International Applicants

Whether you’ll graduate with an American high school diploma, the IB Diploma, or another internationally recognized school leaving qualification, you will be expected (prior to enrolling) to complete a secondary education program which enables you to apply to university in your own country (e.g. British A-Levels, French Baccalauréat, or German Abitur). Predicted examination results should be sent with your grades by your high school.

• Your high school will need to provide Northeastern with official transcripts or academic records by the application deadline.
• Transcripts sent by an applicant or their families will not be accepted.
• If your educational system does not issue transcripts, your high school must provide the academic records which detail the courses you’ve taken throughout high school, and the grades which you’ve received. Examples include internal grade reports, term or semester reports, mark sheets, or promotional or provisional examination results.
• Results should also be provided from any lower secondary examinations, such as the GCSE, O-Levels, SPM, WASC, or Indian SSC.

If you are applying as a transfer student from an international university, you will need to provide a certified transcript evaluation completed by a recognized credentialing agency, such as the Center for Educational Documentation.

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.

• Under the new policy, whether graduating from a U.S. institution or Wan international institution, you will be able to choose whether to submit standardized testing or not. If you do not submit standardized testing, you will not be penalized or disadvantaged. All applicants will be fully considered for admission to Northeastern, including the University Honors Program, and for any merit scholarships.
• If you choose to submit standardized testing, you should submit results from the test, or tests, which best capture your academic preparation and abilities in the classroom. While there is no advantage in submitting results from more than one test, all results provided will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee and factored into your admissions decision. Northeastern will consider results from any of the following:
  • SAT (CEEB Code 3667) or ACT (College Code 1880)
  • International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma or Higher Level Exams (if you are not a Diploma candidate)
  • AP Exams or SAT Subject Tests
  • GCE Advanced Levels
  • Northeastern will also consider results from over 100 national exams. Please review the Testing Policy tab on the Application Information page for a complete list.
• Results can be submitted officially or self-reported through your Application Status Check portal. Please review the Testing Policy tab on the Application Information page for additional information.
• 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, please read the English Language Proficiency section below.

Transfer Applicants

Traditionally, Northeastern has not required standardized testing from transfer applicants who completed more than one year of full-time college coursework (24 or more college credits) following high school graduation, or from any transfer applicants who graduated from high school more than 5 years ago.

Strong English skills are necessary in order to be successful in an academically rigorous classroom environment and the experiential learning programs that Northeastern offers. All students, regardless of citizenship, must demonstrate English language proficiency when applying. You can meet Northeastern’s English Proficiency Requirement if:

• You are a native English speaker.
• You will complete four consecutive academic years before enrolling at Northeastern in a high school or university where native English was the primary instructional language -AND- you submit an English Proficiency Waiver Request through your Application Status Check portal.
• You submit, along with your application, official test results directly from the testing agency for one of the following English language proficiency tests:
  
  • C1 Advanced
  • C2 Proficiency
  • Duolingo English Test
  • IELTS Academic
  • PTE Academic
  • TOEFL iBT (CEEB Code: 3667)
  • For prospective students applying for the 2021-22 academic year, Northeastern will also consider results from the TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition and the IELTS Indicator. Results from the TOEFL ITP Plus for China will not be accepted.

Official results must be submitted by the application deadline. If a student plans to submit their application and then take an exam for a second, or third time, applicants must indicate planned future test dates on their application, to inform the Admissions Committee of any pending test results.

Northeastern’s Admissions Committee will consider not only your overall composite score, but also your individual subsection scores, to confirm your proficiency across all four language skills, which are needed to be successful at Northeastern. Our most competitive applicants will frequently achieve composite scores between: 99 and 107 on the TOEFL iBT, 7.0 and 8.0 on the IELTS Academic, 120 and 130 on the Duolingo English Test, 68 to 74 on the PTE Academic, and 185 to 204 on the Cambridge English Scale. All applications are fully evaluated and considered for admission.

