Freshman Applicants

As a valued member of the Northeastern community, you will have the opportunity to be submersed into a diverse, global, and thriving environment. You will explore new opportunities and chart your own path to degree. We are excited to have you join us, and look forward to the strengths and experience you bring with you.

Application Materials

  • Completed Common Application or Coalition Application
  • Application fee of $75
  • Guidance counselor and teacher recommendations
  • Secondary school transcripts with final junior year grades. First-semester or first-trimester grades should be submitted when they are available; first-quarter grades are not required. If you have been out of high school for more than one year, you must send the most up to date version of your transcript. Transcripts should be evaluated by a recognized credentialing agency (For transfer applicants who have earned credits at an international institution, please visit The Center for Educational Documentation).
  • Early Action and Early Decision candidates should send their first-term grades as soon as they are available.
  • Northeastern has a standardized test-optional policy for students applying for the 2021-2022 academic year. Under the new policy, applicants are not required to submit standardized test scores, but have the option to do so if they choose. All applicants will continue to be fully considered for admission, selection for the University Honors Program, and merit scholarships.
    • This policy applies to all applicants—whether graduating from a U.S. high school or a non-U.S. high school, meaning all students have the choice of whether or not to submit standardized testing for review as part of the admission process.
    • For students who choose to submit the SAT or ACT:
      • Official results can be sent using Northeastern’s CEEB College Code SAT 3667 / ACT College Code 1880.
      • Self-reported results may be submitted directly through the Application Status Check. Upon choosing to enroll, all self-reported SAT or ACT results must be verified by sending official scores through the testing service.
    • Applicants are welcome to submit other standardized testing scores for review (e.g., AP exam scores, IB exam scores, the GCE Advanced Levels, French Baccalauréat, or the Indian Higher Secondary School Certificate).
    • Non-native English-speaking students will still be required to submit results from an English language proficiency exam (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, Cambridge English or Duolingo) or request a waiver after they have applied (please see below).
  • English Proficiency: All students, regardless of citizenship must demonstrate English language proficiency when applying to Northeastern. You can meet the requirement if:
Application Information
  • Portfolios are required for Studio Art, and are encouraged for majors within the College of Arts, Media and Design. Beginning in Spring 2018, a portfolio is no longer required for Music Technology applicants. Northeastern uses SlideRoom for online portfolio submissions. Visit these pages to learn more about details regarding the portfolio requirements for Studio Art and portfolio guidelines for all other CAMD majors.
  • 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.
  • 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 Special Documents tab in our Application Information 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 and your myNortheastern Admitted Student Portal 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
Enrollment Information