Northeastern Illinois University? (Chicago, Harvard, Albany: transfer, schools, universities)

[Avengerfire]

When I was growing up and a teenager in H.S., most of us called Northeastern "Mickey Mouse University"...

[Johnny Northside]

Originally Posted by Avengerfire

When I was growing up and a teenager in H.S., most of us called Northeastern "Mickey Mouse University"...

I believe the term I recall was "Northeasy"

[chicago103]

NEIU is such a random school for someone from another part of the country to ask about, I am actually curious how you even found out about it or became interested in it.

I agree with what other people have been saying about NEIU. The school has such a low reputation in fact that its hardly even talked about outside of people who live in that part of the north side and near north suburbs. I would even wager that most people living where I do on the southwest side haven't even heard of it or have to be reminded that it exists.

The reputation gap between NEIU and UIC is probably just as great as that between UIC and the University of Chicago. I am a twice UIC alumni so perhaps I am a little biased but what people have been saying about it are true. If you are already attending the University of Texas at Austin you probably have the standards to be accepted to UIC and since its still a relatively well known school you won't be giving up the reputation by going to NEIU.

Is there any reason you are adverse to going to UIC? As others have said its also a state school like NEIU so its still gonna be pretty cheap even if it isnt as chaep. Do you think UIC is a bit too urban for your tastes because its virtually in downtown Chicago? Really if you want to experience the social scene without being overblown by the frat scene as others have said I think UIC strikes a great balance which seems to be what you are looking for.

[SonySegaTendo617]

Originally Posted by Johnny Northside

I believe the term I recall was "Northeasy"

Yep, it was definitely Northeasy! Especially since I used to go there, and don't miss NEIU much at all. (aside from a handful of the professors that were awesome)

[blkgiraffe]

Originally Posted by joshthegreat

Hey everyone, I will keep this short. I recently moved to Austin and I am not liking it so much. I am not here to bash Austin, so yeah. Thinking about moving to Chicago for the spring semester......I am nervous about another move and want to make sure it is a more permanent choice. So ANY help would be great!

I love Chicago. I have visited it whenever possible(recently taking my family there this spring break....they LOVED the 33 degree weather). Anyways, I have been looking into NEIU for some time, but I have some pointed questions.

1. Is it a good school? By that, I do not mean is it known nationwide as a great school. But is it taken seriously? Are the majority of students there taking their education seriously? I ask this because I have looked at many reviews on the school and I am getting a very mixed image.

2.Here at Texas State U, where I am attending now, its NOTHING but frats and seemingly endless supply of 18 year olds. Don't get me wrong, I KNOW I am in college, but its insane here. Also, I am kind of out of the "college party scene", which is huge here. So here is the question, is NEIU really not a place where a new person could meet people? I am wanting a change from my current school, but I do not want a TOTALLY different experience. I am looking for a happy middle.

3. Is North Park, Albany Park, or Jefferson Park safe? (I know there is a thread for this kind of thing, but there doesn't seem to be much info on these hoods, and I am quite interested).

4. How are the people of Chicago? I know this question is too broad a question for such a city, but what could one expect overall with daily interactions with others. I have had no bad experience in Chicago, other than aggressive homeless, but than again, I haven't been actively trying to create bonds and explore more intensely.

BTW, I am 23, girlfriend is 18, and I am a history major. If you do not know the specifics I am asking, just some info in NEIU(aka real experiences) would be really cool.

Thanks in advance guys.

TSU as in Texas State University??? Isn't that in San Marcos??? Or did you just pronounce the school wrong??

[dinnermint]

One of my best childhood friends goes to NEIU after a bad stint in a small, Midwestern liberal arts school. She actually loves it because of the small class size and, as a commuter, she can work, live at home, and just FOCUS rather than being wound up in all the social drama of living on campus. This said, she's not really involved in any student organizations (there are next-to none) and most of her social life comes from growing up in Chicago-- not going to the university.

