Applicants must have completed an academically challenging secondary school program--one that includes courses in English, mathematics, laboratory science, history, and a foreign language. Candidates should also have read broadly outside of class and developed an ability to communicate ideas effectively. Achievement in secondary school is the best single predictor of academic success in college. This factor, together with recommendations from the student's school counselor and results from either the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT I) or the American College Testing (ACT) Program, weighs most heavily in the evaluation process.

Secondary School Preparation

Applicants to all University majors are expected to have completed the equivalents of four years of high school English, two years of a single foreign language, three years of mathematics (mandated as algebra 1, algebra 2, and geometry), two years of natural science with labs, and one year of a single unit or combined units in the area of social sciences. Further requirements for specific University majors are outlined below.

Business administration. Candidates must have completed a strong college preparatory program with four years of mathematics, including geometry, algebra 1, algebra 2, and a fourth year of trigonometry and/or analysis.

Computer science, engineering, mathematics, nursing, pharmacy and health sciences, (except physical therapy; see below), and other sciences. Applicants are encouraged to complete a full sequence of science and mathematics courses. In science, such a sequence should include two years of study and laboratory work in the subject areas of biology, chemistry, and physics. Preference is given to computer science applicants who have completed high school physics and either biology or chemistry. Engineering students must complete high school physics. In mathematics, applicants must have completed a strong college preparatory program with four years of mathematics including geometry, algebra 1, algebra 2, and a fourth year of trigonometry and/or analysis.

Engineering technology. Applicants are encouraged to complete a full sequence of mathematics, including geometry, algebra 1, algebra 2, and analysis, and a full year of study and lab work in a natural science.

Physical therapy. Candidates must have completed a full year each of biology and chemistry, with labs. However, due to the competitiveness of the program, it is strongly recommended that applicants also complete a year of physical science and a fourth year of science with lab (such as physics, advanced biology, advanced chemistry, or anatomy and physiology). In math, candidates must have completed geometry, algebra 1, algebra 2, and a fourth year of trigonometry and/or analysis.

Auditions. Admission to the music literature and performance concentration is highly competitive and requires an audition after clearance by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. An audition can be scheduled after February 1 by calling Arthur Rishi at 617.373.2776.

Portfolios. All candidates applying for admission into graphic design, photography, animation and general studio art concentrations are required to submit a portfolio that is reviewed by a committee of faculty. The portfolio must include 15 slides of original artwork presented in an 8-inch by 11-inch slide sheet. All slides should be numbered and clearly labeled on the front side with your name, title of work, date completed, dimensions and media used. The top of the slide should be indicated by an arrow. The portfolio may include work in a variety of media; no particular subject matter or style is required. Rather, students should select work that best shows their personal style, skills, creativity and commitment to innovation. Along with slides, the portfolio must contain (1) a separate typed slide list with your name, address, telephone number and Social Security number (if available), and (2) a separate typed one-page artist’s statement, describing your artwork, background, interests, goals, artistic influences and any other information. A self-addressed stamped envelope must be included for the return of the portfolio slides.

Entrance Examinations

Freshmen must take the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT I) of the College Board or the American College Testing (ACT) Program test. Results of these tests may be sent directly to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. The College Board code number for Northeastern University is 3667. When evaluating candidates' SAT scores, the Admission Office will combine the best verbal and math components, regardless of test date. For more information, consult a school guidance counselor or write directly to The College Board, P.O. Box 592, Princeton, NJ 08540, or P.O. Box 1025, Berkeley, CA 94701. Or write to American College Testing Program, P.O. Box 168, Iowa City, IA 52243.

It is required that candidates for physical therapy take one SAT II subject test in either biology, chemistry, or mathematics.

English-as-a-Second-Language Proficiency Requirement

Before being considered for admission, students whose native language is not English are required to demonstrate English language proficiency. This can be done by submitting the results of the College Board's Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), by successfully completing the English Language Center program at Northeastern University, or scoring at least 410 on the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) verbal section, or for transfer students by receiving B- or above in non-ESL English Composition I and II courses in English-speaking universities.

