Northeastern University – Boston, Massachusetts, USA Admission Process

  Boston   ESTD 1898
  Boston   ESTD 1898

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

  • Application Portal: Application Management System

  • Application Fee: $100 (waivers available for select colleges)

General Admission Requirements

  • Online Application Form

  • 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.

  • Professional Resume

  • 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.

  • 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

  • TOEFL iBT: 79 (minimum writing score: 20)

  • IELTS: 6.5 (no band below 6.0)

  • PTE: 53

  • 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

  • Personal Statement (up to 500 words) and Short Essay (up to 300 words)

  • Updated Resume

  • Two Letters of Recommendation

  • Academic Transcripts from all postsecondary institutions attended

  • Kira Talent Video Interview (by invitation only)

  • GMAT/GRE Scores (Optional):

    • Average GMAT score of admitted students: 623

  • Proof of English Proficiency:

    • TOEFL iBT: 79

    • IELTS: 6.5

    • PTE: 53

    • DET: 105

  • 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

  • Application Portals: Common Application or Coalition Application

  • Application Fee: $75 (non-refundable) or submit a fee waiver request

Entry Requirements

  • Coursework and Grades Form: Required for all first-year applicants and must be submitted via the Application Status Check portal.

  • Academic Qualifications:

    • General Secondary Education Certificate

    • Indian Standard XII Higher Secondary School Certificate

  • Official Transcripts:

    • Must be sent directly from the applicant’s school

    • If not in English, a certified English translation is required

    • Accepted credential evaluation agencies include CED, SpanTran, WES, etc.

  • Standardized Test Scores (Optional):

    • SAT or ACT scores are not mandatory but recommended

    • Middle 50% SAT range: 1480–1540

English Language Proficiency

  • IELTS Academic: 7.5 – 8.0

  • PTE Academic: 73 – 78

  • Duolingo English Test (DET): 135 – 145

  • TOEFL iBT: 106 – 113

Letters of Recommendation

  • At least one letter required from a teacher or counselor

Additional (Optional) Requirements

  • InitialView or Vericant video interviews are accepted but do not replace English proficiency test scores

Document Submission Guidelines

  • Submit documents through the application portal, by email from an official school/university address, or by post

  • Standardized test scores must be sent directly from the testing agency

  • National exam results should be submitted via email or certified copies

  • 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.

  • Application Platforms: Common Application or Coalition Application

  • 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:

  • Early Decision (ED):

    • Binding commitment if admitted to the first-choice program.

    • If admitted to a non-preferred program, the decision is non-binding.

    • Applies to all five enrollment opportunities for first-year students.

  • Regular Decision (RD):

    • Non-binding and allows submission of first-semester senior year grades.

    • Ideal for students who wish to strengthen their application with additional academic records.