<p>Do they practice WUSTL like mass mailings to way too many people or something? Tufts syndrome? NEU had an acceptance rate of 42% or something for last year but if you look at the average stats for their admitted students, its not exactly impressive. So it shouldn't be hard to gain admission based on stats alone. What gives here?</p>
<p>Because out of 100 people on average they will admit 42.</p>
<p>The pool they draw from is very different from some other schools with low admit rates, so even though their class profile might not be as intimidating/impressive, they still deny a large portion of their applicant pool, because their average applicant doesn't have the same type of record as the average Ivy applicant.</p>
<p>"Impressive" is all relative. It may not be great TO YOU, but for some people, it's perfect. It need not be impressive to be interested in it.</p>
<p>Anyways, it's a great school for many things. Top co-op programs. Abroad programs up the wazoo. The admit rate really has nothing to do with it. </p>
<p>Let's all be glad good colleges don't all have scary admit rates.</p>
<p>Northeastern sounds like a good safety for me. Does anybody know if it cares if you "show interest"? How severe is their Tufts Syndrome? I don't want to have no colleges to choose from because Tufts syndrome of safeties and bad luck for reaches...</p>
<p>It's because it is in Boston.</p>
<p>Tons of kids apply to Northeastern as a safety, they know that. Last year they rejected many 3.8/1400 in favor of 3.2/1250's. They get 25,000 applicants a year, I guess they know by now who's who.</p>