Hey, I know that guy! (The one who did the CERN co-op and does accepted student panels. I used to do those panels with him.)
I just think that NEU is at a bit of
a crossroads. As the school get gradually more competitive and attracts more high stat kids, many of these kids will take the merit money and enroll at NEU over going full pay at a slightly higher ranked Uni. NEU will need to up their game academically quickly if they want to hang on to these students.
@londondad Northeastern has a 96.7% freshman retention rate and an 84% six year graduation rate. So retention of students is not an issue. You have made a conclusion based on a sample size of 3. Also the OP did not receive merit money. She indicated that she is paying $60,000 plus, full pay.
I appreciate hearing everyone’s comments here. My son is trying to choose among several colleges, and this is giving us something to think about.
Some here on CC dismiss the notion of “fit” when choosing a college but it is important, modified of course by financial concerns. I came across a parallel thread to this one from the New York University forum:
http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/comment/20293961/#Comment_20293961
Neither Northeastern nor NYU offer the “traditional college experience”.
@TomSrOfBoston I should have clarified that I did actually receive merit money, $10,000 per year, but my parents are still paying over 50k out of pocket. I buy my own books and use my own money for extraneous living expenses, bringing our family total to a little under 60k/year. Based on current income, we do not qualify for need-based financial aid.
@TomSrOfBoston (post #24) I agree, this is the point I was trying to make earlier. With NEU attracting such high stat kids with its higher ratings plus merit scholarships kids can be turning down higher ranked schools at full pay (say Tufts or BC) and going to NEU without realizing that these schools are quite different.
For top-notch LAC economics departments (and generally excellent government/political science), look into Hamilton, Claremont McKenna, Middlebury, Colgate and Wesleyan:
https://ideas.repec.org/top/top.uslacecon.html
Williams would also be good, but, on a de facto basis, does not appear eager to enroll transfer applicants (and Wellesley wouldn’t match a stated preference).
Since you commendably seem to be interested in additional academic rigor, you might want to consider these colleges (I’d recommend you interpret the survey’s title broadly):
https://www.princetonreview.com/college-rankings?rankings=students-study-most
Though in your search you may be seeking a traditional, more typically social college experience, use your judgment with respect to schools that appear to be a little over-the-top:
@merc81 Thank you, I definitely applied to a few schools on those lists!
Be sure and revisit what you can afford. Not as likely to get merit money as a transfer and you know the pain of getting set on a school that you don’t get into, or in the case of $$, can’t afford. Some you could afford first time around may not be practical this time.
@scmom12 I’m definitely taking finances into account and was on the phone with financial aid offices for the better part of last week sorting through all of my documents (confusing family situation), and it is disappointing that very little merit aid is available for transfers- I’m reapplying somewhere I applied senior year, and it’s killing me to know that the $15k/year scholarship I passed up the first time won’t be there for me anymore if I get accepted again and choose to attend.
Just checking back in to say that I’ve finished my freshman year at NEU and I’ll be enrolling at Cornell University this fall!! I’m so grateful for the opportunities Northeastern has provided me, I had some great experiences near the end of my freshman year that made deciding to transfer a little more difficult (although I’m still 100% sure that this was the best decision for me and I’m so excited 
). Thanks to everyone that provided advice here, I really appreciate it!
That’s awesome!!!
@ethanwatson4 Thank you!!
I am happy to see that it ended well for you. Not all kids in your situation can stay focused and keep their grades up and work towards a successful transfer. Many I know who are in a similar situation have let their grades drop and have no hope of transferring to their dream school or other schools they were accepted out of high school. I was shocked when I heard from student who was spending 8 hrs of Netflix a week before the finals! I guess when you are used to academic rigor and all of sudden you have nothing to do, you will resort to Netflix addiction.
Congratulations!
Good to hear your results, @aihcxx. Wishing you a great experience at Cornell!
@aihcxx you got into a lot of amazing schools. Congrats on Cornell!
@Dontskipthemoose @merc81 Thank you!!