Northeastern Admissions

Decisions are ready!

 

So, I know I haven’t been great at posting these past few weeks…but it’s for a good reason. We received over 11,500 early action applications and the entire staff has been focused on evaluating each and every one.  Today, I am happy to report that we are ready to release these decisions.

 

We release decisions electronically, through our Application Status Check system. We started at 3pm and are releasing based on geographic locations. If you applied early action, you will be receiving an email announcing that your decision was available and with instructions on how to view your official decision letter through the Application Status Check.

 

For early action, we release three types of decisions:

 

Deferral: The Admission Committee chose to defer candidates when we felt we needed additional time to review their applications within the regular decision pool.  A deferral decision in no way reduces a candidate’s chances for admission.  We encourage you to submit second quarter/mid-year grades, any recent standardized test results that we may not have received as well as any additional information about new academic or personal achievements.  Your applications will be re-evaluated in the regular decision pool and a final decision released by March 31.

 

Denial:The Admission Committee did chose to deny a small number of applicants who we did not feel were a good academic or personal fit at Northeastern.  While we regret disappointing you at this time of the year, we hope you will use this time to talk with your parents/guardians about your goals and explore your options. If Northeastern is still your dream school, please contact our admission staff for advice on our transfer process or other academic programs that may be a good fit for your goals.  

 

Admission: Congratulations and welcome. Please log onto the myNEU Admitted Student Portal for more information about Northeastern and invitations to special events. If you were admitted into the Honors Program, that information will be in your decision letter. If you received a scholarship, you will receive a letter from Financial Aid in your Application Status Check.

 

If you have questions about your decision, our staff is ready to assist. You may contact your Admissions Representative by calling 617.373.2200. You may also contact Financial Aid at 617.373.3190.

 

 

Until next time, I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday season!

I was in Paris when I arranged to meet with some Northeastern students working in the city on co-op. Since we were all coming from different parts of Paris, we decided to meet at the Notre Dame de Paris, one of those places that everyone knows where it is. If you think that was a crazy idea, yes, it was! I got there early, and I saw hundreds of tourists jam-packing the square in front of the cathedral, and I thought, ‘Oh my, how can we possibly meet here in this mass of people?!’ I had brought Northeastern t-shirts with me for the students, so I put one on figuring the students would be able find me in the crowd. And it worked - the students found me!  As we were chatting a couple of young women came up to us and asked, ‘Are you from Northeastern? We are too!’ Turns out, they were doing a study abroad program in Rome, and came to Paris for the weekend.

Although it was a really amazing to run into Northeastern students in Paris, I’m not at all surprised – every semester hundreds of our students travel all over the world on academic and experiential learning opportunities. Our students can be found in places big and small, from Paris to Ankara, to Buenos Aires, to Cape Town, to mountains of Nepal, to family vineyards of Chile, to the islands of French Polynesia. Northeastern students can be found in 90 cities and 52 countries around the world.

The global engagement opportunities at Northeastern are truly amazing – here you can find traditional semester long study-abroad options at over 50 universities on all continents. However, we also offer short-term and summer programs, international internships (when students combine taking classes with conducting research in their area of majoring,) experiential research options, academic exchange through individual colleges and departments, faculty-led ‘Dialogue of Civilizations’ programs, and international co-op opportunities.

In addition to these options, our students have an opportunity to participate in unique, onece in a lifetime international projects – like 15 students who are leaving for Copenhagen next Friday as observers for the fifteenth United Nations Climate Change Conference. I wish I had such options when I was in college!

Before I go on the road, I always get the names and contact information of our students in the countries I visit. It’s always great to meet with them and listen to their stories. One thing that comes up time and time again in these conversations is ‘This is a great experience, and I’m going to do it again.’ And I look at them, and think ‘These are truly citizens of the world – confident, world-savvy, culturally aware, and multilingual. They can be successful anywhere in the world. Good for them!’

If you want to meet with some of our students in your city, let me know, and I’ll try to connect you.

Andre Kostousov
Associate Director for International Admissioins

I can only imagine how exciting and nerve-racking this time must be for you, knowing that Early Action decision release is coming up soon.  I know exactly what you’re going through!  I can still vividly remember how anxious and overwhelmed with excitement I was waiting for my decision letter.  I want to reassure you that every application is given a thorough and holistic read and our staff is working diligently to evaluate all applicants. 

