<p>Besides Northeastern, are there any other colleges that have coop or internship programs as an essential part of their curriculums? Thanks!</p>
<p>Drexel University in Philly</p>
<p>Rochester Institute of Technology</p>
<p>Northwestern
[Co-op</a> Program: McCormick Office of Career Development: McCormick School of Engineering, Northwestern University](<a href=“About | Northwestern Engineering”>About | Northwestern Engineering)</p>
<p>Check out the website for the Natl Commission for Cooperative Education - there are also scholarship opportunities available for freshmen students who will be attending schools of their institutional partners/sponsors! (I think there is still time to apply) Interestingly, Northeastern is no longer an institutional partner/sponsor but their members include:</p>
<p>Clarkson Univ
Drexel Univ
Eastern Kentucky Univ
Johnson & Wales Univ
Kettering Univ
Lane Community College
Long Island Univ
Merrimack College
Miami Dade College
RIT
Univ of Cincinnati
Univ of Mass-Lowell
Univ of Toledo
Wentworth Institute</p>
<p>[National</a> Commission for Cooperative Education](<a href=“Temporarily Disabled”>Temporarily Disabled)</p>
<p>just wanted to add: co-ops are VERY common in the engineering field and are available at many universities, but they are generally optional and most students may not do them</p>
<p>US News also has a list of schools with good co-op/intern programs, in their section on “Academic Programs to Look For”:</p>
<p>[Best</a> Colleges - Education - US News](<a href=“http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/internships-programs]Best”>http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/internships-programs)</p>
<p>[Alfred</a> University - Inamori School of Engineering - Co-Op Education](<a href=“http://engineering.alfred.edu/undergrad/coop.cfm]Alfred”>http://engineering.alfred.edu/undergrad/coop.cfm)</p>
<p>Inamori School of Engineering at Alfred University (NY)</p>
<p>Georgia Tech (very big co-op program, but optional)</p>
<p>Endicott College (4 internships required of all students to graduate)</p>
<p>like Northeastern’s? well, Wentworth is right across the street from Northeastern 
(required)</p>
<p>Few universities really have anything similar to Northeastern, which has pioneered that type of program. However, while they won’t have the placement or connections, there are a number of universities that offer internship programs that they call Co-Ops. The problem is often the universities are not as helpful at facilitating the connection.</p>
<p>@scansmom: Interesting indeed that Northeastern is no longer a member of the National Commission for Cooperative Education. On the Commission website, if you click “Contact”, it still gives the address as being on the Northeastern campus. There must be an interesting story involved there!</p>
<p>That is interesting. I do wonder what the story is behind that…</p>
<p>I always viewed the big three of co-ops as Northeastern, Drexel, and RIT.</p>
<p>They are major schools with the co-ops fully integrated into their curriculums.</p>
<p>Co-ops are great for experience, but beware, they are not guaranteed.</p>
<p>Current situations my friends have told me about their children for this semester:</p>
<p>Friend1- Son at NEU- Only 1 interview. Offered position. Did not sign up for classes. Position fell through. Can’t sign up for classes. After a month, finally given/started work study off campus. 6 month (or so) co-op is now a 3 month work study. Salary went dorm $8K promised to I think $3800 or less. </p>
<p>Friend2- Son at RIT- Did not get co-op (again??). Needs one more class plus 2 co-ops to graduate. </p>
<p>Friend3- Son at NEU. Engineering co-op he does not like. Don’t know if it is what he wants to do/place, etc… 6 months can be a long time.</p>
<p>Still, I like the idea as you can build up a great resume and if lucky, be offered a job upon graduation. Those in non co-op programs generally interview on campus for summer internships in their field (at least for engineering majors.)</p>
<p>
I have to chime in here to say this can be a glass half-full kind of situation, depending on the kid. I knew someone who was an engineering major and got a summer job at a well known tech firm in Silicon Valley. He realized that engineering was not what he wanted to do as a career, but he made such a good impression on his manager that they wanted to keep him, it was a question of doing what. He ended up working for that company in marketing and is now a successful executive in product development and marketing. So a coop (although 6 months is longer than a summer) can still open doors, even if they weren’t the doors you originally anticipated.</p>
<p>Mike-
I think part of the problem with some of the engineering co-ops (or even summer internships) is that they are IN engineering firms, BUT the kids really can’t do engineering yet and actually do computer work. Also, there are just so many co-op/internship offers a student is going to get and it may not be desired type of engineering you really want to do.</p>
<p>The experience and ability to put the co-op/internship experience on a resume outweighs the students love for a job or boredom doing it!!!</p>
<p>Friends son with the work study instead of the co-op is a Biochem major. Supposed to work in a lab. Now he is keeping patients at a hospital sleep study awake playing games. Having fun, but not doing biochem!!</p>
<p>We were pleasantly surprised when D was accepted to Umass Lowell to learn about their scholar intern program (I wonder if it for science and engineering students only). According to her letter, it guarantees a (campus) research lab assistantship summer after frosh year and then placement in industry next two summers. Comes with a 4K stipend each placement.</p>
<p>The program works well for students willing/able to spend the summer in the area. Because of this experiential opportunity, UML (her safety) is very attractive to her now…and mom too given financial considerations.</p>
<p>Don’t forget RPI and UMASS Lowell. WPI also reports to have Coops but it’s generally up to the student to do the leg work. Note NEU you graduate in 5 years not 4. WPI, it’s 4 and UMASS Lowell it’s 4. UMALL Lowell…if accepted into honors progam…you qualify for coops after 1st year for summer coop. Good luck.</p>
<p>Oh and too pathways…yeah UMASS lowell is looking very attractive…and I can afford WPI and UMASS lowell today…but really…WPI $200K vs Umass Lowell ( they provided 100% fee scholarship, abigail adams covers the tuition and I just need to come up with room and board. And who knows what tomorrow will bring financially. Gotta Love Marty Meehan at the helm…Really, tough decision.</p>
<p>Yea, D has same offer. We just need to pick up room and board…and on my calculation it would take less than 4 years to complete the degree given their generous AP policy (up to 30 credits and 3’s count in some cases…Even if senioritis kicks in she will have the 30 credits:). Our children could use the 4K stipend for books and incidental expenses during the academic year (and beyond if they continue with the co-op option). </p>
<p>D has decided to hold-off on a decision until all the chips fall, but she has expressed that she does not want to take out student loans to go to a pricier place. So we are waiting to see out-of-pocket expenses at her other choices. Given their invitation to be part of an honors program with similarly driven students, I do not see a downside to UML, except perhaps perceived prestige and later networking opportunities. She will be studying chemistry so I am not sure how important those factors are. I work at a Mass. state college and the UML is generating more buzz these days. </p>
<p>For us, it is not a tough decision. Places where she could go for 35-55K per year are now OFF the table…and I am relieved (no need to tap savings, home equity or retirement funds). She will have just a handful of really affordable options to sift through in April once all the FA and merit awards are known.</p>
<p>I have another child, a 10th grader, who WILL cost me dearly when her time comes (right now she dreams of going to a design school like RISD or Parsons…but I am praying this passes or morphs into in interest in engineering).</p>
<p>What is your child’s major, parentoftriplets? I thought the summer coop offer was a science-engineer major thing, but you say it’s to do with honors? I haven’t been paying attention to the mailings and I did not go with D to campus for the EA reception, tours, etc.</p>