Chances of getting into Northeastern University Journalism?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Northeastern University
1

Hi,
I’m applying ED this fall to Northeastern University for their journalism program. My brother goes there for engineering, and my grandfather was a tenured professor of psychology for 40-something years there as well. I’m curious to know what you think my chances of getting in are? I took AP English, AP French, AP Statistics, and AP US History during my junior year, and am currently doing my senior year as an Early College student, so I’m taking all of my classes at a local university (including an Intro to Mass Media class). I also have a few other accomplishments:

  • Co-director of my local food shelf
  • Paid sports writer and photographer for my local newspaper, one that has a readership of about 7,000. I started this job my sophomore year of high school, and it’s just about year-round. I cover high school sports during the school year and NECBL collegiate baseball during the summer.
  • writer for my high school newspaper
  • Selected by my school as a delegate at Green Mountain Boys State my junior year (American Leigion program)
  • varsity sports athlete throughout high school (soccer team, track and field team [two-time state-champion team member], golf team senior year, alpine skiing freshman year)
  • member of three teacher/student committees at my school regarding academics (one letter of recommendation is coming from my school principle, with whom I’ve worked on one of the committees for the past two years)

I’m taking the SAT in October, so I don’t have a number yet. My GPA isn’t stellar, but compared to my classmates it’s one of the higher ones. It’s not that good of a GPA because of the grading system in my school. I live in Vermont, where Proficiency-based grading was recently implemented across the state. My school didn’t get off to a good start with it, so really no one has that great of a GPA at my school. It’s nearly impossible to get a 4.0 where I go (I don’t know that anyone has one at my school) simply because of how teachers use the grading (it’s on a 4-3-2-1 scale, 4 being “above and beyond”). It doesn’t translate well to traditional letter grading, so it’s probably not even worth mentioning since it’s so confusing.

If you could just perhaps give a little input on this, I’d appreciate it. Thanks!

2

I’m also including a portfolio of my journalism work as part of my application.

3

As well as a letter of recommendation from my employer, the sports editor at my newspaper.

4

It’s hard to chance you without test scores and GPA. I’m not sure if your brother going to northeastern and grandfather working there will have a huge impact on your chances. It could, but I’m not sure if Northeastern considers that when reviewing your application.
That being said, Northeastern really value demonstrated interest. So applying ED will probably give you some kind of edge if your scores are within the average. I would also try to visit the school and sign up for a tour if possible. Also, try to mention what about northeastern you enjoy and what specifically does northeastern offer that will help you achieve your goals.

Good Luck!

5

Northeastern says that all majors have the same admission rate. No major is supposed to be harder to get in with. That being said, your classes and ECs do line up with your journalism interest.

6

Thanks for the feedback, MozartFan0418. You’re right, they unfortunately don’t care about family members working there unless it’s immediate family. They did ask in the application about siblings, so perhaps that might have a teeny effect regarding legacy. Who knows–I’m taking the SAT in October, and have been taking a prep course through PrepScholar this summer, so hopefully I do well enough and my resume is impressive enough for them to admit me! We’ll see… fingers crossed.

7

Northeastern relies heavily on test scores. If you take the SAT, try to get at least 1500, or ACT try to get at least 34.

8

School principal* whoops! spelling errors like that won’t help my chances… cough cough