northeastern university admissions essay

How to Apply

Determining where to spend the next few years of your life is no easy task. Now that you have added Northeastern to your college list, we’re here to help make the next step of applying easier! Below are the necessary steps to ensure that your application is ready for review and in the right hands. We’re excited you’ve chosen Northeastern. This is higher education not just for a career, but for your life.

Application Steps

Follow these simple steps to ensure that your application is received and reviewed on time!

Create your application

Submit your application through The Common Application or the Coalition Application (both are accepted). Once you have created your application, please select Northeastern University to directly submit your application to us. Application fee of $75 or need-based fee waiver*

*Northeastern accepts need-based fee waivers from the Common Application, the Coalition Application, as well as organizations such as the College Board and ACT, or in a written request from a school official.  

Submit all required materials

Double check to make sure that you have submitted all required materials. Even if your application has been submitted, we cannot begin reviewing your file until all of your required materials have been received. Northeastern University is test-optional and does not require standardized testing to complete an application for admission.

Check your application status

Within seven days of applying, you should receive a confirmation email containing your Northeastern University ID number and instructions for setting up your  Application Status Check  account.

To ensure all of the necessary documents have been submitted, and for updates or information about your application, visit your application status check.

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How to Get Into Northeastern: Acceptance Rate and Strategies

June 17, 2024

Anyone who went to college thirty, twenty, or even ten years ago would likely be shocked if you told them that Northeastern University, once viewed as more of a commuter school than a nationally recognized institution, has an acceptance rate in the single digits (the Northeastern ED acceptance rate is much higher). This Boston-based private university was founded back in 1898 and one hundred years later, U.S. News ranked NU as the 162nd best school in the country. What has happened since that time is nothing short of amazing. In 2000, the average incoming SAT was 1157; today it is 1484. The school now rests comfortably among the top 50 universities in the country and receives in excess of 96,000 applications every year. Accordingly, this newfound popularity is a major contributor to Northeastern’s ever-shrinking acceptance rate.

Given that the process of gaining acceptance into Northeastern has become increasingly challenging, we will touch on the following topics:

• Northeastern acceptance rate – Class of 2027
• Northeastern ED acceptance rate – Class of 2027
• GPA, SAT, ACT, and class rank of accepted Northeastern applicants
• Admissions trends from the Class of 2027
• The demographics of current Northeastern undergraduates
• Northeastern’s yield rate
• How Northeastern’s admissions officers evaluate candidates
• Tips for applying to Northeastern
• How to assess whether applying to Northeastern is even worth the $75 application fee (for you)
• Whether Northeastern is transfer-friendly

Let’s begin with an examination of the most recent admissions data.

Northeastern University Acceptance Rate – Class of 2027

Northeastern received 96,631 applications for its 2023-24 freshman class. Of those, 5,459 were admitted for an overall acceptance rate of 5.6%.

However, to get the full picture, it’s important to look at both the early decision acceptance rate (see more below) vs. the regular decision acceptance rate. For the Class of 2027, the regular decision acceptance rate was just 4.7%.

Although Northeastern has not released official Class of 2028 numbers, it is estimated that they received over 98,000 applications.

For comparison, the acceptance rate several years ago was drastically higher:

Northeastern ED Acceptance Rate

In building the Class of 2027, Northeastern accepted 39% of ED applicants. This is higher than the 33% acceptance rate for the Class of 2026, but lower than the 51% clip for the Class of 2025.

NU offers both ED I and ED II, with November 1 and January 1 deadlines.

What GPA do you need to get into Northeastern?

Although Northeastern does not report average GPA, they do report GPA percentiles. Accordingly, 87% of enrolled 2023 freshmen had a GPA of 4.0 or above, 8% had a GPA between 3.75 and 3.99, and 4% had a GPA between 3.5 and 3.74.

Approximately 1% of students had a GPA under 3.5.

What class rank do you need to get accepted to Northeastern?

