Northeastern vs. Tulane vs. Pitt

huskyjourno
Tue, 09 Apr 2013 21:48:01 +0000

Given the things you said, I think Northeastern would be the ideal choice. When I was choosing schools, I was debating between Northeastern and Tulane. After visiting Tulane, I realized the vibe was just not for me. Too many rich NY/NJ kids, too little racial diversity, too expensive, too much partying, too much greek life. Tulane is a great school, but it’s also a party school. Lots of kids spending Daddy’s money on beer. Frats and sororities are a big deal. It’s not the vibe for me.

Northeastern has a totally different feel. The two schools couldn’t be more different. A large number of its kids come from the Northeast, but it includes New England as well as the Mid-Atlantic, and the geographic diversity grows every year. That said, we have an enormous international population. Northeastern is a big destination for kids looking to study in the U.S. If you want a school with a global perspective, this is the place.

Northeastern’s not a party school. Parties exist, of course, but it’s definitely not a major feature. Greek life is really minimal. I forget they exist. We live in Boston, for crying out loud - there’s so much more to do. Head to Symphony Hall to hear classical music, take a trip to the Museum of Fine Arts or Museum of Science, walk to Newbury Street for upscale shopping, wander around for authentic Italian food in the North End, check out the myriad of historical sites around the city. You’ll never be bored. We get off campus a lot, and we mingle a lot with students at the other schools in the city. There are dozens of universities here - it’s the ultimate college town. Tulane, on the other hand, is an anomaly in New Orleans.

The one thing I will tell you is that sports aren’t a very big deal here - I love going to the basketball and hockey games once in a while, and the students cheer and wear red and black and everything, but overall, it’s not a huge part of campus life. However, you can always get tickets to see the Red Sox at Fenway Park or check out the Celtics or the Bruins
at TD Garden!

The general feeling I get from you is that you want a well-rounded, diverse school where you can experience some culture. If that’s the case, Northeastern is the better choice. I love it here, and if I’d gone to Tulane, I’d probably be in the process of transferring as we speak.