On April 7th, 2020, CPS Admissions hosted Northeastern’s first virtual Preview NU Online. This event was held for prospective students to learn more about Northeastern’s online and on-ground bachelor’s degree completion and certificate programs. The highlight of the event was the Admissions Q&A. For those who were not able to attend the event, we have made the information readily available below.
Preview NU: Admissions Q & A
Applying to a Degree Completion Program
Q: Is there still enough time to apply for the upcoming Fall 2020 Semester? Or is a later date more appropriate?
A: There is still plenty of time to apply for Fall 2020. A complete list of our upcoming deadlines and start dates can be found here.
Q: Do I need to fill out the common application?
A: No, you will not fill out the common application. CPS applications are completed through our Apply Yourself system. (You can also explore our application information page to ensure you have the required documents in order. )
Q: How many recommendation letters are required to apply?
A: We do not require letters of recommendation. However, you are more than welcome to include them in your application to be reviewed.
Q: Is the personal statement required for the application process? If not, would you recommend including one?
A: A personal statement is not required for the application process, and it won’t be held against you if you do not include one.
Q: I applied as a freshman undergraduate last year and was rejected. Would that put me as a disadvantage for applying as a transfer?
A: No, it will not put you at a disadvantage. They are two separate admissions reviews, so we encourage you to apply! The main difference lies in our course times; our classes are held in the evenings, and we do not have on-campus housing.
Q: I was accepted to Northeastern several years ago but attended a different university. Is there an expiration date for previous acceptance?
A: On your application (found in the Apply Yourself online portal) you will be able to see the final date available to accept enrollment. Students generally have up to a year to confirm enrollment with a live application. If you are unsure as to your application status, please reach out to [email protected].
Learn More | Application Information
Transferring Credits
Q: I have been accepted for Fall 2020 admission. How many of my credits will be transferred in?
A: Once your official transcripts are submitted, the team will evaluate your credits. We can transfer up to 60 credits. You can view all evaluation criteria on our transfer credit policies page.
Q: Do I need to have 60 transfer credits in order to be considered/admitted to a bachelor’s completion program at Northeastern?
A: No, you do not need to have 60 transfer credits completed to be accepted.
Q: I started my bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts and would like to transfer into the IT bachelor’s completion program. Will any of my previous credits transfer?
A: Potentially, yes! Our team will look at the courses you’ve taken to determine how many credits we can fit into your new program of interest.
Q: I will have an associate degree in May, and I am applying for the Fall bachelor’s program. Does the credit transfer process begin after I submit an official associate certificate?
A: Once we receive official transcripts that are complete (meaning there are no pending classes for the upcoming semester), our team can start the transfer credit review process.
Q: Might one use international qualifications such as Cambridge A-Levels for getting transfer credits?
A: If your A-Levels are considered equivalent to undergraduate credit, then we can review credits. We would suggest using WES or CED to have them evaluated.
Q: Do you transfer credits for EMT or paramedic classes?
A: We encourage you to discuss any and all coursework with your academic advisor. They’ll work with you to determine if your previous experiences can be used in an “Assessment of Prior Learning” which gives college credit for work-based learning and certifications.
Q: How can Year Up students submit their college credits?
A: You can request your Year Up transcripts to be sent to Northeastern University through ACE. You can also reach out to your advisors in the Year Up program for more assistance. Your transcripts can be sent electronically or via mail.
Q: At my current college, I received a grade of D in one of my classes. Do I need to retake the course to get into Northeastern?
A: You can certainly retake a class that you do not feel confident in prior to applying for CPS. However, we look at all applications holistically. It is important to note that transfer credits do need to be a certain grade to transfer. More information can be found on our website.
Learn More | Transferring Your Credits
Classes & Co-ops
Q: What are online classes like?
A: Online classes are asynchronous. You will be able to log on for assignments that are due, including tests, papers, and discussion boards. Professors still provide office hours and you can utilize Northeastern’s academic services and career network.
Q: Are co-ops mandatory? How much credit is given for full-time co-ops?
A: CPS co-ops are not mandatory; however, we have several ways that students can participate in experiential learning opportunities. Co-ops and XN projects are an opportunity to gain real-world experience outside of the classroom.
Q: For pre-med students, what are the core differences between the biological science and biotechnology majors?
A: If pre-med is your goal, the biological science program will be your best choice. Northeastern’s BS in Biological Science is a direct path to pre-med, as you will take the appropriate pre-requisites and participate in labs. Not all pre-requisites will be available through the biotechnology program. However, you can always participate in our post-baccalaureate pre-medical program after graduating with a bachelor’s in biotechnology, if that is your preferred choice.
Q: Could you provide background on the admission process and requirements for the post-baccalaureate pre-medical program?
A: Students applying to the post-baccalaureate pre-medical program will need to submit their application online through our CPS website. Our admissions team will then need your official transcript for review so that, if you are admitted, we can immediately review your previous coursework to avoid any registration and pre-requisite issues. Without an official transcript, we can use unofficial transcripts for review and then can adjust your schedule using the official transcripts after you’re admitted.
Q: What kind of scholarships are available?
A: All students are entered for merit-based scholarships upon applying. The Dean’s Break Through Scholarship requires a nomination by an advisor, faculty member, mentor, or manager. A complete list of our scholarships can be found here.
Still have questions? Complete the form below to receive more information, and our team will connect with you to discuss your questions and options.