Northeastern - worst admissions procedures on the planet

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have no idea what the big issue is here. If you apply to Boston campus and they accept you for their abroad campus, just don't accept. It's not like you accepted admission thinking Boston and then they switched on you. What's the problem? My dc applied and did not mark that he was interested in other campus other than Boston. But he was accepted to NUin which is first semester abroad (only 1 semester, not over a year like pp said). He is actually thankful that he got that offer rather than a rejection. Either way, he's not going to take it because the school is too expensive for us, but this is really not something to get all worked up over. There really are other things in life that are more egregious that you may want to channel your energy into, op.

Not worked up. Just want to pass on this information so parents of younger kids are aware.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have no idea what the big issue is here. If you apply to Boston campus and they accept you for their abroad campus, just don't accept. It's not like you accepted admission thinking Boston and then they switched on you. What's the problem? My dc applied and did not mark that he was interested in other campus other than Boston. But he was accepted to NUin which is first semester abroad (only 1 semester, not over a year like pp said). He is actually thankful that he got that offer rather than a rejection. Either way, he's not going to take it because the school is too expensive for us, but this is really not something to get all worked up over. There really are other things in life that are more egregious that you may want to channel your energy into, op.

Because kids who don't read the fine print and may have pinned their hopes on this college might be unpleasantly surprised to learn that acceptance involves another location, one they had not considered moving to.
In the big scheme of things, it's not the end of the world, but it feels a little bait and switchy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have no idea what the big issue is here. If you apply to Boston campus and they accept you for their abroad campus, just don't accept. It's not like you accepted admission thinking Boston and then they switched on you. What's the problem? My dc applied and did not mark that he was interested in other campus other than Boston. But he was accepted to NUin which is first semester abroad (only 1 semester, not over a year like pp said). He is actually thankful that he got that offer rather than a rejection. Either way, he's not going to take it because the school is too expensive for us, but this is really not something to get all worked up over. There really are other things in life that are more egregious that you may want to channel your energy into, op.

Because kids who don't read the fine print and may have pinned their hopes on this college might be unpleasantly surprised to learn that acceptance involves another location, one they had not considered moving to.
In the big scheme of things, it's not the end of the world, but it feels a little bait and switchy.

How is it a fine print if there is a question on the application that you actually have to answer by marking whether or not you're interested in the various campuses? You're seriously making it sound like your kid wasn't aware the school had other campuses and he accepted and paid a deposit to go to Northeastern in Boston and now the school is telling him he's in Oakland for 4 years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have no idea what the big issue is here. If you apply to Boston campus and they accept you for their abroad campus, just don't accept. It's not like you accepted admission thinking Boston and then they switched on you. What's the problem? My dc applied and did not mark that he was interested in other campus other than Boston. But he was accepted to NUin which is first semester abroad (only 1 semester, not over a year like pp said). He is actually thankful that he got that offer rather than a rejection. Either way, he's not going to take it because the school is too expensive for us, but this is really not something to get all worked up over. There really are other things in life that are more egregious that you may want to channel your energy into, op.

Not worked up. Just want to pass on this information so parents of younger kids are aware.

Worst admissions procedures on the planet? Jerks? You sound pretty worked up.

[Anonymous]

I cannot stand the Northeastern poster that joins every ranking thread to assert the Northeastern is Ivy equivalent. It is obnoxious.

That said, this really is no big deal. As a PP said, you can simply say "no" if the options are not right for your student.

I get the email release was annoying, but this really is a crazy couple of weeks of stress of waiting for decisions. I get that. We are on pine and needles for our daughter. The schools are doing their best. This is not a big "ratings manipulation", it may be an effort to fill these other programs. But again, your student can say no.

This issue is a big nothing burger.