Among enrolled 2023-24 first-year students, 70% were in the top 10% of their graduating class, 92% were in the top quarter, and 98% were in the top half.

What is the minimum SAT or ACT score for Northeastern?

The mid-50% SAT range for enrolled Class of 2027 freshmen was 1460-1530. Moreover, 94% of students had an SAT score of between 1400 and 1600.

ACTs were similarly high—the mid-50% percentile was 33-35, and 94% had a score between 30 and 36.

Admissions Trends & Notes – Class of 2027

• The number of applicants has increased by nearly 50% over the last four years.
• ED applications increased by 25% in the 2023-24 admissions cycle, and 50% since 2020.
• 71% of the applicant pool identified as non-white.
• Last year, Northeastern received the most applications from Massachusetts and California (more on that below).
• Approximately 95% of incoming freshmen head to Boston while 2.5% each head to London or Oakland, CA.

Why does Northeastern receive so many applications now?!

Wondering why there is an astronomical jump in applications? One major factor is Northeastern’s focus on pre-professional education as well as its renowned co-op program, which gives students the ability to complete 2-3 full-time, paid co-op experiences before they graduate. Although the program has been around for over a century (!), excellent marketing, student preference, and a stellar post-graduate track record (93% are employed or enrolled in grad school within 9 months of graduating) have helped skyrocket the school’s popularity.

Who Gets Into Northeastern?

Let’s look at the demographics of Northeastern undergraduates:

Geographically, 48 U.S. states are presently represented across the NU undergraduate population. As with all selective colleges, those from lower-populated, more remote areas of the country (e.g. Wyoming, South Dakota, and Alaska) enjoy a boost to their admissions prospects.

The states with the strongest undergraduate representation are:

• Massachusetts
• Connecticut
• Pennsylvania

Northeastern University Acceptance Rate (Continued)

Looking at ethnic identity, the breakdown of students was as follows:

• Hispanic: 11%
• Black or African American: 6%
• International: 14%
• Two or more races: 6%

The breakdown by gender is as follows:

• Female: 56%

Let’s now take a college-by-college look at where/what current full-time undergraduates are studying (most recent data available):

• College of Arts, Media, and Design: 7%
• Bouvé College of Health Sciences: 11%
• D’Amore-McKim School of Business: 22%
• College of Engineering: 15%
• Khoury College of Computer Sciences: 15%
• College of Science: 17%
• College of Social Sciences and Humanities: 15%
• University Programs: 9%

NU’s Yield Rate

Northeastern’s yield rate — the percentage of accepted students who elect to enroll, divided by the total number of students who are admitted — was 50% last year, much higher than the previous year (33%).

Although Northeastern is now on par with other elite private institutions such as Vanderbilt, Rice, and Carnegie Mellon, the current yield rate may be skewed slightly based on the high percentage of the class admitted via Early Decision. Accordingly, NU is still eager to know if you are their first choice, and there is a great admissions advantage to signaling such a leaning.

How Northeastern Rates Applicants

There are five factors that Northeastern ranks as being “very important” to their admissions process: rigor of secondary school record, GPA, standardized test scores, the application essay, and recommendations. Rating as “important” are: extracurricular activities, talent/ability, character/personal qualities, and volunteer/paid work. “Considered” factors are: first-generation status, race/ethnicity, class rank, demonstrated interest, and geographical residence.

In the words of Northeastern admissions officers themselves: “Candidates who bring diverse experiences, perspectives, and interests to our community are identified by the Admissions Committee following a holistic application evaluation.” With a goal of building a diverse and talented freshman class, “the Admissions Committee seeks to enroll students who have been academically successful and who have been actively involved in their school and community.”

Tips for Applying to Northeastern

If you plan on joining the 96,000+ Husky hopefuls for the next admissions cycle, you should know the following:

• There are no interviews offered through the university. As such, you’ll need to use the essay and recommendations to forge a personal connection with an admissions officer.
• Northeastern does consider “ demonstrated interest ” so it is important that you make contact with the admissions office, connect through social media, and visit campus or meet Northeastern reps at a college fair near you.

