Northeastern University: Inclusive Admissions Across America

Northeastern University is a highly selective private research university with a main campus in Boston, Massachusetts, and satellite campuses in eight other cities across the US and Canada. The university has a large international student population, with over 20,000 students from more than 140 countries. The admissions process for international students varies depending on the chosen program or college, but all applicants must demonstrate English proficiency and meet rigorous academic requirements. Northeastern's holistic evaluation considers factors such as advanced coursework, letters of recommendation, extracurricular activities, essays, and community contributions.

Northeastern University's acceptance rate

Northeastern University is a highly selective private institution with a total undergraduate enrollment of 15,891 as of Fall 2023. The university has a holistic admissions process and seeks to enrol students who have demonstrated academic success and active involvement in their school and community. The admissions committee considers factors such as advanced coursework, letters of recommendation, resumes, essays, and contributions to the community when evaluating applications.

The acceptance rate at Northeastern University is extremely low, with an all-time low of 5.2% for the Class of 2028 during the fall 2024 admissions cycle. This continues a downward trend in the acceptance rate, with previous rates of 5.6% in 2023 and 6.7% in 2022. The university received a record-breaking number of applications, approximately 98,373, for the Class of 2028, resulting in a yield rate of around 51% for the Boston campus.

The early decision acceptance rate for the Class of 2027 was 39%, according to a source, while another source mentions a rate of 33% for early decision and 6% for regular decision. The low acceptance rate at Northeastern University is partly due to the high number of applications, with an increase of 53% in the number of applicants over the past five years. The university's unique "brand," global campus system, and increasing avenues of entry have contributed to its popularity.

Northeastern University's admissions process is highly competitive, and the university seeks to enrol a diverse and talented incoming class. The university does not require supplemental essays or standardised test scores, making it more accessible to a wider range of applicants. However, students who choose to submit SAT or ACT scores for consideration will not be disadvantaged in the admissions process.

Northeastern University's application requirements

Northeastern University is a highly selective private institution with a low acceptance rate of 5.6%. The admissions committee seeks to enrol a diverse and talented pool of students who have demonstrated academic success and active involvement in their school and community.

Application Requirements for First-Year Students:

First-year applicants must submit the following:

• Completed Common Application or Coalition Application, including any Northeastern-specific questions.
• Application fee of $75 (or request for a fee waiver).
• The Early Decision Agreement for students applying under the binding Early Decision I or II application options.
• Secondary school counsellor and teacher recommendations.
• Secondary school report and transcripts with final junior-year grades. First-semester or first-trimester grades should be submitted when available.
• General Equivalency Diploma (GED) recipients should provide their official GED score reports and their most complete high school transcript.
• Home-schooled applicants should submit an academic portfolio/transcript consistent with their state guidelines, including grades for each course. They must also provide proof that they will meet all requirements for an official high school diploma by the end of May in the year of graduation.
• Non-native English speakers must submit official results from an approved English Language Test or request a waiver.
• School Report, which includes details about the academic offerings of the student's school and provides context to the high school transcript.

Application Requirements for Transfer Students:

Transfer applicants must submit the following:

• Completed Common Application or Coalition Application.
• Application fee of $75.
• Official college transcript(s) for all institutions attended.
• College Report to be completed by the registrar's office or dean of the student's current/previous school.
• Academic evaluation from an academic advisor, professor, or employer.
• Final high school transcript or GED.
• Joint Service Transcript (for veterans).
• Non-native English speakers must submit official results from an approved English Language Test or request a waiver.

Standardized Testing:

Northeastern University is test-optional and does not require applicants to submit SAT or ACT scores for consideration. However, students may choose to submit these scores, and those who do will not be disadvantaged in the admissions process.

English Proficiency:

As the primary instructional language at Northeastern University is English, proficiency in English must be demonstrated by non-native English speakers to qualify for admission. This can be done by submitting valid and official results from an approved English Language Test.

Additional Information for International Applicants:

International students applying to Northeastern University must complete and submit the Declaration and Certification of Finances (DCF), which assists the Admissions Committee in understanding the applicant's anticipated financial support. International students are not eligible for financial aid at Northeastern.

Northeastern University's location

Northeastern University is a private research university with its main campus in Boston, Massachusetts. The university was founded in 1898 and has since expanded to include 13 campuses worldwide.

The Boston campus is located in the heart of the city, covering 73 acres in the urban college town. The campus is easily accessible via the city's subway system, with its own stop on the T. The dynamic and historical city is home to many colleges and offers a range of activities for students.

Northeastern's other campuses are spread across the United States and the world, including locations such as Charlotte, North Carolina; Seattle, Washington; San Jose, California; Oakland, California; Portland, Maine; Burlington, Massachusetts; Miami, Florida; and Toronto and Vancouver in Canada. The university also has a presence in London, England, following a merger with the New College of the Humanities.

Each campus offers unique experiences, opportunities, and connections that enrich the learning and research of its students. With initiatives spanning the globe, Northeastern University is committed to creating a better world through education and innovation.

Northeastern University's ranking

Northeastern University is a highly selective private institution that was founded in 1898. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 15,891 (as of Fall 2023), and its campus size is 73 acres. The university's rankings are as follows:

• #54 in National Universities (tie) in the 2025 edition of Best Colleges.
• #104 in Best Value Schools.
• #9 in Best Colleges for Design in America.
• One of the top private universities in Boston, United States.
• #396 in QS World University Rankings 2025.

Northeastern University offers a range of academic programs and is known for its cooperative education approach, which provides students with substantial work experience before they receive their diplomas. The university also offers need-based financial aid and scholarships to support the educational success of its students.

Northeastern University's history

Northeastern University was established in 1898 as an all-male institute by the Boston Young Men's Christian Association. In 1916, it was incorporated as Northeastern College, gaining university status in 1922.

The university's early years saw the establishment of several schools, including the School of Law in 1898, the Automobile Engineering School in 1903, a Polytechnic School in 1904, and a School of Commerce and Finance in 1907. Day classes began in 1909, and the first cooperative engineering courses were offered to eight students.

In 1917, veteran educator Frank Palmer Speare was inaugurated as the first president of Northeastern College. The college changed its name to Northeastern University in 1922 to reflect the increasing depth of its instruction. The university secured general degree-granting power from the Legislature in 1923, with the exception of medical and dental degrees.

Over the years, Northeastern University continued to expand its academic offerings and infrastructure. The College of Liberal Arts was added in 1935, and the College of Education in 1953. The university also established the University College (now the College of Professional Studies), the College of Pharmacy, and the College of Nursing, which later merged to become the Bouvé College of Health Sciences. The College of Criminal Justice was created in 1967, followed by the Khoury College of Computer Sciences in 1982, the first college in the US dedicated to computer science.

Northeastern University has a long history of promoting diversity and inclusion. Following World War II, the university began admitting women, and in the early 1960s, it actively started recruiting Black students with the financial assistance of the Ford Foundation. By the 1974-75 academic year, women accounted for 33% of the undergraduate student body, while 5% were Black, and over 900 students came from different foreign countries.

Today, Northeastern University is a private research university with its main campus in Boston, Massachusetts, and satellite campuses across the US and Canada. It offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs and is known for its cooperative education program, which provides students with valuable work experience. The university has a diverse and vibrant community, with more than 38,000 students, making it the largest university in Massachusetts by enrollment.

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