So, you’ve been rejected EA from Northeastern. First of all, we’re sorry, and we’re sure you’re having a lot of feelings about this right now. And, since you’re here, you probably want to know what you can do to take control of this situation.
Northeastern is a hard school to get into – a 6% overall acceptance rate. While the EA acceptance rate is about 39%, that doesn’t mean you were six times more likely to get into Northeastern, and there are at least 2,200 other students in the same boat as you right now. First off, remember: this decision isn’t a reflection of your abilities, talents, or overall awesomeness. Schools have incredibly limited spots and, unfortunately, have to turn away many deserving students.
Let’s be real—getting rejected hurts. You’re likely feeling down, and if you’re here, you might still be in a bit of a panic. Before making any rushed decisions, take a breath and read through this post. We’ve got some practical steps to help you regain a sense of control and feel more confident moving forward.
Step One: Take a Little Break
You need to hit pause for a moment. You’ve been pushing yourself for four years, and now a major curveball has hit your plans. It might feel like your five-year plan just went *poof*, but trust us—that’s not the case. You’re likely juggling lots of clubs, sports, or other big commitments like theater or debate on top of everything else high school demands. So, after facing this tough news, take a few days to process it and give your brain a breather.
We need you in a strong mental place before the next steps. Whether that means trying out axe-throwing, binging cheesy romcoms, or anything else that helps you recharge, now’s the time for it.
Once you’ve taken a break, come back for some advice.
Step Two: Strategize
The first step is to review your college list. Our clients and blog regulars typically build balanced lists with 8 to 10 schools, including a healthy mix of reaches, targets, and safeties. If this sounds like you, you might consider swapping out a school or two, but your biggest focus should be identifying an ED2 option. There’s no need to overhaul everything just because Northeastern didn’t come through. Stick with your balanced list, and remember—if you applied EA to Northeastern, you probably applied EA to other schools as well. We’ll cover ED2 options at the end of this section, so feel free to skip down there. If this isn’t your situation, keep reading.
For those of you who only applied early action to Northeastern or have a short list with just a few schools, there’s quite a bit to tackle over the next two weeks—but don’t worry, it’s doable. Every year, we help students work through 8-12 applications during this window between EA rejections and RD deadlines, and we’re ready to help you, too. Start by building a list of 8 to 12 schools that’s well-balanced with reaches, targets, and safeties. To determine where you fall in each category, check each school’s middle 50% range for GPA and test scores and compare them to your own. Even with perfect stats, schools with acceptance rates below 10% will be reaches, and many in the teens might be as well, depending on factors like your extracurricular rigor or in-state status.
When adding schools to your college list, start with the most important factor: academics. Remember, college is about learning, not just finding the right vibe, so make sure each school aligns with your academic goals. Once that’s covered, you can consider other factors like size, location, culture, and even climate. Think about what drew you to Northeastern and apply to similar schools! If it’s Boston you’re after, think about BU, BC, Tufts, etc. If you like all the satellite campuses, think about NYU.
Okay, everyone come back now!! Time to talk about ED2. We highly recommend applying ED2—it’s a smart, strategic move that can improve your chances at another top school on your list. Chances are, one of your other top 3-5 choices offers ED2, so if that’s the case, you should go for it. Miracles can happen in Regular Decision but we are all about minimizing risk.
Step Three: Essays
If you haven’t started your RD applications yet, or if you’ve had to build a new college list from scratch, then it’s time to get serious about your writing. Our blog has tons of guides for crafting great school-specific supplements, but there’s something even more crucial: the Common App essay.
We hate to break it to you, but we’d say there’s a strong chance you’ll need to rewrite or, at the very least, heavily edit your Common App essay. Don’t take it personally! In this two-week crunch, we often see Common App essays that, while well-written, tend to be cliché, unoriginal, or don’t reveal much about the student. Many essays focus on big accomplishments, major life challenges, or beloved grandparents. Admissions officers are reading sooooo many of these types of essays. These topics don’t make you stand out in a competitive pool. The essays we help you write do.
The Common App essay is, above all, a brainstorming exercise, and our specialty is helping students create essays that stand out and resonate with top-tier admissions officers. The main goal here? To come across as relatable and likable! This isn’t the place to brag or seek sympathy—you can put those things in your activities or additional information sections. Instead, use this essay to showcase qualities and experiences that don’t appear in other sections. Your grades and test scores already show you’re hardworking, so let your essay highlight a different side—like your sense of humor, a unique hobby, or an interesting quirk. Think of those non-quantifiable personality traits. If you’re feeling stuck, try asking friends or family to describe you in five words. Noticing common themes in their responses might spark an idea or remind you of a great story you can tell in your essay.
As you start writing your Common App essay, focus on telling a story. A well-written story is engaging and gives admissions officers a glimpse into your personality. Make sure it has a clear beginning, middle, and end, and bring it to life with vivid, sensory details. Use descriptions of sights, sounds, smells, textures, and even tastes to show rather than tell, drawing readers right into the middle of your experience.
Step Four: Ask for Help
This is not the end of the world, nor is it the end of your application journey—it might feel that way, but it’s not. You’re going to end up at an amazing school; there’s just a bit more work ahead. We believe in you!
If you’re feeling overwhelmed and unsure where to start, reach out to us ASAP. Our “It’s Going to Be Okay” package is here to guide you through the next two weeks, whether you need help building a new college list, writing a fresh Common App essay, or tackling your supplements. Time is of the essence, so don’t hesitate to get in touch if you need support!
Rejected and don’t know what to do? Reach out to us ASAP.