collageNortheastern University, a highly competitive institution located in Boston, Massachusetts, is set to release their Early Action admissions decisions by February 1. With an acceptance rate of 33% for early decision applicants, Northeastern is known for its rigorous admissions process, especially when compared to the overall acceptance rate of 7%. As prospective students eagerly await their decisions, many are wondering what the minimum GPA requirement is for admission to this prestigious university.
To be considered for admission to Northeastern University with a GPA of 4.04, prospective students must demonstrate exceptional academic achievement. This means consistently earning almost straight A’s in all classes and taking a challenging course load, including AP or IB classes. Northeastern is looking for students who have excelled in their high school coursework and are prepared to thrive in a rigorous academic environment.
The admissions process at Northeastern University is highly competitive, with a focus on academic excellence, extracurricular involvement, and personal achievements. In addition to meeting GPA requirements, applicants must also submit standardized test scores, letters of recommendation, essays, and participate in an interview process. The university evaluates each application holistically, taking into consideration both academic and personal qualities to determine the best fit for their community.
| Admissions Decision Date | Early Decision Acceptance Rate | Overall Acceptance Rate | Minimum GPA Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| By February 1 | 33% | 7% | 4.04 |
How it relates to the quality of education at Northeastern University:
Northeastern University’s selective admissions process, with a significantly higher early decision acceptance rate than the overall rate, indicates that the university values students who show a strong commitment to attending their institution. The minimum GPA requirement of 4.04 demonstrates the university’s emphasis on academic excellence and the importance of high achievement in the admissions process.
Table key:
- Admissions Decision Date: Deadline for EA decisions.
- Early Decision Acceptance Rate: Percentage of early decision applicants accepted.
- Overall Acceptance Rate: Overall percentage of applicants accepted.
- Minimum GPA Requirement: Lowest GPA Northeastern University will consider for admission.
northeastern early action Overview
Northeastern offers early decision and also offers early action. Early decision is binding, which means you must attend if you are admitted, while early action allows you to apply early without committing.
Early Decision I applications are due by November 1 which is not far away! EDI applicants should receive a decision by December 15.
Early Decision II applications are due January 1. ED II Applicants will recieve their decision before February 15.
The Early Action deadline is November 1. Northeastern will release EA admissions decisions no later than February 1.
The early decision acceptance rate at Northeastern is 38%, compared to an overall acceptance rate of 20%. In 2021, Northeastern admitted 709 of the 1882 students who applied early decision.
Some students apply to college early because they believe it will help their chances. Early deadlines may increase the chance of being admitted, since applying early shows your are very interested in a school, and your application is being considered before all the regular decision applicants apply.
2019 Northwestern Admission Statistics: Class Of 2023
| Acceptance Rate | 29% |
| Total Applicants | 51,063 |
| Total Admissions | 14,747 |
| Average GPA | 4.3 |
Northwestern ACT Average Score And Percentile Scores
| ACT Average Score | 34 |
| 25th Percentile Score | 33 |
| 75th Percentile Score | 35 |
Northwestern SAT Average Score And Percentile Scores
| SAT Average Score | 1510 |
| 25th Percentile Score | 1470 |
| 75th Percentile Score | 1550 |
If you’re somewhere in the middle of these numbers, remember that a high test score can compensate for a slightly lower GPA, and vice versa. If you’re at the lower end, it helps if you’re a diverse applicant, the child of an alum, or have incredible personal achievements.
Other aspects of your application, such as athletics, extracurricular and recommendations, are important, but will likely only make a difference for admission if you’re in the 75th percentile range for your GPA and SAT/ACT scores.
As we said, admission to Northeastern is very competitive. Even if Northeastern is your dream school, and even if you’re in the 75th percentile, you’ll still want to make sure you apply to a wide variety of schools to ensure you’ll gain admission somewhere.
Generally, you should have:
- Three safety schools (where you are in the 75th percentile of GPA/test scores)
- Three reach schools (where you are in the 25th percentile of GPA/test scores)
- Three target schools (where you are near the average for GPA/test scores)
OK, so you’ve decided to apply. We took a look at Northeastern’s admissions requirements to help you get everything in order.
