Northeastern Admissions

What’s Next Orientation

Well, I am finally back on East Coast time and settling in from my Chinese adventure. I hope you enjoyed reading about my travels – I enjoyed chronicling the amazing trip!

 

June marks the beginning of summer (despite all the rain!) and the start of New Student Orientation program here on campus. Our programs are two-day sessions, which run through the summer, and are tailored to the college the student is attending. Our sessions have evolved over the past several year -- we really focus on trying to make the student feel at home while ensuring the values we expect and demand are thoroughly explained.

 

There is so much to do over the two days: new students stay in the residence halls, eat in the dining halls, attend college meetings, meet their academic advisor, hear from student groups and get their Husky ID cards.  It’s not all business though, there are fun activities planned too – from an ice cream social in the Xhibition Kitchen to a dodgeball game at the Marino Center to a dance party at afterhours (our campus nightclub).

 

Orientation is also where new students will be introduced to First Pages, Northeastern’s common reading program. First Pages establishes a connection among all new students and provides a lively introduction to the intellectual life of the University. Each year a challenging and engaging book is chosen and is the foundation for a series of programming events during Welcome Week including a visit from the author. This year’s book, Beautiful Boy by David Sheff, is sure to be a wonderful summer read for our new students!

 

Once their orientation session ends, new students head home with a good sense of what it will be like to be a Husky. I really enjoy seeing the new students explore campus and begin to experience all that Northeastern is.

 

Until next time…

The Last Leg …..

The last few days were extremely busy; I traveled from Changsha to Qingdao, Qingdao to Shanghai by way of Hangzhou and am now in the Toronto airport waiting to board a plane for Boston!

 Before I share the details of my long journey back to the US, I want to tell you about the beautiful city of Qingdao.  Qingdao is an incredibly modern city on the coast of China and the city center is filled with new buildings everywhere you look.  The architecture in this city is also quite different from other cities; many of the residential areas have apartment buildings that reminded me of condos in Florida.  The Olympic sailing events and, I believe, the volleyball competitions were held in Qingdao so the Chinese spent a lot of time sprucing up this beautiful coastal resort town.  We had the opportunity to walk around the Olympic Sailing Center when we first arrived.  The medal stands were still there so naturally many photos were taken of us standing on the gold medal platform!

Qingdao was also my last official stop on our group recruitment tour although my colleagues are continuing on and traveling to four more cities.   Our Qingdao recruitment event was held early Saturday morning and, again, we had a full house.   During one of my last interviews, I noticed a young woman sitting off to the side watching me and straining to hear the conversation.  Thinking that she was waiting to interview, I thought she was trying to get an idea of the types of questions we asked.  It turns out this young lady did not have an interview.  She introduced herself as Daffney and explained that she read about our event in the paper while eating breakfast and rushed down to the hotel so that she could meet some Americans and practice her English. 

 Daffney recently completed her second year of high school and had not yet begun to make plans for college.  She asked us many questions about life in the U.S and told us about her life as a teenager in China.  We encouraged Daffney to continue to work hard in school and to improve her English so that she could go to school in the states.  What an impressive young woman!  I do not know many 15 or 16 year olds who would get up early on a Saturday morning simply to practice their foreign language skills.  Daffney’s desire to do well, her curiosity and work ethic will prepare her well for higher education whether she studies in China, Australia, the UK or the US.  The characteristics Daffney demonstrated are some of the same characteristics we look for in students who apply to Northeastern:  we want hard working, curious students who look for and take advantage of opportunities to learn. In fact, when we review applications we look beyond test scores and grades to garner this information from the supporting documents, such as the essay, activities and resume.  

Meeting Daffney was a perfect way to end my time in China.  As I slowly made my way back to the Unites States – and I do mean slowly as all three of my flights (Qingdao to Shanghai, Shanghai to Toronto and Toronto to Boston) where delayed for hours-  I thought about many of the students I met and how I hoped some would choose to apply and enroll at Northeastern.    It was an extremely successful trip, I learned a lot about China and look forward to returning again soon.

