So I got into all three of these programs early action. I received my estimated financial aid reports and my scholarships, and I’d be paying about the same for all three. While this is good since I could focus on other aspects than financial, I’m basically stuck at which one to attend. I’d have to dorm for Northeastern and Rutgers, but for St. John’s I would have to commute about 1 hour and forty minutes. I like the co-op programs and environment at Northeastern but the only problem is it’s 4 hours away from where I live and that may be just a bit too far for my parents. I like Rutgers because of the prestige of its pharmacy program, but it seems gratuitously rigorous. The curriculum at Northeastern is spread out in a much more feasible and laid back way than at Rutgers. I like St. John’s a lot but I think it’s the weakest university out of the three (which is bad if I end up changing my mind on pharmacy). I also did some research on how many students make it through the programs, and weirdly enough I found VERY similar numbers for each school. That just makes it harder to narrow it down to one program. Which would you pick? And, thank you to all posters! It means a lot.
So it sounds like you want to go to Northeastern. And the barrier is that, maybe, its too much for your parents. Have you asked them?
Yeah they don’t want me going away too far. And I do prefer Northeastern but only slightly; I do think I’d ultimately enjoy Rutgers or St. Johns just as much.
Talking to them again, they said at the end of the day it’s my decision but to just remember their opinion.
A one hour and thirty minute commute is going to make you miserable. I’d avoid that at all costs.
Agree with MommaJ re the commute to St Johns. It’s too far to commute. Does that change the cost picture?
Re making a decision, can you visit the campuses, if you haven’t already? Reviewed the curriculum for each year? Visited/talked to the career centers at both schools about job placement after graduation (how many grads leave with a position in hand)? Where are those jobs? What kind of support does the career center provide? Do alums make themselves accessible for career advise? Are there paid summer internships and does the school help with that? Any data on student satisfaction with the programs (as opposed to completion rates)? I wouldn’t let the superficial rigor - or the superficial prestige - of Rutger’s program be the deciding factor here. Make sure its a good personal fit, that you’ll have the outcome you are expecting (a job, at a minimum) and that the administration is supportive. And if you do change your mind, you want to make sure you’ll be happy there. (And congrats, by the way. Sounds like you have some good options here.)
Boston>>>>New Brunswick.
You should either do Rutgers or Northeastern. If it’ll be about the same price for both, it’s just up to preference. I know some people really like St John’s pharmacy program but I personally think Rutgers and Northeastern are better. They both will be able to offer you a solid education and a open up a good network of communications for you.
That’s respectful of you to keep your parents’ opinion in mind. I know people who went to both and each love their school. NU has the co-op program which allows you to reach out to employers and have job opportunities. Rutgers carries the prestige and also allows you to start a career network. It’s a personal choice; they’re different places. You’ll find good job opportunities coming out of either school.
It sounds like you want to do NU so if you can, go for it. Otherwise, if you want to stay closer to your parents (compromise!), go for Rutgers.
It sounds like you like Northeastern best. If I were you, I would go to Northeastern. Your parents should realize that if finances aren’t a factor, it should really be up to the kid. College is a time to become independent. Besides, a four hour drive really is not that far away, something I think they’d realize after a bit if you end up attending.
I think you should go to Rutgers or Northeastern! They have stronger programs!
Thanks everyone. Every post has been extremely helpful. I agree the commute to St. John’s is going to be very bad. Despite living in the same city as St. John’s, the subway ride makes it so much longer than it needs to be. If I drive there, it’ll still take around an hour though. I have until May to decide so if anyone wants to add anything, please do so!
I’m a sophomore in high school in NJ and was wondering what my chances are for Rutgers and university of the sciences 0-6 programs.
I was also curious if senior year counts with what classes I’m taking because I will take a good amount of AP classes that year as well as physics reg, which Rutgers recommends to take. I want to make sure they look at senior year too since I’ll take many science AP classes that year.
Also, I’ll be taking the new 1600 pt SAT, and was wondering about what score will be needed for admission to rutgers and USP. I have very smart kids in HS so is class rank very important?
-Freshmen: Hon alg 2, Hon eng, spanish 2 reg, Bio hon
GPA: 4.0(most u can get in my school is this) and weighted: 5.75/6.0
-Sophomore: Hon precalc, spanish 3 hon, hon eng 2, hon chem, history 1 reg
Getting good A’s so far so most prob will be: GPA: 4.0 and weighted: 5.8/6.0
-Junior classes: Hon spanish 4, AP ENG, AP Calc 1, history 2 reg, AP bio
-Senior classes: AP spanish 5(maybe), AP Calc 2, phsyics reg, AP chem, AP eng, AP world cultures