Northeastern University Pre-College Programs Engineering Innovation & Design (Boston)

Classes run from about 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, with optional social activities on evenings and weekends. Northeastern's sample schedule dates from summer 2023 and may change, but it shows the shape of the two weeks.

After move-in on Sunday and orientation on Monday, the first week mixes short build challenges, such as the Tower of Straws, LEGO cars and a bridge activity, with a robotics lecture, an introduction to Arduino programming and 3D modeling in Onshape. It builds up to robot obstacle course runs on Friday, with a field trip midweek. Week two turns to rapid prototyping, 3D printing and the team project, moving from planning through fabrication and redesign to final challenges and a debrief before move-out on the last Friday.

Breakfast starts at 7:30 a.m., dinner is followed by optional social programming, and Saturday is kept for optional activities. Northeastern also says to expect some work outside class hours, usually group projects with your teammates.

Northeastern doesn't name an instructor for this program, but it says most of its pre-college programs are led by Northeastern faculty, supported by other faculty, instructors or graduate students, with current Northeastern students sometimes working as teaching assistants. Faculty assignments can also change, so if it matters to you who teaches, ask the pre-college team at precollegeprograms@northeastern.edu.

A typical program has 15 to 30 students, a figure Northeastern gives for its programs in general rather than for this one.

Northeastern says students should be rising juniors or seniors by the time the program starts, which for summer 2027 means finishing 10th or 11th grade in the 2026-27 school year. International students are welcome, but Northeastern doesn't sponsor student visas for non-credit programs like this one, so check what you need to enter the US with official sources before you apply.

Northeastern reviews applications holistically, the same way it reviews undergraduate applications, and weighs academics and activities equally. It's looking for motivated students who are passionate about the subject and ready for a rigorous program. It doesn't publish an acceptance rate.

The fee is $6,995 for either session, and it covers tuition, course materials, a residence hall room, meals and social activities. On top of that you pay for travel to Boston, and every student must have health or travel health insurance that covers them for the whole program. Most programs also require a personal laptop, so check the requirements and packing list Northeastern gives admitted students.

Once admitted, you secure your place with a non-refundable deposit of 20% of tuition after any aid, which comes to $1,399 at the full price, and the balance is due by 1 May 2027 at 11:59 p.m. ET. There's no formal payment plan, but you can ask Northeastern for more time to pay. Families have used 529 college savings funds before, so check with your plan provider.

Every admitted student is considered for need-based aid, which usually comes as a scholarship or a tuition discount rather than cash. You ask for it inside the application by giving your family's adjusted gross income and number of dependents, and the award arrives with your admission decision. Children of benefits-eligible Northeastern faculty and staff get 33% off, and some partner high schools and community organizations sponsor students.

Northeastern staff live in the residence hall with students, Residential Life Proctors staff the entrance around the clock, and everyone has to be in the building by 10:00 p.m. each night. Students usually share a room with a roommate and a bathroom with suitemates, and you can request a roommate in advance.

Leaving campus on your own needs a leave request from a parent or guardian. Off-campus social trips are chaperoned, though staff may let students explore a set area independently, with a meeting point and time agreed in advance and students encouraged to pair up. Dietary allergies and restrictions are collected before the program, and Northeastern works with its dining team to meet them where it can.

You apply through Northeastern's pre-college admissions page, and Northeastern recommends the priority round for anyone set on one program, because a popular program may stop taking applications after 15 January 2027.

1. 1

   Prepare

   The online application opens in early December 2026. It asks for an unofficial transcript or report cards and a personal statement of up to 250 words on your passion for the subject, why you want to enroll and what you hope to gain, and you can add a teacher or counselor as an optional reference.

2. 2

   Submit

   Choose 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. ET.

3. 3

   Hear back

   Decisions come by email in early February, mid-March or early April, depending on your round.

4. 4

   Secure your place

   Pay the 20% deposit by 18 February, 1 April or 15 April 2027 for your round, but don't wait, because Northeastern admits more students than it has places and programs typically fill before the deposit deadline.

5. 5

   Pay the balance

   The rest of the fee is due by 1 May 2027 at 11:59 p.m. ET.