2019 Northwestern Application Requirements: Class Of 2023
Here’s a full list of application requirements:
| Fill out the Common Application or Coalition Application |
| Pay the $75 application fee |
| Submit your SAT or ACT Score Report |
| Send your secondary school transcripts with final junior year grades |
| Submit your guidance counselor and teacher recommendations |
2019 Northwestern Application Deadlines: Class Of 2023
Here are the deadlines that you should be aware of:
| Application Type | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Early Action | November 1st |
| Regular Decision | January 1st |
Have you been admitted to Northeastern? Congratulations! Below is a glimpse of what your classmates will be like.
2019 Northwestern Admitted Students Profile: Class Of 2023
If you matriculate at Northeastern, you’ll be joining a diverse class, with students from all over the U.S. and the world, and have a chance to study in dozens of fields.
Here are some interesting facts about the recently admitted class:
- Roughly 49% are male and 51% are female
- 20% of students are international
Northeastern has a diverse class, as well, with a large number of people of color. The ethnicities of admitted applicants are:
- International: 20%
- Underrepresented minority: 6.6%
- Two or more races: 5.2%
- White: 59%
- Asian American: 16%
- Hispanic: 10%
What do these admitted students plan to study? Northeastern offers dozens of majors, and students matriculating there pursue a wide number of subjects. Here is a list of some of the top programs:
- Engineering
- Marketing
- Biomedical Sciences
Now, how are you going to pay for this?
Northwestern Tuition Figures
At $65,503, Northeastern’s cost of attendance is astronomical. Most incoming students receive some form of financial aid, and the average award is $27,534.
Here’s a fuller look at Northeastern tuition and financial aid in 2017:
- Total budget: $65,503
- Average financial aid package: $27,534
- The average student debt of a Northeastern graduate is $32,493
Now, what is life like at Northeastern? Let’s take a look.
Northwestern Location
Northeastern’s main campus is located in Boston, Massachusetts, about ten miles outside of Los Angeles.
The school is known for its various satellite campuses also in Massachusetts and in Charlotte, San Jose, and Seattle.
Remember, you’re going to Northeastern for its excellent academics! Below is a look at what academic life will be like.
Northwestern Academics
Northeastern has dozens of majors. Some of the school’s more interesting majors are:
- American Sign Language (ASL)
- Business Administration and Management
- Civil Engineering
- Drama
- Economics
- Finance
- Graphic Design
- Human Services
- Industrial Engineering
- Journalism
- Landscape Architecture
- Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography
- Pharmacy
- Philosophy
- Religion
- Speech Communication and Rhetoric
Now, let’s take a look at life outside the classroom at Northeastern.
Student Life At Northwestern
Northeastern has hundreds of student organizations, covering academic interests, creative and performing arts, cultural and racial initiatives, gender and sexuality affinity groups, government and political interests, and various media and publications.
Here’s a sampling of Northeastern’s student activities:
- Acting Out
- Bull and Bear Club
- Cosplay and Costuming Club of Northeastern University
- Distilled Harmony A Cappella
- Elite Heat
- Fiction Addiction Book Club
- G-Power Dance Crew
- Human Service Organization
- Irish Dance Club of Northeastern University
- Japanese Cultural Club
- Kinematix Dance Troupe
- Latin American Student Organization
- Makers Club of Northeastern University
- Net Impact of Northeastern University
- Peace through Play
- Roxbury Robotics of Northeastern University
- Secular Humanist Society
Are you an athlete? Northeastern’s got plenty of options for you.
Northwestern Athletics
Northeastern offers a large number of intercollegiate sports, with extensive varsity, as well as club, offerings, for both men and women.
Northeastern’s sports include:
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Field Hockey
- Cross-Country
- Swimming & Diving
- Soccer
- Rowing
- Track & Field
- Volleyball
Who might you become with a Northeastern degree? Let’s take a look at some well-known and successful alums:
Notable Alums
Northeastern has produced politicians, business tycoons, entertainers, musicians, media figures, and leaders in dozens of other fields.
Here’s a list of some particularly well-known alums:
- US Presidential candidate Michael Dukakis
- Kodak CEO Jeff Clarke
- Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey
- Twitter co-founder Biz Stone
- Napster co-founder Shawn Fanning
- Singer JoJo
- Actress Jane Curtin
- NASA astronaut Stephanie Wilson
- Billionaire James Pallotta
- SoftBank COO Nikesh Arora
- Radio and TV host Wendy Williams
- Film director Courtney Hunt
And this is only a partial list!
