Graduate School of Engineering

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.

Apply NowOur 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.

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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.

Fall Semester Entry
 Deadline for
Assistantship
Consideration 		Deadline with
No Assistantship
Consideration
  International Applicants
  January 10   April 15
  Domestic Applicants   January 10   August 1
    
 

Spring Semester Entry
    Deadline
  International Applicants   September 15
  Domestic Applicants   November 15


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 $50 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. Applicants should 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), create scanned versions (PDF or other scanned or image version), and should upload and attach them to the online application. Please ensure that the scanned copies are readable and up-to-date before uploading. Note that only such scanned personal copies of transcripts attached to the application are needed initially during the admissions review process. You are not required to mail your transcripts at this time. Applicants may arrange to mail final, official transcripts to the Graduate School of Engineering after they are admitted, if they are admitted. If applicants cannot acquire such personal copies of transcripts, please send an email inquiry to grad-eng@coe.neu.edu with the word TRANSCRIPTS in the subject line to request guidance regarding same. Finally, note that if transcripts are not in English, please arrange to have official English translations made. Also note that foreign credential evaluations of transcripts are not required or needed.
  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. Declaration and Certification of Finances (DCF) form with required supplemental forms and/or documents. The DCF relates to the I-20 issuance process applicable for most international students 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. Applicants should have scored at least 650 or better on this section to be at least minimally competitive for admission. The Verbal section of the GRE is generally not considered to be a critical factor of admission. For candidates who took the revised version of the GRE, please use the following table to determine the equivalent scores on the revised score scale.
  • 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.

 

Declaration and Certification of Finances (DCF) forms

DCF forms and supporting documents can be submitted once you have been accepted.

  • Please note that according to SEVIS (Student Exchange and Visitor Information System) regulations, all financial documents must be dated no more than nine (9) months prior to the semester start date.
  • All international students must complete and mail the appropriate forms to the Graduate School of Engineering. We will process the I-20 request only after the student has been officially admitted to a full-time program of study and has submitted all DCF documents.
  • All applicant, sponsor and bank officer signatures should be ORIGINAL on submitted documents. Faxed or e-mailed DCF documents will not be accepted.
  • All submitted bank statements must be ORIGINALS, and must be translated in English.
  • International students coming from outside the U.S.: please provide form 602-DCF-MS-PhD with additional documents listed on the form.
  • International students currently in the U.S. in F-1 status at another U.S. institution and transferring to Northeastern: please provide 602-DCF-MS-PhD with additional documents listed on the form. We cannot initiate your I-20 processing until we receive the 121-Transfer-In form from your current international students office.
  • International students currently in the U.S. in non-immigrant visa status other than F-1: for details specific to your visa classification, please contact ISSI at 617-373-2310 or issi@neu.edu.

All applicable DCF forms are located on the International Student and Scholar Institute (ISSI) Website. Please allow two to four weeks for processing. If mailing is requested, ISSI mails the first I-20 form with an express courier service.

Mailing address for DCF forms and supporting financial documents:

Graduate School of Engineering
130 Snell Engineering Center
Northeastern University
360 Huntington Avenue
Boston, MA 02115
U.S.A.

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