High School Students
High School Students > What We Look For
In reviewing applications, the Admission Committee considers the following factors:
Academic Performance
Applicants who have consistently earned strong grades in academically rigorous high school courses relative to their high school curriculum. In this, the type of courses (advanced, honors, AP, IB) a student has chosen is important. Applicants are encouraged to go beyond the minimum graduation requirements for their school and take advantage of the full range of courses offered. Depending on the applicant's desired major, the Committee will be considering specific coursework. The most competitive applicants will have completed 4 years of English, math and science in addition to foreign language, history, social sciences and the arts.
Performance on Standardized Tests
We do not have minimum score requirements; however, the strongest admitted students have earned highly competitive scores on the SAT and/or the ACT exams. Northeastern considers the writing portion of the SAT/ACT exams in our admission decisions. International student applications are reviewed considering their performance in their particular academic environments. As a result, SAT or ACT scores are not required for international applicants. However, applicants who attend a high school in the U.S., who will graduate from an international school that follows the U.S. High School curriculum, or who are student-athletes who must meet NCAA eligibility requirements , are required to submit their official SAT or ACT scores.
Personal Characteristics
We look for students that are engaged and successful in and out of the classroom. Creativity, diversity, leadership, a global perspective and resiliency/adaptability are highly valued characteristics. Applicants are encouraged to highlight their experience in these areas.
Recommendations
Recommendations from guidance counselors and teachers help us learn more about the applicant's academic and personal accomplishments, academic promise, and character. We are interested in enrolling students who will be good citizens in the Northeastern and Boston community.
General information
Each applicant is reviewed individually, and those students who most closely meet the qualities of a successful Northeastern student are offered admission.
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