Does Northeastern have supplemental essays?

• In the 2023-24 cycle, Northeastern did not require any supplemental essay prompts. Therefore, the primary Common App essay takes on an even greater level of importance when applying to the university.

CT Advice: With only one essay to complete for Northeastern, applicants need to channel their efforts into the Common App essay of their choice. For more on the prompts themselves , which might be best to select, and how to begin brainstorming , visit our previous posts.

Should I apply to Northeastern?

With Northeastern growing more competitive each year, you will likely need to possess stellar SAT scores and near-perfect grades, and earn a place in the top 10% of your high school class. Furthermore, applying ED will provide a sizable edge if you find yourself “on the cusp” from an admissions standpoint.

Do I have a better chance of acceptance as a transfer student?

Your odds of acceptance as a transfer student are not as high as applying ED, but about five times better than applying regular decision. For entry in fall 2023, 1,037 students were accepted out of 4,267 applicants, meaning that the transfer acceptance rate is 24%. Here is a sampling of past transfer acceptance rates:

Read more about Northeastern Transfer Rates and Requirements here .

Northeastern Acceptance Rate and ED Acceptance Rate – Final Thoughts

All college-bound teens need to make sure that they formulate an appropriate college list , containing a complement of “target” and “safety” schools. You’ll definitely want to do this in conjunction with an admissions professional (including your own high school counselor).

Ready to get started on your applications? You might consider checking out the following:

• Should You Start College Applications in the Summer?
• What is Demonstrated Interest?
• Do Colleges Look at Social Media?
• College Fair Advice for High School Students
• How to Complete the Common App Activities List
• Application Strategies

Dave Bergman

Dave has over a decade of professional experience that includes work as a teacher, high school administrator, college professor, and independent educational consultant. He is a co-author of the books The Enlightened College Applicant (Rowman & Littlefield, 2016) and Colleges Worth Your Money (Rowman & Littlefield, 2020).

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Northeastern University

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How to Get Into Northeastern: Admissions Stats + Tips

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How hard is it to get into northeastern university, what is northeastern university looking for, average academic profile of accepted northeastern university students, how to apply to northeastern university .

Originally founded as a school for commuters, today Northeastern University (NU) is known for its bustling campus, green spaces, and collegial environment—all while providing easy access to Boston, one of the nation’s most historic, innovative, and healthiest cities. Separating Northeastern from other renowned schools in the Boston area—like Harvard, MIT, Boston University, Boston College, and Tufts—is its top-ranked Co-Op program, which 93% of the university’s 2019-2020 graduating class participated in. 

Admission to Northeastern is highly competitive. The university received 64,279 applications to its incoming 2020-2021 class and accepted just 13,199—an overall acceptance rate of 20% . Northeastern has an early decision process through which 1,882 applicants applied in 2020-2021, of which 709 were accepted—a 38% early decision acceptance rate . 

Northeastern’s acceptance rate is low, but your personal chances of admission depend on your profile strength. CollegeVine’s free admissions calculator can help you better understand Northeastern, using factors like your grades, test scores, and extracurricular activities to estimate your odds of acceptance and provide tips to improve your profile. 

Northeastern did not report the average high school GPA of the students they admitted in 2020-2021. That said, competitive applicants will have performed exceptionally well academically in high school. 

The middle 50% range SAT score for Northeastern’s incoming 2020-2021 class is 1430-1540 . The class’s middle 50% range ACT score is 33-35 .  

76% of the 2020-2021 incoming class at Northeastern graduate high school in the top tenth of their class. 95% graduated in the top quarter. 

The ideal applicant to Northeastern doesn’t fit into a particular mold, rather, the university fields classes with students from a variety of backgrounds and interests—the school is home to 11 cultural and resource centers and 12,098 international students .

