Early Decision

Applying Early Decision for Fall 2021

For students whose unequivocal first choice is Northeastern, we recommend you consider applying Early Decision. For the Class of 2024, the Early Decision admit rate was 32%, compared to the overall admit rate of 20%. For Northeastern’s Class of 2025, we anticipate enrolling up to half of our entering class through Early Decision.

Apply Now

Students applying Early Decision have two deadlines to select from: Early Decision I is a November 1 deadline and Early Decision II is a January 1 deadline.

Apply Early Decision

Early Decision Benefits

To recognize that Early Decision students make a commitment to us, we’re making a commitment to you by offering additional benefits to those considering applying Early Decision and to those who are ultimately admitted through the Early Decision program.

Hear from Senior Associate Director of Admissions, Tim Kelly, on the benefits of applying Early Decision.

Before Applying Early Decision 

Conversation with an Admissions Counselor
Students who plan to apply ED and who engaged in a virtual information session and campus tour can take advantage of a personal conversation with an admissions counselor to ensure you and your family have all of your questions answered by connecting directly with an admission counselor. If you’d like a conversation, please email us here and include your name, date of birth, high school name, city, state/country, and what you’d like to discuss. Our office will then connect you with an admission counselor for your conversation.

Early Need-Based Financial Aid Reviews
In order to ensure your confidence in terms of financial fit, students who intend to apply for need-based financial aid may submit their CSS Profile by October 21 for ED I or December 11 for ED II and receive an early estimated need-based financial aid review. To initiate the early decision need based read, after the CSS profile is completed please submit the following application.
Please note that early reviews for merit scholarships are not possible as these are tied to the admission review and selection process. 

Once Admitted Early Decision

Ability to earn credits through NU Accelerate Scholarship
Early Decision enrolling students can launch their Northeastern academic experience before they even graduate through remote, asynchronous coursework offered through NU Accelerate: Pre-College Programs. Leveraging coursework curated specifically for first-year students in the NU Start program, Early Decision students will be awarded a scholarship to take up to 4 courses between the Spring and Summer terms. For additional information on the NU Accelerate Scholarship, visit our NU Accelerate page.

Exclusive experiential learning opportunities
ED students can earn resume-building badges and certificates through virtual micro-courses, remote workshops, and virtual global internships before Northeastern classes even begin.

In addition to the aforementioned ED benefits, all students enrolling this admissions cycle have the opportunity to earn credit through Northeastern-designed Challenge Exams, offered in a dozen different subjects, as well as through AP, IB, and Dual Enrollment credit. All of this adds up to an advantage that can accelerate your degree and create added flexibility in your studies—plus you’ll be part of the most powerful learning model with Northeastern’s more than a century of practice with experiential education.

Once you have been admitted, more information about how to take advantage of these opportunities will be sent to you via email and through this website.

Apply Now

If Northeastern is your absolute top choice, and you are committed to attending if admitted, we urge you to consider applying Early Decision I or Early Decision II.

1. Review our deadlines and required materials here.
For applicants applying for the 2021-2022 academic year, Northeastern University is test-optional and does not require standardized testing to complete an application for admission.

2. Create a Common Application or Coalition Application account and select Northeastern.

3. Submit your application.

APPLY Now