I would love to know how your son likes the Explore program! My son was accepted into engineering at every other college but isn’t sure he really wants to do engineering and so he applied to - and was accepted into - the Explore program. My big concern is how hard it in to get into an engineering or business major once you start as undeclared. He has great grades in math in HS (through calculus and statistics) and a very good math SAT score. I know he might have trouble graduating on time if he started engineering late though. Also, I am trying to find out if students graduating with a BS have to take a foreign language. He would really like to be done with languages and just take classes in foreign culture instead as some colleges allow you to do! Thanks for any insights.
That refers to internal transfers: students who have already begun their studies at Northeastern in a different college, .
The Co-op program is great and will likely land you a much better job than if you didn’t have that internship. I agree with other posters that the co-op program can interrupt friendships and make it a less continuous experience. On the other hand, you’ll have exposure to lots of work environments.
As far as engineering vs. environmental science, I’d take engineering hands down. But you have to figure that out for yourself.
The location of NEU isn’t great. It isn’t beautiful or located in an amazing spot. But it’s close to downtown and most things via the train.
It’s gone up a lot in rankings. It used to be a commuter school then it became more popular now it is downright hard to get into.
I’d consider what your future plans are and then make a decision based on all the factors.
I noticed the same requirement in my daughter’s Dean’s scholarship Financial Aid Offer (she did not receive any need-based aid except the usual direct unsubsidized loan). This was something that I was going to ask about at some point. I did notice reading one of those Fiske guides that Northeastern guarantees housing for all four years, so if living on campus is a strict requirement for the merit aid, at least it should be feasible to do that.
When you consider the merit award, note that there is a requirement that you are a full-time student (16 credits). It will be worthwhile to ask under what circumstances (if any) that they would prorate the award. For example, if you only take 14-15 credits for a given semester or you only need a handful of credits your last semester of senior year to graduate. Do you have to take a full course load otherwise lose your entire award for the semester?
Tom, this is not how the letter reads. It does appear that maintaining the scholarship is dependent on where you live. The other stated expectations are that you are a full-time student, and in our particular case, that my daughter’s older sister is a full-time college student.
That last requirement is interesting because it suggests that the “merit” scholarship is in fact, partially dependent on our financial situation. So not so much need-based, per se, but definitely cognizant of other financial circumstances.
For undergraduates (except CPS) Northeastern does not charge by credit. Full time status is 12 -16 credits/semester. So if a student takes 12 credits in a semester due to say having received AP credit, he would still be charged the full time rate and receive the full merit allocation.
As for the requiremet to live on campus to maintain merit aid you may want to call them. But my guess is that would apply to need based aid only.
Thanks for your response and information. I realized that the document I am looking at is the 2021-2022 Financial Aid Offer. Maybe the University housing requirement is just for the first year. But I will call to clarify.
Regarding Full time status, the offer requires a minimum (emphasis on minimum) of enrolling for 16 credits - this must be incorrectly stated because what you wrote makes much more sense! We will figure it out.
Thanks for posting this. I asked almost the same question in the main EA thread and am grateful to hear other people’s thoughts. 
My nephew is in his final year and already has multiple 6-figure salary offers when he graduates.
He likes the Explore program. He was thinking about engineering and was accepted to Rutgers’ engineering and business schools. NU had a virtual orientation group for Explore program kids and he became good friends with some of those kids on campus. The Explore freshmen take a one credit class called Connections and Decisions where they discuss their choice of a major, which was a nice way to connect with other students in the pandemic. He decided pretty quickly he would like to major in economics and business, but is staying in the Explore program for the good advisors. He chose the Explore LLC for a dorm but the dorm is mostly computer science kids. NU does not pressure you about choosing a major. No foreign language requirement. NU encourages study abroad and offers short-term “Dialogues of Civilization” classes in other countries. As for graduating on time, he is taking two classes in the Summer I session (which goes through late June) to make up for future co-ops but he got 20 AP credits so it won’t be bad.
That is wonderful! What is your nephew’s major?
Computer Science
Well said!
@Mom270 Your son’s situation sounds great. Unfortunately S21’s small private school doesn’t have AP classes so that won’t help him. AP credits allowed D17 to double major and minor at Tulane and still graduate a semester early. Also, S21 is starting in N.U.in, which will also limit his progress. I do think he could opt for 2 instead of 3 co-ops and graduate in something of a timely manner maybe. In any case, good news about the Explore program and the no language requirement for your son. We really liked the sound of the Explore program and all of the advising it provides. I think we will be visiting Boston in March!
That is not necessarily true.
Good to hear. Looking forward to hearing about N.U.in options this year including how the Boston option will operate. Really prefer that S21 not have to be remote in the fall!
If your son would like to talk to mine I am sure he would be happy to do so. Maybe you can message me if you want his info.
Thank you for your generous offer. I will PM you if son feels comfortable reaching out. We also have to wait to see N.U.in options this year. The good news is that one of the top students in son’s small private school was accepted to Northeastern ED so son would know at least one person (who he likes very much) in Boston if he elects to do the N.U.in Boston option.
Is it also still true that when a student is out on Coop there is no tuition for that semester? This was true back when D17 applied, but D21 has been accepted and I have not seen this mentioned recently (unless I missed it?).
If you are participating in a coop, you do not pay tuition. You obviously still have other costs for housing and food.