collin_colony

So... I am pursuing a Masters at either Johns Hopkins or Northeastern (decision deadline is fast-approaching). There are several factors to consider here, the major one being FINANCES. Hopkins (can either be a 1-year or 2-year program) is roughly $80k a year... meanwhile, Northeastern (a two-year program) I received a $40k scholarship for and since the annual cost is probably roughly $75k I would only pay $35k the first year and then I would be in a co-op the second year, so I would pay half the annual cost and have a salary. Overall, Northeastern is probably a decent bit cheaper; I am also going into graduate school with $35k in loans.For the programs, it looks like Johns Hopkins has exactly what I want. I am looking to pursue the integrated area of comp sci/data science and BME, and hopkins literally has a BME data science program. Northeastern does not; they have medical imaging/devices, biomechanics, and cell and tissue engineering. None of those are necessarily what I am exactly looking for, but I would still get a decent degree.There is also the difficulty factor. From what I am aware, Hopkins is MUCH more difficult and I am not certain I would be able to handle that (University of Rochester sorta wiped me). Maybe I could but it seems like a big challenge - also I have friends who live in Boston, not Baltimore.Following my Masters I cannot honestly say what I want to do (pursue a PhD? MD? Industry? Research? idk) but I would like to keep my options open.And now I am supposed to make a decision, but I honestly have no idea. What do you guys think?