Northeastern [~$28k], Virginia Tech [$?] or UNC Chapel Hill [~$30k] for Computer Science major

Yes. Locked in no matter what. Thanks. He has been very proactive in the co-op search.

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Is he finding them or are they “handing” them out? It’d be good for others to know how it works there, given his success.

Was his first one a “good” one - meaning he learned a lot, participated, etc.

The first one he sent quite a few applications out early. He interviewed and was denied by his top choice, but they gave him feedback that he just needed to be further along in his coursework to have the skills they wanted. He accepted that the first co-op may not be the dream job. He found another where he really liked the company and people but it was more administrative IT work. He had friends that were sweating it at the last minute and a few had to punt there co-op cycle to the next semester.

This time, he sent about 5 applications before he got an offer. The struggle is that you want to get out early, but if accept an offer you cannot keep applying hoping for something better. You literally have a few days to commit. This one the pay is significantly higher, and it’s a different type of company. There is always the possibility that something could have come up down the road that would have been better, but that’s a gamble, especially in today’s market. This one doesn’t start until July, so we will see how it goes. He is excited about it.

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Sounds like he’s played it very well. Good for him. I guess I didn’t think that some have to skip a cycle if they don’t get one.

I know in engineering, it seems like a lot more companies want co-ops than there are students - but I’m talking about other schools, not the NEU/Drexesls of the world.

Sounds like he’s set himself up really well.

Thanks for your writeup.

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This is correct. UNC doesn’t admit by major. Most majors can just be declared second year, but some need admission, including Computer Science. This should be a consideration.

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That’s quite refreshing in some ways as I’m assuming many people end up (voluntarily) in a field they didn’t intend after experiencing the curriculum for a year.

But on the other hand, direct admission is a great thing when you’re 100% sure.

Do you know, do they publish the admission rates for each major so kids know their chances up front?

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Admission rates for entry to major would be more useful if they were banded by college GPA ranges.

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That’s how UMN reports them.

Not sure, and very few majors require application. Comp Sci, BME, Business, Nursing…maybe a few others. Most you just declare.

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Oh my gosh! Thank you for asking this question. My son did not notice the specifics in his offer letters :expressionless_face: and got excited that he is accepted… but I re-read again and just noticed that only Northeastern offers him directly to the CS major, whereas Virginia Tech admits him into the General Engineering and then he can declare CS as major later. UNC admits him to a General College and he has to apply to be in CS major… This has changed his thinking now…

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Yes, that appears to be the case with UNC. He needs to apply to be admitted to the CS major once he is there… We misread the letter or we did not understand it completely.

First time mom with first child going to college, and I don’t remember it was this complicated when I applied college myself decades ago :woman_facepalming:, so I really appreciate all the feedback/what to look out etc :heart:

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That’s great to hear that your son is studying there right now and getting lots of work experience! How does he think about the program (pros and cons)? How are the coursework? Does he get support/guidance from the professors/department for his co-op search?

So for the income the student gets via the co-op, does it need to be reported? will this affect the financial aid offer/Northeastern Promise?

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You and he may want to check the links in post #18.

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Personally, I wouldn’t assume - not direct admit = impossible. The UNC shows certain classes need to be done. Why not reach out to the department or an advisor. They might have a high rate of admission. I’d ask - I wouldn’t just assume your son can’t make it, etc. So I’d check deeper on all things - all schools if you have interest.

Talk to people - or if you visit campus, set an appointment. Ask what % that apply get accepted, etc.

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It does need to be reported for tax purposes, but Northeastern has not asked for anything.

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Honestly, my son is the type we have to drag that kind of conversation out of. He has liked most of his classes. Some are challenging, but he’s doing well. He has told us some of the guidance he has received, and we have had to accept that it is a changing job market so their advice and our advice might not align :slight_smile: He likes the program. He was intrigued by Northeastern as soon as he started looking at colleges because he did not want the typical four year experience. My older son got into Northeastern and opted for another school because he was drawn more to the typical college experience and because he had a specific study abroad in mind. It worked out for each of them.

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Coop earnings are taxable of course, but they do not affect the financial aid award.

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Yes, reach out. No one is direct admit to CS, so it’s not like he’s behind.

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Yes, I mean reportable in a sense to report it back to school which then (may) affect the financial aid package.