Northeastern University Pre-College Programs Biotechnology & the Future of Medicine

Weekday classes run from about 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and evenings and weekends are kept for optional social activities. Northeastern's sample schedule, which it says may change, shows the two weeks moving from basics into lab work.

Week 1 starts with Sunday move-in, a faculty and student panel and welcome activities. Monday brings orientation, lab safety training and a session on drug discovery and biotech basics, and the rest of the week combines long blocks in the pharmaceutical science lab with an off-site industry experience. Saturday and the following Sunday hold only optional social programming.

Week 2 begins with two off-site days, one on premed and translational science and one in Burlington. Wednesday brings a career exploration session and an AI overview, the AI drug discovery lab runs Wednesday afternoon and Thursday, and Friday morning is final presentations before move-out at 1 p.m. Past evening and weekend outings have included a cannoli stop in the North End, thrift shopping in Cambridge and trips to the Seaport.

You need to be a rising junior or senior in high school by the time your session starts. International students are welcome as long as they can be in Boston, although Northeastern doesn't sponsor visas for non-credit programs like this one.

Northeastern reviews applications holistically, the way its undergraduate admissions office does, weighing academics and activities equally and looking for students who care about the subject and are ready for a demanding program. It doesn't publish an acceptance rate. Programs typically have 15 to 30 students, and Northeastern says it admits more students than it has places, which is why the deposit stage matters.

Applications go through Northeastern's Accelerate admissions page, where the online form opens in early December 2026.

1. 1

   Complete the online application with an unofficial high school transcript or report cards and a personal statement of up to 250 words on your interest in the subject, why you want to enroll and what you hope to gain.

2. 2

   Add a teacher or counselor as a reference if you like, though it isn't required.

3. 3

   Submit by the priority deadline of 15 January 2027, the regular deadline of 28 February 2027 or the late deadline of 15 March 2027, each at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.

4. 4

   Expect an email decision in early February, mid-March or early April depending on your round, with any financial aid award included.

5. 5

   If you're admitted, pay the 20% deposit by 18 February, 1 April or 15 April 2027, depending on your round. Paying sooner is safer, because deposits are accepted first-come, first-served and Northeastern says programs typically fill before the deposit deadline.

6. 6

   Pay the rest of the tuition by 1 May 2027.

Tuition is $6,995 for either session, and it covers instruction, course materials, housing, meals and social activities. On top of that you need health or travel health insurance for the program, and most Accelerate programs ask students to bring their own laptop.

Admitted students hold their place with a non-refundable deposit of 20% of tuition after any aid or discounts, which comes to $1,399 at the full price, and the balance is due by 1 May 2027. There's no formal payment plan, but Northeastern asks families who need more time to email the team. Families have used 529 college savings funds before, although you'll need to check your plan provider's requirements.

Every admitted student is considered for need-based aid, which usually comes as a scholarship or a tuition discount. You ask for it inside the application by giving your household's adjusted gross income and number of dependents, and the award arrives with your admission decision. Some partner high schools and community organizations also sponsor students they choose, on top of Northeastern's aid.

Northeastern staff live in the residence hall with students, Residential Life Proctors staff the building entrance around the clock, and everyone has to be inside by 10 p.m. each night. Students usually share a room with a roommate and a bathroom with suitemates, and you can request a roommate.

On program outings off campus, students may sometimes explore a set area on their own, with a meeting point and time set by staff, who encourage them to pair up with another student. Parents or guardians who want their student to leave campus independently can submit a leave request. Requests for dietary, religious, academic, disability or other accommodations should be emailed to the team before enrollment, and Northeastern says it will meet reasonable requests where it can.