Do you want to get out of the Northeast or not? that’s what its going to come down to. Forget about the brand names. Do you like the New England vibe or do you want to try something different (not necessarily better, just different)? Do want to do Big Football and Midwestern charm - is that a draw? Or do you want to hang out in Boston with the professional sports vibe, diverse population, but expensive cost of living? Northeastern is not a traditional college experience -and you have to really want that to love it there. The kids that go there wanting that and knowing that - love it. The kids that don’t, look to transfer because there are not huge frat organized sports events every weekend (obviously, they didn’t do their research). If you want the big college campus and sports scene - I would go with UMichigan (if your parents have the extra $100k), and not UMass because with UMichigan you will get the full ‘different’ experience of moving of out New England.
LSA at Michigan has UROP, the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program, which was started in 1988:
https://lsa.umich.edu/urop/about-us.html
Michigan has a $12 Billion endowment. NEU’s endowment is $1 Billion. And Michigan has the 2nd largest research and development budget:
https://ncsesdata.nsf.gov/profiles/site?method=rankingBySource&ds=herd
I live very close to NEU. A quick train ride from my home brings me to the campus. As for the campus, the co-op centered focus, and the social life on campus are all things that I like. I love the city is Boston as it has been my city for my entire life and I can’t really imagine living anywhere else. (not to say that I woudn’t love it anywhere else). As for UMichigan, from reading peoples personal anecdotes and all the resources UM has online, the hard working academic and very fun social scenes are perfect for me. But I’ve never visited the campus, and can’t say that I will be able to because of COVID. Moving out to Ann Arbor without having steps onto campus will be a bigger shock compared to staying on campus close to my family.
In summary, I love my city and the vibe of Boston. But, I’m not afraid of the new culture of a big state school. Because of the current pandemic, there is no way of surely knowing what I’m getting into.
I’m sure all those kids were brilliant hard workers seeing as they got such amazing opportunities. Absolutely no discounting that fact. I guess what I wanted to say was, do you think those same kids would have had the same opportunities if they had shown the same work-ethic and smarts at a school like Northeastern?
Has your kid had any (positive/negative) experience with the UROP program?
Also that is a considerable difference in endowment money for sure.
I don’t know what companies NE attracts but an email to the CS admissions, I am sure they can give you numbers. Or their website.
Again, if you are active and involved YOU will attract the companies. It’s also kinda luck of the draw. Ask on the NE threads or reddit.
NE is a great school. You can be successful going there. No question about it.
She has not sought an internship yet thru UROP. She had a job lined up for last summer here in CA and soon will try to line another up back here again. However, we’re not sure what the effects and what to expect in our new reality in the US.
Tough decision for you. Are you a risk taker? Does the idea of starting fresh appeal to you? I really wish you could have gone out there to visit. So unfortunate.
It is so hard to commit 4 years to a place you’ve never set foot on. I’m all for calculated risks, though without being on campus, not sure I want to take any risks worth 240k.
Everything does seem to very uncertain right now. Thank you for your help!
Many students can afford to visit schools first like internationals but still do well on the campus of their choice. Fyi…sure you want to visit first. Do the online stuff tours, you tube people have tours etc to get a feel. Facebook groups can help and even connecting with students that were there this year can help. If close maybe you can do a drive through or something…but I don’t think your that close…hmmmm
You really don’t have bad choices…that is what coins are for…LOL
That is true! These decisions are tough but not impossible! I’ve looked at my fair share of campus tour videos but no way of getting a good feel for it. Although international kids pay pull price, commit, and are happy too without seeing the campus. So much to think about! Thank you so much for your help!
I don’t know if internationals are turning down merit money though, they’re all full pay and many, especially at a place like UM, come from serious wealth.
OP, this is a real tough decision because you haven’t visited and the costs are different. I will say from undergrad UM alums I meet in silicon valley, they’re generally pretty happy with their experience. good luck!
Hi OP, thanks so much for starting this thread. Congrats on your acceptances!! I’m a senior from NJ who got into the CS programs at LSA and Khoury, at UMich and Northeastern respectively, along with a few other schools. Are you part of the FB groups? Perhaps we could chat and be of help to each other. LMK!