Scathing Summary of Northeastern Admissions

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is so surprising is all the Northeastern haters. You don't like how they process applicants, don't let your kid apply. Others get in and like the program, why piss in their cheerios?

If your kids go there and like it, great. But many parents and students are misled by how Northeastern has represented their desirability/admission rate, class size, etc. as it has worked for a decade to gamify the criteria used for various rankings. It's a top 100-125 school with a likely 30+-ish% admission rate masquerading as a top 50-60-ish school with a 5% admission rate. We just want the truth to get out. Their practices are deceptive only if no one calls it out. Parents/students deserve more transparency. If they know this, and still want to go, go for it.

You are totally wrong.
Serious and smart families focus on what actually counts such as retention, graduation rates, outcomes, etc. rather than obsessing over admission rates or arbitrary rankings. Northeastern is easily T30-level in those categories as shown earlier. Even if you doubled the admission rate to 10% to account for alternate admissions, parents and students would like it as it represents a better chance of admission.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The idea that somehow NEU has transformed itself into an elite university should raise a lot of eyebrows. It is a fine school, but let's not get carried away.

For a more accurate view of NEU, both of these rankings are more reputable than the USNWR.

Times Higher Education 2026 World Rankings
#2 MIT
#5 Harvard
#76 Boston University
#189 Tufts
#201-250 Northeastern

2026 QS World University Rankings
#1 MIT
#5 Harvard
#88 Boston University
#334 Tufts
#384 Northeastern

Wacky rankings.

Times Higher Education
#88 Minnesota
#105 Michigan State
#166 UVA
#180 Dartmouth
#201-250 Georgetown
#251-300 Boston College
#401-500 Wake Forest
#801-1000 William and Mary

QS World Rankings
#82 Penn State
#161 Michigan State
#173 ASU
#182 Emory
#247 Dartmouth
#275 UVA
#285 Georgetown
#294 Notre Dame
#526 Boston College
#1001-1200 William and Mary

+1000

Those allegedly accurate rankings really hating William and Mary

Also Dartmouth and Georgetown

Most global rankings are primarily based on research output and citations, or reputation that is primarily based on research impact. It favors schools with huge research programs, big graduate schools and a lot of international students. A lot of STEM research is in English, so the USA and UK schools usually do really well in these surveys. Elite private schools with smaller graduate programs and less research output never do well in these surveys.

But according to the hater, it's the most accurate ranking somehow.

It is a relevant ranking. You just have to consider what it ranks and what you are looking for in a ranking.

In other words, you just have to cherry pick the numbers that work toward your argument and discount those that oppose. Basically, you're cooking the data to serve your goal just like the school you're criticizing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is so surprising is all the Northeastern haters. You don't like how they process applicants, don't let your kid apply. Others get in and like the program, why piss in their cheerios?

If your kids go there and like it, great. But many parents and students are misled by how Northeastern has represented their desirability/admission rate, class size, etc. as it has worked for a decade to gamify the criteria used for various rankings. It's a top 100-125 school with a likely 30+-ish% admission rate masquerading as a top 50-60-ish school with a 5% admission rate. We just want the truth to get out. Their practices are deceptive only if no one calls it out. Parents/students deserve more transparency. If they know this, and still want to go, go for it.

Northeastern has a 97% retention rate. Essentially no one feels “misled.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The idea that somehow NEU has transformed itself into an elite university should raise a lot of eyebrows. It is a fine school, but let's not get carried away.

For a more accurate view of NEU, both of these rankings are more reputable than the USNWR.

Times Higher Education 2026 World Rankings
#2 MIT
#5 Harvard
#76 Boston University
#189 Tufts
#201-250 Northeastern

2026 QS World University Rankings
#1 MIT
#5 Harvard
#88 Boston University
#334 Tufts
#384 Northeastern

Wacky rankings.

