Northeastern University – Boston, Massachusetts, USA Admission Process
Admission
Northeastern University Admissions 2025
Latest Updates from Northeastern University, Boston
Northeastern University has reduced the English language proficiency requirements for select graduate programs. The recommended TOEFL score for the MS in Artificial Intelligence, MS in Data Science, and MS in Cybersecurity has been reduced to 90 (previously 100), while the minimum IELTS score is now 6.5.
Additionally, the university has revised its tuition fees for the 2025–26 academic year. The MS in Computer Science program now costs $60,000 (~INR 51.3 lakhs), up from $57,100. Similarly, the MS in Data Science program fee has increased to $60,000 (~INR 51.3 lakhs), from the earlier $59,392.
Northeastern University Graduate Admissions 2025
Northeastern University offers over 200 graduate programs that emphasize industry relevance and career growth. To apply, candidates must meet specific academic, professional, and English language proficiency requirements.
Application Details
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Application Portal: Application Management System
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Application Fee: $100 (waivers available for select colleges)
General Admission Requirements
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Online Application Form
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Statement of Purpose (500–1000 words): Should outline your academic and career goals and align with the chosen program. Must adhere to the university’s academic integrity standards.
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Professional Resume
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Unofficial Transcripts: Required at the time of application. If admitted, official transcripts with proof of bachelor’s degree and date of conferral must be submitted.
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Two Letters of Recommendation: Preferably from academic or professional sources (e.g., professor, employer, mentor). One should ideally be from a current employer.
English Proficiency Requirements
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TOEFL iBT: 79 (minimum writing score: 20)
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IELTS: 6.5 (no band below 6.0)
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PTE: 53
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Duolingo English Test (DET): 105
Northeastern University MBA Admissions 2025
The Northeastern MBA is recognized as one of the top MBA programs in Boston and the U.S. The total tuition fee for the MBA program is $103,620 (~₹90+ lakhs).
MBA Admission Requirements
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Personal Statement (up to 500 words) and Short Essay (up to 300 words)
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Updated Resume
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Two Letters of Recommendation
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Academic Transcripts from all postsecondary institutions attended
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Kira Talent Video Interview (by invitation only)
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GMAT/GRE Scores (Optional):
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Average GMAT score of admitted students: 623
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Proof of English Proficiency:
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TOEFL iBT: 79
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IELTS: 6.5
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PTE: 53
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DET: 105
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Passport or Permanent Residency Card (if applicable)
Note: Standardized test scores (GMAT/GRE) are not mandatory but may be submitted to strengthen the application.
Northeastern University Undergraduate Admissions 2025
International applicants to Northeastern University must provide academic records, proof of English proficiency, and optional standardized test scores. Below are the key details for undergraduate admissions:
Application Details
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Application Portals: Common Application or Coalition Application
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Application Fee: $75 (non-refundable) or submit a fee waiver request
Entry Requirements
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Coursework and Grades Form: Required for all first-year applicants and must be submitted via the Application Status Check portal.
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Academic Qualifications:
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General Secondary Education Certificate
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Indian Standard XII Higher Secondary School Certificate
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Official Transcripts:
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Must be sent directly from the applicant’s school
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If not in English, a certified English translation is required
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Accepted credential evaluation agencies include CED, SpanTran, WES, etc.
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Standardized Test Scores (Optional):
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SAT or ACT scores are not mandatory but recommended
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Middle 50% SAT range: 1480–1540
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English Language Proficiency
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IELTS Academic: 7.5 – 8.0
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PTE Academic: 73 – 78
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Duolingo English Test (DET): 135 – 145
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TOEFL iBT: 106 – 113
Letters of Recommendation
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At least one letter required from a teacher or counselor
Additional (Optional) Requirements
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InitialView or Vericant video interviews are accepted but do not replace English proficiency test scores
Document Submission Guidelines
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Submit documents through the application portal, by email from an official school/university address, or by post
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Standardized test scores must be sent directly from the testing agency
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National exam results should be submitted via email or certified copies
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Non-English documents must include certified translations
Northeastern University Application Deadlines 2025–26
Undergraduate Programs
Northeastern University offers flexible undergraduate admissions with multiple application tracks. Students applying under Early Decision indicate Northeastern as their first-choice institution and receive priority review. Early Action and Regular Decision applicants are not bound to enroll if admitted.
| Application Type | Deadline | Decision Notification | Binding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Decision I | November 1 | By January 1 | Yes |
| Early Action | November 1 | By February 15 | No |
| Early Decision II | January 1 | By March 1 | Yes |
| Regular Decision | January 1 | By April 1 | No |
Graduate Programs
Graduate application deadlines at Northeastern vary by department and intake term. Below are specific timelines for key colleges:
College of Science – Application Deadlines
Applicable to programs like MS in Marine Biology, Applied Physics & Engineering, and Physics.