While Northeastern attracts all kinds of applicants, they do share some characteristics. Northeastern students are worldly and possess the ability to take a global view. Northeastern students are also go-getters who proactively take advantage of the opportunities presented to them to improve their lives, their communities, and the world. 

How Northeastern University Evaluates Applications

According to their 2020-2021 Common Data Set, Northeastern considers the following factors “very important” :

• Course rigor
• Test scores
• Recommendation letters

These factors are “important” :

• Extracurricular activities 
• Work experience 
• Volunteer work 

These are “considered” :

• Geographical location
• First generation 
• Racial/ethnic status
• Applicant interest 

And these are “not considered” :

• State residency 
• Religious affiliation

Discover your chances at hundreds of schools

Our free chancing engine takes into account your history, background, test scores, and extracurricular activities to show you your real chances of admission—and how to improve them.

How to Improve Your Chances of Getting into Northeastern

1. achieve the best gpa possible while taking the most challenging classes available.

An impressive 76% of Northeastern’s incoming class of 2020-2021 graduated in the top tenth of their class. For serious consideration at Northeastern, you’ll need to earn all, or mostly all, As in the most challenging courses available—Northeastern considers both GPA and course rigor as “very important” to admissions. It’s common for applicants to top-tier schools like Northeastern to have taken between five and 12 AP classes . 

Northeastern received a whopping 64,279 applications for its incoming 2020-2021 class. Prestigious schools like Northeastern use a tool known as the Academic Index to expedite the processing of the massive number of applications they receive. The Academic Index is the consolidation of your entire academic performance into a single number. If your Academic Index fails to meet NU’s standards, it’s likely your application will not get a comprehensive evaluation.  

If your GPA is low and you’re early in your high school career, there’s still time to raise it. Check out our tips for increasing your GPA . If you’re a junior or senior, it’s more difficult to increase your GPA, which makes earning high test scores the best method to increase your Academic Index. 

2. Aim for a 1540 SAT and 35 ACT  

Standardized test scores are “very important” to admissions decisions at Northeastern. The middle 50% SAT range of NU’s incoming 2020-2021 class is 1430-1540 , and its middle 50% ACT is 33-35 . Any score in the middle 50% is good, however, your odds of admissions improve the higher into the range you score. 

Northeastern superscores both the SAT and ACT—that is, the university will take your highest section scores, across multiple test dates, to create a new composite score. Because NU superscores standardized tests, taking the SAT or ACT between two and three times is a sound strategy to improve your admissions odds. To raise your SAT/ACT score, check out these free CollegeVine resources:

• How to Get a Perfect 1600 Score on the SAT
• How to Get a Perfect 36 Score on the ACT
• More SAT Info and Tips
• More ACT Info and Tips

Due to the challenges COVID-19 has presented, Northeastern has instituted a test-optional admissions policy for both the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 admissions cycles. More than half of applicants in the 2020-2021 admissions cycle applied test-optional . Regardless of NU’s test-optional policy, CollegeVine encourages you to take either the SAT or ACT, if you can do so safely, and submit your score if it’s at or above the 25th percentile at NU (1430 SAT and 33 ACT). Applicants who submit test scores are accepted at higher rates than those who don’t. 

You can get recommendations on whether or not you should apply test-optional using our free chancing engine . 

3. Write engaging essays

Essays are “very important” to admissions decisions at Northeastern. Nearly every applicant to NU has an impressive academic profile—essays are a way to highlight your talent and character (both of which are “important” to NU admissions) and set yourself apart from other candidates. 

Northeastern accepts both the Common Application and the Coalition Application and you’re required to answer the essay question of whichever application you’re applying with. An attention-grabbing college essay highlights why you’re a good fit at a school and how the school will benefit from having you on campus. Keep in mind, NU is looking for go-getters and views work experience and volunteer work as “important” to admissions; use them to show what you’ve done and how those experiences prepared you to succeed in college and the world in general.

4. Letters of Recommendation 

Northeastern views letters of recommendation as “very important” to admissions and requires you to submit two letters of recommendation with your application: one from your high school counselor and one from a teacher.  

