<p>I was accepted EA into Northeastern's Honors Program, so for the past few months I've really fallen in love with NE, especially because of the co-op program and all of the international opportunities. I really wasn't expecting to get into Tufts, but lo and behold I did, which places me in my current predicament. </p>
<p>NE gave me $14,000/year in merit aid, while Tufts gave me squat (I know they don't give merit aid, and I was already pretty sure that I wouldn't qualify for need-based). So the finances are weighing pretty heavily in my decision. And to make matters worse, I got into BU's Honors Program with a half-tuition scholarship. (But I'm pretty sure I prefer NE to BU since NE actually has a campus.)</p>
<p>But I really do love Tufts. I am in no way picking my college based on its name/prestige, but I've had a lot of people tell me that it is a no-brainer to pick Tufts over NE. </p>
<p>I've been accepted Undeclared, but I will most likely pursue something in the International Relations realm... which is what is especially making this decision so difficult. Tufts has an absolutely fabulous program, but NE has the co-op that would allow me to experience the field to decide if I am really as passionate as I think I am for the major.</p>
<p>I am absolutely torn, so I turn to the wonderful CC community that has supported me over the past year in all of my decisions.</p>
<p>Correct me if I am wrong, but it seems to me that costs plays a factor, although is not the primary factor, as you have chose Northeastern’s campus over BU’s bigger scholarship. </p>
<p>If that’s the case, I strongly urge you to consider TU in spite of the fact that Northeastern gave you some merit aid. </p>
<p>Northeastern’s co-op is great, but you can’t beat the career services resources and alumni network that Tufts has in a lot of ways.</p>
<p>If you are making a decision based purely on the quality and reputation of the school, Tufts wins by light years over NE.
If your are making a decision based on the strength of the IR course of study, it’s Tufts again by light years.
However, only you can decide how heavily the financial aspect should weigh in your decision. Debt can be hard to pay off, and that’s not even taking into account (1) that you might have to take on substantial debt for grad school, if that’s where you’re headed, and (2) higher paying jobs may be harder to come by in the economy you will be facing when you finish your education.</p>
<p>I am definitely considering grad school, and I am also considering a career in the non-profit sector, so that’s one of the reasons I’m really taking a hard look at the financial aspect.</p>
<p>In regards to the BU scholarship, it comes out to be ~$18,000, so while over four years that may add up to a $12,000 difference (compared to the $14,000 @ NE), I’m not sure if it’s big enough to make the biggest difference (especially considering that I just generally prefer NE to BU). But I am still going to revisit BU.</p>
<p>A very likely possibility is that I have been brain washed by all the NE info I’ve been receiving in these past months. I was totally captivated by their International Opportunities session at the Accepted Students Day. I think that I especially love NE because I have three opportunites for co-op/study abroad, whereas it seems that at other schools that generally only happens once.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the responses thus far… you’re definitely giving me a lot to consider.</p>
<p>EDIT: I meant to add that I am also waiting to hear from a $5,000/year scholarship that I applied for that I can only use @ NE.</p>
<p>I think that’s exactly what’s happening. I’m going through the law-school-search process right now and I’ve noticed that every really bad school all claim to prepare their students with masterful knowledge to become successful lawyers. Sadly post-graduation employment statistics relay a less enthusiastic reality.</p>
<p>Northeastern, being a very respectable university, is certainly not the undergrad equivalent of these schools, but I’d still take the information admissions offices give with a grain of salt. Information you obtain from current students, outside sources, and cold hard statistics are generally better benchmarks for education quality of the school.</p>
<p>Edit: I’d probably go to BU if I was in your situation.</p>
<p>And that is the decision I will be pondering considerably for the next week or two
I’m lucky in the sense that I feel that I can’t really go wrong with my decision, but it’s still quite stressful. I’m wondering if my mom should call Tufts to see if we can get any more aid, because I think that’s really what’s stopping me from committing at this point.</p>
<p>imo, NEU>BU. While BU might be slightly more selective/prestigious, NEU actually has a campus and has a great co-op program.
As far as Tufts vs those schools, I think the question probably comes down to money - how much are you willing to pay? If you don’t mind full tuition then Tufts seems to be your best bet.</p>
<p>^^ It’s not really more selective or prestigious; The stats of the undergrad student body is identical.</p>
<p>I’d choose BU because their course selection is unbeatable, even compared to the Ivy Leagues. I often wish I could take some of the very unique courses offered there. Plus he’s getting an additional 12k from BU, which could very well be the tie breaker. </p>
<p>Also I believe coop takes an extra year to complete. Why waste a year working at $20/hour job through the program when you could work full time for much much more? and not pay anymore tuition to boot.</p>
<p>I’m pretty sure that you’re not paying tuition when you’re doing the co-op part. However, I think it sounds great because you get pretty good pay as well as work experience at three different places, which can be at any number of locations both in and out of the US - my understanding is that it’s a great way to go abroad.</p>
<p>Yep you’re right - NEU students only pay 4 years of tuition.</p>
<p>It’s still not worth it IMO. Co-op isn’t exactly a high paying job. After further research many coop-ers actually make near minimum wage or work for free, which is not exactly the ideal way to spend an extra year of your life. High achieving students will be able to get better experience and higher paying jobs through plain old summer internships, and save that 5th year.</p>
<p>Hey guys, I really appreciate all your points!</p>
<p>I don’t want NEU co-op for the money, but rather for the experience. And I really prefer their campus to BU (as much as I would loooooove to become BFFs with Elie Wiesel!).
And just btw, I am a girl :)</p>
<p>Right now, I’d like to work for something like the UN or a non-profit organization, which is why I am especially concerned about $$.</p>
<p>So anymore suggestions concerning Tufts vs. NEU? Let’s just take BU out of the equation for this thread :)</p>
<p>^ Sigh, I hope you aren’t taking BU out of the equation in your head too…</p>
<p>But out of NEU and Tufts, I’d pick Tufts in a heartbeat. But once again - can you afford it? If you can’t, then Tufts can’t be an option anyway…</p>
You have to apply though, so it’s not a sure thing.</p>