<p>So I have less than a week to decide which school I'm going to..and I'm stuck between these three. (USC is Southern California, btw)</p>
<p>I'm going into engineering, and I know all three schools are good engineering schools, so I am thinking they are all equal in that aspect. They are all also around the same price for me, with the scholarships and grants I have gotten (so they will all be over 20000 each no matter where I go..including estimated travel and personal expenses).</p>
<p>Honestly, USC is my #1, but the biggest problem I have with it is that it is all the way across the country, which would make it harder to get all my stuff over there, and would stress my mom out more, considering she does not even want me to go there. Penn State and Northeastern would be much easier in this aspect.</p>
<p>If anyone has any input over which one I should choose, I would be really grateful.</p>
<p>USC and Northeastern have great engineering programs. Go with which ever is most comfortable. Relatively speaking engineers make about the same after graduation. Northeastern does have the coop program and you can take advantage of west coast or international coops. You will also be living in the best city in the world. USC has a beautiful campus, west coast life style, and great sports. I would go with the cheaper deal but it sounds like you want California. Remember this is about your future so relay that to your parents and convince them why USC.</p>
<p>If all costs are equal, I would go to USC. As for getting your stuff over there, take your clothes and pay a couple of extra baggage fees at the airline and buy your dorm stuff when you get to LA. Trust me that is the BEST way to go about it.</p>
<p>I visited Penn State and it was gross. Im not a big partier and the greek scene is VERY big over there. I would choose between USC and Northeastern. LA or Boston…I love LA = )…but i love boston to = (…But LA!</p>
<p>Money-wise, Penn State would be the cheapest, because I would be paying in-state tuition and it is only a 3-hour drive from home, but everything still adds up to around 23,000/yr.</p>
<p>USC is actually cheaper than Northeastern. They gave me a pretty big grant so I would only have to pay around 26,000/yr, whereas Northeastern would cost around 31,000/yr. These numbers are without the federal loans and work study I was offered, since I’m not sure yet if I am going to accept them, but the one thing my mom loves to point out is that the need-based grant from USC is never guaranteed year to year, but the 14,000 scholarship Northeastern gave me will always be there…</p>
<p>But yes, the fact that USC and Northeastern are both in two very different, but very nice cities is what makes me more attracted to them than Penn State. And I know Northeastern has the best co-op in the country, but I also know that USC has a very strong alumni presence throughout the country, so that would be good for job placement after college.</p>
<p>Chocorette, is Northeastern a 5-year program? If so, does that impact total costs? </p>
<p>I think you have many great choices–but I really think you will LOVE USC. Since kids go on internships at various times throughout their stay at NE, friends can come and go, and the class is sort of fluid. For a more traditional college social scene (which may or not be what you are looking for), USC cannot be beat.</p>
<p>Well, NU can be a four or five year in many of its programs. Both include co-op opportunities it really gets down to how many. </p>
<p>I don’t know what you factored for four years of cross-country travel expenses for holidays and breaks, but based on what you’ve shared on out-of-pocket costs, the USC package is impressive. </p>
<p>I’m a NU alum and a big fan of Beantown, but if the cross-country experience seems right for you and excites you … I’d go USC.</p>
<p>Madbean, if I went to Northeastern I would be doing a five-year program with three co-ops, but I don’t think that affects it much seeing as I would be going to class for eight full semesters like I would be at USC. But seeing as NU’s overall cost is greater than USC’s, it would still end up costing more…but that might be offset by the co-ops.</p>
<p>And yes, the weather will no doubt be one of the biggest changes for me. I’m not sure yet how much I’m going to like it…I am one of those people who enjoys snow. :)</p>
<p>I only factored in going home for winter, spring, and summer breaks, figuring I’ll just spend thanksgiving break with some of my relatives in CA. I also added in some for local travel (although I’ve heard that LA’s public transportation system is horrible).</p>
<p>But diontechristmas how is that hard to believe? Penn State has one of the highest in-state tuition rates out of all the state schools (14,296), and with room and board and other expenses, and really no financial aid (I only got a 1400 state grant), it added up to a little over 23,000 for me. I’m guessing from your screenname that you go to Temple? Even Temple’s cheaper than Penn State and it’s smaller and not a state school.</p>
<p>Given the financial, I’d choose USC. It’s a great school, and there’s something to be said about being exposed to a new setting. You shouldn’t worry too much about the traveling… You’d get used to it very soon. (I used to fly 15+ hrs from Asia to US just to go to HIGHSCHOOL. You get used to it.)</p>