Click here to go to the NEW College Discussion Forum

I posted recently about applying to college for the first time (adult), and received lots of useful information - I'm researching lots of colleges and programs.

Does anyone have direct experience with Northeastern? The barriers to admission for people like me are very low - no SAT required, only proof of high school or GED. I know of two people who attend - they're both traditional students, one is an athlete, the other wanted to go to school in Boston very badly.

I do intend to apply to Columbia GS and American University, and have email inquiry out to several other schools where there is no clear indication that they accept applications from non-traditional students. But Northeastern looks as if it could be a very nice back up or safety school, and potentially even a starting point with intention to transfer later. Or - maybe not, it may be terrific for undergrad, and perhaps a solid foundation for graduate school or terminal degree?

Thanks in advance for feedback.

By Bookworm (Bookworm) on Saturday, July 31, 2004 - 11:30 pm: Edit

I've known 'older' people who have enrolled at NE and Lesley, and felt accepted. Way back, Lesley offered an English class that focussed on an essay about life experience, and credit was given for both. One woman was in her 50's when enrolled at NE, and was soon invited for coffee dates by friendly classmates.

By Alan5 (Alan5) on Sunday, August 01, 2004 - 10:28 am: Edit

Are you sure that you can get in without SATs? Northeastern is getting to be much more selective these days. Many people are discovering that it can no longer be used as a "back up" or "safety." This year, the school received over 24,000 applications for 2800 seats in the frosh class. The acceptance rate was 42% (which is quite competitive). The average high school GPA was 3.51 and the average SAT score was in the 1200s. However, I have no idea what the standards are for adult applicants.

In terms of fit, your experience will depend on several factors which include:

(1) Program of Study (the best programs are business, engineering, health sciences, computer science, architecture, journalism, criminology, and political science).

(2) Housing (are planning to commute or live in the dorms? Another option is to rent an apartment within walking distance to campus, but this can be expensive);

(3) Student organizations (what are your interests?);

(4) Co-op (what type of internships are you interested in?).

Northeastern provides a solid education for those people who are interested in combining preprofessional studies with liberal arts, and internships. Have you visited the campus yet?

By Alongfortheride (Alongfortheride) on Sunday, August 01, 2004 - 10:43 am: Edit

Alan5, school for someone going back is a different game. The factors for what makes something a good fit is very different because needs and time constraints are different. However, non-traditional students bring something to the campus that enriches it in a way others cannot. Good luck Latetoschool! Keep us posted as I would like to pursue the same thing. I have a college degree, but have stayed home with my kids and would like to re-enter the collegiate world.

By Latetoschool (Latetoschool) on Sunday, August 01, 2004 - 11:19 am: Edit

Alan5, the traditional student still does need SATs, along with teacher recs and the rest of the traditional application.

I am speaking of a special program for non-traditional students - I forget what NEU's is called (and each institution that has such a program uses a different name for it).

All of course have different admissions standards than for the traditional student. Columbia GS for example does not require SAT IIS. American U in DC has a program with still different requirements. The program at Smith that someone recommended to me in a prior thread on this subject has the highest barrier to entry so far - they want applicants to already have a few credit hours of college work earned, which I do not have.

I am still researching schools and would like to come up with a list of five or six where I can apply. NEU looks like it may be a very nice safety school, and I would be happy to attend, IF I can determine that others have had positive experiences there, and if I can confirm that the non-traditional student can get the same quality of instruction as the rest of the student body.

So far I have come up with Columbia GS, American University, and NEU. It's somewhat laborious work because I have to go to each school's website, research to see if they have any programs for people like me, then figure out if they have the degree or area of concentration I'm interested in, and then come back here to see what I can learn from the alpha list of schools, etc. I am still looking and there are a lot of schools on my list that I haven't even had time to research yet.

Some schools that I'm certain I have no chance of getting into under any circumstances, and that have no evidence of non-traditional programs listed on their websites, I sent a number of email inquiries out last week. These are schools like Yale, Harvard, MIT, etc. (don't laugh, if I have to do this research I might as well explore the full range regardless of how unlikely) - so far, only MIT has responded, and at that only to say that the admissions person is on vacation and will respond in August (???).

I sort of like the idea of NEU because the school is so corkscrewed into the corporate community, and, because of its Boston location, it might be easier for me in terms of logistics to transfer to a "better" school, or at least segue into graduate school at the appropriate time.

By Frenchie (Frenchie) on Sunday, August 01, 2004 - 11:33 am: Edit

Maybe I can help, as I am going to Northeastern this fall to study business.

I am a non traditional age student. I decided not to apply to Columbia GS in the end as I couldnt take business courses right away.

