Hey guys! I’m having a LOT of trouble deciding between these two schools right now. They’re some of my top choices, but they’re both SO different! Villanova is more of the traditional college feel (Sports are big, Preppy Northeast students, Community-oriented campus) while Northeastern is more of a contemporary city college (Co-op, Academic flexibility, the city of Boston, tons of Study Abroad). I did get into Northeastern’s Honors Program, whereas I did not get into Villanova’s. Currently I’m still waiting to hear from Villanova on financial aid/merit scholarships, so I don’t want how much I got from Northeastern to influence responses. Basically, and I know this question is highly subjective, but which one will provide the “best” undergraduate experience? (Making friends, partying, internships, clubs/sports/activities, etc.)
Please & thank you to anyone who can help me!
Not sure “best” college experience is the question you want to ask; just visit both and see where you feel like you fit in better.
I’ve visited both, but Nova definitely has a super preppy vibe. I .dunno about their frat/sorority scene but if it’s present I would imagine it’s pretty large. Sports are big which is cool now that Archie is there/they’re good again. Good academics, nice to be so near Philly.
NU is just a whole different school. Think about whether you prefer Boston vs. Philly. I can say from personal experience that the Honors program is pretty nice, good frosh housing and definitely opens up some doors. Sports/athletics are almost non-existent here- you can go to the games and it wouldn’t be weird, but it’s not a typical weekend event; I think very few people could tell you how any of our teams our doing (other than “bad”). Think hard about whether or not you want to go to a school with the co-op model! If you want the traditional 4 year experience you will NOT find it at NU, I promise. You will go to school in the summer a lot here. Your friend group will probably change a lot more than at another school because people go on co-op at different times. The school feels very pre-professional and if you would rather not think about jobs/graduation/possibilities until your senior year, this school is not for you. However, consider the flexibility the program provides, the opportunity to try out jobs in your field so you actually know what kind of job you want, what kind of environment, etc. It is not for everyone but if you want it, come here.
@novafan1225 thanks for sharing this! I would think this description applies to NEU vs. just about any other 4 year mid to large size university.
The coop program is pretty unique, and if that interests you, NEU is an obvious choice. But I do feel that Northeastern is talking less and less about the coop program in an attempt to remake it’s image towards a traditional 4 year Private Research University. I know some kids that applied this year that did not really know much about the coop program at all- they just knew it was a selective local university.
I don’t feel like my friend group changed that much with people being on co-op or in classes. I see co-op as a big plus, but I don’t feel like it ruined the “traditional” college experience.
You mention that you don’t want the aid offers to affect our responses, but I think that needs to play a role if money is at all an issue. No matter how good the school, it doesn’t make sense to go $100,000 in debt to pay for it. You’d get a great education and experience at either school. You also have months to decide, so there’s plenty of time.
Thanks you guys! You were all very helpful. I have to say that what has really been the struggle for me is that I want that traditional college feel, but I love Boston and the research/science-oriented style of Northeastern. I’ve visited both and I loved both! I know I have a lot of time left & I still have some other schools to hear from but this was very helpful, thanks so much
My daughter was accepted to both last year early action, and we attended both “welcome days”. We had already visited Northeastern so she knew she liked that, but the welcome event was our first time at Villanova. After visiting she knew VN was not for her. They’re both great schools, no question. What she didn’t like, and most people would like was how “peppy” it was She didn’t mind the preppy, just too much peppy. Everyone was very enthusiastic there. We walked through a human tunnel of about 100 people cheering to get to the gym. They are very sports oriented and everybody very involved. The campus was absolutely beautiful. Keep in mind you are at least 20-30 minutes from Philly so it does not have a city feel at all. My daugher is a freshman at NU and absolutely loves it. My son, who is a few years younger however, loved our trip to Villanova and is planning on applying next year. As you said it is subjective. You really have to go and visit to know what feels right.
I have students at both schools and I agree that they are both great schools but very different . D1 is @ NU and helped move D2 into Villanova this fall. She thought it was very nice but couldn’t see herself there ever. D2 was accepted to NU & had visited several times but she also visited Villanova twice & once the financial aid was finalized & she realized she could attend it was a done deal. She loved the preppy feel of it and didn’t want to be in a big city. They did an amazing job at orientation & she adjusted quickly.
D2 is in her 3rd yr at NU & on her 2nd co-op. She loves the city & has become very involved. I can’t see her any place else.
Boston is right at your fingertips at NU & Philly isn’t far from Villanova but you do have to travel a little. I think D1 would’ve been a bit bored at Villanova & she’s not into sports but it’s a great fit for D2. If you have time, visit both & see how it feels. For us money was an issue so we waited for all the packages & then made our last visits. Good luck with your decision!
Yeah, my issue I think is that I really want to be in a city where I have access to entertainment and things to do on the weekends (including parties, but I hear Boston is the wrong town for that anyways because of so many tough restrictions on alcohol?) & all the great academic opportunities of NU, but I love sports and school spirit and prep and the fact that NU doesn’t have a football team literally breaks my heart. Based on this, what do you guys think? Idk, I guess I just have to wait for admitted students days…maybe they’ll help me make a decision!!
My guess is that if Nova is secluded to the point where you’re worried that you won’t have access to entertainment/activities, they probably have a lot planned on campus to compensate. Parties definitely happen at NU, you just probably have to work a little harder to find them- wouldn’t say there’s restrictions on alcohol so much as the use of fake ID’s, which basically keeps underclassmen out of bars. I know several friends who came from the South and have friends at UGA and Clemson and Auburn and all those huge football schools and they were definitely disappointed when NU lacked that school spirit/sporty vibe. Most of these kids came to NU to get away from that vibe though, they wanted to do something different and while it’s easy to get jealous of a massive party I think the rest of the school more than makes up the difference. It’s a personal call and literally none of us can make it for you, admitted students will help a lot.
If it matters to you, I love sports/school pride and my “dream school” was UVa because of the football and basketball and all that jazz. I’m at NU and I realize how wrong UVa would’ve been for me, and I’m so freaking happy here. I follow Boston professional sports closely (and always have) which helps. Your experience will vary but I love it.
Speaking as a freshman at NU, you won’t have much trouble at all finding parties. The difference is that they will be smallish dorm parties. The rules may be strict with fake ID’s (I honestly don’t know too much there) but all you have to do is find someone who can get alcohol and ask them. My dorm has two people that make most of the runs for the building.
NU is definitely against school spirit, but there are events. Hockey games are big, so is basketball. Most athletic events have shuttles to the game, getting to them isn’t hard. It’s just a matter of 80-90% of the school not caring.
You will certainly find prep here, but probably not in the frat way so much.
It sounds to me like you will have to pick between city access / academic / co-op opportunity and school spirit. Remember, the silver lining of this is that you have two good schools you could see yourself at. You seem to know the factors here, I agree that visiting both will probably help.Best of luck with your decision!