I hope you enjoyed reading about my trip to China.  Until next time

…

There was no time for even the slightest bit of site seeing today – it was truly a travel and work day!  We left Suzhou fairly early for the Shanghai’s Hongqiao Airport to fly to our fourth stop, the city of Changsha in Hunan Province.  Luckily traffic was light so we arrived in plenty of time to check our luggage, have lunch and make our flight. (For a small group of seasoned admission professionals, we have a lot of luggage.. .my colleague, Tom, is traveling with two huge suitcases! )   The flight to Changsha was just over an hour and a half.  I took a nap and later learned I missed lunch service – they still serve food on Chinese airlines.  I didn’t need lunch but, like my colleagues, had I been awake, I would have enjoyed getting a taste of China’s airline food. 

On the ride from the Changsha airport to the hotel, I was once again struck by the contrast that exists in China today.  Everywhere there is construction- old buildings coming down clearing the way for new buildings - beautiful new apartment buildings across from older, well worn buildings.  Everything is changing in China, and changing fast.  

The students we spoke with at our event this evening were all proud of the changes that are occurring in their city and in China.  As we learned at our other sessions, Chinese students believe that getting a good education will prepare them to help China continue to advance; however, many have no idea how to turn their academic interests into careers that will be relevant for their country’s development.    Many of the students simply take their parents’ advice and decide they must major in Business or Engineering with no real understanding of either discipline or the resulting career options.   

This also happens with many students in the United States.  I am not sure why students feel such pressure to select a major before they apply to college.  Most students only take five or six core subjects throughout their high school, and have not been exposed to the numerous academic disciplines that are offered at universities like Northeastern.  (We offer more than 70 majors or programsand have many dual degreeoptions.)  It is unrealistic for us to expect students who have not been exposed to the full range of disciplines to make a lasting decision about a major or career choice before they’ve had the time to explore.

 Just as China is changing, the world is changing and new academic disciplines and careers are being developed every day.   Don’t give in to pressure to make a decision about your college major before you’ve explored.  Prepare yourself for the full range of options by continuing to take all of the core courses in your senior year of high school – this means taking Mathematics, English, History or Social Science, Science and a Language.   Look for a college or University, like Northeastern, that encourages students to explore.  You have plenty of time to decide, you even have time to change your mind a few times along the way. 

Tomorrow we travel to Qingdao.  Until next time.

 

 

What an incredible day!  My day began at 5:45 a.m. when I went for a jog around part of Hangzhou’s famous Westlake. Even though it was early in the morning, there was a lot of activity at the lake – I had to re-check my watch to make sure it wasn’t the middle of the day. People of all ages were out exercising.  I had a little scare when a plastic bag I was trying to avoid all of a sudden moved and a live chicken popped out! I jumped and let out a little scream which made the owner of the chicken who was exercising nearby have a good laugh over my antics. 

Later that morning, our group was able to get an official tour of Westlake.  We learned about of the history of Westlake, its importance in Hangzhou and took many photos of the beautiful scenery (which I will upload when I get home!).  After the tour, we were back on the bus for a three hour journey to Suzhou.  After a quick lunch, we had the opportunity to tour Humble Administrator’s Garden and to learn a little about Suzhou’s history.  The Garden, which Americans would call a park, is the most famous garden in China and is an historic site.  If you ever have the opportunity to visit Suzhou, China, make sure you make the time tour this beautiful and peaceful spot.

By 6:00 pm we were back on the bus and on our way to a nearby hotel to meet with prospective students and their parents.   We again had great attendance! The room was filled with eager students and parents who wanted to learn about higher education opportunities in the U.S. After  90 minutes of presentations, we finally had the opportunity to meet individually with students to talk with them about why they wanted to go to college in the States. Many of the Chinese students feel that an American education will provide them with the skills they need so they could return to China and contribute to China’s continued development.  One student mentioned that the reason she wanted to study in the United States is because she likes President Obama.  She has heard some of President Obama’s speeches and believes he is a great man. 

