<p>Hello, i am having a lot of trouble picking what college i want to attend :(
I am torn between Brandeis, Lehigh, and Northeastern University. I want to study computer science...but not just computer science. I was accepted to the CS/Game design program at Northeastern, however NU is very "strict" with its course selection. They pretty much told me exactly what my 4 years would look like since they have so many required courses. Brandeis and Lehigh on the other hand give me way more freedom--they give me room to take random classes and explore what other subjects interest me. I really don't want to be tied down by NU, however I love its location, student body, co-op, and pretty much everything else about it... Lehigh is kind of in the middle of nowhere and I heard that Brandeis has a really "awkward and quiet" social life. I am really torn and don't know what to choose. PLEASE HELP!! </p>
<p>This is your third post about how restrictive the course selection is at NU - if that is really bothering you then don’t go.</p>
<p>@kiddie Because I want to be absolutely sure I make the right choice as to where I spend the next 4-5 years of my life and I only have a limited amount of time to make that choice…thanks for the absolutely useless comment though! </p>
<p>@Efreed - relax. We realize that this is a stressful situation. Kiddie is just pointing out that asking the same question 3 times is not going to elicit any more useful answers.</p>
<p>If a school gives a CS major too much “freedom” to take courses outside CS, you may end up a jack of all trades and master of none. Especially true if you are in a joint major like CS/game design. </p>
<p>@TomSrOfBoston Thats a good point thank you! I know at Tufts my friend started off as a Biology major and a year later switched into CS, do you know if its hard to do something like that at NU? </p>
<p>@nanotechnology I am relaxed, sorry, i just prefer insightful comments since I have only a few weeks to finalize my answer my bad. </p>
<p>Efreed,
Was just up at an accepted students thingy a few days ago. From what I heard, changing majors is easy and done often. One guy went from Marine Bio major to an Int’l biz major. Think Northeastern is so much the total package vs the other two. Just my 2 cents</p>
<p>@Efreed , your attitude isn’t really helping. While you prefer insightful comments, others prefer threads that aren’t redundant/in multiples. No need to attack people.</p>
<p>Brandeis is very Jewish, no? That will have a big affect (effect? I never know) on your social life if you are not Jewish. Again, it sounds like you will not be at happy at NEU if you cannot take other courses. CS is a generally restrictive major wherever you go, but keep in mind you can join clubs and such to explore other interests and NEU if not classes.</p>
<p>Go and visit the schools, or at least call NEU to get some clarity. You still have a month to decide.</p>
<p>@nystocktrader and @novafan1225 Thanks for the info!! I was invited to attend the Welcome Day ate NEU which has a lot of good info…i hope. But I’m from Cali so its kind of a distance and idk if my parents want me traveling for like 1 day…dont know if its worth the $$ but thanks!</p>
<p>Brandeis will have an effect on your social life if you’re not Jewish?? Can you elaborate…I’m not judging, I’m just curious how it will effect your social life? My daughter while not a CS major is down to deciding between 3 schools, NEU, Brandeis, and Villanova. Religion did not play a rold in deciding where to apply or 2 of her final choices wouldn’t be one Catholic and one Jewish school. We’re not very religious, and respect all religions. We are going to the Brandeis welcome event and Dean’s scholar reception this weekend and hopefully that will help her decide. We went to the Northeastern EA admitted student day back in February. I think her arguments for both are the same as most. NEU great school, co-op, great location, etc, but what appears to be not a lot of school spirit. Brandeis is a closed campus with a tighter community feel, but outside of Boston. It will be a tough choice and hopefully after this weekend she will have a better feel for Brandeis, we haven’t been to the University to visit yet. All 3 schools did offer her Merit, with Northeastern being the highest, but not high enough to clinch the deal! Her choice…Good Luck to you it must be difficult making this big decision when across the country. </p>
<p>Well, I have a friend who did a degree at Villanova and he did need to take a few religion classes. However, that would not affect the social life!</p>
<p>I just think being in a so heavily Jewish concentrated area would make me feel like an outsider. I’m sure all the kids could bond over their Israel trips, bar/bat mitzvahs, keeping kosher, etc… I know it is obviously not the only thing they talk about but I would just feel like I don’t quite fit in. Maybe that’s a personal thing.</p>
<p>Ok thanks for explaining. I don’t think that would be a problem for my daughter, she would want to go to Isreal too! She has friends that are Jewish and fortunately has never felt like an outsider. I’ve heard that the campus is actually very diverse and welcoming. We’re going this weekend so will hopefully get a good snapshot. That being said Northeastern also appears to be diverse and welcoming. </p>
<p>@VirginiaDare Good Luck! Tell us what you learn about Brandeis this coming weekend please!</p>
<p>Does Brandeis actually have a Game Design major? Does Lehigh? </p>
<p>@benanny nope they have comp sci and you can take some classes that talk about gaming mechanics and programming. </p>
<p>I’m not Jewish, but visited Brandeis for both of my agnostic daughters.</p>
<p>They have a pluralistic campus and strive to get a talented, diverse student body.</p>
<p>I’m sure that people who want to want an intellectual campus will thrive at Brandeis.
At any school it is important to make friends and join a few clubs.</p>
<p>My younger daughter is trying to decide between Northeastern and a few other schools for Comp Sci.
Boston and the coop program are a big part of the appeal to Northeastern, but the school seems to have a solid academic program in the CCIS school.</p>
<p>Well we just visited Brandeis and my daughter is still torn between the two. Brandeis is smaller with a strong community vibe. There’s a lot of cultural diversity and the students seem very happy with lots of positive energy. They also seem extremely bright but socially awkward. I have to say it is the nerdiest school we have visited, and I’m not saying this negatively, just giving a true snapshot. My daughter liked this aspect of the school. The students seem to take on a lot both academically and in student led club activities. The faculty and academics seemed too notch and everybody spoke of the individual attention they received. The campus is a mismatch of new modern buildings, older 70ish buildings that are a little run down, and a castle. It still managed to feel warm and welcoming</p>
<p>All that being said she still loves Northeastern for many other reasons. Also it seems more modern and high tech which may be important in your major. Her only concern was the community feeling there. It didn’t seem as close knit or cohesive. Maybe we just visited at the wrong time. So you’re not the only one deciding between the 2 schools, I hope our observation from the Brandeis admitted student day helped. Looking forward to hearing your choice. </p>
<p>Efreed - please do not underestimate the power of the co-op program at Northeastern. Getting experience in any field during college is an amazing way to build your resume as well as find your passion. You may get a co-op you don’t care for - BUT you will still learn something about yourself as well as get paid. Huge life experience. Our daughter is second year at NEU, currently on co-op, and our son was just accepted to there (ECE major) as well as Lehigh, RPI, UofR.
Hands on experience is critical for computer related majors…</p>