Remember!
Getting into Northeastern is extremely competitive. Don’t despair if you get a no.
If you have a strong GPA and high test scores, you have a great chance of getting into at least one of the more competitive schools. And if you don’t, remember: where you go is NOT who you are.
If you need to boost your GPA or test scores before application time rolls around, you should consider signing up for a course with Prep Expert. We offer one-on-one tutoring and classes, both in-person and online, at locations throughout the United States.
For more test strategy, college admissions, and scholarship application tips sign up for our FREE classhappening right now!
northeastern admissions
Freshman Admission Requirements
Entrance Difficulty
Very Difficult: More than 50% of freshmen were in the top 10% of their high school class and scored over 1230 on the SAT I or over 26 on the ACT; about 60% or fewer of all applicants accepted.
High School Preparation
High School GraduationHigh school diploma required and GED is acceptedHigh School ProgramCollege preparatory program is required
High School Units Required or Recommended
| Subject | Required Units | Recommended Units |
|---|---|---|
| English | 4 | |
| Mathematics | 3 | 4 |
| Science | 3 | 4 |
| Foreign Language | 2 | 3 |
| Social Studies | 3 | |
| History | 2 | |
| Academic Electives |
Examinations
| Exam | Required Units | Scores Due in Admissions Office |
|---|---|---|
| SAT or ACT | Required | January 1 |
| SAT Only | ||
| ACT Only | ||
| SAT and SAT Subject Tests, or ACT | ||
| SAT Subject Tests Only | ||
| SAT Essay Component Policy | Accepted with or without essay component | |
| ACT Writing Test Policy | Accepted with or without writing component | |
| ACT Writing Test Policy | SAT: Not used ACT: Not used |
Applying for Admission
Admissions Office
Address360 Huntington AvenueCity, State, ZipBoston, MA 02115-5096Phone(617) 373-2200Fax(617) 373-8780E-mailadmissions@neu.edu
Application Dates and Fees
Regular Admisson DeadlineJanuary 1Application Fee$75Application Fee WaiverAvailableRegular Admission NotificationRolling, notification begins April 1Accept Offer of AdmissionMay 1Waiting List UsedYesDefer AdmissionStudent can defer admissionTransfer AdmissionTransfer applications accepted
Early Admission
Early Decision OfferedYesEarly Decision DeadlineNovember 1, January 1Early Decision NotificationDecember 15, February 15Early Action OfferedYesEarly Action DeadlineNovember 1Early Action NotificationDecember 31
Other Application Requirements
InterviewNot RequiredEssay or Personal Statement Letters of Recommendation Other Financial NeedFinancial need is a consideration in the admissions process
Selection of Students
| Factor | Very Important | Important | Considered | Not Considered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rigor of Secondary School Record | X | |||
| Academic GPA | X | |||
| Standardized Tests | X | |||
| Class Rank | X | |||
| Recommendations | X | |||
| Essay | X | |||
| Interview | ||||
| Level of Applicant’s Interest | X | |||
| Extracurricular Activities | X | |||
| Volunteer Work | X | |||
| Particular Talent/Ability | X | |||
| Character/Personal Qualities | X | |||
| First Generation to Attend College | X | |||
| State Residency | X | |||
| Geographic Residence | X | |||
| Relation with Alumnus | X | |||
| Religious Affiliation/Commitment | X | |||
| Ethnicity | X | |||
| Work Experience | X |
Profile of Fall Admission
Overall Admission Rate27% of 54,209 applicants were admittedWomen28% of 29,216 applicants were admittedMen27% of 24,993 applicants were admittedStudents Enrolled3,108 (21%) of 14,876 admitted students enrolledWomen1,607 (20%) of 8,090 admitted students enrolledMen1,501 (22%) of 6,786 admitted students enrolledEarly Decision Admission Rate38% of 953 applicants were admittedEarly Action Admission RateNot reportedStudents Offered Wait List Students Accepting Wait List Position Students Admitted From Wait List
Grade Point Average of Enrolled Freshmen (4.0 scale)
Average GPANot reported3.75 and AboveNot reported3.50 – 3.74Not reported3.25 – 3.49Not reported3.00 – 3.24Not reported2.50 – 2.99Not reported2.00 – 2.49Not reported
SAT Scores of Enrolled Freshmen
SAT Math690-770 range of middle 50%Score of 700 – 80072%Score of 600 – 70022%Score of 500 – 6006%Score of 400 – 5001%Score of 300 – 4000%Score of 200 – 3000%SAT EBRW680-750 range of middle 50%Score of 700 – 80065%Score of 600 – 70027%Score of 500 – 6006%Score of 400 – 5001%Score of 300 – 4000%Score of 200 – 3000%
ACT Scores of Enrolled Freshmen
ACT Composite32-34 range of middle 50%Score of 30 – 3694%Score of 24 – 295%Score of 18 – 231%Score of 12 – 170%Score of 6 – 110%Score of 5 or Below0%
Other Qualifications of Enrolled Freshmen
High School Class RankTop tenth: 75%
Top quarter: 93%
Top half: 99%National Merit ScholarNot reportedValedictorianNot reportedClass PresidentNot reportedStudent Government OfficerNot reported
Northeastern ED Decision Date
For early decision I, students will be notified if they have been accepted by December 15th.