The admissions team is carefully trained to evaluate all components of your application.  One of the great things about Northeastern is our holistic view towards the application process.   Applicants are evaluated on grades, rigor and quality of course work, preparation for their intended major, highest individual test scores, essay, recommendations, extracurricular involvement, special talents and demonstrated evidence of personal characteristics that are highly valued by Northeastern.  There are numerous opportunities to be creative in your application and find ways to stand out.

For those who have not yet applied, please remember that the Regular Decision deadline is January 15.  I hope that the information I have provided will help you in filling out your application.  We have Admissions Representatives for all territories in the US and abroad, who are more than happy to answer any questions you have.  Best of luck!!!

Eva Romberg – Regional Assistant Director, Southwest

Can you believe it? The first semester of your junior year is almost over!  By now many of you have taken the PSAT's, SAT's, ACT's, SAT 2's etc...Wow that’s a lot of testing, but more importantly you have begun the all important college search process.  Standardized tests and coursework are great ways to prepare yourself for university level work but what really matters is finding the right fit for you after high school. 

 

Where do you see yourself in a year and a half?

 

There are many different aspects of university life that may appeal to you that many schools can provide; challenging courses, intramural sports, clubs and organizations, food, or geographic. At Northeastern your academic experience is enhanced by a variety of experiential learning opportunities adding depth to your education.  You can gain global experience, research experience, and work experience, locally, nationally and around the globe..  

 

Students at Northeastern are doing very exciting things, in Boston, around the US and around the world. They are participating in co-op in Hong Kong, conducting ground-breaking research alongside faculty members, studying abroad in Switzerland, and designing clean-water systems in Uganda.

 

Now is the time to start thinking about what is really important to you during your higher education.  Northeastern’s experiential learning opportunities will provide you with experiences that will shape your education in exciting ways.  Take some time to see what Northeastern can offer you around the world!  http://www.northeastern.edu/experiential-learning/

November  1, our Early Action deadline, has come and gone.  You have filled out your Common Application and your NU Supplement, simultaneously submitted them and paid your application fee.  You have hounded your teachers and counselor to send in their letters of recommendation and your transcript.  You have dotted every I and crossed every T in your essay and uploaded your activities resume. Now….you wait.

The next six weeks are going to feel like an eternity.  You have completed your part of the Early Action application process and now it’s up to the Admissions Committee to review your application and get your decision out to you by December 31.

Over the next six weeks, the Admissions committee will be working hard to give each application a fair, thorough and holistic review.  In the meantime, you should consistently check your e-mail and your “application status check” to make sure that we have received all of your application documents.  The email address that you listed on your application is where we will be sending notifications to you regarding missing documentation or test scores.  If you are missing information, we will be sure to give you ample notice so that you can get this necessary information in to us for review.

If you have sent documents to us through snail mail, please be sure to give us about 10 days to get the information processed and loaded onto your “application status check” before calling to check on the status of the missing information.

By December 31^st, you will receive an email letting you know that your admissions decision is available.  Once you receive this email, you can log into the application status check and view your official decision letter.

If you receive a decision of “deferral”, this means that the Admissions committee feels that they need to see more of your Senior year grades, additional test scores or an additional recommendation letter before making our decision.  Should you get deferred, your application will be reviewed again as part of the Regular Decision process and a decision will be available by April 1.

While you wait for your decision, feel free to contact the Admissions representative from your area with any questions that you may have.  You can find out who represents your area on our website. http://www.northeastern.edu/admissions/visitcampus/representatives.html.

Best of luck with your Early Action application.  My best advice for you is to try to relax and enjoy the upcoming Holiday season!

 

Heather McCloskey

Regional Assistant Director-Southeast

Today was an incredible day……I visited three schools and met some terrific students and parents who were extremely excited to learn about Northeastern and the unique educational experience we provide. While Northeastern’s experiential learning programs - anchored by our 100 year old co-op program -  was very new to Spanish students they quickly realized the power of Northeastern undergraduate education.  Each of my visits went beyond the scheduled time as students asked question after question…always a great sign! Their enthusiasm and interest more than made up for some of the difficulties I had getting around Madrid. 

My limited language skills finally did me in.  The driver who drove me to my first school got the address mixed up but insisted we had arrived at the school when it was actually a couple blocks away.   Walking with a box of heavy materials and laptop was not fun. Lucky for me I remembered my admission training and left early for the first visit.  I made it in time! 