| Program | Fall 2025 Deadline | Spring 2026 Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | July 1 (non-F-1 applicants) July 15 (F-1 visa applicants) |
Nov 1 (non-F-1 applicants) Nov 15 (F-1 visa applicants) |
| Graduate Certificate | July 1 (non-F-1 applicants) July 15 (F-1 visa applicants) |
Nov 1 (non-F-1 applicants) Nov 15 (F-1 visa applicants) |
| PhD | December 1, 2025 (priority) Rolling until March 15, 2026 |
Not Offered |
College of Professional Studies – Fall 2025 Deadlines
| Event | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Application Completion | July 7, 2025 |
| Enrollment Confirmation | July 21, 2025 |
| Initial I-20 Request Submission | July 21, 2025 |
| Semester Begins | September 3, 2025 |
Northeastern University Application Deadlines
College of Social Sciences and Humanities
| Intake | Master’s Programs | PhD Programs |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | June 15, 2025 | December 1, 2025 |
| Spring | October 1, 2025 | Not Offered |
College of Engineering
| Intake | Early Action Deadline | Final Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Fall (MS & PhD) | December 1, 2025 | June 1, 2026 |
| Spring (MS only) | Not Applicable | October 1, 2025 |
Graduate Admissions Requirements at Northeastern University
Northeastern University offers admissions to over 200 graduate programs. Indian applicants typically need a minimum GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0 (approximately 85%) for eligibility.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Application Portal | Department- or course-specific online portals |
| Application Fee | $100 (waiver available for select programs) |
| Online Application | Must be submitted via the official university portal |
| Transcripts | Unofficial transcripts at application; official transcripts post-admission |
| GPA | Minimum 3.0/4.0 scale (approx. 85%) |
| Statement of Purpose | 500–1000 words; explain academic goals and alignment with program; plagiarism not allowed |
| Resume | Required; must include academic and professional details |
| Letters of Recommendation | 2 required: 1 academic, 1 professional (preferably current employer) |
| English Proficiency Scores | TOEFL iBT: 79 (Writing ≥ 20) IELTS: 6.5 (no band < 6.0) PTE: 53 DET: 105 |
Northeastern University MBA Admission Requirements
Northeastern’s MBA program is one of the top-ranked in Boston and the U.S., with an annual tuition fee of $103,620.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Application Portal | Online |
| Application Fee | $100 |
| Personal Statement | ≤500 words |
| Short Essay | ≤300 words |
| Updated Resume | Required |
| Letters of Recommendation | Two required |
| Academic Transcripts | From all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended |
| Kira Talent Interview | By invitation only |
| GMAT/GRE Scores | Optional (Average GMAT: 623 for admitted applicants) |
| English Proficiency Requirements | TOEFL iBT: 79 IELTS: 6.5 PTE: 53 DET: 105 |
| Passport/Residency Proof | Required if applicable |
Northeastern University MBA Application Deadlines (Fall 2026)
The application window for Fall 2025 MBA intake is now closed. Below are the tentative deadlines and corresponding decision dates for the Fall 2026 MBA cycle:
| Application Round | Deadline | Decision Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | October 24, 2025 | December 19, 2025 |
| Round 2 | January 9, 2026 | March 20, 2026 |
| Round 3 | March 27, 2026 | May 8, 2026 |
| Final Round | May 15, 2026 | June 12, 2026 |
Undergraduate Admissions Requirements at Northeastern University
Northeastern University offers 329 majors and 199 combined majors through nine undergraduate colleges. Admissions are holistic, considering academic excellence, optional standardized test scores, and English language proficiency.
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Application Platforms: Common Application or Coalition Application
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Application Fee: $75 (non-refundable) or fee waiver option available
| Criteria | Description |
|---|---|
| Coursework and Grades Form | Must be submitted via the Application Status Check portal for all first-year applicants. |
| Academic Qualifications | Indian applicants must provide Standard XII results or General Secondary Education Certificate. Competitive applicants typically have a GPA between 4.2 and 4.5 (equivalent to 97-100%). |
| Transcripts | Official high school transcripts sent directly by the school. If not in English, certified translations must be provided via agencies like CED, SpanTran, or WES. |
| Standardized Tests (Optional) | SAT or ACT scores are optional. For reference, the middle 50% of admitted students had SAT scores between 1480–1540. |
| English Proficiency | One of the following is required: <ul><li>TOEFL iBT: 106–113</li><li>IELTS: 7.5–8.0</li><li>PTE: 73–78</li><li>Duolingo (DET): 135–145</li></ul> |
| Letters of Recommendation | Required from teachers or school counselors. |
| Optional Video Interview | InitialView or Vericant interviews are accepted but do not replace the English test requirement. |
Northeastern University Undergraduate Admission Decision Options
Northeastern offers flexible decision plans to meet applicants’ needs:
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Early Decision (ED):
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Binding commitment if admitted to the first-choice program.
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If admitted to a non-preferred program, the decision is non-binding.
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Applies to all five enrollment opportunities for first-year students.
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Regular Decision (RD):
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Non-binding and allows submission of first-semester senior year grades.
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Ideal for students who wish to strengthen their application with additional academic records.
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