The students I interviewed were all very impressive and curious about American culture.  One student asked me if American students get as “stressed out” as Chinese students when it comes to preparing and planning for their college education.  I assured her that Chinese students and American students have a lot in common! I encouraged her, as I encourage all students, to continue to work hard and utilize resources (parents, guidance counselors, teachers and admission professionals) for assistance with the college selection and admission process. 

Taking the time to visit a campus, attend an information session or interview with a member of the staff or faculty is wonderful opportunity to learn more about the academic, social and cultural opportunities available at any college or university you might be considering.   Please make your plans to visit Northeastern soon.

I look forward to sharing more about my adventures in China tomorrow.  Until next time….

Hello...from Shanghai, China!

I hope everyone is having a fun and productive summer. Mine is off to a great start...I just landed in Shanghai, China!

After a 20 hour trip, we landed but could not deplane until after the Chinese Healthworkers (in full Hazmat gear) took the temperatures of every person on the plane.  The Chinese Government is very concerned about the spread of H1N1. It was a bit unnerving, but we all passed with flying colors so we were allowed to enter the country. I am traveling with a colleague, Tom Robinson, who is Northeastern's Global Manager. Tom and I are participating in a 4-city recruiting tour for Northeastern's new consortium program with Baylor University, University of Vermont and Utah.

We had a wonderful dinner with the representatives from our consortium partner schools the night we arrived. The restaurant was amazing, overlooking the Bund.  I don't think I will ever eat Chinese food in the States again!  Everything was delicious.

This morning, we took a 3 hour bus ride to Hangzhou where we conducted presentations for students and parents.  China countryside is mixture of farms and factories. Other than the architecture not much is really different  than the U.S.- highways are lined with billboard advertisements and I think we just passed a BMW factory!

Our presentations and interview sessions went very well tonight.  We had more than 150 students and parents attend the session and it lasted three and half hours. Each college presented information on our programs and opportunities which was translated for students and parents.  Even though it was a long session, the students and parents were very interested and excited about the opportunity to attend college in the United States.

I had the opportunity to speak with many students who asked great questions about what it is like to study in the U.S. One young woman who asked about student relationships with faculty was pleased to hear that our faculty all have office hours and encourage their students to contact them in person or via e-mail.  

Hangzhou is a beautiful city that has a famous lake - West Lake - in the middle of the city.  Tourists come from all over the world to see  the city and the lake. Tomorrow morning before we depart for Suzhou, we will have a brief tour of the lake area. I am looking forward to taking pictures. It was a wonderful night. 

 Most posts from our tour will be coming this week..stay tuned.

Waitlist Update

Over the past week, my team has been watching our enrollment numbers closely and the Fall 2009 entering class is shaping up nicely. The incoming class promises to be the most academically well-prepared in the history of the University.

 

As you may know, many colleges and universities have gone to their waitlists this year to insure they meet their enrollment goals. Although our class looks great, given the waitlist activity occurring nationally, we have gone to our wait list to for approximately 100 students to insure that are enrollment remains on target when we welcome our new class this fall.  We anticipate completing this process and notifying the students who remain on our waitlist of their final status by the end of May.

 

As a reminder, our waitlist offers are made via e-mail, so don’t forget to check your e-mail on a regular basis. We also release financial aid offers simultaneously to help families make an informed decision.

 

We understand that for some students being taken off the waitlist is difficult especially after you have made a decision to attend another school.  We respect the choices students need to make and are always available to discuss a student’s options and help evaluate whether Northeastern would be a good fit.

 

Until next time…

Spring Has Sprung!

I want to thank Dean Harreys for his entry last week. The topic s of outcomes and financial planning seems to have hit home to many. We received some good feedback from students and parents through the weekend activities. The debate continues on, which you may have seen in yesterday’s edition of USA Today.  As always, we welcome any comments here on this topic…..

We’re heading into our first 80 degree day here in Boston, which is hard to believe since it’s rainy and dreary as I write. But, the weather forecast for the weekend is balmy and beautiful and we’re all looking forward to celebrating spring in New England!

