Hello, My dd is struggling to make a choice between pursuing a Biology undergraduate at Northeastern University, Boston vs The Ohio State University in Columbus, OH.
In the long run, she wants to study dentistry. We currently live in MA, so location does play a bit of a factor as well. I know that both these schools have very different settings and cultures. What I am interested in is knowing which program is better academically and if there is any difference in the worth of one vs. the other.
Both schools can provide everything she would need academically. Assuming both are comfortably affordable I’d chose based on her preferences as the two colleges would provide very different environments.
Are both similarly affordable ?
Does she want the co-op opportunities (and specific culture that implies) at NEU?
Is she a big football fan?
Is there any other major she’s interested in? How easy would it be for her to add a Statistics minor at either school? (Because biology on its own isn’t the best major for professional outcomes, if Dentistry doesn’t pan out, bio+statistics is an excellent fallback.)
As stated, both schools will provide her with what she needs academically. I would choose based on personal preference and finances.
There will not be any difference in the “worth” of one v another (to answer your question). The things that matter can be achieved at both schools.
Cost-wise, Northeastern is about $85 to $90K, and OSU would be close to $52K. However, for NEU, you only pay for practically three years if you do good co-ops, and there are several places around the school, like Dana Farber, MGH, etc. My impression is that OSU is heavier on the research side of things, and there could be a difference in the quality of faculty members and the outlook of your peers, etc. I agree with @MYOS1634’s suggestion of doing a minor with a Biology major, but I think that could be done at both schools.
Ultimately, it seems to be boiling down to personal preference. But since it’s a decision that has a lifelong impact, I wanted to have a general opinion, and I thank everyone for providing their genuine feedback.
Both schools will have strong peers and faculty. I know many exceptional students who have chosen to attend NE and OS. What will matter most is your daughter, not the school.
You are comparing two very good universities and what matters is which environment your D prefers. How does your daughter feel about coops? Sports? Did she make honors at OS? Does she want to be closer to home?
My daughter was also a biology major and found decent paying jobs before heading back to grad school. She had two minors (chemistry and Spanish) but I do like the suggestion of adding a statistics minor.
Can you afford NEU without parental loans?
Did she make it into one of the Scholars programs at tOSU? ( I’m guessing it’s an OOS option).
Did she get into Honors at both?
If she chooses the lower cost option will you be able to use the “saved” money to help her with professional or grad school? (With study abroad, summer internship rent… ?)
Is your question a hypothetical or did she get in ED at either one?
Are other colleges still on the table with those the 2 favorites, are those the 2 she’s gotten into, or are those she’s most hoping for?
Is there any reason she isn’t considering UMass Amherst?
It seems as if you’re asking whether NEU is worth the additional $35K/year over OSU. And of course, the answer to that is, “It depends.” But to me it begs the similar question of whether OSU is worth the additional almost-20K/year over UMass in-state, which has at least as strong a reputation and plenty of research opportunities.
Re: the statistics suggestion, a related option would be data science. NEU has a combined major, which IMHO would really leverage the strengths of the school and would likely also make her co-ops more lucrative. Data Science and Biology, BS | Northeastern University Academic Catalog
OSU has a terrific Data Analytics major with multiple tracks, including a track in Biomedical & Public Health Analytics which could make a great pre-dental major, but doesn’t automatically include as much bio as NEU’s combined major. (That said, one doesn’t necessarily need a full bio major, or intense bio-specific research experience, for pre-dental; it depends whether she truly loves bio for its own sake.)
And yes, the standard path at NEU still involves 8 semesters of classes, plus co-ops. Some students are able to shorten that if they come in with a lot of AP credit and cut back on “extras” (like the aforementioned minor or co-major, which could be very worthwhile in the long run) but I wouldn’t count on paying for only three years. The straight-bio major does have the option of a four-year path including co-ops, but that’s one summer co-op and one semester co-op, plus summer terms that you pay for, so you’re still basically paying for 4 years, making up the one missed semester in the summers. Biology, BS | Northeastern University Academic Catalog
UMass Amherst is definitely an option but we do not know the acceptance result yet. Also, I completely agree with all of your other comments and suggestions.
You could go to any school for biology and to dental school. You are choosing two that won’t be cheap but if money matters to you, you can get the same at schools that are $20-40k depending on stats.
If they want urban, etc and co op them NEU. If they want big time sports, Greek, rah rah on a really large campus then OSU is great.
The biggest differences are the co-op program, price and football (none at NU). I am a NU parent and find a lot of CC posters post misinformation about it. While in the past, students graduated in 5 years, the trend now is to graduate in 4 years. This is accomplished by summer classes, although summer is 4 months long so a student can take classes in May and June and take July and August off. NU also offers “Dialogues of Civilization” where students take classes abroad over the summer. My son studied in Rwanda and it was fantastic. Like many students, my son was offered a job after graduation by a co- op employer but may not want to stay in MA.
Parents post about their biology students going on to pursue graduate degrees, including medical school at elite universities, so the program mus be strong.
I am sure that NE has a very strong biology program with many opportunities. It is just very expensive, considering that biology grads typically go on to some type of graduate degree. Costs may not be an issue for this family (I don’t know).
Biology students from less costly colleges also gain acceptance to competitive medical/graduate programs. This does not take anything away from Northeastern, which is an excellent school.
Yes, it’s expensive. NU also gives merit and need-based aid. Some students are National Merit Scholarship winners. Sometimes people consider only the sticker price without considering that.
I agree with you. Maybe this family/student will qualify. We don’t know. And….maybe costs are not an issue for this family.
We also do not know if merit was received at OS.
As the parent of a biology student, I just feel that it is important to consider costs beyond 4 years (most/many continue their education). That’s all. I recognize that this may not apply to all biology students/families and that is ok.