Applications for Northeastern University’s fall 2013 freshman class have exceeded all prior benchmarks in terms of quality, total applicants, and geographic diversity. The 47,322 applications for approximately 2,800 freshman seats—17 applicants for each seat—demonstrate exemplary academic achievements including high GPA and SAT scores.

The average GPA in this year’s applicant pool increased from 3.7 last year to 3.8. Nearly 50 percent of 2013 applicants had a two-part SAT score above 1300, compared to 20 percent of applicants in 2006. The number of students that applied for Early Action in 2013 grew 15 percent to 18,539.

The diversity of regions represented in the applicant pool is also unprecedented. More than half of the Northeastern hopefuls are from outside the New England area, including 31 percent from the Middle Atlantic and 20 percent from the Midwest, South, West, and other U.S. territories. At 6,400, applications from international students are up six percent from last year and represent 143 countries.

The consistent increase in the quantity and quality of applicants year over year reflects Northeastern’s ongoing momentum in education and research, as well as its global leadership in experiential learning.

“Students are attracted to Northeastern’s unique and renowned co-op program, which we have taken to 92 countries around the world,” said President Joseph E. Aoun. “This model provides opportunities to integrate their studies with meaningful experiences in businesses, nonprofit organizations, and research settings.”

Northeastern offers a wide range of experiential-learning opportunities worldwide, providing students with skills and knowledge that give them a distinct advantage in the competitive job and graduate education arenas. Students participate in experiential-learning programs including study abroad, co-op and research on all seven continents and in 92 countries—a 130 percent increase since 2006.

The Northeastern experience gives students a career edge after graduation. More than 90 percent of graduates from 2006 through 2011 were employed or enrolled in graduate school nine months after graduation. Eighty-seven percent of 2011 full-time employed graduates are doing work that is related to their major. Within that group, 50 percent received a job offer from a previous co-op employer. Furthermore, Northeastern’s Career Services were ranked best in the country by The Princeton Review.

Graduates pursuing advanced degrees are accepted to top programs such as Stanford University, MIT, Harvard, and Northeastern. Areas of study range across numerous fields, including engineering, medicine, international affairs, pharmacy, business, and law.