Northeastern University: A Popular Choice Among U.S. and International Students
Northeastern University, established in 1898, is located in the bustling city of Boston, Massachusetts. Northeastern University has nine schools and colleges offering numerous programs of study. The University’s current strength lies in the emerging sectors of healthcare, behavioral neuroscience, security, digital arts and sustainability.
For the academic year 2011-2012, Northeastern University is expected to receive close to 43,000 applications for its undergraduate degree programs. All these college applicants are vying for only about 2,800 slots for incoming first year students. According to Philomena Mantella, Northeastern’s Senior Vice President for Enrollment, this statistical figure is a 15% increase from the previous year’s number of applications and almost 300% increase compared to the number of applications ten years ago. Most of the colleges and universities in the Boston area like Harvard, Tufts, Emerson and Boston College, are experiencing high rates of student applications. However, the figures of Northeastern University are staggering due to its huge quantity of applications.
The applications from international students for the academic year 2011-2012 alone have increased by more than 42% numbering to about 4,400 applications. Due to this influx of international student applications, Northeastern University hosted last year an admissions conference for the first time which was attended by 700 counselors from other countries. College applications from African-American and Hispanic students are also on the rise.
Mantella attributes the increase in college applications to its co-op type of program study wherein the students get to acquire full-time work experience while learning. This working while learning approach of Northeastern University is received highly by student applicants since concerns of getting the edge in job opportunities is the primary concern of students especially when the U.S. economy is still in recession.
Traditionally, Northeastern University students have to complete their degrees in five years. In the incoming academic year, students are allowed to graduate in four years which includes already the extensive on-the-job training. Such curriculum change according to Mantella is highly acceptable to the student applicants particular those who want to continue further graduate studies.
Mantella mentioned that student applicants are also being attracted towards Northeastern University due to its rapidly expanding international connections which give the students more opportunities to learn and work not only in the U.S. but in other countries as well. Thousands of Northeastern’s graduates are placed in various co-ops across all continents.
Given the large number of college applicants with diverse background, Northeastern University has also been increasingly selective in accepting prospective students to protect the school’s image and reputation. The quality of incoming students has increased correspondingly with some students having exemplary high academic grades and high standardized test scores. Hopefully, Northeastern University maintains such momentum and be a quality choice for deserving students.