Registration is now open for NUterm, an academic program for rising sophomores that gives them the flexibility to customize their own learning experience.

Now in its second year, the program runs concurrent with the Summer 1 half-semester and enables students to earn up to eight course credits in just six to eight weeks.

Depending on their majors, rising sophomores can use the flexibility to pursue another co-op, earn their degrees sooner, or dive more deeply into their fields of study.

The opportunity to get ahead on my coursework put me in a better position to apply for competitive co-op positions.
— Jack Frysinger, CIS’18, who participated in NUterm last year and is currently working on co-op at Apple

The menu of academic options available to program participants is vast, ranging from taking courses on campus and pursuing projects that impact the community to conducting field research and studying abroad.

Students in the program also live together in the same residence halls and participate in a series of co-curricular events and activities on and off campus, helping them build friendships and master new skills. Planned on-​​campus events include the Minds Over Matters: NUterm Faculty Speaker Series, in which top fac­ulty scholars will dis­cuss their research and examine timely topics of global importance. Other events will include an ice cream social; a weekend trip to New York City; and a color run.

The program does not increase the cost of atten­ding North­eastern, with stu­dents earning and paying for the same number of credits overall.

Students who participated in NUterm last summer praised the program, saying that it expanded their academic horizons, helped them land competitive co-op positions, and improved their social lives.

“The opportunity to get ahead on my coursework put me in a better position to apply for competitive co-op positions,” said Jack Frysinger, CIS’18, who is currently working on co-op with Apple in Cupertino, California. “I was able to tell prospective employers last fall that I was taking more advanced classes than what would be typical for a second-year student. And having that extra half-semester early on will make it easier for me to manage my academic options and maybe add a minor or two.”

Alex Hatter, SSH’18, noted that the program enabled him to enjoy his summer in Boston and will allow him to pursue a master’s degree. “From the summer 5K’s to food festivals, it was wonderful to see a new side of my campus and the city I have grown to love,” he said. “In the long run, NUterm allowed me to fit in more classes, which has given me the flexibility to add minors or explore a PlusOne masters degree program.”