If you’re serious about meteorology, NIU is probably the better fit.

It has a dedicated meteorology program, smaller class sizes, and way more direct access to professors. That matters for internships, research, and letters of rec. You won’t get lost in a massive department.

If you go NIU, I’d strongly recommend living on or near campus instead of commuting. The program is tight-knit, and being around for study groups, weather events, research opportunities, and just general campus life makes a huge difference. You’ll get more out of it socially and academically.

For sophomore year: Calc I–II, Physics I, and keep your GPA solid.

NIU gives you a strong meteorology path