Students can track the status of their application by setting up an Application Status Account. The information to set up this account will be sent to a student once Northeastern has received all of the required application documents.
If students are worried that they won’t be able to produce a strong enough application by the November 1st deadline, they are in luck because the university has a second early decision option.
Does Northeastern Have Early Decision 2?
Northeastern offers an early decision II option. The deadline to apply for ED II is January 1st, with final decisions being released on February 15th.
The main difference between ED I and ED II is time.
Students who choose to do ED II may opt for it because they need more time to prepare, because they have been denied early decision at another university, or simply because they came to the process too late to do early decision I.
No matter the reason a student opts for early decision II, they need to demonstrate the same commitment to Northeastern as they would for early decision I because both are binding.
Northeastern ED Deferral Rate
Northeastern doesn’t provide information on the ED deferral rate, but one of the options for students who aren’t accepted for ED is deferral to the Regular Decision.
In addition to deferral, students can be admitted to a number of special programs. These include NU Bound and NU Immerse.
Deferral can also be a choice on the student’s part if they are granted acceptance.
In most cases, accepted students can defer their acceptance up to one year if they aren’t able to attend due to circumstances like medical, military, or family reasons.
The exception to this is students who are accepted to the NU Bound and NU Immerse programs.
Students who need to defer their acceptance will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Those who are granted the deferral will need to pay a fee to secure their spot for the following year.
How to Apply to Northeastern for Early Decision
The process for applying to Northeastern is the same as the other decision options, but it comes with a binding requirement. Binding means that a student agrees to withdraw from all other college applications and to attend Northeastern if they are accepted.
The application process begins with completing either the Common Application or the Coalition Application. The $75 application fee that is required can be paid or waived through either of these applications.
In addition to the completed application, students will need to send their transcripts, a letter of recommendation from a teacher, a letter of recommendation from a school counselor, and proof of English proficiency.
Like many universities during the pandemic, Northeastern has temporarily made SAT/ACT test scores optional. Students who plan to attend after the 2022-2023 Academic Year should check with the admissions office to see how the policy moves forward.
Students may have to submit additional materials related to degree path and high school experience. If a student is looking to pursue the College of Arts, Media and Design they will need to submit a portfolio through Slide Room.
Students who have been homeschooled will need to complete the Homeschool Application Form, submit an academic portfolio, and include a grading rubric along with their transcript.
Students who fall under this category should visit the homeschooling information page to learn more.
The financial aid requirements for Northeastern are another part of the application that students need to be aware of, especially because the university requires a CSS Profile and the FAFSA.
The CSS profile is used to determine a student’s need and eligibility for internal university aid.
To complete the CSS profile, students should create an account through CollegeBoard and fill in the same information about income that they have to input into the FAFSA application. For more information, students can reference the CollegeBoard CSS checklist.
Hearing back from Northeastern can look very different for each student. The process can result in students being offered acceptance, waitlisted, deferred, or granted entrance through one of the university’s unique programs.
Students should take the time to learn more about these special entry programs Northeastern offers to see if they would be a good fit. These programs include study abroad, an accelerated degree path, and a first-year immersive experience.
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