• Applicants who would benefit from additional language study and support prior to beginning the full-time undergraduate program at Northeastern could be offered admission through NU Immerse, a one-year transitional, acculturation program. Upon successful completion of NU Immerse, you will be prepared to fully matriculate into your chosen degree program of study.
• In order to evaluate an applicant’s current proficiency with the English language, Northeastern will only consider your most recent English Language Test results. Some applicants will choose to submit multiple English Language Test results, from any approved exams, across multiple test dates if they feel that it provides additional context about their proficiency. Northeastern does not superscore results from your English Language Tests, nor do we consider MyBest scores for applicants submitting results from the TOEFL iBT.

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.

Waiving the English Proficiency Requirement

If, prior to enrolling at Northeastern, you will have completed 4 consecutive years in a high school or university where academic English was the language of instruction for all courses (excluding foreign language acquisition courses), you may be eligible for a waiver, provided you have also demonstrated strength in your English language, literature and composition courses, and can provide Northeastern with either final or predicted results from externally assessed examinations, such as:

• AP English Language & Composition -OR- English Literature & Composition
• IB English A: Language & Literature (HL or SL)
• IB English A: Literature (HL or SL)
• IB English B (HL)
• GCE AS or A-Level English Language -OR- English Literature
• GCSE English Language -OR- English Literature
• GCE O-Level English Language
• International GCSE/IGCSE English A, English Language, English Literature, First Language English or Literature in English

Our Admissions Committee will typically waive the English Proficiency Requirement for the following scores: 4 or 5 on any AP exam; 6 or 7 on any IB English A exam, or 7 on any IB English B exam; B and above on any GCE AS or A-Level exam; and, 6 and above (or B and above) on any (I)GCSE or GCE O-Level exam. Furthermore, the Admissions Committee will also review your academic records and high school transcripts, focusing on your academic performance, as assessed by your internal marks and promotional or preliminary examinations, in courses which are discussion-based and writing-intensive.

• If you are predicted to achieve the required score, please read the “Predicted Grades” section.
• If you did not achieve or are not predicted to achieve the required score, you can still submit your waiver request, but are encouraged to submit English language testing.
• If you studied in a curriculum other than the AP, IB or British curricula, you may still be eligible for a waiver, and should submit your request through the same process. Students most successful in receiving a waiver will provide predicted or final results from any externally assessed English language, literature, or composition examinations, with grades equivalent to American As or high Bs.
• If you were enrolled in ESL courses for more than one year during the last four years you are not eligible for a waiver of this requirement.

You can submit your waiver request through the App Status Check at any time, following the submission and processing of your application. Your request will only be reviewed by the Admissions Committee after we receive your academic records. If a waiver is approved, your application requirements will be updated in the App Status Check.

Interviews

Northeastern does not offer alumni or on-campus interviews, but Northeastern will consider and evaluate third-party, unscripted video interviews submitted through InitialView or Vericant, which will allow you to personally discuss your academic and personal background. Please note: neither InitialView or Vericant will replace English language proficiency testing, when required.

Applicants should complete their interviews by November 15 for Early Decision I, December 1 for Early Action, January 15 for Early Decision II, and February 1 for Regular Decision.

While excluded from our standardized testing policy, the Admissions Committee requires predicted grades for applicants who attend an overseas high school and whose secondary education culminates in externally assessed high school graduation exams or university matriculation exams.

• If you will not receive your final results until after the application deadline, your high school must submit predicted grades.
• If your final results are available before the application deadline, final results must instead be submitted by your high school.
• Furthermore, all enrolling students will be required to submit final exam results, even students who applied “test optional” to Northeastern, as final exams also serve as proof of high school graduation.
• If you are applying from a high school in the United States, submitting predicted grades is not required but entirely optional. You will however be required to submit your first trimester or first semester grades once they become available, and mid-year grades for any students who were deferred to Regular Decision.

Predicted results should be submitted with the High School Transcript, Secondary School Report, or Counselor Recommendation; or submitted by a designated school official from a verifiable school email address, using either Northeastern’s Predicted Grades Request Form or your high school’s own predicted grades form.

