US College Admissions and Northeastern University Courtney Kipp, Senior Assistant Director of Admissions c.kipp@northeastern.edu | +1 617 373 5012
Standing Out! Academic Activities, Why you are Performance Involvement applying? Course Supplements selections and interest
Academic Performance > The most selective colleges and universities receive more qualified applications than they have spaces available in their freshman class; therefore, they often must turn down qualified candidates with good grades and test scores > While academic performance is not the sole piece of a US college application, it is very important > Colleges will look at all three years of your high school performance > The strongest students will have grades in the 5 to 6 range in the Norwegian curriculum and grades in the 6 to 7 range in the IB curriculum, with predictions in the high 30s to 40s > If the colleges you are applying to require the SAT, be sure to study and take practice exams (available for free through Khan Academy) well in advance > Many schools require non-native English speakers to take the TOEFL exam; a score of 100 (with 25 on each subsection) or higher will make you a competitive applicant
Course Selections > Unlike the UK, most US colleges are not looking for extremely specific tracks or preparatory coursework ○ For example, a student on the social sciences track in high school can still be admitted to a Biology major at a lot of US institutions > BUT it is important to make sure you are appropriately prepared for your chosen area of study > Math preparation is extremely important for students seeking to study the sciences, engineering, business, and computer science - if you are thinking about these areas, be sure to progress as much as possible in your math courses > If you have the opportunity to take academic elective courses (such as extra science classes, additional English courses, etc.), take them > For IB students: 3 HL and 3 SL is the standard; students who go above and beyond in our process take 4 HL. 1 HL should be English
Extracurriculars > Most international students do not do a very good job of filling this section out! > Take time filling it out; make sure it is concise yet complete > Do not be afraid to “brag” about yourself a little bit > Attach a supplemental resume or CV if you feel it necessary > We want to see what you are passionate about and enjoy doing > Not looking for “one thing” in particular > If you are a team player (sports, clubs) and independent (hobbies, interests) > If you are motivated (a job), creative (maybe you play an instrument, write poems, or have started your own company) > Leadership, interests in culture, openness to new opportunities > How to maximize this piece > Be sure to tell us how much time you spend on each activity > If you have won awards/honors, let us know > If you have supplemental pieces, send them in > Explain an activity if you are not sure the reader will know what it is
Supplements + Interest > If a school has an “optional” supplement, DO IT! > This will show your initiative and investment in the school > Supplements are different at every school - they will take extra time > If the supplement asks you to speak about the school specifically, spend time on the website and do your research so you can write a good answer > Art portfolios, athletic recruitment, etc. > Begin collecting digital samples of your work if you think you will need to put together an art portfolio - most schools require online submissions > If you hope to play a sport in college, collect your stats and accolades to be able to send to the coach > Some schools track “demonstrated interest” > If you are asked to fill out a contact card at a school you want to attend, do it! > Contact your admissions officer via email to make introductions > Attend a college fair or a local visit if a college you want to apply to is in your area
Why Are You Applying? > The right answer is NOT “because this school is ranked really high” or “because this is where everyone says I should go” > Colleges want to know that you are invested in finding the right fit for YOU and that you want to be the right fit on our campus, too > If you are asked to interview or write about your interest in a school, you should be able to point to at least 3 reasons (beyond rankings and prestige) why you want to attend > Example: one of my students applied from Sweden last year, and in his application, he talked both about how my university could help him advance the small business ventures he began as a high school student, and about the Swedish education system vs. the American system and why he feels an American university is a better fit for him
Questions about how to make your application stronger? Northeastern University: an example of a highly selective and holistic institution
2 2 Northeastern University is a global, experiential research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. We believe in and utilize the most powerful learning model in the world: one that combines traditional classroom learning with robust outside experiences
At A Glance: 2,800 122 20% 18,107 Students in the first year Countries represented by Full-time undergraduate class undergraduate level International Students students 14:1 175+ 95+ 24 Student to faculty ratio Majors offered Combined majors Average class size
Experiential Learning Global Co-op Service Research
Co-op: A Distinct Opportunity > Program around since 1909! > 6 month uninterrupted professional engagement > 2 co-ops in the 4 year model, 3 co-ops in the 5 year model > Full time and usually paid > Over 3,350 employers around the world > Co-op on all 7 continents! > Every academic major can do co-op
Research + Innovation > Over 50 research centers on campus > Focus on undergraduate and interdisciplinary research > Ability to have your own research projects funded through grants > Brand new Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Complex opened in 2017 Student Spotlight: Catherine Mahan, College of Social Sciences and Humanities 2018 Catherine spent a semester in London during the “Brexit” vote. Working for the only green party politician in the House of Lords, she conducted research on environmental policy while taking classes at the London School of Economics. Her research on the financial consequences of installed solar panels in schools even made it into the debates in British Parliament!
Global Opportunities > Traditional Study Abroad Programs > Co-op abroad > Dialogue of Civilizations > The NUin Program > **You can do more than one!! Service Learning > Local, national, and world-level opportunities > Center for Community Service > 25 Service-Learning classes available > Service components in clubs and activities
Our Campus
Campus Life > 73 beautiful acres located in the heart of Boston > 4 T (metro) stops near campus > Over 400 student-run clubs and activities > 18 Division I sports teams, including renowned hockey, basketball, and crew programs > 42 club sports and many intramural offerings > Greek life > 47 residence halls and on-campus housing guaranteed for entire experience > Boston is America’s college town!
Application Requirements > Common Application or Coalition Application > Application Fee - $75 > Declaration and Certification of Finances form > High School Transcripts > Secondary School Report > Counselor Recommendation > Teacher Recommendation(s) > ** NO SAT/ACT REQUIRED FOR STUDENTS STUDYING OUTSIDE OF THE US > TOEFL/IELTS for non-native English speakers > ED Agreement for ED I or ED II applicants
Deadlines & Decisions 62,000+ EARLY DECISION I Applications for Fall NOV. 1, 2018 2018 2019 EARLY ACTION > Admitted NOV. 1, 2018 > The N.U. in Program > Denied EARLY DECISION II > Waitlisted FALL ENROLLMENT JAN. 1, 2019 > Deferred REGULAR 19% DECISION Acceptance rate for JAN. 1, 2019 Fall 2018
Finances > All students are automatically considered for merit-based (academic) scholarships > These awards are highly competitive and usually range from $10,000-$30,000 per academic year > If you receive a merit scholarship, you will find out with your offer of admission > Non-US Citizens are not eligible for need-based financial aid > US Citizens, Dual Citizens, Permanent Residents – can apply for aid with the following: > FAFSA + CSS Profile required > Deadlines for both forms: > ED I: Nov. 15 > EA: Dec. 1 > ED II: Jan. 15 > RD: Feb. 15 > Financial aid packages are released with or soon after decision letters
QUESTIONS? Thank you for joining me! Courtney Kipp | c.kipp@northeastern.edu
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