[Anonymous]

I'm sorry, Oakland.....California? That's a hard no.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have no idea what the big issue is here. If you apply to Boston campus and they accept you for their abroad campus, just don't accept. It's not like you accepted admission thinking Boston and then they switched on you. What's the problem? My dc applied and did not mark that he was interested in other campus other than Boston. But he was accepted to NUin which is first semester abroad (only 1 semester, not over a year like pp said). He is actually thankful that he got that offer rather than a rejection. Either way, he's not going to take it because the school is too expensive for us, but this is really not something to get all worked up over. There really are other things in life that are more egregious that you may want to channel your energy into, op.

Because kids who don't read the fine print and may have pinned their hopes on this college might be unpleasantly surprised to learn that acceptance involves another location, one they had not considered moving to.
In the big scheme of things, it's not the end of the world, but it feels a little bait and switchy.

How is it a fine print if there is a question on the application that you actually have to answer by marking whether or not you're interested in the various campuses? You're seriously making it sound like your kid wasn't aware the school had other campuses and he accepted and paid a deposit to go to Northeastern in Boston and now the school is telling him he's in Oakland for 4 years.

I would actually really like to see that language from the common app. Do you by any chance have access to the questions asked? If, for example, your child has already applied, the responses are viewable, but not the questions and their context.

Also: the decision to apply to a college is a serious one. There is nothing wrong with the way NE operates its application process; however, the entire college application process is opaque and very PRO-UNIVERSITY. We can all help each other (particularly those who are coming up) by sharing our STUDENTS' experiences. NE may appeal to a junior who is more comfortable with risk, who would be thrilled to be placed in a foreign country for the first semester. It could also be a turn off for a more risk averse Junior. The whole point of this thread is to share one's experiences with the process. I acualy wish the title were "Things to know about the NEU admissions process for potential applicants."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Also forgot to mention how NEU reiterated in this email how they might admit your kid to their Oakland and London campuses when they didn't even apply to those. Just so sketchy it's funny at this point.

Yes. College Confidential is lit up with people asking questions about this. One Boston-area person wants to know why they have to fly to California to attend a school with a campus in Boston.

[Anonymous]

I agree with OP. Hands down the worst of the 13 schools DS applied to.

[Anonymous]

You and your child sound like entitled snowflakes, tbh. I hope you are able to overcome this traumatic spur grapes experience!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like most schools.

None of the schools DS applied to have pulled this. It's only the ones desperate to play ranking games that do.

VCU accidentally sent out some admissions letters -- I din't think it's a ploy to play the rankings game. If so, how does it work?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have no idea what the big issue is here. If you apply to Boston campus and they accept you for their abroad campus, just don't accept. It's not like you accepted admission thinking Boston and then they switched on you. What's the problem? My dc applied and did not mark that he was interested in other campus other than Boston. But he was accepted to NUin which is first semester abroad (only 1 semester, not over a year like pp said). He is actually thankful that he got that offer rather than a rejection. Either way, he's not going to take it because the school is too expensive for us, but this is really not something to get all worked up over. There really are other things in life that are more egregious that you may want to channel your energy into, op.

Because kids who don't read the fine print and may have pinned their hopes on this college might be unpleasantly surprised to learn that acceptance involves another location, one they had not considered moving to.
In the big scheme of things, it's not the end of the world, but it feels a little bait and switchy.

That’s on you and your slapdash kid.

[Anonymous]

OP,

NU is the school that hired a data analytics guy to work the admissions numbers. They'll be profiling applicants, IIRC, to ascertain who will be likely to say yes, etc.

I appreciate you spreading the word about NU, so parents and kids can make an informed choice about spending $75 this way.

I found out kid was deferred by NOT receiving the accidental acceptance letter NU sent. What a way to learn--and then not to be 100% sure...This process was stressful, and their actions color my impression of the school.

Out of the 11-13 schools kid applied to, this one was definitely the most disorganized and impersonal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What do you expect from that school?

Great education and Excellent outcomes.

[Anonymous]

Doesn’t Penn State do something similar with their summer program and regional campuses? Where’s the outrage there?