Before they are allowed to enroll in academic coursework, all students whose first language is not English and who score below 550 on the paper-based TOEFL or 213 on the computer-based TOEFL must take the English Proficiency Test administered by the University's English Language Center. The results of this test are used to assign students to appropriate English courses.

Advanced Placement

The University grants advanced placement credit to applicants with a score of 3 or better in their advanced placement examinations in the areas of art (history, studio general, studio drawing), economics (microeconomics, macroeconomics), English (language, literature), French (language, literature), German (language), government and politics (comparative, United States), history (European, United States), Latin (Virgil, Catullus, Horace), music (theory), and Spanish (language, literature). Advanced placement credit is granted for scores of 4 or better in the areas of biology, chemistry, computer science (A, AB), mathematics (calculus AB, BC), and physics (BC mechanics C electricity, magnetism).

Health Requirements

The Lane Health Center's Pre-entrance Physical Examination Form is sent to each student following acceptance to Northeastern. Completion of this form is considered a condition of enrollment. Each student must return the completed form, which includes a medical history, documentation of a recent physical exam, and a tuberculin test, within six months of registration.

State law requires medical documentation of appropriate immunization against measles (two vaccinations), mumps, rubella, tetanus, and diphtheria. Both a rubella and a varicella titer are mandatory for the health professions (medical laboratory science, nursing, pharmacy and health sciences, radiology, and physical therapy). Tuberculin tests are required annually for nursing students and within three months prior to the practicum for student teachers. A positive titer for hepatitis B is required prior to beginning any clinical assignments, internships, or cooperative education quarters for all undergraduate students deemed at risk by their departments and in pharmacy and health sciences and nursing.

The application process for all students follows. Refer to the International Students section and the Transfer Students section for additional requirements.

• Complete and sign the application form.
• Enclose the nonrefundable $45 application fee. Make checks payable to Northeastern University. This fee may be waived in cases of extreme hardship as endorsed by the candidate's secondary school counselor or social worker.
• Mail the application form and the check to the Office of Undergraduate Admission, 150 Richards Hall, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115.
• An on-line application for admission is also available and can be accessed at http://www.neu.edu/admission/Application.html. The on-line application can be used by both domestic and international applicants to the freshman class and by transfer students.
• Arrange for transcripts and required test scores Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT I) or American College Testing (ACT) Program to be sent to the University. Transfer students who have completed 36 or more quarter hours of transfer credit are not required to submit test scores.
• For priority consideration, applications should be submitted by February 15; applications for the physical therapy major and art(including all concentrations) must be submitted by February 1.
• All materials submitted in conjunction with a student's application become the property of Northeastern University.

International Students

The University welcomes qualified students from other countries. At present, approximately 2,400 international students from more than 115 countries attend Northeastern. The University is authorized under federal law to enroll nonimmigrant aliens as full-time students in degree-granting programs. The University also welcomes nonmatriculated students who wish to improve their English skills by studying at the English Language Center for one or more quarters. The English Language Center also offers counseling and assistance to international students who decide to apply to Northeastern. Admission is contingent upon meeting all University requirements.

In addition to the application process described above, international students must complete the following:

