I visited Northeastern University on one of the best days for a campus tour—the first sunny, warm day of the year after winter. Students filled every bench, patch of grass, and sunny spot, creating an extremely vibrant campus atmosphere.
Located just southeast of downtown Boston, Northeastern’s campus is well-connected to nearly all train lines, making access to Boston and its suburbs easy. The campus itself blends brick and concrete buildings, many newly renovated with large windows and study spaces. Though urban, with streets running through it, the campus still offers a sense of community within a campus “bubble”.
Experiential Learning: The Heart of Northeastern
During my visit in March 2025, I attended an admissions presentation led by an admission counselor and a student named Megan. The core of Northeastern’s philosophy is “Education Powered by Experience.” Ranked #1 for co-op programs, the university emphasizes hands-on learning through research, internships, co-ops, service-learning, and global opportunities. Northeastern’s flexibility in coursework allows students to integrate these experiences seamlessly into their academic journey while still graduating in four years.
The Co-op Program: Real-World Experience Before Graduation
A standout feature of Northeastern is its robust co-op program. Unlike internships, which typically last 1-3 months, co-ops last 4-6 months, offering immersive, full-time work experiences. Impressively, 93% of students participate in at least one co-op, and many complete two. During a co-op, students don’t pay tuition—only fees like room and board—because they are working full-time instead of attending classes. This structure allows students to gain extensive professional experience before graduation, setting them up for ample career opportunities.
Worried about jumping into a co-op? No worries! To prepare for co-ops, students take a one-credit career-prep class covering skills such as: interview skills, workplace professionalism, and resume writing. In addition, they have one-on-one support from a co-op advisor to help them secure co-ops. They’ll help you use the NUWorks database featuring over 4,000 co-op opportunities, but students can also create their own.
Megan shared her own experience: she designed her own co-op, working for a congressman in Washington, D.C. However, she quickly realized she disliked the role, prompting her to pivot her coursework and career toward policy research. Now, she’s completing a second co-op as a policy researcher, highlighting how the program helps students refine their career goals early.
Global Opportunities: Study & Work Around the World
Northeastern encourages students to expand their experiences beyond Boston. Co-ops, research, and study opportunities exist worldwide, including at Northeastern’s additional campuses in London, New York City, and the Bay Area. In fact, half of each freshman class begin their studies at a global campus before transitioning to Boston.
Study abroad is also popular, particularly through short-term summer “Dialogue of Civilizations” programs, where students take faculty-led courses tied to global locations. Megan participated in a Middle East dialogue on politics and human rights, an experience that solidified her interest in international policy research.
Academics
Northeastern offers an extensive range of majors, including 199 combined majors that allow for interdisciplinary studies. Additionally, switching majors and colleges is relatively simple, requiring only advisor support—much less red tape than one might expect at a large institution.
Campus Life
As a Research 1 institution, Northeastern receives top-tier funding for cutting-edge research. Campus life is vibrant, with Division I sports, over 500 student organizations (including quirky ones like the Lettuce Eating Club), numerous cultural centers, and a strong Greek life presence.
Centennial Common serves as the hub for events, festivals, and student gatherings.
As with many urban campuses, safety is a priority. Northeastern provides several resources, including the Red Eye Shuttle (a free nighttime transportation service), a campus safety app with location tracking, and officer-accompanied safety rides.
Boston itself is a young, vibrant city with a deep history, and it’s home to numerous prestigious colleges and universities. Walking around, it was impossible not to notice the presence of students at every turn—whether they’re at sports events, concerts, restaurants, or shopping hubs.
Student Culture & Vibe
When I asked my tour guide what sets Northeastern students apart from other Boston-area university students, he emphasized that they are career-focused, ambitious, and outgoing. Thanks to the university’s experiential learning opportunities, students tend to be practical and excited about gaining hands-on experience.
He also noted that the campus is politically active, with frequent protests and advocacy efforts. While all viewpoints are welcome and respected, the student body leans left politically.
Housing & Dining
First-year students in Boston are required to live on campus, typically within Living Learning Communities that group students by academic interests. Gender-neutral housing options are available. During my tour, I saw a typical double dorm room—cozy but definitely in need of some modular storage solutions!
Dining-wise, there are three main dining halls, which my tour guide rated 8/10. He particularly enjoyed the variety, including international options and accommodations for gluten-free and vegan students.
Admissions: What You Need to Know
Good news—Northeastern doesn’t require additional essays beyond the Common App. The university is test-optional, and if scores aren’t submitted, they truly are not considered. However, for those who do submit, the middle 50% of accepted students score between 1470-1550 on the SAT and 33-35 on the ACT.
Applicants must rank their top three preferred campuses—Boston, London, NYC, or the Bay Area. Students will only be admitted to one of their ranked choices. If applying Early Decision and not admitted to the first-choice campus, the decision is non-binding. Early applicants also have access to unique opportunities like the Accelerate Scholarship, which allows them to take two virtual classes over the summer to get a head start on their degree.
Is Northeastern Right for You?
Northeastern offers a large, vibrant campus in an even more dynamic city, with extensive experiential learning opportunities and global exposure. If you’re driven, eager for real-world experiences, excited to try new things, and looking for a university with a strong career focus, Northeastern might be a perfect fit!
