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So-my best friend-who is black (I am white) got an e-mail inviting him to attend a weekend at NU. He is not even interested in NU and his SAT's were quite low (though he is a really good student but NU wouldn't know his grades).It doesn't mention a "diversity weekend" but we think that's what it is since another friend of our's-who is Chinese-received the e-mail too.

I am so bummed-I have clearly expressed my interest to them, am applying ED etc. and I didn't get any such e-mail.

What's up? Is it really NU getting race off the SAT forms?

By Stanfordnualum (Stanfordnualum) on Sunday, September 12, 2004 - 12:18 pm: Edit

".I am white..It doesn't mention a "diversity weekend" but we think that's what it is since another friend of our's-who is Chinese-received the e-mail too....I didn't get any such e-mail...Is it really NU getting race off the SAT forms?"

US Asian %: 4
NU Asian %: 17 (most are probably Chinese)

NU doesn't need to target the Chinese since it already has "too many". Are you trying to stir something?

By Zcat18 (Zcat18) on Sunday, September 12, 2004 - 12:31 pm: Edit

I'm not sure the OP knows exactly what he's talking about. There are programs for minorities, but NU doesn't mask the intention of these programs to market to minorities. I also know that the School of Engineering hosts certain prospie programs, regardless of grades and scores. Perhaps your friends are simply applying to different programs than you are, and therefore, are receiving information exclusive to those programs.

Regardless, there's no reason for you to worry or be upset. NU does not actively recruit individual non-athletes before they even submit applications.

By Primab (Primab) on Sunday, September 12, 2004 - 01:26 pm: Edit

Thanks yet again Zcat for your reply. BTW-neither of my friends has applied to NU, though one might.

And Stanfordnulaum-no way am I trying to stir anything. Simply was curious as to why some get the e-mail invitations and others do not-and my friend and I thought that it might be a targeted e-mail. If you can't ask without stirring up a hornet's nest then we really have come to a sad place.

By Lauraismyname (Lauraismyname) on Sunday, September 12, 2004 - 02:57 pm: Edit

Was the weekend called Discover NU? I got an email a couple days ago: This is a great way for you to experience firsthand what being a
Northwestern student is all about. You will attend classes, meet with faculty
and students, and, if you choose, stay overnight on campus. . .Registration is through our online system located at
www.ugadm.northwestern.edu/discover-nu. I don't think it has anything to do with race- I'm white. I know I showed interest because I went to one of their summer programs (NHSI). I've been on their mailing list for quite some time too.

By Midwesterner (Midwesterner) on Sunday, September 12, 2004 - 03:29 pm: Edit

Same here - my son got the invite and he is not a minority. He did express interest in NU and had test scores in their admit range, so I thought the admissions office had done some cross-referencing.

By Stanfordnualum (Stanfordnualum) on Sunday, September 12, 2004 - 04:03 pm: Edit

Primab, sorry that I misunderstood you. I've just seen quite a few whites somehow thinking Asians get preference when it's so apparent that they don't. FYI, anytime an elite school invites someone who happens to be an Asian, it should be clear to you that it has nothing to do with race/diversity since Asians are already overrepresented in all top colleges. In fact, there have been rumors that certain elite colleges actually have quotas so their % wouldn't be so "out of control".

By Primab (Primab) on Sunday, September 12, 2004 - 04:24 pm: Edit

No problem Stanfordnualum! BTW-by the sound of your name-you've had some great college career!
Good luck to you.