My luck ran out on the way to my last visit, however.  The taxi driver initially told me he knew how to get to the address but in actuality he had no idea.  He stopped several times along the way, often stopping the car at what appeared to me to be very dangerous intersections as he hopped out to ask for directions.  He did not have a cell phone to call the school and my cell phone would not work.  I finally called a colleague at Northeastern who transferred my call to the school and was able to get the taxi driver directions.  I thought I was home free but he must not have fully understood because he stopped twice more for directions.  In the end he sped past the school and the college counselor who was waiting outside for us ended up chasing the taxi down the street!    

One more visit tomorrow and then I head back to the US.   Wish me luck with the taxi drivers!

Until next time…

I’m on my third day in Spain…. and I must say I am doing very well.  I managed to get to all of my school visits on time and am now sitting in the Barcelona airport waiting for my flight to Madrid!  

During my first day of visits, I went to a private international school and one of the Education USA centers.  At the private school, I met with a number of students interested in learning about higher education in America as well as Northeastern.  One young man was extremely excited about Northeastern and eagerly shared his impression of campus (he toured with a friend last year).  While he liked Northeastern, I believe he was even more passionate about the Red Sox and was pleased to find out that you can see into Fenway Park from the top floor of one of our residences halls!

Today I completed two very successful school visits.  It was standing room only at the first school which is an international school that offers a U.S. curriculum.  The second visit was at a private school which offers a traditional Spanish curriculum.  The principal of this school is very interested in encouraging her students to consider going to school in the U.S. and made it possible for me to speak with the entire 11th and 12th grade classes.  I really enjoyed speaking with the students and hearing about their perceptions of American culture.  Unfortunately much of their knowledge about the United States was learned from TV and movies.  The students all said the movie “American Pie” was one of their favorites!

During both presentations today, I spent much of my time helping students understand how to approach the application process, specifically the subjective aspects (required essay, recommendation and extra-curricular activities list).  Many students both in the U.S. and abroad are so focused on achieving a certain test score or worried about the grades they achieved, they don’t spend enough time telling us about themselves and how they spend their free time. Others are worried that we are going to “judge” their involvements. Whether it’s a school activity, a job or a community involvement, at Northeastern we want to enroll students who have a consistent level of involvement in one or two activities.  The specific activity doesn’t matter as long as you are able to tell us why this involvement is important to you and what you gained or learned about yourself as a result.  We essentially are looking for the same thing in your essay.  If you choose to write about an experience that was important to you, don’t focus on describing the experience, focus on what you learned about yourself and how the experience changed or influenced you.

I did manage to explore Barcelona a bit during my visit.   I took the metro to Placa de Catalunya to find a bank to exchange money to Euros. After completing the exchange I walked down one of Barcelona’s famous streets called Las Ramblas, which is a huge tourist area with shops, vendors, street mimes and human statues.   If you followed my blog from China, you will appreciate the photos of the caged birds, including chickens (or are they hens?).  I wonder if I will run into live chickens on all of my international trips.  I also had the best natural all fruit juice drink at an open market and found a Dunkin Donuts.   I know that Starbucks are everywhere but had no idea that Dunkin Donuts was international. 

Enjoy the pictures.

  

 
  
 
  

  

More from Spain later
Until next time….

 

I can't believe its October 5 already. Just yesterday we were welcoming Northeastern's 112th entering class-today the admission team is meeting with anxious high school seniors and parents all over the world.Over the next six weeks or so, members of the Northeastern admission team will likely participate in over 1500 recruitment activities.  Although our goal for participating in these activities is to provide prospective students and parents with information about Northeastern and the powerful undergraduate education experience we provide, we are also very interested in doing all we can to help alleviate some of the stress high school seniors may be experiencing as they begin to work on their college applications.   

 

We understand that many high school seniors find the college application process confusing.  Our admission team travels as much as we do because we want to help explain our admission process, answer any questions prospective students might have and provide students with the opportunity to meet the individual who will advocate from them during our admission decision process.   In my experience high school students don’t realize that in most instances the admission representatives who visit your high school will be the staff member responsible for reviewing your application and advocating for you with the admission committee.  The Admission representative may not make the final admission decision about your application, but that staff member does have the ability to influence the Admission Committee.  The more they know about you, your accomplishments, goals and experiences; the better they will be able to advocate for you during the decision process.   If your schedule allows, take time to meet with the representatives who visit your schools.  Express your interest and then follow up with an e-mail to the staff member.  I give every student I meet during high school visits my business card but only a handful will e-mail me directly with questions or update me on a new accomplishments.  I remember those who contact me. 

