<p>Thoughts?
After merit, Northeastern comes to about $35,000 ($20,000 Dean's scholarship), and UMass to $20,000 ($1700 tuition waiver plus $2000 dean's scholarship).
I have MAYBE $30,000 paid for ($16,000 minimum) - the rest I will be taking on in loans. Needless to say, cost is a huge factor - but I am WILLING to take out the money to pay for NU, whether its the right choice is the question.
I've looked into each school extensively - it seems like both have great but not top-notch ChemE programs. NU has the amazing co-ops (which could make up for some of the price difference) and, to me, much better location, as well as a stronger student body. UMass is cheaper though and still has a great program. I got into the honors program at both schools.
I think it's important to note that my interests in chemical engineering are heavily focused in biomedical and pharmaceutical applications - both have biochemical engineering focuses which is likely what I would opt for. Yes, I know there is also a biomedical engineering major, but that deals more with the mechanical engineering side of bioengineering, which I'm far less interested in (as well as having a much smaller market and worse job opportunities). Obviously, NU's location in Boston places it by tons of amazing hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, and research universities, which could be excellent for my interests.
I guess what I'm looking for is some insight into each program - whether people feel like they are getting a sufficient education as well as being surrounded by smart students who make you want to learn more. The student body is probably my biggest concern with UMass. I'm probably in their 95th + percentile in terms of GPA and scores, and I consider myself a pretty intellectual thinker but certainly not a nerd. Will I find like-minded people, or will the smartest kids be mostly nerds?
Is the location, co-op program, and stronger student body worth the extra money at NU?
I'd really appreciate any insight people have
Thanks!</p>
<p>Smart people will be everywhere you go. So, the reason to turn down UMass should not be because you are in the 90th percentile. Look at both campuses, which one do you like ? There is a 15k price difference. I think you should attend Northeastern if you want the co-op program.</p>
<p>Do you mean to say that your total debt at graduation would be $50,000 to $64,000 at UMass and $110,000 to $124,000 at NEU? (though some money from co-op earnings might offset some of the debt)</p>
<p>Both are risky amounts of debt, with NEU debt typically being considered unreasonable. Also, you are unlikely to be able to borrow that much without a co-signer (and your potential co-signers may not qualify, and it would not likely be a good idea for them to become responsible for that much debt).</p>
<p>Do you have any other lower cost options?</p>
<p>UMass has a formalized but optional co-op program: [UMass</a> Amherst - Careers Services: The Co-op Process](<a href=“http://www.umass.edu/careers/internships/coopprocess/]UMass”>The Co-op Process | Career Development & Professional Connections | UMass Amherst)</p>
<p>UMass Amherst is ranked higher than NEU for Chem Eng. Not that I think people should be hung up on rankings.</p>
<p>There are two separate issues. Which school would you better suit you academically, and how you’re going to pay for this. </p>
<p>You weren’t very clear in your post what your debt load would be and HOW you would get the loans. Who would loan YOU that kind of money. You neglect to mention where your parents figure into this. </p>
<p>Let’s focus on the academics. Both schools have the biochemical engineering that you focus on, so that’s good. The reason for that is that most chemical engineers in Massachusetts work in Biotech. You think that you might be on the smarter end of the student body. Terrific, though engineering is pretty self-selective, and by the end of freshman year only the smart students will remain anyway. </p>
<p>I’d say the biggest difference is that UMASS has a much stronger culture of research. If you might even consider going on for a PhD where you can do research, UMASS might be better. However, Northeastern has a great co-op program and the culture there is about getting a good job after graduation. Co-op is also very valuable to make the theory that you learn in your course work much more tangible. The synergy can be very valuable even if you do go on to graduate school. While Northeastern is trying to become more of a research institutions, I don’t think the student culture reflects that. </p>
<p>Finally, there is Boston. I certainly can’t argue that Amherst is a more enjoyable college town. </p>
<p>Get your finances figured out. Who is going to loan you the money. </p>
<p>There is another option that hardly anybody does, but I always wondered if this might not be a bad idea. Go to Northeastern until you get your co-op, and then transfer to UMASS. Your employer will more than likely be willing to keep you on the same co-op schedule if they like you. It’s understandable that you’d want to save money. </p>
<p>This gives you the great access to employers that Northeastern is known for, but also gives you the access to research at UMASS and saves you a fair bit of money in the process. You might even be able to organize your co-ops around a 5 year schedule at UMASS too, so that you can earn more money. Just a thought.</p>
<p>That thought would be unethical. Coop employers have agreements with Northeastern or other coop schools for these positions. An employer would not likely go along with this scheme unless the employee were truly exceptional.</p>
<p>You can’t beat the brand new honors dorms at UMass! :)</p>
<p>I think you answered your own question in your original post. Money is a huge factor. Did you read the UMass Honors College brochure mailed to you a month or so ago? It’s very impressive. I think you would have many coop opportunities at UMass. They claim to have a good relationship with many companies. Maybe contact the department and voice your concerns.</p>
<p>You don’t want to be saddled with huge loans when you enter the work force. Good luck with your decision.</p>
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<p>Many employers (like mine) have more positions than just Northeastern Co-op positions. They hire students from many schools. If I had a NU co-op who needed to transfer to UMASS because of money and I thought that they were someone I wanted to invest in long term, I would have no problem retaining them without us reneging on our commitment to Northeastern. Also, he would have paid for the privilege of getting a co-op through Northeastern, so I don’t have an ethical problem on that front either. </p>
<p>Also, I don’t think my company hires a fixed number of Northeastern co-ops because we get the resumes and choose which ones we want to interview. Some years there are more and some years there are less positions available depending on business conditions and the quality of the applicants. I don’t think we are required to make a specific number of offers.</p>
<p>Why do people think that they have to go Northeastern to do co-ops?</p>
<p>There are many companies that regularly plan on taking Northeastern co-ops. It’s a long standing tradition.</p>
<p>While other schools have co-op programs available, they are often competitive to get into and it’s not the route that the majority takes. Most people just do summer internships. At Northeastern, at least in engineering, it’s the expectation that most people get co-ops, and the co-ops are often 6 month assignments.</p>
@blaucha58 Where did you end up?