Although we didn’t get that lucky in terms of weather for the past few weekends, we have had great crowds here on campus attending our Welcome Days.  As we head towards May 1, we’re finishing up a series of regional receptions. I just returned from Long Island, NY last night where I got to meet some of our admitted students and their families and help answer any last minute questions. 

On the West Coast we’ve had two very popular programs for admitted students over the past two weeks including one at the home of a Northeastern alumnus in Beverly Hills.  Our newly admitted students enjoyed meeting the parents of current students as well as a current student who is on the West Coast participating in co-op and we also had in attendance other alumni and staff who live in the area. It was a great crowd with lots of energy!

One question weighing heavily on the minds of many students is – will we go to our waitlist? We are in the process of gathering all of the information necessary to help us make that decision. Once the decision is made to go or not go to the waitlist, we will begin notifying students via email. I’ll also be sure to post new information here as well. I know it’s an anxious time for those waiting to hear from us, and we will be sure to move as quickly as possible to inform you of our decisions.

Until next time….

 

As we head into May 1 we are speaking with families who are in the final stages of helping their student make the best college decision.  We are hearing from families who are wrestling with the value of a private college education and the anticipated costs they will need to manage.

This week, I asked Seamus Harreys, Dean of Student Financial and Career services, to provide a guest entry to help answer these questions. Dean Harreys oversees Northeastern’s financial services staff along with our career services unit, and has worked with over 15 colleges and universities throughout his career as a financial aid administrator. Additionally, he has served as a chair of the government relations committee of the Massachusetts Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, and as a member of the Advisory Board of the Massachusetts Office of Student Financial Assistance and the College Board College Scholarship Assembly.

I hope you find his information helpful….

Let me start by tackling the value question first since that is certainly the point that families must first base their decision on, before they begin to consider ways to finance the student’s education. The debate over private education versus public education is not a new one; this has been a discussion amongst prospective students and families for many years. What makes it feel new is the uncertainty the economy is bringing to the job market.

We know the value of a Northeastern degree is exceptionally strong in this economy. You may have read Dean Turner’s last blog which referenced the study conducted by NACE which supports the notion that companies want to hire students who bring experience to their positions. Northeastern students stand out from their peers, and are more attractive to employers, because of the experience gained on co-op and through other experiential learning opportunities. This continues to be a significant differentiator for our students.

In fact, right now all indications are that the job outlook for our seniors is stronger than expected, with many reporting offers from existing co-op employers. Our Career Services team, recently ranked #1 by Princeton Review, is working closely with more than 2000 of companies recruiting Northeastern students for full-time positions.  Our graduate programs are seeing an increase in applications and we have offered current seniors tuition discounts, through the new Double Husky program, should they choose to enroll in a graduate program due to the economic outlook. Additionally, 99 percent of the nearly 3,000 students eligible for co-op during this past cycle were employed. As we enter this upcoming cycle the University is pursuing several avenues to strengthen the more than 2,000 employer relationships we have existing, as well as developing new options for our students across the globe.

The value of any education is in its quality and expected outcomes. Northeastern graduates leave here with clarity about their goals and the confidence needed to achieve them. Our students are taught by award winning faculty members who are as entrenched in industry as much as they are in the classroom. Research is happening right here on campus that is making a difference in the lives of many. And, many of our academic programs are consistently well-ranked and recognized by organizations such as US News and World Report, Forbes Magazine, BusinessWeek and Princeton Review. These connections give our students the edge in networking and making connections. 

To that end, you may be interested to know that we have consistently reported over the past few years that 98% of students are either employed or enrolled in graduate school within 12 months of graduation.

A college education is the single most important tool you will need to compete in the global job market. A private college education, like the education offered at Northeastern, provides the most opportunity and strongest preparation for that future. Outcomes like the ones I’ve mentioned, and not cost alone, should be your major factor in the decision to attend any institution.

