Northeastern University is a private research university in Boston, MA. They’re most famous for their co-op programs and study abroad options, and if you’re here, you know they offer ED2. We won’t beat around the bush, Northeastern is a crazy competitive school – their overall acceptance rate is 5%, but the early acceptance rates are closer to 40%. So, if you’re willing to commit to Northeastern, they’re more likely to commit to you.
If you just got rejected from your ED school, you’re probably on the hunt for some other options right now, and Northeastern is a solid option. You may feel anxious about applying ED2, especially if you have a lot of RD applications out right now. We get it – you might be afraid of commitment or afraid of another rejection, but we have to think practically right now.
Applying ED2 is the best strategic move you can make right now if you’ve been rejected from your ED school. It maximizes your chances, especially at a school like Northeastern that accepts so much of their incoming class from their early applications. Unlike most schools, Northeastern doesn’t have a supplement, so we’re going to dive in and walk you through how to get their attention and have your ED2 app stand out from the crowd.
Demonstrated Interest Email
With a 5% acceptance rate, we are not letting you just hit submit without any extra work. You want to send an email because they don’t have any formal place for you to talk about how much you love Northeastern. Some general tips for your email:
It should be written like a professional email, from an email address that is your name and not some weird inside joke from 8th grade or whatever.
You shouldn’t exceed more than 350 words – this is an unsolicited email, after all.
Your tone should be confident, not braggy or desperate
Now, let’s get into the specfics of the email itself:
Introduction
Open with a professional greeting, addressed to either the admissions department or your regional rep, if you know their name. State your name and explain that you’re sending this email because there is no formal place for you to talk about your love for Northeastern in the Common App.
Declare Your Major
If you don’t know what you want to study, you need to figure it out. This is a big mistake we see with ED rejections – students not identifying a particular major or topic they want to study. If you’re truly unsure, take a look at your favorite classes and your extracurriculars and see what makes sense.
You’ll start by telling them your origin story – the “why” behind your major. If you’re interested in bio so you can become a doctor, that might stem (ha ha like STEM, get it) (sorry) from an experience you had with the healthcare system, a particular lab you did in school, or something you’ve explored on your own time. Then briefly discuss how you’ve gotten involved in this interest and close it out by saying something about how you want to study that major at Northeastern.
Provide Evidence
Now comes the research phase. You want to show the admissions officer reading your email that you’re genuinely excited about their school, what it offers, and how those opportunities align with your goals – and you can’t do that by just talking vibes. Pull up Northeastern’s course catalog and choose 1-2 upper-level classes that interest you. Avoid introductory courses like bio 101—every school has that. Instead, look for classes that align with the story you’re telling, so avoid ecology courses if what you’re interested in is more in the biochem realm. When you mention these classes, don’t just say they sound interesting. Explain *why* they interest you—what you’re excited to learn and the skills you hope to develop by taking them.
Next, take a look at the professors in the department you’re applying to, and find ones you’d want to work with. Maybe they’re doing research in an area you’re excited about, or run some kind of cool lab. Be specific about why you’d want to work with them. Do you want to be their research assistant, TA, or mentee? You also might want to talk about Northeastern’s co-op program since they’re super proud of it.
Extracurriculars
While classes are obviously the main focus, showing Northeastern you’re excited about campus life is super important. Check out the extracurriculars they offer and pick a few you’d want to join. These can be academic, but they don’t have to be—just make sure they connect to what you’ve already been involved in. Like, if you write for your school paper now, it makes total sense to keep that going in college. What doesn’t work? Throwing random activities at the wall because they sound cool. Keep it cohesive and show them how you’re already building on the things you’re passionate about.
Sign-off
Once you’ve included everything in your email, don’t forget to thank them for their time and ask if there’s another place you should forward your message. Wrap it up with a polite sign-off like “Thank you,” “Sincerely,” or “Best,” and add your name at the end.
Make sure to keep the email under 350 words. Remember, this is an unsolicited email, so you want to be respectful of their time and avoid overwhelming them with a novel. If you’re feeling anxious after sending it, you can always follow up with a quick call to Northeastern in a few days to confirm they received it.
And don’t forget, since Northeastern doesn’t have a supplement, the rest of your Common App needs to be top-notch. We’ve got guides on everything—from the Common App essay to the activities section to the additional information section. If you’re feeling stuck or want some extra support, we’re here to help with all of that too! We know getting rejected sucks, but that doesn’t mean the journey is over. Choosing to ED2 is one of the smartest things you can do, and please reach out to us if you need help with your ED2 application to Northeastern.
Need help after an ED rejection? Reach out to us today.