My son decides between these two schools; he revisits both next week. He is considering English and Econ; humanities profile but well-rounded. Very different schools but he really loves both for their singular strengths. Academically, Tufts has the advantage in his fields, but he is also attracted to co-op – he loves experiential learning.
Anyway, my question: is this a no brainer? Would you just urge Tufts? My friends say at this point it’s fit and gut, but I wonder if he should also not take his eye off rankings, prestige (because it may open doors etc). But then there is the feeling that Northeastern feels like the future.
I’m between Tufts, Georgetown and Northeastern honors, but if it was between just Tufts and Northeastern, I’d pick Northeastern. I’m going for IR and being in Boston and having access to all those co ops would be the tipping scale for me. I wouldn’t look at the rankings of the school (rankings of the specific program is more important) but personally even though tufts has the “prestige” I think Northeastern is up and coming and will continue to do so, and for me like I said as someone who’s interested in international studies being in a city like Boston and having access to co ops is more important than the name. But of course Georgetown is thrown into the mix so I’ve gotta see if SFS is worth all the extra money to go there!!
Hmmm @rebecca12345 not to confuse matters, but it’s hard to top Tufts in IR, yes?
Tufts has a stronger traditional Engish dept, but my kid isn’t a straightforward academic type. This is going to be hard.
Because this is very personal and subjective, i am always mindful of “fit” and one’s visceral reaction to a school.
That said, all other things being equal, i would say it’s Tufts all the way over Northeastern.
@binky17 yes Tufts is great in IR but I’ve come to realize that the school isn’t a fit for me. Also the fact that I got no financial aid so I’d have to pay full price and tufts and Georgetown meanwhile I got about 3/4 tuition at northeastern is another pull. My advice is to go visit the schools again and see where your son belongs in if money isn’t an issue.
My son is also deciding between Tufts and Northeastern (and Brandeis). We’re in the same boat in that he has generous merit awards from Northeastern and Brandeis but no merit aid from Tufts. What I have found comforting is that Tufts does cover all of demonstrated financial need. In our case though we don’t qualify for a lot of aid initially once our second child is also at college next year our EFC will drop to half and Tufts should increase the FA grant to reflect that. Their FA office was very helpful in answering questions BTW. After plugging projected numbers into the net price calculator for all four years and plugging it into a spreadsheet I’ve concluded that there will not be a huge difference between the NU bill and the Tufts bill in the long run.
We did love the shiny new campus and upbeat vibe of Northeastern, but Tufts has its charm and for premed (and IR) seems preferable…
Northeastern put on a great show for the April open house, I have to say. S is at Jumbo Days (overnight) today…let’s see how he feels about that in comparison. His Brandeis visit is next Sunday after which he has a choice to make.
@binky17 I agree with @rebecca12345 . Tufts is the no-brainer here, particularly for Humanities. My DD has similar offers from Tufts, Northeastern and Georgetown. We have visited Tufts and Georgetown in the past week but did not even bother to revisit NEU as academically NEU is just not competitive with Tufts and GU. While the coop programme at NEU is interesting, you can easily replicate this with internships from a school such as Tufts. We have a good friend with a freshman at Tufts and she has already grabbed a prestigious paid internship in her field this summer with help from a Dept Head at Tufts.
@rebecca12345 My DD is still struggling between Tufts and GU. Have you made your decision yet?
Thanks @londondad @WCASParent @silver67 and @rebecca12345. After revisits and overnight, he chose Tufts unequivocally. Happy, excited kid, pleased parents.
@binky17 Great news - congrats!
Thanks @londondad ! Let me know where your child lands!