northeastern vs. umass?

Question

so i got accepted to northeastern spring 2008 semester and ive been attending umass amherst this fall semester. i have to make a decision if i should i stay here, living in dorm with people i met this fall, or go to northeastern where i would have more academic oppurtunities but i would have to live at home to cut down tthe costs. it basically comes down to either having more of a college experience at umass or learning more and possibly a better future. any advice?

i forgot to say that my major is biology, and i might want to go in the premed track

Answer 1

Go to the school that gives you the better education

Northeastern is the higher rated school. UMass does have a few programs that are better than Northeastern's programs. Since you don't mention your major, I would advise you to see if you are in one of those programs.

Answer 2

First of all, you need to get it out of your head that the academics at Northeastern are "better" or of a "higher quality". The professors at UMass are just as qualified as the professors at Northeastern. Both schools are large so you aren't necessarily more likely to have smaller class sizes at Northeastern. The only plus that Northeastern has over UMass is its comprehensive co-op program.

However, you need to consider what major you are in. If you are doing the humanities or business, I would advise staying at UMass (I'm assuming you mean Amherst, which has solid humanities and a great business school). Given the co-op program, you might benefit more from going to Northeastern if you're doing computer science or any type of engineering; however, UMass also has great engineering and computer facilities.

But the point you make does come into play. There are certain advantages to living at school as opposed to being a commuter from home. Simply put, I've yet to meet a happy commuter student. Living on campus (or moving off campus with friends), on the other hand, gives you important experience in being self-sufficient and living on your own. Plus, and this may just be my own experience, but my best friends at school are people I met in my dorm. I can't really say I'm friends with anyone whom I met in a class.

Anyways, best of luck with your decision. Just so you know I'm a senior at UMass Amherst, so there is some bias in what I just told you. Give me a shout if you need anymore help.

Answer 3

Honestly, Northeastern is a bit higher ranked, in some areas, than UMass Amherst is, and UMass is higher ranked in others, but you did not tell us your major. Without knowing that, I consider the schools to be roughly comparable in terms of reputation with area employers. The difference is in the structure of the programs, in the cost, in the location, and in the fit.

Structure: Northeastern, of course, is structured to give you fairly frequent co-ops. This can be a great thing, on your resume, and give you a real edge over other graduating students. But you can do this via UMass as well - they have a lot of co-ops and internships on their books. You can take advantage. But yes, Northeastern is the clear winner on this one. Their co-op program is really good.

Other than the co-ops, I'm not sure why you feel that Northeastern will give you more academic opportunities than UMass will (again, not knowing your major). UMass, you may have to seek out those opportunities, but they are there.

Cost: UMass Amherst, if you're in-state Mass, will cost you far less than Northeastern. Far, far less. A lot less. Really. As you already know. So weigh whether or not the benefits of NE to you outweigh the trade offs (I know you're doing this).

Location: Obvious. Boston versus western Mass, but then again, a real campus versus more of a city school.

Fit: And this, to me, is what it really comes down to. As I'd mentioned, I consider UMass Amherst and Northeastern to be roughly comparable in terms of reputation with employers in Massachusetts and outside it. And as you said, at Northeastern, you'll be missing out on some aspects of college life. But you feel that Northeastern will give you more learning and possibly a better future. Think about that. Why do you feel that? Would the change give you enough of an upward bump in these areas, that it compensates for lack of on-campus life? Is Northeastern's rep in your field, and as an overall university, really that much stronger than the rep of UMass Amherst, so much so that it really will give you this sort of bonus? If so, then yes, it could be worth the sacrifice.

In reality, both UMass Amherst and Northeastern tend to get overshadowed in Mass by the big guns. But both Northeastern and UMass are great schools (with stronger reputations outside of their state than inside it). I think you can do great things coming out of either school. As for which one? Again, I find them more or less comparable, from an employer's perspective.

So, which one is a better fit for you? And is the trade off worth it? Only you can decide.

Answer 4

I concur with the previous poster?

Do you like UMass? DO you have good profs in your major - who both publish regularly and teach well? Do you have solid evidence that you would receive better instruction at Northeastern?

What do you mean bu a better future? If it involves post grad work or professional training, ask people in your planned area of specialty whether it is worth moving, and why.

Does one school offer more activities that might help you in a non-academic sense - p/t work opportunities or in planning / managing activities?

How comfortable are you leaving your univ friends and returning home. Being happy with good friends can buoy you up and help you pursue your studies with more enthusiasm (the opposite can be true if they keep you away from your studies).

IMHO - think this out and ask questions.

Answer 5

i became truthfully debating between those suitable same faculties a pair of months in the past. i ended up going with BU, yet i'm going for classics, so i do no longer incredibly understand lots approximately pc technological wisdom. one element approximately UMass, in case you probably did incredibly nicely on your MCAS you would be eligible for the loo and Abigail Adams scholarship, which i think of materials loose training to any state college. in elementary terms a thought.