 

Yesterday I arrived in Barcelona, Spain.  I will be in Spain for the week visiting high schools in both Barcelona and Madrid.  This is my first time in Spain and I am excited to be here and hope to experience some of the culture first hand.  As it has been a while since a Northeastern University admission staff member has recruited in Spain, I have a full agenda, but I hope to be able to explore a bit before returning to Boston.  I can’t believe my Spanish language skills are so rusty - I thought I would remember more after studying Spanish throughout high school and college.  Thank goodness all of the high schools I will visit are international schools so the students and staff have strong English skills.  Now all I have to do is figure out how to get around in the city!  I’ll let you know how it goes.

 

Until next time…

Fall Frenzy!

Our new students just completed their first full week of classes- while classes officially began on Wednesday, September 9, last week was filled with so many welcome activities  and events that it takes a while for new students to settle into a routine. 

Last Thursday, David Sheff, the author of “A Beautiful Boy” spoke to new students about his book. This was part of our First Pages common reading program for new students.  Students appreciated the opportunity to hear from the author and asked numerous follow up questions to learn more about Mr. Sheff and his son’s experience with drug addiction.  While I did not attend the last Welcome Week event, which was an evening with Dr. Drew Pinksy, from MTV’s Loveline, I understand that the tickets went fast and that our students enjoyed hearing from Dr. Drew!

With our new students settled, it is now time to focus all my energy on this year’s admission and recruitment process.   September and October are busy months as the Admission team travels all over the world talking with students and parents about opportunities at Northeastern. 

This past week, David Hautanen, our Associate Dean and Director of Admission, was in Switzerland recruiting. While there, he had the opportunity to conduct an essay writing workshop with the students in one of the schools he visited.   From the smiles on the faces of the students, it seems like the event went very well – David is the one with the beard in the red Northeastern polo shirt.

On Wednesday evening, I conducted a “Mock Application Reading” exercise for parents at a local private high school.  I really enjoy this type of event as I believe it is one of the best ways for students and parents get a better understanding of the admission professional’s approach to the application review process.  While I worked with the parents, colleagues from other Universities in the area worked with their students.  After reading four mock applications, each team was asked to admit one, waitlist one and deny two.  Needless to say, the parents and I did not get very far while all of the student groups completed the exercise!  Not sure if our progress was a function of my leadership or the numerous questions parents had!   In any case, it was a fun evening  and everyone learned a lot.

The next few entries will be from the admission recruiters on the road…we got great feedback last year as we incorporated some voices from my team. I hope you enjoy reading them …and, oh if you’re out there, I encourage you to post a comment or question!

Until next time…

Welcome Week is Underway!

What a great Move-in Weekend – the weather was spectacular and families were in great spirits as they moved new and returning students into the residence halls. Our four-day move-in is quite an event with lots of entertainment and plenty of food to keep spirits and energy high.  We also had over 1000 student and staff volunteers to help students move and settle into their rooms.  First year Honors students who moved into our newest residence hall, International Village, are excited to live this beautiful building.  The artwork is so amazing – the hallway entrance is graced with a beautiful portrait from renowned urban artist Shephard Fairey. Check out the installation here.

 

On Saturday, I took a few hours off from greeting families on campus to enjoy an afternoon of football - NU played Boston College.  It was a tough afternoon for our team…but I enjoyed hanging out with Paws (and my own little munchkin!). Check us out at the game, all dressed up in our red & black.   

 

Yesterday was the official kick-off to the new academic year  with the President’s Convocation. It was a wonderful ceremony steeped with tradition and fanfare. It was held in the newly renovated Matthews Arena – here is a picture of the crowd. The hour long ceremony featured welcomes from the Provost and the President, as well as the official introduction of the 112 entering class by their College Deans. It was topped off by a performance from the Downbeats, the University’s acappella group and a lively celebration from the NU cheerleaders, Paws and King Husky – our mascot. After Convocation, we hold a barbeque for new students who relaxed on the quad, listened to some music and enjoyed getting to know each other. It was such a  wonderful day!

 

Stay tuned for more updates from Welcome Week – we welcome author David Sheff on Thursday and Dr. Drew Pinksy, from MTV’s Loveline on Friday.

 

Until next time…