Times Higher Education
#88 Minnesota
#105 Michigan State
#166 UVA
#180 Dartmouth
#201-250 Georgetown
#251-300 Boston College
#401-500 Wake Forest
#801-1000 William and Mary

QS World Rankings
#82 Penn State
#161 Michigan State
#173 ASU
#182 Emory
#247 Dartmouth
#275 UVA
#285 Georgetown
#294 Notre Dame
#526 Boston College
#1001-1200 William and Mary

+1000

Those allegedly accurate rankings really hating William and Mary

Also Dartmouth and Georgetown

Most global rankings are primarily based on research output and citations, or reputation that is primarily based on research impact. It favors schools with huge research programs, big graduate schools and a lot of international students. A lot of STEM research is in English, so the USA and UK schools usually do really well in these surveys. Elite private schools with smaller graduate programs and less research output never do well in these surveys.

But according to the hater, it's the most accurate ranking somehow.

Hater is unhinged and irrational.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The idea that somehow NEU has transformed itself into an elite university should raise a lot of eyebrows. It is a fine school, but let's not get carried away.

For a more accurate view of NEU, both of these rankings are more reputable than the USNWR.

Times Higher Education 2026 World Rankings
#2 MIT
#5 Harvard
#76 Boston University
#189 Tufts
#201-250 Northeastern

2026 QS World University Rankings
#1 MIT
#5 Harvard
#88 Boston University
#334 Tufts
#384 Northeastern

Wacky rankings.

Times Higher Education
#88 Minnesota
#105 Michigan State
#166 UVA
#180 Dartmouth
#201-250 Georgetown
#251-300 Boston College
#401-500 Wake Forest
#801-1000 William and Mary

QS World Rankings
#82 Penn State
#161 Michigan State
#173 ASU
#182 Emory
#247 Dartmouth
#275 UVA
#285 Georgetown
#294 Notre Dame
#526 Boston College
#1001-1200 William and Mary

Those rankings are based much more on research a publishing output. Big research schools.

Exactly. There are no SLACs; it’s not focused on undergrad experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is so surprising is all the Northeastern haters. You don't like how they process applicants, don't let your kid apply. Others get in and like the program, why piss in their cheerios?

If your kids go there and like it, great. But many parents and students are misled by how Northeastern has represented their desirability/admission rate, class size, etc. as it has worked for a decade to gamify the criteria used for various rankings. It's a top 100-125 school with a likely 30+-ish% admission rate masquerading as a top 50-60-ish school with a 5% admission rate. We just want the truth to get out. Their practices are deceptive only if no one calls it out. Parents/students deserve more transparency. If they know this, and still want to go, go for it.

Northeastern has a 97% retention rate. Essentially no one feels “misled.”

Or they don't have other options they like to transfer to?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is so surprising is all the Northeastern haters. You don't like how they process applicants, don't let your kid apply. Others get in and like the program, why piss in their cheerios?

If your kids go there and like it, great. But many parents and students are misled by how Northeastern has represented their desirability/admission rate, class size, etc. as it has worked for a decade to gamify the criteria used for various rankings. It's a top 100-125 school with a likely 30+-ish% admission rate masquerading as a top 50-60-ish school with a 5% admission rate. We just want the truth to get out. Their practices are deceptive only if no one calls it out. Parents/students deserve more transparency. If they know this, and still want to go, go for it.

Mislead? No one is mislead, the information is everywhere. Kids who attend are happy, well adjusted, get great education, experience and jobs.

They don't do anything that many universities do as well, and yet the vitriol towards Northeastern is unhinged. I really don't know if it's parents of kids who didn't get into Boston, but what else would make people so angry about a school? What exactly makes you so angry about this particular school? Why do you care?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Okay, ignore the global rankings but what about Forbes, a far higher quality journalistic organization, which looks at ROI and not self reported data, ranks Northeastern at 113 with BU at 45, BC at 54 and Tufts at 58. USNWR is the People magazine of rankings, your mother in law is far more likely to see their list but it isn't a primary source for anyone wanting quality analysis . . .

Forbes got it right.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I always get confused between Northeastern and Northwestern. Why couldn't they have picked better names?

I know, right. At least Northeastern makes sense. Just think of the Eastern part, Northeastern is as far East as you can go. Can’t same the same with Chicago. It should be Northmidwest not just Western.

Either way, if Northeastern has a program that works well for a student, if he’s a serious student who wants to be in the Smart Hub of the country, NEU will be fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I always get confused between Northeastern and Northwestern. Why couldn't they have picked better names?

