First-Year Applicants

We’re excited to have you join the Northeastern community. If you’re looking to apply, you can see all the information you’ll need to provide. If you’ve been accepted, you can see your next steps and requirements.

Application

• Completed Common Application or Coalition Application
• Non-refundable application fee of $75

School counselor and teacher recommendations

We require one teacher recommendation and one school counselor recommendation. If someone else has written on your behalf and offers a different viewpoint, you may submit 1-2 additional recommendations if you would like, but please know that due to the number of applications we receive we may not be able to consider all of them as part of our evaluation. Please ask your recommender to send their letter as a PDF to admissions@northeastern.edu.

Transcripts

All first-year applicants will be required to self-report their coursework and grades. The platform to submit will be available this fall. All applicants will receive an updated communication on next steps.

• Your high school should submit the Mid-Year Report if you were deferred to Regular Decision.
• You will need to provide an official translation for any transcripts which are not provided in English.
• If you are applying from a high school with non-traditional grading policies or narrative evaluations instead of traditional grades, you are required to submit your narrative reports in order for your application to be complete.
• If you have been out of high school for more than one year, you are still required to submit your most recent transcript.
• If you earned your GED, you must submit an official GED score report, along with your high school transcript through the final year you completed.

Optional Standardized Testing

Northeastern University is test-optional and does not require applicants to submit standardized testing to be considered for admission.

• All complete applications will be fully considered for admission to Northeastern for all enrollment opportunities, invitation to the John Martinson Honors Program, and any merit scholarships
• If you choose to apply without standardized testing, you will not be penalized or disadvantaged.
• If you choose to submit standardized testing, you may submit the SAT(CEEB Code 3667), ACT (College Code 1880), or both. Northeastern super-scores and will only consider your best score between the two types of tests.
• All applicants from U.S. and international high schools will be able to choose to submit standardized testing (SAT or ACT) or not.
• Non-native English-speaking applicants must continue to submit official results from an approved English Language Test or request a waiver through the Application Status Check. For additional information, continue reading or visit the International Applicants page for our English Language Proficiency policy.
• For additional information, visit our testing policy tab on the Required Materials page or review our test-optional FAQ.

English Proficiency

All first-year and transfer applicants, regardless of citizenship, must demonstrate proficiency in English to be considered for admission to Northeastern. You can complete the requirement in the following ways:

• You are a native English speaker.
• You are a non-native English speaker, and you submit official results from a valid English Language Test. Northeastern will accept the following:
  • C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency (Cambridge English)
  • Duolingo English Test (DET)
  • IELTS Academic
  • PTE Academic
  • TOEFL Internet-based Test (Northeastern will accept either the in-person iBT completed in a test center, or the online iBT Home Edition. Northeastern’s TOEFL Code is 3667.)

  Please note: Northeastern’s Admissions Committee reserves the right to request proof of English language proficiency from any applicant, regardless of citizenship or first language, at any time during the evaluation process.

  Additional Required Materials

  Portfolios

  Students applying to the College of Arts, Media and Design can submit a portfolio under their Application Status Check after applying to Northeastern. Applicants are encouraged to complete all forms, including Academic Profile, Media Uploads, and Personal Statement (500-word limit). Please only submit one portfolio. Additional submissions will not be reviewed. Click here for more information and deadlines.

  Declaration and Certification of Finances

  Non-U.S. citizen applicants are required to submit the Declaration and Certification of Finances (DCF) form for their application to be considered complete. The Certification of Finances is designed to assist colleges and universities in obtaining complete and accurate information about the funds available to international applicants. As Northeastern is unable to offer state or federally-funded financial support to international applicants, the process of verifying the financial resources of students is essential.

  GED

  General Equivalency Diploma (GED) recipients should provide their official GED score reports and their most complete high school transcript.

  Non-traditional grading policies

  Students who attend schools where narrative evaluations are used instead of traditional letter grades are required to submit the narratives to complete their applications.

  Home-schooled applicants

  See requirements for homeschooled applicants on our Required Materials page

  Enrollment Checklist

  Please view your Application Status Check to view your enrollment checklist and next steps/important dates to note in order to enroll at Northeastern.

  Next Steps

  You will receive a number of communications in the coming months, including information on financial planning, registering for spring admitted student events, registering for New Student Orientation, housing and roommate assignments, and moving in, among other items. Please be sure to contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions if your email address changes. In addition, make sure to check your Application Status Check for the most up-to-date information.

  What to expect, and when

  Here’s what admitted students can expect, and when.

  1. Offer of Financial Assistance: Available At Time Of Admission Decision
  2. New Student Orientation Information: In April, After Deposit Is Received
  3. Health Report Form: In April
  4. Information On Financial Planning, Billing, And Loans: May–July
  5. Housing Assignment: Beginning In Mid-June
  6. Information About the Mandatory Office of Global Services Sessions Scheduled For International Students With F-1 Visa: Beginning In Mid-June
  7. Move-In Instructions and Campus Information: Beginning In Mid-August
  8. First Billing Statement: Four To Six Weeks Before Start of Term
  9. Health Insurance and Waiver Information: Four To Six weeks before Start Of Term, along with First Billing Statement
  10. Student Employment Registration Information: During Orientation

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