<p>My husband and I just returned with our daughter after visiting the campus for thier Visiting Day this past Sunday. I can not begin to relate how absolutely impressed I was by everything we saw. This campus has so much to offer from both a student's perspective as well as a parent's. Anyone who has the opportunity to attend Northeastern University should absolutely consider themselves honored and privledged. Unfortunately, it pains me to say that my daughter will most likely not be attending here. Her reasons were based mainly on the cold weather and not wanting to be so far from home. If I could only give her an old mom's perspective of how short 5 years are in the course of a lifetime, I would. But, as it is often said, youth is wasted on the young and I understand that kids find it very hard to believe parents know what is best. To any of you other kids, let me say that what this university has to offer is an opportunity of a lifetime and an almost guaranteed future. </p>
<p>The people in Boston were so friendly and helpful. Many of you take that for granted but those of you from California will understand when I say we were shocked and almost leery of the first few people that approached us to offer directions or help, waiting for someone to either hold us up or paintball us for fun! People in general were not as rude or impatient as LA and even the suburbs northwest of LA where we live. It was a very clean town as well with minimal graffiti and bus stops that were intact (again, you'd have to be from Cal. to appreciate a bus stop in the city that the shelter hadn't been shot out of or broken up and wasn't smothered with graffiti!) I would feel very comfortable that common sense and caution would keep my daughter safe here. </p>
<p>The campus itself offered every service, amenity and type of entertainment a kid could need without ever leaving campus. This includes small markets, public transportation just outside the residence doors, the largest library inside of Boston, a 3-floor gym complete with running track and pool, and very nice gathering halls with pool tables and televisions. The food in the cafeteria was incredible and offered most anything you could be hungry for.</p>
<p>The co-op program, what can I say. I wish again that I could tell you kids how invaluable it would be to come away with 2 or 3 employment experiences and networking opportunities after getting your degree instead of just a degree. Consider that most college kids end up working through school at minimum wage jobs like waiting on tables or working in the markets because they are in school during the day. Compare that to the experience of one of the girls we talked to who 's major was Accounting and Financing. She was in her second co-op with an accounting firm paying her $23.00/hour. Another boy majoring in Business was graduating and had 2 guaranteed job offers from his co-ops, General Electric and Microsoft. And, yes, it was incredibly cold, but there are many opportunities for co-ops in warmer states, including California. Many of the students also said that textbook learning became ten times easier after the learning that took place on the job first.</p>
<p>All in all, anyone who goes here will never regret it. I fully expect my daughter will have her regrets about having not attended. But, tell a 17 year-old that she should choose Northeastern over UCSB for reasons other than those that involve beach volleyball and her friends being close by......auuugghhh, impossible!</p>
<p>Thanks for taking the time to write about your experiences last weekend. We are also California parents, but were unable to get out to Northeastern for the Visiting Day. (We will be making a trip to visit on April 24 instead.) </p>
<p>Our son is planning to enter Northeastern as a freshman PharmD student in September so the information you gave us is very helpful. He is very confident that he will be happy with his choice and notes that there are some underground tunnels that connect some of the main buildings on campus that can be used during inclement weather!</p>
<p>It's for us to have him choose Northeastern over the UC schools, but your review of NEU has helped make it easier! Thank you very, very much!</p>
<p>yes, thanks a lot! I'm also transferring from california and thought your post was incredibly valuable! so you had a good impression of the campus and students? do you think it lost the college feel and student life components for it being in a city?</p>
<p>My family is in Southern California, very near UCSB. My son will be going to Northeastern. Just a word about UCSB, it was just named number 2 party school in the country. Not that every kid there is a drunk but ...a friend's son went there last fall on a track scholarship. Great kid, great student. He lasted one semester. Got there, his roommate was drunk every night, etc. etc. If I could influence my teen, especially a daughter, to choose NU over UCSB, I'd do it...</p>
<p>Luisan,
Not at all! To the contrary, since all of the students live on campus, it felt like a college campus even on the Sunday we visited. There were kids shouting out hall windows down to their friends below who were playing a game of volleyball in the sand pit. Kids were sitting around on benches or on the lawn studying in groups. The college campus and center of city has been integrated very well and successfully acheives the perfect blend. You know your in the city because of the hustle and bustle of life and the readily accessible public transportation system. You know your still on campus because the Northeastern Univ. flags are strung between street lamp posts and the high number of young people everywhere. The streets are lined with the residence halls and apartments as well.</p>
<p>ebee, thanks for your input. You pretty much cited the reasons I am not sold on UCSB. I truly believe she would not be happy there and would end up transferring. We will be visiting UCSB this Friday and I am hoping she is not as impressed as she thinks she will be. I know that it is a great school, very selective and a perfect fit for others. But, for a business major wanting to go into law and with her personality, it is just not for her. We are also going to visit some of her other choices - Loyola Marymount and UCI and USD. We'll see.</p>
<p>Hi all! I am a southern California mom who has a Daughter completing her Freshman year at Northeastern. She is a business major and LOVES i. I just returned from the airport picking up her younger sister who spent her spring break at Northeastern with her sister. What a great school. (by the way my daughter turned down USC to attend Northeastern due to the co-op opportunities she also turned down UCSD and UCSB) Northeastern does have a real community feel even though it is in the midst of the city.</p>
<p>My only real advice for the Calif kids is to wait and buy your winter clothes in Boston. REI is within walking distance and the kids will have a better idea of what they need after chatting with the East Coast kids. </p>
<p>Just a word about UCSB, it was just named number 2 party school in the country. Not that every kid there is a drunk but ...a friend's son went there last fall on a track scholarship. Great kid, great student. He lasted one semester.</p>
<p>This is just anecdotal evidence and certainly doesn't represent the whole school. Most of the people I've seen have issues with UCSB are those students who were themselves irresponsible.</p>
<p>Yes, definitely anecdotal evidence. Do a google news search for UCSB and then one for Northeastern. Gather your own, go visit the campuses, gather your own. If you review these message boards they are full of anecdotal evidence. It is for the user to sift through and form their own decision. Of course, both are good schools and there is a good fit for each student. Thanks for the tips re: winter clothes.....</p>
<p>rc251, I am not sure I understand. Why would the people that are irresponsible be the ones with issues about UCSB. Wouldn't the kids who love to party have a great time with other kids who love to party? I am not sure I understand what you mean. Could you please give me an example of what you are talking about? I am really trying to filter truth from fiction here so that I can support my D's decision on wherever she decides to go. I have read a lot of the threads from the UCSB forum, and frankly, a lot of the comments from current students are a little scary, i.e., "you don't want the San Miguel residence because there is only one bathroom to 20 people so Saturdays and Sundays there is puke everywhere from everyone being drunk in the same bathroom." However, if I can find any information about SB being on any "Best" list for business, highest % going on to grad school, highest salaries after graduation, etc, something BESIDE Best Party School or Best Beautiful Campus, I would love to be able to have a more balanced view. Otherwise, she can save the parties for spring break and I can get her a scenic picture to hang in her dorm room.</p>