Have you talked with any of the current NEU Scholars @imonmyway to get their perspective? My son was accepted to BU, but with only a $20K scholarship, and the NEU Scholars program and we’ve been doing research but not so much in comparison to BU, so not sure what BU Trustee has to offer.
We are very impressed however, with what the NEU Scholars program offers in special attention, counseling, mentoring and research opportunities, including funding for research. Add on the $6K for expense reimbursement for a foreign country Coop. We have also found out that many of the Scholars students have rejected Ivy League schools for NEU so you would be in very good company. Also, the upper-classmen Dorms are apartments with a living room and kitchen and NEU guarantees Dorms for 4 years, which given the cost of living is a big deal.
I am also puzzled that you think that the buildings along, and off a main street, that make up BU would be considered gorgeous as didn’t see BU that way and thought that NEU seemed to offer more of a regular college campus feel.
I would also venture to say that based upon current trajectory, that by the time you graduate, NEU could be considered a more prestigious school to graduate from. It certainly is currently more selective than BU on admittance.
The biggest draw for NEU though is the COOP so how you feel about that should probably be a major factor in your decision.