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Hey all,

I'm a freshman at NU, and I thought I'd extend a bit of help to anyone who had some admission questions. If you have questions about applying, life here, the campus, the professors (with my limited experience so far), shoot. Although I have only been here a couple weeks, I have learned a lot. I also went through the whole admissions process! Try to avoid 'chances' posts unless for some reason you have a unique situation. I don't like petting people's ego's. But feel free to ask away!

By Incog (Incog) on Tuesday, September 28, 2004 - 03:41 am: Edit

who are you, and are you on facebook?

By Primab (Primab) on Tuesday, September 28, 2004 - 12:38 pm: Edit

Hi Large! How important are the SAT II's for admission. Do you think most people send them to NU? I know they are recommended-but are not required. What would you think about sending only 2 SAT II's vs. 3?

By Largegreenturt (Largegreenturt) on Tuesday, September 28, 2004 - 11:08 pm: Edit

I took my SAT IIs and didn't do all that well and still got in. (2 scores in the 600 range and 1 in the 700). They honestly don't care that much. It could help you get in if they are stellar, if they are horrible dont send them and if the are mediocre it doesn't really matter. That's what I've been told

By Journalismchic (Journalismchic) on Wednesday, September 29, 2004 - 05:12 pm: Edit

From what I have been told, your essays can make or break you.

Do you think that this is true? This huge emphasis on the essays?

Thank you.

By Largegreenturt (Largegreenturt) on Wednesday, September 29, 2004 - 05:47 pm: Edit

This is most definitely true. I spent SOOO long on my essay, making it truly personal while still KEEPING IT REAL. That's crucial. Keep it real. Keep it analytical and let them get to know the wonder that is you. The essay is the only thing they have to get to know who you are and what you view is most important about yourself, so choose your topic wisely. My essay was about some serious emotional growth I underwent freshman year in high school (just so you have an idea).

By Kk19131 (Kk19131) on Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 12:31 pm: Edit

Do not come here to Northwestern. There is a view of another freshman (2008)!

By Glamourbaby19 (Glamourbaby19) on Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 01:01 pm: Edit

I am also a freshman at NU this year. My essay was less analytical (although I know the application specifically states that they want analytical). I think what they mean is they don't want a narrative. Mine started out telling a story about an experience I'd had, but then progressed to show how that experience affected me. Sounds like nothing unusual, I know. However, I think WHAT I chose to write about (the London Underground) and the way in which it affected me was unusual - which I think made me stand out. The written portions of the NU application are by far the most important thing on there. Spend some time on it. It will make all the difference. Let the adcoms know who you are, and that you REALLY want to go to NU.

BTW- I really like NU so far. It's a helluva lot of work, but it is also really nice and cool (I hope I am not speaking too soon!)

By Desrtswimer (Desrtswimer) on Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 08:29 pm: Edit

Okay so I'm ALSO a current freshman.

I had never heard that essays were that important when I was applying (in fact I heard colleges dont read them) so it's a good thing I didnt read this board then!

My essay was 200 words too long, not very analytical, and about the loss of my blanket. I didn't see the world limit nor did I see that it needed to be analytical. I suppose it was a little, but that was inevitable in any college essay. I also wrote it the night after my regional swim meet (which was on the ED deadline) and submitted it at 11:59 pm. Only my mom and one other person edited it.

Everyone has a different experience applying to Northwestern and what they think is important. Have fun with the short answers; I know I did! I turned everything into a story.

And I don't know why kk does not like it here. It's only been 2 weeks and let me so it's been an emotional two weeks. In the words of some guy in my dorm: "I've been happy, and sad, and happy, and sad...it's kinda like the graph of a cosine curve." that does show that northwestern IS nerdy but people are still trying to hide that fact and be cool. the first weeks everyone drank a lot but now I think that is cooling off since classes have started. classes ARE hard, or at least for me they are and I read soo many pages every night.

I do like it a lot though, and I think everyone has trouble adjusting their first semester at ANY college.

By Incog (Incog) on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 01:29 pm: Edit

funny. we're all current freshman :-)