilt +1, approved by Chancellor Gee of Ohio State!! :p</p>
<p>Nashville is a good size town as alluded above, similar to Boston & Columbus!! Plus, the local tycoon - Ingram Industries always has its back, similar to the Wexner family for tOSU, unlike NEU…</p>
<p>^I wouldn’t say that northeastern is not a good school. In fact, “good” is exactly how I would describe it. But you are right that Vanderbilt is amazing.</p>