Predicted grades will be reviewed alongside your internal marks, and any promotional or preliminary examinations. As predicted grades are updated, you are expected to send them to Northeastern. Updates include the predicted IB grades sent to the IBO in April, or GCE A-Level provisional results released in mid-August before your final certificate is issued in October or November. Final results must be submitted to Northeastern, once results become available, sent directly from the examination board or sent by your high school as a certified official copy of your final results certificate.

If your final test scores are not within an acceptable range of your predicted results, Northeastern reserves the right to rescind any offers of admission.

All international students applying to Northeastern are required to complete and submit the Declaration and Certification of Finances (DCF), which is designed to assist the Admissions Committee in obtaining complete and accurate information about each applicant’s anticipated financial support. Each applicant must verify your ability to fully finance your Northeastern education, including tuition and fees, room and board, and personal living expenses. Information is necessary as the financial support for international students at Northeastern is limited:

• International students are not eligible for financial aid at Northeastern which includes both institutional need-based grants and federal student financial aid.
• International students are eligible for merit scholarships which range from $10,000 to $30,000 per year. No additional application is necessary, as your application for admission serves as your scholarship application. Merit scholarships are extremely competitive, however, and do not cover the full cost of attendance.

Once your application is submitted, and processed by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, you will be given access to your Application Status Check. You can access the DCF through your Application Status Check. Instructions are provided here. You should also review our frequently asked questions document for additional information.

Documents should be submitted online through the Common Application or Coalition Application. Documents not submitted through an application can be sent from a high school or university email address to admissions@northeastern.edu or mailed. Mailing instructions are also available below.

• Test results must be sent directly to Northeastern from the testing agency or examination board.
• Transcripts must be sent directly from your high school or university.
• Results from national examinations, which are only released to the student, can either be scanned and sent to Northeastern from a verifiable high school email address, or a certified copy can also be mailed to Northeastern.
• Official English translations will be required for documents which are provided in languages other than English. A school official or a translation agency accredited in the country of the educational institution can issue the translation.

You can send your application fee or fee waiver requests (if being sent separately from the application) as well as FedEx, UPS, or Priority Mail packages to:

The Office of Undergraduate Admissions
200 Kerr Hall
Northeastern University
360 Huntington Ave.
Boston, MA 02115-5000 USA

 Transcripts and recommendations which were not submitted online can be mailed to:

Northeastern University
Application Processing Center
P.O. Box 8210
Portsmouth, NH 03802 USA

• Go to the myNortheastern welcome page, here.
• Click on “Request Access.”
• Under “Students,” select “Activate Account.”
• Provide the following:
  • Your NU ID, which is available through your App Status Check, on your admissions letter, or in your application acknowledgement email.
  • Your Social Security Number. If you do not have or did not provide your Social Security Number on the application, then you will be provided with another number in your App Status Check, under the Terms of Admission.
  • Your permanent address zip code. If your permanent address is outside of the United States, you should use Northeastern’s Boston Campus zip code: 02115.

• You can submit your enrollment deposit online through the myNortheastern admitted student portal.
• Your enrollment deposit will vary depending on the program which you were offered admission:
  • Fall Semester (including Honors or General Studies): $600.00
  • All International students must also pay a one-time International Student Fee ($350).
  • The N.U.in Program: See here.
    • You will also need to select your site.
  • NU Bound: $1,200.00
  • NU Immerse: $1,000.00

Between 24-48 hours after you pay your enrollment deposits, you will be able to access your Housing Application through myNortheastern.

If you were offered Fall Semester admission, you are required to live on-campus during your first two years.

Information below applies to the following admitted students:

• Arriving on our Boston campus in either the upcoming Fall or Spring Semesters.
• If you were offered admission through N.U.in, you will apply for your student visa through The N.U.in Program. Further instructions will be provided by the program, or you can review the “Travel Information” provided for your specific site.

International students have to submit a request for their Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student (F1) Status or Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status. You will need the F student visa for academic or short-term English programs. You will need the J student visa for specific government- or university-sponsored educational exchange programs.

