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Counselor Resources

At Northeastern, we aim to support our school counseling colleagues by providing you with a comprehensive and user-friendly resource that will assist you in supporting your students through the application process. Bookmark this page for relevant, up-to-date information and links about the Northeastern application process. If you need additional assistance, please send any questions or comments to admissions@northeastern.edu, and someone will assist you in a timely manner.

 

Counselor Information Sessions

We are pleased to offer a number of campus visit options that school counselors, college counselors, and CBO counselors can take advantage of. Through our visit portal, you can register for an information session and tour on any of our campuses. We also offer counselor-specific information sessions throughout the year, both in-person in Boston as well as virtually.

Northeastern University is a leader in experiential education through interdisciplinary research, global engagement, and the seamless integration of classroom learning and real-world experience. Through this experience-powered approach to education, Northeastern prepares students for a lifetime of achievement, allowing them to make an impact on the world before they graduate.

Undergraduates are empowered to chart their own academic path through more than 290 majors, including over 180 combined majors, across nine undergraduate colleges and programs. Learn more:

Fall 2024 Applicants

Applications for the Class of 2028 have opened! Students may submit applications through the Common Application or Coalition Application. We encourage students and counselors to review the Application Information section of our website for the most up-to-date information. Please be advised that students who have submitted their application should check their Application Status Check frequently to ensure their application is complete and no more information is needed for review.

Information for Counselors

Critical Updates for the 2024-2025 Academic Cycle

  • Test-Optional: Northeastern continues to be test-optional through the 2025-2026 application cycle, meaning that students can choose to apply with or without the SAT or ACT. Please note, students who choose not to submit testing will not be disadvantaged in the admissions process.
  • Early Decision (ED): We expect to enroll roughly half of our entering class through Early Decision. For the class entering in Fall 2023, the ED admit rate was 28% compared to the overall 6% admit rate. Early Decision applicants should visit our website to learn more about the benefits of early decision.
  • Financial Aid Updates: During the past academic year, Northeastern awarded over $437 million in undergraduate financial aid. 70% of first-year students at Northeastern receive financial aid, including merit scholarships and grants.

First-Year Application Process

All prospective first-year students must submit either the Common Application or Coalition Application by November 1 or January 1.

Application Plan Application Deadline Decision Release Deposit Deadline
Early Decision I * November 1 January 1 The Early Decision deposit deadline will be shared in the acceptance letter
Early Action November 1 February 15 May 1
Early Decision II * January 1 March 1 The Early Decision deposit deadline will be shared in the acceptance letter
Regular Decision January 1 April 1 May 1

* Early Decision I and Early Decision II are binding for fall admission.

Submitting Documents

Documents not submitted through the Common Application, Coalition Application, or another college readiness platform can either be emailed to admissions@northeastern.edu (from an identifiable and verifiable school email address) or mailed to one of the two addresses listed on our Required Materials page

All students who apply to Northeastern are considered for the following programs and will receive one of these enrollment decisions:
  • Admission to Northeastern’s Boston degree-granting campus
  • Admission to Northeastern’s Oakland degree-granting campus
  • Admission to The N.U.in Program: Students spend their first semester abroad at a partner location
  • Global Scholars: Students spend their first two semesters at two separate NU global campuses
  • London Scholars: Students spend their first two semesters at the NU London campus
  • Additionally, all non-native English-speaking applicants will be considered for admission through the NU Immerse program. All Boston residents will also be considered for admission through Foundation Year.
Applicants to Northeastern may indicate their preference for the various enrollment options as part of the Northeastern-specific questions in the application—this preference helps guide the Admissions Committee in making their decisions. Students cannot apply directly to a specific enrollment opportunity, as all applicants are considered for every available avenue of admission. Please note: Applicants who apply in Early Decision and are admitted into an enrollment program that is not their first preference—they will be released from the binding ED agreement and have until May 1 to submit their deposit. Learn more about Early Decision. Additional information regarding each opportunity can be found here.

At Northeastern, we review each application completely and holistically. Each student’s academic performance is considered alongside recommendations, extracurricular activities, and other qualitative measures of success. Our admissions process focuses on identifying dynamic applicants who will thrive in any of our large university settings.

Highlights from this past admissions cycle:

Northeastern received over 96,000 first-year applications for Fall 2023, a 6% increase over the previous year—our largest and most competitive applicant pool to date. The ED admit rate was 28% compared to the overall admit rate of 6%.

Financing Northeastern

At Northeastern, we understand that financial fit is critical. All applicants, regardless of citizenship status, are considered for merit scholarships. U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and eligible noncitizens are also considered for need-based financial aid and federal student financial aid. For information on tuition, cost of attendance, and additional expenses, please review the Tuition and Fees section on the Student Financial Services webpage.
Please note:
  • Any first-year applicant who submits all necessary documents by the application deadline will receive their financial aid offer in coordination with their offer of admission.
  • Merit scholarships are determined by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. No additional application is necessary, as the application for admissions also serves as the scholarship application. Any student who receives a merit scholarship will be notified about their scholarship when they are offered admission to Northeastern.
  • International students seeking need-based scholarships and grants are recommended to apply for outside scholarships. For resources on outside scholarships, please review the International Students section on the Student Financial Services webpage.

CSS Profile

(NU code 3667) Students applying for institutional need-based aid must fill out a profile. Students seeking federal student aid only are not required to complete the CSS Profile Form.