I know, right. At least Northeastern makes sense. Just think of the Eastern part, Northeastern is as far East as you can go. Can’t same the same with Chicago. It should be Northmidwest not just Western.

Either way, if Northeastern has a program that works well for a student, if he’s a serious student who wants to be in the Smart Hub of the country, NEU will be fine.

Northwestern University was chartered on January 28, 1851, by nine Chicago-area Methodist leaders to serve the Northwest Territory.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I always get confused between Northeastern and Northwestern. Why couldn't they have picked better names?

I know, right. At least Northeastern makes sense. Just think of the Eastern part, Northeastern is as far East as you can go. Can’t same the same with Chicago. It should be Northmidwest not just Western.

Either way, if Northeastern has a program that works well for a student, if he’s a serious student who wants to be in the Smart Hub of the country, NEU will be fine.

Northwestern University was chartered on January 28, 1851, by nine Chicago-area Methodist leaders to serve the Northwest Territory.

Yea the name is outdated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The idea that somehow NEU has transformed itself into an elite university should raise a lot of eyebrows. It is a fine school, but let's not get carried away.

For a more accurate view of NEU, both of these rankings are more reputable than the USNWR.

Times Higher Education 2026 World Rankings
#2 MIT
#5 Harvard
#76 Boston University
#189 Tufts
#201-250 Northeastern

2026 QS World University Rankings
#1 MIT
#5 Harvard
#88 Boston University
#334 Tufts
#384 Northeastern

Wacky rankings.

Times Higher Education
#88 Minnesota
#105 Michigan State
#166 UVA
#180 Dartmouth
#201-250 Georgetown
#251-300 Boston College
#401-500 Wake Forest
#801-1000 William and Mary

QS World Rankings
#82 Penn State
#161 Michigan State
#173 ASU
#182 Emory
#247 Dartmouth
#275 UVA
#285 Georgetown
#294 Notre Dame
#526 Boston College
#1001-1200 William and Mary

+1000

Those allegedly accurate rankings really hating William and Mary

Also Dartmouth and Georgetown

Most global rankings are primarily based on research output and citations, or reputation that is primarily based on research impact. It favors schools with huge research programs, big graduate schools and a lot of international students. A lot of STEM research is in English, so the USA and UK schools usually do really well in these surveys. Elite private schools with smaller graduate programs and less research output never do well in these surveys.

But according to the hater, it's the most accurate ranking somehow.

It is a relevant ranking. You just have to consider what it ranks and what you are looking for in a ranking.

It doesn't seem much relevant ranking for undergraduate education in the first place.
Not a good source at all for high school students and their parents.

I completely agree. It is more relevant as an assessment of the research the university produces.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The idea that somehow NEU has transformed itself into an elite university should raise a lot of eyebrows. It is a fine school, but let's not get carried away.

For a more accurate view of NEU, both of these rankings are more reputable than the USNWR.

Times Higher Education 2026 World Rankings
#2 MIT
#5 Harvard
#76 Boston University
#189 Tufts
#201-250 Northeastern

2026 QS World University Rankings
#1 MIT
#5 Harvard
#88 Boston University
#334 Tufts
#384 Northeastern

Wacky rankings.

Times Higher Education
#88 Minnesota
#105 Michigan State
#166 UVA
#180 Dartmouth
#201-250 Georgetown
#251-300 Boston College
#401-500 Wake Forest
#801-1000 William and Mary

QS World Rankings
#82 Penn State
#161 Michigan State
#173 ASU
#182 Emory
#247 Dartmouth
#275 UVA
#285 Georgetown
#294 Notre Dame
#526 Boston College
#1001-1200 William and Mary

+1000

Those allegedly accurate rankings really hating William and Mary

Also Dartmouth and Georgetown

Most global rankings are primarily based on research output and citations, or reputation that is primarily based on research impact. It favors schools with huge research programs, big graduate schools and a lot of international students. A lot of STEM research is in English, so the USA and UK schools usually do really well in these surveys. Elite private schools with smaller graduate programs and less research output never do well in these surveys.

But according to the hater, it's the most accurate ranking somehow.

It is a relevant ranking. You just have to consider what it ranks and what you are looking for in a ranking.

It doesn't seem much relevant ranking for undergraduate education in the first place.
Not a good source at all for high school students and their parents.