• Between 24-48 hours after you pay for your enrollment deposit, you will be able to access myOGS – Northeastern’s online portal for international students – which you can access through your myNortheastern portal.
• If you will study on the F student visa, you must request your initial Form I-20, or request to transfer your I-20 if you are already studying in the U.S.
  • International students admitted through the N.U.in Program should read information provided here to learn more about their process for the Spring Semester.
• You must provide a copy of the identity pass of your passport, and financial documentation indicating available funds equal to or exceeding the amount needed to attend Northeastern for at least a full academic year.
• Once you receive your Certificate of Eligibility, you need to apply for either a F-1 Student Visa or your J-1 Student Visa.
• Upon your arrival in Boston, you will need to check-in with the Office of Global Services (OGS).

If you have any questions about your visa application process, you can contact the Office of Global Services (OGS).

By June 30, your final high school transcript must be sent to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, in order to demonstrate completion of secondary education and to serve as proof of graduation.

Advanced Credit

You may be eligible for up to 32 advanced credits if you have completed any of the following examinations:

• Advanced Placement (AP)
• International Baccalaureate (IB)
• GCE Advanced Level (A-Level)
• French Baccalauréat
• German Abitur
• Swiss Maturität/Maturité/Maturità

See here for more information available through our Transfer Credit Database.

Advanced credit is not granted until the original certificate (or an official copy) from the examination board has been received and evaluated by Northeastern. Results from any AP exams should be sent directly from the College Board; our CEEB Code is: 3667. Results from any IB exams must be sent electronically from the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO).

• If your high school operates on a different schedule, you will be granted an extension and not penalized for the late arrival of your graduation certificate or final academic records.
• If you were an IB Diploma candidate, Northeastern will require your official IB transcript sent electronically from the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO).
• If you are submitting national examination results as proof of graduation, such as the GCE A-Levels, they should be sent once results become available. You need to provide an original or certified copy of your official certificate once certificates become available.

All students have to register for New Student Orientation. International students will be required to attend the International Student Orientation.

April

• New Student Orientation: Information will be available, once your deposit is received.
• A Health Report Form (medical consent and immunization records) will be sent to you once your deposit is received. You must return the completed form to University Health and Counseling Services by the end of June.

May

• Your enrollment deposit is due by May 1 if you were offered admission in Early Action or Regular Decision.
• Parents and guardians can request access to the Parent/Guardian myNortheastern portal in order to access tuition bills and view transcripts once their student has activated their account.

June

• Housing Assignments will be released in mid-June and continue throughout the Summer. Assignments are made and released in order of the enrollment deposit date.
• All freshman living on-campus will be required to have a meal plan. Make adjustments to your meal plan through myNortheastern.
• Beginning in mid-June, all international students with nonimmigrant student (F-1) status will receive information about your mandatory Office of Global Service (OGS) session.
• New Student Orientation: will occur between June and August.
  • Before Orientation, you must:
    • Provide a photo for your Husky ID card.
    • Complete your Student Financial Responsibility Agreement which is available through your myNortheastern portal.
    • Complete Section 1 of your I-9 Employment Eligibility Form (which you can find in your myNortheastern portal) and bring along with you to Orientation if you’re interested in on-campus student employment.
  • Parent/Family Orientation will occur during New Student Orientation. If your parents/guardians need to find a nearby hotel, check here.
• Beginning in late June, N.U.in students will participate in Pre-departure Orientation (PDO). Students will also participate in an on-site orientation when they arrive in their host country. A two-day New Student Orientation will welcome students back to the Boston campus in January.
• Bills for the Fall Semester will be posted in mid-June for students who will begin through The N.U.in Program. Payment is due by mid-July. Contact your counselor in Student Financial Services if you have any questions.

July

New Freshman and Transfers will receive bills for the Fall Semester in early July; payment is due by early August. Contact your counselor in Student Financial Services if you have any questions. Along with your first bill, you will receive information about the Northeastern University Student Health Plan (NUSHP), along with a waiver if you already have health insurance.

August

• In mid-August, you will receive Move-In Instructions and information about arriving on-campus for the Fall Semester.
• All international students will attend the New Student Orientation in late August, immediately preceding the Fall Semester.

September

Undergraduate classes begin in early September. You can check the academic calendar to find the first day of classes, as well as the schedule for breaks, holidays, and closures.