• Submit the same credentials as U.S. citizens. All credentials must be official documents or certified true copies. Credentials in languages other than English must be accompanied by certified literal English translations. Applicants with previous university-level studies should submit official course descriptions or syllabi for all coursework completed and/or provide an official evaluation by an accredited agency.
• Request the testing agency to submit the official results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). If these scores are not available at the time of application, it is the responsibility of the international applicant to take the test at the first available opportunity and have the results submitted as soon as possible. An application is considered incomplete until this credential is received. A student who attends and successfully completes the course of study offered by Northeastern University English Language Center (ELC) and obtains a "Pass" or a "Release" from the ELC is not required to submit TOEFL scores.
• Request the testing agency to submit the official results of the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT I) or the American College Testing (ACT) Program test. Both the SAT math and the TOEFL scores are considered when evaluating an international student's profile. Both the SAT math and verbal scores are considered only when an international student applies for a scholarship or wants to major in a subject that requires a great quantity of writing, such as journalism or communication studies. If these scores are not available at the time of application, it is the responsibility of the international applicant to take the test at the first available opportunity and have the results submitted as soon as possible. An application is considered incomplete until this credential is received. If the SAT is not offered in the country in which the applicant is studying, the test is not required. A transfer applicant who has successfully completed 36 or more quarter hours is not required to submit SAT scores.
• Submit the Supplementary Form with the application.
• Submit the Declaration and Certification of Finances Form with the application.
• After acceptance, submit the required nonrefundable tuition deposit of $200. Upon receipt of the tuition deposit, a Certificate of Eligibility (I-20 form or IAP-66 form) will be issued if the completed Northeastern University Declaration and Certification of Finances form is approved.
• If students are transferring to Northeastern from another college or university in the United States, one of the following is required. Students returning home before entering Northeastern must reenter the United States on the I-20 or IAP-66 issued by the University. Students not returning home must present the Northeastern-issued I-20 or IAP-66 to the International Students Office during registration and orientation.

The University considers awarding advanced standing credit to students whose secondary-school education exceeds the requirements met by students in the American educational system. The University recognizes the advanced level of academic preparation offered by the International Baccalaureate. Credit is generally granted for scores of 5, 6, or 7 on higher-level examinations, as applicable to the degree being pursued. Likewise, A-level results of A, B, or C will be awarded credit, as applicable, to the degree being pursued. In addition, the French Baccalaureate diploma with a note of 10 or higher and a coefficient of 3 or higher in many subjects will be awarded credit, as applicable, to the degree being pursued.

Other types of advanced-placement programs offered in a country other than the United States will be evaluated prior to matriculation or by the end of the first quarter of study at the University, and will be awarded credit, as applicable, to the degree being pursued.

Transfer Students

Students who have completed one or two years of study in a regionally accredited college, university, or technical institute or who have earned an associate's degree from a regionally accredited two-year college or other two-year program may seek admission as an upperclass student.

Basic requirements. Transfer applicants must have achieved a satisfactory college record appropriate to the course of study they wish to pursueÑat another institution. Credit is generally granted toward a Northeastern degree for a grade of C (2.0) or better in any reasonably equivalent course completed at another accredited institution. Candidates must be in good standing and must be eligible to continue in the institution they are currently attending.

Northeastern University uses the quarter calendar and awards quarter hours of credit for courses that are successfully completed. Each quarter hour (QH) of credit is equivalent to three-fourths of one semester hour. Most Northeastern courses are equivalent to three semester hours of credit or four QH. Students who successfully complete 48 QH generally qualify for sophomore standing, 80 for middler, 112 for junior, and 148 for senior. All upperclass course selection for transfer students is planned with their faculty advisers.

Transfer credit for coursework completed prior to matriculation to the University will be evaluated only for institutions reported on the student's application for admission. Only official transcripts from these institutions will be accepted for purposes of credit evaluation, with English translation if appropriate. Some students may choose to take additional coursework at another institution after being admitted to Northeastern but before they have matriculated to the University. In this case, the student has up to three quarters of university enrollment to present official transcripts for evaluation of credit; transcripts presented after three quarters will not be evaluated. Similarly, scores from the Colleges Level Examination Program (CLEP) must be presented within three quarters of university enrollment.

Courses taken more than ten years prior to Northeastern enrollment, or reinstatement to the University, will be reviewed for applicability to a degree program by the appropriate curriculum committee.

Application procedure. Transfer candidates should apply as early as possible for priority consideration. Applications will be reviewed on a space-available basis.

The SAT or ACT is waived for students who have or will have completed 36 or more QH of transfer credit. In addition, transfer candidates must