Chiming in with other posters, definitely check out UIC. It's growing tremendously and the value of a degree from there will explode in the next few years. Just the facilities that have been built since 2005, when most of my friends started attending, are stunning. Good social scene but very well integrated into the city. One of my best friends is in her last semester there and said, "Rather than school being what my world revolves around like in a typical college town, I feel like I'm living a normal life and school is just one of the things I do." Not very Greek and your social experience-- student involvement, academic success, etc.-- is truly what you make of it.

In addition to Loyola and DePaul, check Roosevelt, North Park, and Dominican.

[joshthegreat]

Originally Posted by chicago103

NEIU is such a random school for someone from another part of the country to ask about, I am actually curious how you even found out about it or became interested in it.

I agree with what other people have been saying about NEIU. The school has such a low reputation in fact that its hardly even talked about outside of people who live in that part of the north side and near north suburbs. I would even wager that most people living where I do on the southwest side haven't even heard of it or have to be reminded that it exists.

The reputation gap between NEIU and UIC is probably just as great as that between UIC and the University of Chicago. I am a twice UIC alumni so perhaps I am a little biased but what people have been saying about it are true. If you are already attending the University of Texas at Austin you probably have the standards to be accepted to UIC and since its still a relatively well known school you won't be giving up the reputation by going to NEIU.

Is there any reason you are adverse to going to UIC? As others have said its also a state school like NEIU so its still gonna be pretty cheap even if it isnt as chaep. Do you think UIC is a bit too urban for your tastes because its virtually in downtown Chicago? Really if you want to experience the social scene without being overblown by the frat scene as others have said I think UIC strikes a great balance which seems to be what you are looking for.

I became curious in the school because I have been in love with Chicago for some time, I like the area the school is in ( northern fringe of urban Chicago/suburban) and most importantly it is CHEAP for a person who is out of state. I am not one to look down on schools because their academics are not "known". So the semi-bad reviews on that end at first did not seem to discourage me. But now since most people seem to have a unanimous idea of the school, it scares me.

Oh no, I am going to Texas State University, sorry if there was a confusion. It is not nearly as reputable as UT, as you might imagine. But yes, I have always looked at UIC...since I was in high school. The thing is, being out of state, it is simply too expensive for me. Now, do not get me wrong, I do believe the education would be worth it, but I am just wanting to graduate now with the least amount of debt. Right now, going to TSU, I am getting a pretty good education while paying less than 4,000 a semester. I wish everything worked out here, because that is a great deal, but doesn't always work out that way.

No no nooo the location is amazing. It would definitely help me live a car less life(see, most parts of Chicago I could see myself needing to keep my car, which could be pricey...I like the NEIU area because parking seemed more plentiful).

But nevertheless thanks everyone again for the responses. This is why I love CD...REAL people talking about issues only a local could express.

[joshthegreat]

Originally Posted by jluke65780

TSU as in Texas State University??? Isn't that in San Marcos??? Or did you just pronounce the school wrong??

I said Texas State U, maybe I should of took the extra second to add niversity lol

Yes, Texas State University San Marcos.

[Drover]

Under the circumstances, your best course of action may be to suck it up for a couple years and finish up school in Texas, and then look for jobs up here.

[karrod]

Based on my personal experience, NEIU is not a good school at all. It is not taken seriously and majority of students there are not taking their education seriously.
Like Texas State U, its NOTHING but frats and seemingly endless supply of 18 year olds who party a lot. I would say that NEIU is really not a place where a new person could meet people.
Also North Park, Albany Park, or Jefferson Park are not safe at all. There is shooting almost every day. There are lots of gangs, and they kill each other all the time. Sometimes they shoot innocent people because they think that they are members of the gang which is their enemy. Based on my personal opinion, it's better to choose UIC, and the area there is much safer than the area around Northeastern. Also there is lots of racial tension in this school among the different ethnic groups, mainly blacks against white and people born in the U.S. against Europeans and Middle eastern, which includes staff and the police department.