Contrary to what some claim here Northeastern is holistic in evaluating applications. If they only cared about high test scores he would have been offered fall Boston admission. What was the nature of his essay? Other EC’s? Was there something in his application that indicated that he considered Northeastern his safety school?
There is a thread here by an NUIn alumnus that shows it is not merely a “consolation prize”.
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/northeastern-university/1972330-nu-in-admission-details-northeastern-university-in.html#latest