Teachers are not compensated for writing letters of recommendation and it’s common for a teacher to get tapped for recommendations by numerous aspiring college students. Getting a teacher to craft a compelling letter begins with following the nine rules for requesting letters of recommendation from teachers , which provides a good guideline for everything from who to ask to how much time they need and how to thank them for their time. 

5. Cultivate one or two Tier 1-2 extracurriculars (find your “spike”)

Extracurricular activities are an “important” part of admissions at Northeastern. A highly-developed interest is known as a “ spike ” and one or two impressive supporting extracurricular activities on your profile can give your application a boost at a highly-ranked school like NU. Just how impressive are your activities outside of the classroom? The four tiers of extracurriculars are a good gauge for how colleges view them? 

• Tier 1 activities are the most impressive, they show exceptional accomplishment or leadership. Tier 1 activities are also the rarest and include achievements like winning a national competition or attending a prestigious merit-based summer program. 
• Tier 2 is home to activities that demonstrate great accomplishments or leadership, but don’t rise to the level and are more common than those found in Tier 1. For example, common Tier 2 activities include serving as student body president or earning state-level recognition in athletics or music.
• Tier 3 are activities that highlight your interests outside of the classroom but don’t have the distinction or influence on admissions as those of the higher tiers. Common Tier 3 activities are holding a minor leadership position in a well-known club, captaining a varsity sport, or playing in a regional music ensemble. 
• Tier 4 the most common and least impressive activities—such as participating in a club, participating in a sport, or playing in the band or orchestra—fall under Tier 4.        

4.  Apply Early Decision

Northeastern has four admissions processes: early decision I, early decision II, early action,  and regular decision. In general, applying early is a good way to improve your odds of admission to a school. At Northeastern, both early decision I and II can increase your odds of acceptance significantly—the 38% early decision acceptance rate is nearly double the 20% overall acceptance rate .  

Applying early decision is a binding agreement where you commit to attending Northeastern if accepted. Early decision is best suited for applicants for whom NU is their number one choice and are confident it’s the right fit—academically, socially, and financially. If you’re not positive Northeastern is the school for you, early action allows you to submit your application in advance of the majority of candidates, gives you a leg up in the admissions process, and is non-binding, so you’re under no obligation to attend if accepted. 

Application Requirements

Northeastern University accepts both the Common Application and the Coalition Application. Other requirements include:

• Transcript 
• Counselor recommendation 
• Teacher recommendation
• Mid-year school report 

Other optional materials include: 

• Creative portfolio

Learn more about Northeastern University 

Interested in learning more about Northeastern? Check out these other informative articles: 

• What is Northeastern University Known for?
• What does it cost to attend Northeastern University?
• Northeastern vs. Northwestern: Which College is Right for You?
• Boston University vs. Northeastern: Which College is Right for You?

Want to know your chances at Northeastern? Calculate your chances for free right now .

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Northeastern University Requirements for Admission

What are Northeastern University's admission requirements? While there are a lot of pieces that go into a college application, you should focus on only a few critical things:

• GPA requirements
• Testing requirements, including SAT and ACT requirements
• Application requirements

In this guide we'll cover what you need to get into Northeastern University and build a strong application.

School location: Boston, MA

This school is also known as: NE, NU

Admissions Rate: 5.6%

If you want to get in, the first thing to look at is the acceptance rate. This tells you how competitive the school is and how serious their requirements are.

The acceptance rate at Northeastern University is 5.6% . For every 100 applicants, only 6 are admitted.

This means the school is extremely selective . Meeting their GPA requirements and SAT/ACT requirements is very important to getting past their first round of filters and proving your academic preparation. If you don't meet their expectations, your chance of getting in is nearly zero.

After crossing this hurdle, you'll need to impress Northeastern University application readers through their other application requirements, including extracurriculars, essays, and letters of recommendation. We'll cover more below.

