Honors Program

Does anyone know if NEU still allows students to apply for Honors Program after 1st or 2nd semester of freshman year?
I found a link on the university website that says one is allowed to apply, but I am not sure if it is still true.
If so, how hard is it to get in?

^^ @TomSrOfBoston : would you know?

As of right now what the website says is true (as people have said - they are revamping some stuff over this summer so this could change). You do need a really high GPA and you have to apply early in the semester - details here - http://www.northeastern.edu/honors/prospective-students/joining-once-you-are-here/

I know of at least one person who did this successfully. The one downside of joining late is not getting the benefit of IV housing freshman year (which is currently one of the best things about the program). I think if you meet the criteria and the deadline you will be admitted - however that high GPA as a freshman is not easy to accomplish.

^^^No insider info but this is the current website;
http://www.northeastern.edu/honors/prospective-students/joining-once-you-are-here/

As far as I know that is exactly as it says, but I would agree with @kiddie that there isn’t much point. It can actually make things more difficult because you will need to take honors courses, and they are more consistently offered at the lower division courses. Joining starting in your second year means that you’re a year behind in getting that credit, and you don’t really get too much from the program. The difference between honors and everyone else is very minor and the main benefits are in your first year.

They do cut the number of required course for students who join in their second year (since they won’t have the intro to honors freshman course) - also they don’t kick you out of the honors program if you don’t take enough honors classes (including a required honors interdisciplinary advanced class) you just don’t get the honors distinction on your diploma. I think you can get kicked out for not keeping up your average but they are not aggressive about that either.

It would be great if those of you on the ‘inside’ can keep us posted here if any discussion/rumors leak out about the new honors/Scholars program that is going to affect this fall’s applicants. I for one am hoping that the new program will not affect merit levels that NEU is offering now for top students (Dean’s and Scholars). Merit is a big draw for NEU - and I think they will lose applicants and enrollment if they stop offering or greatly reduce it.

I am interested in the Honors program because the website lists all the other perks of being in the Honors program such as better access to professors, 1st dibs on choice co-ops and research projects, networking capabilities with other honors alumni etc… I am a hard working student, who ran into various health issues during high school, that dropped my GPA. Ideally, I would have preferred to have been admitted into the program as a freshman. Just the fact that there is a second chance is encouraging. I am grateful that NEU offers this opportunity, unlike BU where they shut the door to the honors program after high school. I will be a 17-year-old, when I start college and I know what I want for my higher education now than I did a year ago when I started my application process. I will work hard to make the best use of this second chance

The website does make it sound more glamorous than it actually is - there are some dialogues and classes that are for honors students only - and some introductory classes that offer honors sections.

However, honors students are given no priority on co-op placements (all co-ops are open to any student who meet the company’s criteria- major, GPA, citizenship, etc.), you can have access to any professor if you choose (go visit them at office hours - they all have office hours), same with research projects (ask any professor about their research), you can network with anybody you want to on campus. and in her 4 years there was only one honors alumni event that my daughter attended (compared to the many that the career office sponsors on a regular basis)

Probably these issues are at the heart of NEU rethinking their scholars and honors program!

Wow! that’s interesting. Thank you for sharing your experience. I guess you are right about the rethinking part. One of the benefits of the honors program is also the merit aid that comes with it, my guess is they won’t offer it to second-year honors students.

@biobot lots of kids got merit, but no honors. They are separate, as of now.

Merit aid and honors are independently awarded - read this board many got one but not the other this year and in years past. Also, there are no merit based scholarships available after you enter - there are some need based ones. So the merit aid you got with your admission is what you live with for your 4/5 years at NEU.

I wanted to also comment on the social aspects of the honors program - they have some clubs and events. Yes, my daughter made some good friends with other honors students in the honors book club but she also made friends in the NUeats food club, she enjoyed a trip to see a shakespeare production with the honors program but she also enjoyed a scavenger hunt at the science museum sponsored by some engineering club. Opportunities are there for all students - you just have to step up and take them.