I completely agree. It is more relevant as an assessment of the research the university produces.

If you care about academics, that is what it measures. The ability of academic departments to produce new knowledge and be leaders in their subjects.

If you care more about the dorms, cafeterias, and athletic programs, then you can look elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The idea that somehow NEU has transformed itself into an elite university should raise a lot of eyebrows. It is a fine school, but let's not get carried away.

For a more accurate view of NEU, both of these rankings are more reputable than the USNWR.

Times Higher Education 2026 World Rankings
#2 MIT
#5 Harvard
#76 Boston University
#189 Tufts
#201-250 Northeastern

2026 QS World University Rankings
#1 MIT
#5 Harvard
#88 Boston University
#334 Tufts
#384 Northeastern

Wacky rankings.

Times Higher Education
#88 Minnesota
#105 Michigan State
#166 UVA
#180 Dartmouth
#201-250 Georgetown
#251-300 Boston College
#401-500 Wake Forest
#801-1000 William and Mary

QS World Rankings
#82 Penn State
#161 Michigan State
#173 ASU
#182 Emory
#247 Dartmouth
#275 UVA
#285 Georgetown
#294 Notre Dame
#526 Boston College
#1001-1200 William and Mary

+1000

Those allegedly accurate rankings really hating William and Mary

Also Dartmouth and Georgetown

Most global rankings are primarily based on research output and citations, or reputation that is primarily based on research impact. It favors schools with huge research programs, big graduate schools and a lot of international students. A lot of STEM research is in English, so the USA and UK schools usually do really well in these surveys. Elite private schools with smaller graduate programs and less research output never do well in these surveys.

But according to the hater, it's the most accurate ranking somehow.

It is a relevant ranking. You just have to consider what it ranks and what you are looking for in a ranking.

It doesn't seem much relevant ranking for undergraduate education in the first place.
Not a good source at all for high school students and their parents.

I completely agree. It is more relevant as an assessment of the research the university produces.

If you care about academics, that is what it measures. The ability of academic departments to produce new knowledge and be leaders in their subjects.

If you care more about the dorms, cafeterias, and athletic programs, then you can look elsewhere.

100k for sub-par dorms and cafeterias is definitely a choice!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The idea that somehow NEU has transformed itself into an elite university should raise a lot of eyebrows. It is a fine school, but let's not get carried away.

For a more accurate view of NEU, both of these rankings are more reputable than the USNWR.

Times Higher Education 2026 World Rankings
#2 MIT
#5 Harvard
#76 Boston University
#189 Tufts
#201-250 Northeastern

2026 QS World University Rankings
#1 MIT
#5 Harvard
#88 Boston University
#334 Tufts
#384 Northeastern

Wacky rankings.

Times Higher Education
#88 Minnesota
#105 Michigan State
#166 UVA
#180 Dartmouth
#201-250 Georgetown
#251-300 Boston College
#401-500 Wake Forest
#801-1000 William and Mary

QS World Rankings
#82 Penn State
#161 Michigan State
#173 ASU
#182 Emory
#247 Dartmouth
#275 UVA
#285 Georgetown
#294 Notre Dame
#526 Boston College
#1001-1200 William and Mary

+1000

Those allegedly accurate rankings really hating William and Mary

Also Dartmouth and Georgetown

Most global rankings are primarily based on research output and citations, or reputation that is primarily based on research impact. It favors schools with huge research programs, big graduate schools and a lot of international students. A lot of STEM research is in English, so the USA and UK schools usually do really well in these surveys. Elite private schools with smaller graduate programs and less research output never do well in these surveys.

But according to the hater, it's the most accurate ranking somehow.

It is a relevant ranking. You just have to consider what it ranks and what you are looking for in a ranking.

It doesn't seem much relevant ranking for undergraduate education in the first place.
Not a good source at all for high school students and their parents.

I completely agree. It is more relevant as an assessment of the research the university produces.

If you care about academics, that is what it measures. The ability of academic departments to produce new knowledge and be leaders in their subjects.

If you care more about the dorms, cafeterias, and athletic programs, then you can look elsewhere.

100k for sub-par dorms and cafeterias is definitely a choice!

Correct, Northeastern is actually pretty bad on these categories. The kids deserve better.