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We know what kinds of students colleges want to admit. We want to get you admitted to your dream schools.

Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in.

Northeastern University GPA Requirements

Many schools specify a minimum GPA requirement, but this is often just the bare minimum to submit an application without immediately getting rejected.

The GPA requirement that really matters is the GPA you need for a real chance of getting in. For this, we look at the school's average GPA for its current students.

Average GPA: 4.11

The average GPA at Northeastern University is 4.11 .

(Most schools use a weighted GPA out of 4.0, though some report an unweighted GPA. This school did not officially report its average GPA, but we've estimated it here using data from over 1,000 schools.)

With a GPA of 4.11, Northeastern University requires you to be at the top of your class . You'll need nearly straight A's in all your classes to compete with other applicants. Furthermore, you should be taking hard classes - AP or IB courses - to show that college-level academics is a breeze.

If you're currently a junior or senior, your GPA is hard to change in time for college applications. If your GPA is at or below the school average of 4.11, you'll need a higher SAT or ACT score to compensate . This will help you compete effectively against other applicants who have higher GPAs than you.

SAT and ACT Requirements

Each school has different requirements for standardized testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them.

Northeastern University hasn't explicitly named a policy on SAT/ACT requirements, but because it's published average SAT or ACT scores (we'll cover this next), it's likely test flexible. Typically, these schools say, "if you feel your SAT or ACT score represents you well as a student, submit them. Otherwise, don't."

Despite this policy, the truth is that most students still take the SAT or ACT, and most applicants to Northeastern University will submit their scores. If you don't submit scores, you'll have one fewer dimension to show that you're worthy of being admitted, compared to other students. We therefore recommend that you consider taking the SAT or ACT, and doing well.

Northeastern University SAT Requirements

Many schools say they have no SAT score cutoff, but the truth is that there is a hidden SAT requirement. This is based on the school's average score.

Average SAT: 1500

The average SAT score composite at Northeastern University is a 1500 on the 1600 SAT scale.

This score makes Northeastern University Extremely Competitive for SAT test scores.

Northeastern University SAT Score Analysis (New 1600 SAT)

The 25th percentile SAT score is 1460, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1530. In other words, a 1460 on the SAT places you below average, while a 1530 will move you up to above average .

Here's the breakdown of SAT scores by section:

SAT Score Choice Policy

The Score Choice policy at your school is an important part of your testing strategy.

Northeastern University has the Score Choice policy of "Highest Section."

This is also known as "superscoring." This means that you can choose which SAT tests you want to send to the school. Of all the scores they receive, your application readers will consider your highest section scores across all SAT test dates you submit .

Click below to learn more about how superscoring critically affects your test strategy.

For example, say you submit the following 3 test scores:

Even though the highest total you scored on any one test date was 1000, Northeastern University will take your highest section score from all your test dates, then combine them to form your Superscore. You can raise your composite score from 1000 to 1400 in this example.

This is important for your testing strategy. Because you can choose which tests to send in, and Northeastern University forms your Superscore, you can take the SAT as many times as you want, then submit only the tests that give you the highest Superscore. Your application readers will only see that one score.

Therefore, if your SAT superscore is currently below a 1530, we strongly recommend that you consider prepping for the SAT and retaking it . You have a very good chance of raising your score, which will significantly boost your chances of getting in.

Even better, because of the Superscore, you can focus all your energy on a single section at a time. If your Reading score is lower than your other sections, prep only for the Reading section, then take the SAT. Then focus on Math for the next test, and so on. This will give you the highest Superscore possible.

Download our free guide on the top 5 strategies you must be using to improve your score. This guide was written by Harvard graduates and SAT perfect scorers. If you apply the strategies in this guide, you'll study smarter and make huge score improvements.

Northeastern University ACT Requirements

Just like for the SAT, Northeastern University likely doesn't have a hard ACT cutoff, but if you score too low, your application will get tossed in the trash.

Average ACT: 34

The average ACT score at Northeastern University is 34. This score makes Northeastern University Extremely Competitive for ACT scores.

