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Admissions

Leading-edge academics combined with world-class research provide a multidimensional learning environment like no other. Our programs are designed for full-time students seeking a MS or PhD degree, and also offer focused disciplines for part-time students, those seeking a cooperative education experience, and professionals seeking career advancement. Whether you are from the U.S. or abroad, Northeastern can provide the best-suited educational experience that fit your specific graduate educational goals.

Our electronic application system makes it easy to apply, monitor and view the final decision of your application. View our Degree Programs before starting your application. You may also wish to contact the appropriate department or program representative should you have any specific program-related questions.

Quick view:

• Application Deadlines
• Application Requirements
• GRE and TOEFL/IELTS Requirements
• Additional Information

Application Deadlines

Applications received after the stated deadline dates will be accepted and processed when complete as quickly as possible; however it may not be possible to have a decision rendered in time for the applicant to begin taking classes for the desired term if admitted.

*Applications submitted by this date will receive full consideration for the upcoming term. Applications received after this date will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Application Requirements

Please note: In order to be minimally qualified to pursue admission through the Graduate School of Engineering, a candidate must have successfully completed or is in the process of completing an undergraduate bachelors degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university, or its equivalent from a foreign college or university. Any offer of admission is contingent upon a candidate’s successful completion of an undergraduate bachelors degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university, or its equivalent from a foreign college or university.

1. Completed online application form. (Paper applications are not accepted.)
2. Application fee of USD $75 to be paid online by credit card, electronic check, or by money order.
3. Two confidential letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with technical, professional, and personal qualifications submitted through the online application system.
4. Transcripts. Applicants should (a) acquire official or unofficial copies of their transcripts from each college or university that they have attended (if they do not already have such copies), (b) create scanned versions of same in PDF format (up to 500 KB in size), and (c) when prompted to do so in the application, upload and attach them to the online application. Ensure that the scanned documents are readable and include all courses, grades, (i.e. marks, scores, etc.) and credits completed to date. The scanned documents should also include information pertaining to the institution’s grading scale. Typically such grading scale information is on the backside of the documents or is on a separate page. This is particularly important institutions outside of the U.S. If such information is not readily available, please do not be concerned. Also note for institutions outside of the U.S. that only English versions of transcripts are required; and if transcripts are not in English, please arrange to have official English translations made. Translations provided by applicants themselves are not acceptable. Last, note that foreign credential evaluations of transcripts are not required or needed. Note that only above described scanned copies of transcripts attached to the application are needed initially during the admissions review process. Applicants may arrange to mail final, official transcripts to the Graduate School of Engineering after they are admitted, if they are admitted.
5. Statement of Purpose. The statement is submitted through the online application system.
6. Resume. The resume is submitted through the online application system.
7. Official GRE scores are required for all applicants who have not received a B.S. in engineering from an U.S. ABET accredited school.
   Institution code is 3665; no department code is needed.
8. Official TOEFL or IELTS scores are generally required of applicants whose native language is not English. Institution code is 3665; no department code is needed. Note that applicants who hold or will hold a graduate or undergraduate degree from a college or university in a country where English is the official and predominantly spoken language before beginning any graduate engineering program at Northeastern if admitted are exempt from this requirement.
9. International candidates only (F-1 and J-1 visa related). The Declaration and Certification of Finances (DCF) form with required supplemental forms and/or documents is not required initially during the admissions review process and may be mailed after an admissions decision is made.

Additional Information

• If you applied to a program in the GSE last year, please submit a new online application and provide any new application materials, e.g. new transcript, updated resume, recent dated DCF form, supporting documents, etc.
• Students who would like to transfer from another college or university must go through the application process stated above. Course waiver and transfer credits will be evaluated upon acceptance.
• All application materials received will be kept on file for one year. Application materials received by the GSE cannot be returned to the applicant or forwarded to any address.
• Non-Engineering Applicants: For most programs, to be qualified for admissions consideration, applicants are required to have an engineering major. However, exceptions exist. For Engineering Management, mathematics or physics majors with linear algebra and multivariable calculus, or students of any major with the equivalent background in mathematics as an engineering major are acceptable. For Energy Systems, quantitative business or finance majors are acceptable if candidates also have some background in computer science and calculus. For Information Systems, any technical major (i.e. science, mathematics) is acceptable. For Mechanical Engineering, majors in applied physics are acceptable. For Operations Research, majors in any science discipline including computer science and mathematics are acceptable; other majors considered are economics, business, or other liberal arts with some background in calculus and linear algebra. For Telecommunications Systems Management, majors in mathematics, physics, or computer science are acceptable.

GRE and TOEFL/IELTS Requirements

Applicants are encouraged to apply even though they may not meet the standards listed below. Please note that every element of any applicant's background is considered in the admissions process, that there is no single factor that determines whether or not a candidate is admitted, that there are no guarantees of admission for any applicant, and the decision rests solely with the appropriate faculty admissions committee.

• The average GRE score of recently admitted students on the Quantitative section is 740 (158 on the revised scale). Applicants should have scored at least 700 (155 on the revised scale) or better on this section to be at least minimally competitive for admission, although some programs will accept a lower Quantitative GRE score if applicants are otherwise competitive for acceptance.
• The required minimum TOEFL score is 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based), and 79 (internet-based).
• The required minimum IELTS score is 6.5.

Please note that the Institution Code for both GRE and TOEFL exams is 3665. Department codes are not necessary.