We do recognize this is an exceptionally difficult year for many families as they try to manage the expected costs of a college education with the uncertainty of today’s economy. The Student Financial Services staff works with families to consider a number of options for financing a Northeastern education. We pride ourselves on individualized counseling to help families make the best financial decisions possible. We are dedicated to maintaining our commitment to students as they participate in Northeastern’s unique educational experience. Since many families are worried about financing a private college education in the current economy, part of this commitment is in the Northeastern Pledge, which includes a 5-year guarantee for University funds and details about how funding will be reconsidered in the event a parent loses their job during your undergraduate education at Northeastern.

One important factor for families who are comparing funding offers from several institutions is to understand the awards that have been offered. For example, the total financial aid package from another institution may contain expected earnings from summer work and credit-based student or parent education loans. This makes the total offer of assistance look higher than offers from other institutions that do not include these items. Generally, alternative student or parent loans are available at any institution, and should not be considered financial aid when comparing awards. While Northeastern’s financial aid offers do not include alternative loans for parents or students, those financing options, as well as a monthly payment plan, are available. 

Once you have made the decision to attend Northeastern, how to finance your education is a personal decision. Student Financial Services staff members are happy to work with you and your family on an individual basis to establish a financial plan.

Please contact the Student Financial Services staff if you have any questions or would like to discuss any of the options presented here. We do hope to see you on campus!

What is a Spring Admit?

Since our decision release, many students who have been offered admission for the spring 2010 semester have asked, “what does it mean to be a spring admit?”

Spring admission is an option for those students who really want to be at Northeastern. We have been pleased to expand the size of new student enrollment in January to 450-550 to accommodate more interested students. It’s important to note that spring admission is a guaranteed spot at Northeastern – which is not the case for the waitlist. 

Students who are admitted for spring have a number of options including work, participating in community service, traveling or attending classes at a local college. Northeastern offers spring admits the opportunity to participate in the NUin program, which is a pre-college study abroad program in four locations (Australia, China, England and Greece). We fully understand this option is not for everyone and our admission representatives are happy to talk with spring admits about what may be best for them.

As for the transition, we do get questions about how the spring student will ‘fit in’. In January, we hold our annual “Welcome” activities which brings the newly enrolled spring students together to participate in programs to help them transition to Northeastern. Additionally, spring students attend an Orientation together (in the late fall) where they are meet other new spring students and begin building relationships. In terms of housing, it is first-come, first-serve and every effort is made to house spring students with peers (whether transfer and freshman) however in some cases it does come down to space availability. The Residence Life staff also provides programming and reaches out to our new spring students to offer assistance with settling in.

If you are interested in taking classes in the fall and enrolling at Northeastern for the spring, please be sure to check our Spring Admitted Student website for specific information related to your major.

Until next time…

RD what to expect next

April is here – and we’re in full swing.

We’re getting ready to head out on the road to meet many of our admitted students and families at receptions all over the country, the world and right here on campus. I hope you have already RSVP’s for at least one event – we offer a host of visit options to get your questions answered.  The staff and I enjoy meeting the students and parents and answering questions they have about Northeastern.

These days as our students and families face unforeseen economic challenges the question we hear most often is: why should I choose Northeastern?

I always say our answer is simple - there’s nothing like a Northeatern education. We are taking the combination of an excellent academic foundation and enhancing it with opportunities that most students don’t get at a traditional four-year institution. Our students are traveling all over the country and the world, working with large, multinational corporations, small businesses and non-profit agencies and leading service organizations. They are also staying right here in Boston and choosing to make an impact in the local communities by volunteering, conducting research and contributing to the local economy. Whichever the path chosen, we continually hear about the ways Northeastern is a high value proposition for students seeking to obtain an education infused with a range of experiences that positions them ahead of their peers.

And it’s not just us saying this – take a look at the recent study released by the National Association of Colleges and Employers study which indicated that nearly 95 percent of employer respondents indicate that work experience plays a strong role in hiring decisions, with 75 percent saying they look to hire candidates with relevant work experience. 

As you and your family sit down to discuss your options, think about what you expect from your college education and contemplate which of your choices will give you the experience needed to get ahead in these challenging times. We look forward to helping you work through your decision over the next month!

Until next time…