The 25th percentile ACT score is 33, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 35.

Even though Northeastern University likely says they have no minimum ACT requirement, if you apply with a 33 or below, you'll have a very hard time getting in, unless you have something else very impressive in your application. There are so many applicants scoring 34 and above that a 33 will look academically weak.

ACT Score Sending Policy

If you're taking the ACT as opposed to the SAT, you have a huge advantage in how you send scores, and this dramatically affects your testing strategy.

Here it is: when you send ACT scores to colleges, you have absolute control over which tests you send. You could take 10 tests, and only send your highest one. This is unlike the SAT, where many schools require you to send all your tests ever taken.

This means that you have more chances than you think to improve your ACT score. To try to aim for the school's ACT requirement of 35 and above, you should try to take the ACT as many times as you can. When you have the final score that you're happy with, you can then send only that score to all your schools.

ACT Superscore Policy

By and large, most colleges do not superscore the ACT. (Superscore means that the school takes your best section scores from all the test dates you submit, and then combines them into the best possible composite score). Thus, most schools will just take your highest ACT score from a single sitting.

However, from our research, Northeastern University is understood to superscore the ACT . We couldn't confirm it directly from the school's admissions website, but multiple sources confirm that the school does superscore the ACT. We recommend you call their admissions office directly for more information.

Superscoring is powerful to your testing strategy, and you need to make sure you plan your testing accordingly. Of all the scores that Northeastern University receives, your application readers will consider your highest section scores across all ACT test dates you submit .

For example, say you submit the following 4 test scores:

Even though the highest ACT composite you scored on any one test date was 20, Northeastern University will take your highest section score from all your test dates, then combine them to form your Superscore. You can raise your composite score from 20 to 32 in this example.

This is important for your testing strategy. Because you can choose which tests to send in, and Northeastern University forms your Superscore, you can take the ACT as many times as you want, then submit only the tests that give you the highest Superscore. Your application readers will only see that one score.

Therefore, if your ACT score is currently below a 35, we strongly recommend that you consider prepping for the ACT and retaking it . You have a very good chance of raising your score, which will significantly boost your chances of getting in.

Even better, because of the Superscore, you can focus all your energy on a single section at a time. If your Reading score is lower than your other sections, prep only for the Reading section, then take the ACT. Then focus on Math for the next test, and so on. This will give you the highest Superscore possible.

Download our free guide on the top 5 strategies you must be using to improve your score. This guide was written by Harvard graduates and ACT perfect scorers. If you apply the strategies in this guide, you'll study smarter and make huge score improvements.

SAT/ACT Writing Section Requirements

Currently, only the ACT has an optional essay section that all students can take. The SAT used to also have an optional Essay section, but since June 2021, this has been discontinued unless you are taking the test as part of school-day testing in a few states. Because of this, no school requires the SAT Essay or ACT Writing section, but some schools do recommend certain students submit their results if they have them.

Northeastern University considers the SAT Essay/ACT Writing section optional and may not include it as part of their admissions consideration. You don't need to worry too much about Writing for this school, but other schools you're applying to may require or recommend it.

Final Admissions Verdict

Because this school is extremely selective, getting a high SAT/ACT score and GPA is vital to having a chance at getting in . If you don't pass their SAT/ACT and GPA requirements, they'll likely reject you without much consideration.

To have the best shot of getting in, you should aim for the 75th percentile, with a 1530 SAT or a 35 ACT . You should also have a 4.11 GPA or higher. If your GPA is lower than this, you need to compensate with a higher SAT/ACT score.

For a school as selective as Northeastern University, you'll also need to impress them with the rest of your application. We'll cover those details next.

But if you apply with a score below a 1530 SAT or a 35 ACT, you unfortunately start out with the odds against you and have a tiny chance of getting in. There are just too many students with high SAT/ACT scores and strong applications, and you need to compete against them.