Ive already been to my NEU orientation sessions, and I thought it was good. NEU impressess me because like you say it is so into the coperate community. THe students because of this seem much more mature than most college age students because they are working in a REAL environment. Northeastern has been an impressive school for me, starting from the admissions process to this stage. Whether I enjoy it in the Fall maybe is too early to say, but from my orientation experience, I believe this school has everything which I want and need.

I also thought about staying off campus initially, but eventually gave into the idea of living on campus. The school have put me into a great residence hall, even thoug I applied 2 months later than the housing deposit deadline.

The business school also looks great. The courses seem to be interesting, and the whole of the business school has wireless internet!!!!

Hope this helps!

By Jamimom (Jamimom) on Sunday, August 01, 2004 - 11:39 am: Edit

Harvard has an extension school--yes, you get a Harvard degree for it. Johns Hopkins has an adult division that also gives a Hopkins degree.

Northeastern is a terrific school for someone wanting a jump in the job field. The internship through its coop program can be golden and can be a direct line into highly desireable job after or even while working on that degree. Close friend's daughter graduated from there, and though she took longer (6 years) to get her degree, she was well ahead of the came in a career job. I don't think she paid for more than her first two years there as she did so well with oher co-op job. Another school with these programs is Drexel, and in the midwest, Antioch.

By Massdad (Massdad) on Sunday, August 01, 2004 - 11:41 am: Edit

Late,

NEU is an interesting place, with good approaches for older and non-traditional students.

There is one other option in the Boston area you should check out, though: Harvard Extension School. It is an open enrollment division of Harvard University, fully accredited and degree granting. A degree from there is NOT a Harvard College degree, but it is a Harvard degree, and I've known a number of folks who, with a straight face, told others they graduated from Harvard, hearing ooohs and aaahs, not telling them it was Harvard Extension. Courses are in the range of 600 - 2000 per course per semester.

By Latetoschool (Latetoschool) on Sunday, August 01, 2004 - 02:09 pm: Edit

Frenchie, would you mind sharing with me why and how you chose Northeastern, and, as far as housing, why did you choose on-campus housing? Did cost factor into your decisioning, or was it more convenience, or...? May I ask how old you are? I am 40ish and can not wrap my mind around the concept of living on a campus, mostly because I think I would be a misfit. And do you have or are you taking a car?

Also, do you know if the non traditional students still have access to some of the co-op programs?

Last, what is the general environment like? I have been in Boston a few times on business, and a few times for Head of the Charles, but that's it.

Thanks for everyone for the feedback re Harvard Extension. I have looked into it in the past, but my initial impressions were that it is very expensive, and I am not sure that the support mechanisms are in place. Plus, I think that it was restrictive in terms of access to classes. Last, I know this sounds sophomoric, but my child fell in love with - and was recruited - and then deferred and rejected by Harvard College; it's still on the radar for graduate or terminal degree, and I would feel "funny".

Re JHU, I will add that one to my list - I was researching it last week and got sidetracked.

By Frenchie (Frenchie) on Sunday, August 01, 2004 - 06:05 pm: Edit

I chose Northeastern for a majority of reasons:

1) I wanted a school that didnt have a religious affliation and was in a main city. NEU gave me this.
2) I wanted a school that was big and not really a very small school. NEU has around 13,000 undergrads (i think somewhere around that). I wanted to make sure that the big school i chose had plenty of different oppurtunities. With the size of the school as well as in Boston, I have this.
4) Co Op: yes the Co Op is open to everyone. Usually the degrees are 5 yrs, but you can do them in four years, and you can still do Co Op. Usually within your five years you do three Co Op sessions. With the 4 yrs option, you only do 2. This is ok, as I have ample enough work experience.
5) Support: I have visited the school 3 times now, and met many members of the staff. They seem to very helpful and treat all the students as adults. The undergrads also seem much more mature than many of the undergrads i saw at many other college. THere are also free tutoring services, and other assistance for work, that you can use.

Regarding housing: I initally was going to go with off campus housing. To be honest I currently live in Europe, so it was more of a hassle thing. I am only going to live on campus for one semster, and then look for a place after Christmas. I can then take my time looking for the right place, instead of rushing into something not so good.

I am in my twenties by the way, but its still hard going back to school nontheless!

Anymore questions let me know!

By Jamimom (Jamimom) on Sunday, August 01, 2004 - 06:15 pm: Edit

Harvard Extension is cheaper than NE tuition, initially, anyways, until the coop dollars kick in. Columbia is the most expensive option you listed, I believe.

By Jamimom (Jamimom) on Sunday, August 01, 2004 - 06:15 pm: Edit

Harvard Extension is cheaper than NE tuition, initially, anyways, until the coop dollars kick in. Columbia is the most expensive option you listed, I believe.

