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Hey-
I know you all have seen a million of these, but maybe you could give me some idea of where I might fit in here. I will be applying Early Decision to Northwestern this fall.
SAT I: 1400 (750 Math)
Plan to take Writing, Physics, and Math IC in Oct.
4.0 unweighted GPA
Rank: 1 of 120 in a small public school
Will be taking AP English, AP Calc (Studying for BC by myself), AP Bio, Honors Spanish IV, and I have intro to microeconomics and intro to macroeconomics courses at Michigan State U this year.
I have had a very rigorous schedule (the toughest that my school offers) but I don't know if coming from such a small public school would hurt me.
My ECs:
Varsity tennis four years
JV Golf three, varsity golf one year,
played concert piano for eleven years, NHS,
Business Professionals of America, serving as a vice president for the state of Michigan, Model UN (president of club this year) Tennis team captain sophomore year, Quiz Bowl and Quiz Busters, and I have had two jobs, one for two years, the other for a year working at a golf course and the other as a secretary type job.
If you have any idea how I might do, please let me know, I would really appreciate it. Thanks

By Zcat18 (Zcat18) on Wednesday, August 11, 2004 - 01:34 pm: Edit

Assuming that everything you've written is true, I don't see any issue with you being accepted ED. I will be a senior at NU this year as well as a senior counselor in the Office of Undergraduate Admission, and as somebody who has been reviewing and paying attention to successful NU applications for 3 years, I can tell you that you have between a 75% and 85% chance of admission under the ED plan. Of course, there is always the chance that you will not be admitted due to possible mediocre essays (which I have no way of judging based on your post) or average test scores, but since you are applying ED, I would give you an excellent chance for admission. Good luck, and let me know if you have any other questions or comments.

By Miluo (Miluo) on Wednesday, August 11, 2004 - 09:45 pm: Edit

Hey Zcat, I was wondering how you got a job with the Admissions Office. Is it for work study only?

By Zcat18 (Zcat18) on Wednesday, August 11, 2004 - 11:50 pm: Edit

Hey Miluo,

Admissions jobs are work-study only. If you are awarded work-study, however, I would definitely suggest getting a job in the office. It's a heck of a lot of fun--a great work environment--and it's interesting, too. Obviously, most of what you do is clerical, and you don't do anything directly related to the admission decisions, but the process is interesting. This year, I'll be giving information sessions and conducting small-group question and answer sessions for prospective students. I've done everything in the office from giving tours of NU to entering data to helping organize alumni interviews each year. The directors are wonderful people, and the hours are flexible, so if you can, I would definitely suggest looking into getting a job there.

By Miluo (Miluo) on Thursday, August 12, 2004 - 12:32 am: Edit

Thanks for answering Zcat. Working in admissions sounds great and I've always been interested in the process, but unfortunately I don't qualify for work study.

By Primab (Primab) on Thursday, August 12, 2004 - 12:38 am: Edit

Hi Zcat-hope you look at this post. Was wondering if you could give me your thoughts on my chances:

I go to a very competetive high school-they don't rank. I am applying ED to Northwestern.

Stats:

SAT: 1420 (760 M/660V)-
because of ED won't have a chance to retake

Will get a National Merit Commendation
(maybe a semi-finalist but waiting to hear)

Writing SAT II: 740
Will take Math and Lit. in Oct.

My GPA for Junior year was UW 3.76, W 4.16
Cummulative is lower (UW 3.56, W 4.0)

I visited NU last April-spent the day going to classes with a friend who is a theater major. I thought the classes were incredible.

EC's-
Have performed since the age of 8. Professionally and amateur. Acting takes almost every waking hour I have outside of school.

Have tutored for 4 years at local elementary school and will run the program for them this year.

Lots of Community Service (including a fund raising drive I started in 8th Grade for a local organization for "At Risk" youths)

I write for my school newspaper-won a national high school journalism award this year (3rd place)

That's about it.

I'd appreciate any input.

Thanks.

By Zcat18 (Zcat18) on Thursday, August 12, 2004 - 08:39 am: Edit

Hi Primab,

The GPA worries me a bit, as it is, by far, the most important admissions criterion and the one most likely to hurt any candidate if it is low. The average high school GPA for NU admits is around 3.8, so you are a bit below the general standard. Of course, if you go to an extremely competitive high school, NU will definitely take that into account. Your extracurriculars sound strong enough to make you competitive as long as you write excellent essays, which are, in my opinion, the second most important criteria. Your scores are not high enough to offset a mediocre GPA, but they certainly won't hurt in any way and will likely help your overall presentation, especially if you are commended in some way by National Merit. I'd give you a 60% chance, give or take, assuming that you write extremely strong essays and "package" yourself correctly. It's a bit difficult for me to tell for sure, because I don't know the true nature of your high school or how your academic performance stacks up against that of your classmates. Your GPA is low for NU.

Don't be bashful in selling yourself and your accomplishments. You should do everything you can to make your application shine and stand out from the rest. If you do, you should be in decent shape come December.

By Primab (Primab) on Thursday, August 12, 2004 - 11:49 am: Edit

Thanks Zcat for the reply. I'll do my best to make my application as good as possible. My GPA is lower than I wish. I had a hard time adjusting to school Freshman year so I had a mix of A's and B's. Wasn't thinking about how that would affect college apps. Finished Junior year with all A's and 1 B+. I'll keep my fingers crossed. The lowest GPA accepted from my school was a 3.4, the average is a 3.6 so that gives me some hope. We'll see......

Best to you and thanks again.

By Anxiousant1 (Anxiousant1) on Friday, September 17, 2004 - 04:01 pm: Edit

Hi, im just starting out this senior year looking for some colleges
Here are my stats/ec’s
SATs 740v 710m (studying and retaking)
SATIIs 710writing, 680 bio, will soon take math IIc (im going to retake the bio M this coming November)
Ranked 3?/350 students; will know exactly in October
4.0 GPA
APs: Language 5, US. Hist 5, Physics B 3 
Sr. Yr: taking APs: chem., macroeconomics, government, literature, and calc bc
Im also taking Spanish honors-basically a full schedule
ECs
Spent 10-12th in research science class: I got to enter intel, siemens (this year), and 3 local competitions. I never placed, but I did get an honorable mention in 2 of those local science competitions
I interned with a neuroscientist during my 10th grade summer (interned there for about 23 hrs/wk for 5 weeks) and last summer I went to a biotech camp (4wks of 8hrs/day; 5 days/wk)
i’m also part of science Olympiad, mathletes (Nassau county), Spanish H.S., and Ambassadors club (a club that promotes diversity-this year im the liason for the club)
i could really use some help. do i stand a chance?