Admissions Calculator

Here's our custom admissions calculator. Plug in your numbers to see what your chances of getting in are. Pick your test: SAT ACT

• 80-100%: Safety school: Strong chance of getting in
• 50-80%: More likely than not getting in
• 20-50%: Lower but still good chance of getting in
• 5-20%: Reach school: Unlikely to get in, but still have a shot
• 0-5%: Hard reach school: Very difficult to get in

How would your chances improve with a better score?

Take your current SAT score and add 160 points (or take your ACT score and add 4 points) to the calculator above. See how much your chances improve?

At PrepScholar, we've created the leading online SAT/ACT prep program . We guarantee an improvement of 160 SAT points or 4 ACT points on your score, or your money back.

Here's a summary of why we're so much more effective than other prep programs:

• PrepScholar customizes your prep to your strengths and weaknesses . You don't waste time working on areas you already know, so you get more results in less time.
• We guide you through your program step-by-step so that you're never confused about what you should be studying. Focus all your time learning, not worrying about what to learn.
• Our team is made of national SAT/ACT experts . PrepScholar's founders are Harvard graduates and SAT perfect scorers . You'll be studying using the strategies that actually worked for them.
• We've gotten tremendous results with thousands of students across the country. Read about our score results and reviews from our happy customers .

There's a lot more to PrepScholar that makes it the best SAT/ACT prep program. Click to learn more about our program , or sign up for our 5-day free trial to check out PrepScholar for yourself:

Application Requirements

Every school requires an application with the bare essentials - high school transcript and GPA, application form, and other core information. Many schools, as explained above, also require SAT and ACT scores, as well as letters of recommendation, application essays, and interviews. We'll cover the exact requirements of Northeastern University here.

Application Requirements Overview

• Common Application Accepted
• Electronic Application Available
• Essay or Personal Statement Required for all freshmen
• Letters of Recommendation 2
• Interview Not required
• Application Fee $75
• Fee Waiver Available? Available
• Other Notes

Testing Requirements

• SAT or ACT Considered if submitted
• Scores Due in Office February 1

Coursework Requirements

• Subject Required Years
• Foreign Language 2
• Social Studies 3

Deadlines and Early Admissions

• Offered? Deadline Notification
• Yes January 1 April 1
• Yes November 1 February 15
• Yes November 1 January 1

Admissions Office Information

• Address: 360 Boston, MA 02115
• Phone: (617) 373-2000
• Fax: (617) 373-8780

Other Schools For You

If you're interested in Northeastern University, you'll probably be interested in these schools as well. We've divided them into 3 categories depending on how hard they are to get into, relative to Northeastern University.

Reach Schools: Harder to Get Into

These schools are have higher average SAT scores than Northeastern University. If you improve your SAT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.

Same Level: Equally Hard to Get Into

If you're competitive for Northeastern University, these schools will offer you a similar chance of admission.

Safety Schools: Easier to Get Into

If you're currently competitive for Northeastern University, you should have no problem getting into these schools. If Northeastern University is currently out of your reach, you might already be competitive for these schools.

Data on this page is sourced from Peterson's Databases © 2024 (Peterson's LLC. All rights reserved.) as well as additional publicly available sources.

1920 SAT Score Standings

Here's how you compare to other students and how many colleges you are competitive for:

Out of the 1.67 million test-takers, 181974 scored the same or higher than you.

You can apply to 1213 colleges and have a good shot at getting admitted.

If you apply to these schools, with this score, you have a very low chance of getting in.

Top Choice Colleges Chances

We've collected data from millions of students and thousands of colleges to figure out your chances at getting admitted with a 1920 SAT score. You'll also see how your chances improve with a higher SAT score.

To add a school to your list, type in part of the school name, choose from the dropdown, and click the button.

• be competitive for 67 more schools in the country
• raise your chances of getting into target schools from 64.15% to 67.69%

Check Out a Different Score

Curious about what your profile is with a different score? Choose any score from the entire SAT score range to see what you'd be able to do!

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