By Marite (Marite) on Sunday, August 01, 2004 - 06:34 pm: Edit

I really think it depends on how one wants to proceed. If you want to be a full-time student (even with the COOP system), the NEU is probably the better best. If you want to study part-time and still hold a job, then the Harvard Extension School may be a great bargain. It is scheduled at time slots designed to accommodate people who have daytime jobs. I do not believe, however, that it has provisions for helping people land jobs the way that the NEU COOP system does. As well, it assumes that people will commute, so there is no college experience. There is no sense of community among students.
Additionally, many courses are not the same as daytime courses despite the fact that they are taught by full-time Harvard faculty. For example, there is no daytime equivalent to Bio E1a and E1b.. Bio E1a&b are aimed at pre-meds who form the overwhelming majority of students taking the course. Daytime biology classes are aimed more toward future biology majors. The full spectrum of Extension courses can be limited. There is nothing beyond the introductory Physics class, for instance.

But, it is indeed cheap. As Massdad pointed out, courses range from $600 to about $1,500 (for courses that have labs). In the unlikely event that a student took only the most expensive courses, it would still be less than half what it takes a Harvard college student. So, to repeat, it depends on how you envisage spending your time.

By Latetoschool (Latetoschool) on Sunday, August 01, 2004 - 06:50 pm: Edit

Also, if I'm not mistake, Harvard Extension students are not permitted to attempt to take classes at Harvard College, or even to apply to transfer.

That could be very limiting - as well as take years - if one wants to try to complete an entire undergrad degree...

By Latetoschool (Latetoschool) on Sunday, August 01, 2004 - 07:35 pm: Edit

I just found a very long thread on Harvard Extension under the Ivy section - it answers most of my questions - I wonder why I thought the tuition was so expensive...

By Marite (Marite) on Sunday, August 01, 2004 - 07:42 pm: Edit

Latetoschool:

Even better yet, go straight to the Harvard Extension own website. Each course lists the costs. I do believe that if you were to want to transfer, the Extension courses could count for credit, but I cannot be sure.

By Massdad (Massdad) on Sunday, August 01, 2004 - 07:53 pm: Edit

Regarding Harvard Extension courses and transferring, the situation is complex. On the one hand, as a fully accredited degree granting institution, most colleges should accept the credits for transfer students. Interestingly, though, Harvard does not. I am not aware of any provision to transfer from Harvard Extension School to Harvard College, and would be surprised if it has even been done, mostly because the targeted students are so different.

I will also qualify one of Marite's statements. Some, but far from even a majority of the classes, are taught by Harvard College faculty. Some are even similar to HC classes, but few are the same.

By Jamimom (Jamimom) on Sunday, August 01, 2004 - 09:21 pm: Edit

Johns Hopkins has an evening school as well, and they do allow transfer of credits with some stipulations and limits. Their tuition is also lower than the regular JHU amounts.

By Marite (Marite) on Sunday, August 01, 2004 - 09:58 pm: Edit

Massdad:

Thanks for clarifying. I was focusing on pointing out that even when taught by Harvard faculty, the course may still not be the same. But you are right that many courses are not taught by Harvard faculty.

As for credit transferring, I know of cases where it has been possible to use Extension School credits for graduate degree programs at Harvard. But I have not investigated the implications for Harvard College.

By Anthony (Anthony) on Thursday, August 19, 2004 - 05:58 pm: Edit

Just saw this thread... Posting to answer a few questions about Harvard Extension:

1) Yes, it is possible to transfer from Harvard Extension to Harvard College... Last year one student who graduated from Harvard Extension's associate's degree program transferred into Harvard College's bachelor's degree program. Transferring is definitely far from guaranteed, but you can definitely apply, and some people do get accepted.

2) Considering that the person with the associate's degree from Harvard Extension was able to transfer to Harvard College, yes, Harvard College does accept transfer credit from Harvard Extension, at least sometimes.

3) Harvard Extension courses are ridiculously cheap if you take them for undergraduate credit... The typical 4 credit class usually costs $525 (or around $130 a credit). The classes that cost slightly more than that are science courses with lab components, and the classes that are in the $1400+ range are almost always graduate courses.

4) Harvard Extension students ARE allowed to take couress at Harvard College during the day... All you need to do is be a Harvard Extension degree candidate, maintain a 3.0 GPA, have two of your professors write a recommendation for you, and then submit a form requesting Special Student status at Harvard College. Note that the Harvard College courses cost significantly more than the Harvard Extension courses (around $3300 per course).

If anyone has any more questions about the school I'll be around to answer them.