The priority filing date for the CSS Profile depends upon admission application status:

  • Early Decision I: November 15
  • Early Action: December 1
  • Early Decision II:  January 15
  • Regular Decision: February 15
  • Fall Transfer: April 15

*Please note that the 2024–2025 FAFSA will not be available until December. Please submit the CSS Profile by the deadline and the FAFSA as soon as possible when available. Visit studentaid.gov for more information.

 

FAQ

  • Despite our large applicant pool, students are able to stand out in our process through a combination of a multitiered file review process by our staff, as well as through visit and engagement with the university. Interested students should research and connect with the university through virtual offerings and by reaching out to their admission counselor.

    In our holistic review, we look for students who have challenged themselves academically by taking advantage of the curricular opportunities available to them; are engaged in activities outside of the classroom; and have demonstrated leadership and an interest in pursuing their passions.

    • Northeastern requires the secondary school report, high school transcript (including any predicted grades), counselor recommendation, and teacher evaluation from each applicant. All documents must be submitted to Northeastern directly from the high school or recommender.
    • Prospective students who applied in Early Decision II or Regular Decision, or who were deferred from Early Decision I and Early Action, are strongly encouraged to submit the Midyear Report by February 1 to provide additional insight into each applicant’s senior year performance.
    • Predicted grades are required for all applicants whose secondary education culminates in externally assessed high school graduation exams or university matriculation exams. Additional information on submitting predicted grades in available on the International Applicants page.
  • Yes. Northeastern is test optional for all students.

    Non-native English-speaking applicants are still required to submit official results from one of the following English Language Tests: C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency (Cambridge English); Duolingo English Test; IELTS Academic; PTE Academic; or TOEFL iBT. We will also consider results from the TOEFL iBT Home Edition and IELTS Indicator. Northeastern will not consider the TOEFL ITP Plus for China.

  • Your students can request a need-based fee waiver through either the Common Application or Coalition Application. Supporting documentation is not required from students, but if you are looking to submit documentation, such as the NACAC fee waiver request form, please email scanned copies to admissions@northeastern.edu.

  • All U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and eligible non-citizens who plan to apply for need-based financial aid from Northeastern or federal student financial aid, must submit both the FAFSA and CSS Profile by the appropriate financial aid application deadlines.

    For additional information on the financial aid application process, please visit the Applying for Financial Aid page on our website.

  • All applicants are considered for merit scholarship when applying. Students who are in the top 10-15% of our applicant pool are considered for these awards, with strongest emphasis for scholarship selection being placed on academic achievement. Students invited to the Honors Program are offered an Honors scholarship.

    Northeastern offers a variety of other scholarships depending on specific student achievements or actions, including competitive scholarships for National Merit Finalists and College Board National Scholars. Additionally, students may pursue microscholarships through the RaiseMe program. Additional information can be found on our Scholarships page.

  • Students who are interested in being considered for need-based financial aid will need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as well as the CSS Profile. Please note:

    • Students whose biological parents are not married to each other are required to provide information about both parent households when completing the CSS Profile.
    • Students and families should also be prepared to submit copies of W-2s, signed personal federal tax returns, including all schedules, as well as business tax returns.
    • Should additional materials or other supporting documentation be needed, we will indicate this in writing.
  • All incoming students are encouraged to complete their financial aid application materials by the priority filing date to ensure consideration for all available need-based financial aid programs for which they are eligible. Additionally, all first-year applicants who meet the aid application deadline and submit all required financial aid documents will receive their financial aid offer in coordination with their offer of admission. Once the financial aid awarding process has begun, financial aid awards will continue to be released on a rolling basis for students who complete their aid application materials. First-year students may view their Offer of Financial Assistance through their Application Status Check or their myNortheastern portal.

  • At Northeastern, we believe in your future. We also believe that financing your education is a partnership that continues throughout your enrollment, not just for your first year. Our commitment is reflected in our unique Northeastern Promise. The Promise enables you to plan for the entire cost of your degree through supporting the following conditions*:

    • We are dedicated to meeting the full demonstrated need for each admitted student eligible for federal financial aid.
    • Northeastern University scholarship and grant funds will not be reduced during your undergraduate program (for up to eight in-class semesters).
    • Northeastern University need-based grant funds will be increased annually at the same percentage rate as the increase in tuition.
    • If your family experiences a substantial negative change in financial circumstances, we will reevaluate your aid package and make available all financial resources for which you qualify.

    *Please visit the Student Financial Services website for more information regarding the terms and conditions of this commitment.

  • Approximately one-third of all financial aid applicants are selected by either the U.S. Department of Education or Northeastern’s Office of Student Financial Services to verify the information provided on the FAFSA and/or CSS Profile. If a student has been selected for verification and are required to submit additional documents, they will be notified in writing. Financial aid offers for incoming students are tentative pending the completion of the verification process. Should the verified information differ significantly from the original information provided on the FAFSA and/or CSS Profile, there may be a change in a students financial aid eligibility.

  • The federally subsidized work-study program gives students the opportunity to work a qualifying part-time job to assist with their educational expenses. Eligible students must have submitted their FAFSA by the priority filing deadline and demonstrate financial need to qualify. If students are eligible for federal work-study, it will be reflected on their offer of financial assistance.

    Students must conduct their own job search if they choose to utilize their award. Available positions are limited, and employment is not guaranteed.

Contact Information

We're happy to connect and answer your questions. Email, call, or connect with your local admissions counselor.