Be careful with counting AP credits. Although they can transfer in, not all are needed so it may not equate to two semesters. S has 5 APs in the social sciences - WH, APUSH, Psychology US Gov’t and Comp Gov’t. Although he got 15 credits for that, he could only count 6 toward graduation requirements since he was a STEM major and they only needed 6 social science credits towards graduation requirements. Also with classes in major that require pre-reqs, it’s not always easy to accelerate your track of classes and take 4 years of in major classes in 3 years.
@noochilised
Okay, so as a current student i would advise you not to consider it as a reduction on your total cost. Yes you wont be charged tuition, but if you go on co op in boston you will need to either live in the dorms or get an off campus apartment, it will be up to you. Generally i like to say that during the six months on campus itll cost you roughly around 8000 or so because you would need to get a dorm during the summer session as well. That along with food will tally around that if not more depending on what dorm u pick. Now most business jobs start pay at minimum of 15 to mid to high 20s but as a first co ops those employers are seeking students that are in their 2nd or 3rd cycle not saying you couldnt get it but its harder. So you could do the basic math, and at the end for 6 months it really your living expense, so many wont consider it a reduction on attendance. Im writing this on my phone so if you have any questions or are unclear on anything please feel free to ask.
(Remember also those taxes are brutal)
@raulhumber2 Thank you so much for your response. Now that I’ve clarified how the co-ops work, what would be your personal recommendation from your experience at Northeastern? Would you say its worth the huge cost?
Also, I agree it will likely be difficult to get higher end co-ops, but from my knowledge the profession I’m pursuing, Actuarial science, is fairly small, so perhaps for my career it would be easier to get a good co-op than for a student majoring in general business? Also if you have experience with their office of financial aid I’d appreciate how your experience with them has been(positive or negative?) Thanks in advance
You need to get your FA amount from NEU in order for you to make a financial decision.
@suzyQ7 Of course I do, but I see no harm in taking preemptive efforts and thinking about the decision first so when it DOES come time to make my decision its as informed as possible!
Good plan to have all your research done in advance. Hoping the FA award is good for you.
Aloha, @noochilised. Just another story, my daughter is a freshman, came in with 32 credits from AP & dual credit, and with the help of her academic advisor figured out how to graduate with 6 1/2 semesters. She is saving money by living in a triple and having the 10 meal a week plan (both which are lower costs than the COA numbers). She didn’t get work study, but found work this school year. She didn’t travel/come home for fall break or spring break. She found some very creative ways to get out of buying actual text books. She is taking out the maximum Stafford loans. Hopefully no more than that, but it is possible she will depending on how much money she earns during the school and breaks. If she could live at home during co-ops, that could help save her earnings too. She is bummed she won’t be able to take part in all the international opportunities Northeastern offers, but the additional cost and loss of earnings makes it impossible.
Her life would be MUCH more cushy if she picked the “free” school, but she wanted Northeastern. She’s had some regrets, but overall is glad she picked Northeastern, is living in Boston, and is doing everything she can to position herself for the best possible co-ops. For her, the chance to “test drive” career options (co-ops) was worth it.
@palm715 Wow, cutting to 6.5 semesters is amazing! Many schools won’t do that - they require AP credit to be replaced by courses.
Has she looked into coops close to home? It would be great if she could earn a ton of money on co-op so she could maybe try a dialogue. With the school year ending at the end of April, she’ll have a long summer at homee, at least!