A chance would be appreciated!

Colleges and Universities A-Z Northwestern University
1

<p>Hello everyone! </p>

<p>Right now the anticipation of the upcoming regular decisions is rising everyday and I'm starting to become very anxious -- as many others are I'm sure -- and I would like to know if I have a good shot at admittance to Northwestern for the class of 2016.</p>

<p>For a little background, I come from a small blue collar town in Minnesota with a population of around 3,000 or so. My school very regularly sends students off to the nearest state university and sends students straight out into the workforce. With five to ten students sent out to the University of Minnesota every two or so years. There isn't much opportunity within my community, so I tried to make the best of what I had, with 33 college credits under my belt by the time I will graduate (Only one AP Course in the school).</p>

<p>Now I aspire to break the typical mold that my school creates. I hope to either major in Chemical or Biomedical Engineering in whichever University I will attend, with NU being the top of my list. (I have been accepted at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, and the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor (Early Action)).</p>

<p>My family is experiencing some heavy turmoil at the moment, and my EFC is around 3k. Making NU the cheapest place to go for me, due to its terrific financial aid program.</p>

<p>So now the technicals...</p>

<p>Male
Caucasian</p>

<p>Academics:
GPA (Unweighted): 3.99
Class Size: 105
Class Rank: 1
ACT: 28 composite, 33 Math, 31 Science
College GPA: 4.0</p>

<p>Senior year classes:
AP Calculus
College English (composition and speech credits)
College Social (Psychology and Sociology)
Physics (College course)
Economics
Cell Biology
Computer Applications (College Credit)
Pottery
Team Sports</p>

<pre><code> NOTE: I have taken Spanish throughout my Freshmen and Sophomore years, Biology in my Sophomore year and Chemistry, College Algebra, and College Anatomy & Physiology in my Junior year. College credits are through the University of Minnesota-Crookston, Bemidji State University, and Northland Technical College
</code></pre>

<p>Extracurriculars:
Varsity Baseball
National Honor Society
Students Against Destructive Decisions
Technology in Math Education (Math club)
American Legion MN Boys' State
Middle School tutor</p>

<p>Awards:
3-time Academic Letter (Going to be 4)
Baseball Letter
January Student of the Month (2012)</p>

<p>Significant Work:
I aided in writing a 5-year $5 million grant for our county Drug Prevention Coalition
100+ of volunteer work (Tutoring, Drug Taskforce, concessions, chaperone for recreational activities)</p>

<p>Essays:
Personal Statement is very symbolic with my work ethic, where I grew up, who I am, and with my love with cycling
Short Statement is about my experiences at Boys' State
Northwestern Statement is about my visit at Northwestern, what the color Purple means to me, highlighting the research done at NU, and how I would fit in the engineering program.</p>

<p>Recommendations:
I have 2 very high praising teacher recommendations (One of which states that I am "one of the best mathematical minds to pass through the school") and a well written recommendation by my school consular.</p>

<p>If any additional info is needed, just ask.</p>

<p>Thank you for taking the time to read this and thank you for any chancing, advice, or insight you may offer!</p>

2

<p>OK – as I’m sure you’re aware, NU has a very very low acceptance rate (based on the number of apps, it will almost certainly be <20% and very possibly closer to 15%.</p>

<p>Your credentials look great, with one exception – the ACT. A 28 composite is rather low (though you make up for it somewhat with the higher math score, a plus for engineering).</p>

<p>The acceptance to Michigan suggests that you probably have an excellent overall application. At the end of the day – my guess is that admission is possible.</p>

<p>Of the schools you’re into – Michigan probably has a better reputation, but Minn-Twin Cities has a very well regarded engineering program. If the tuition difference is significant, it would be a very understantable and respectible choice.</p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

3

<p>Thanks for the insight zephyr, it is reassuring for me. I guess its just the anxiety taking over as I question myself on whether if I even have a remote shot at getting in. I do know that the acceptance rate is low, but for the fact that someone I don’t know is telling me that I do indeed have a chance means a lot to me. I guess I have to cross my fingers and just hope everything goes in the right direction. Again thank you.</p>

<p>If anyone else would like to say anything, feel free to do so.</p>

4

<p>Are you the first member/generation of your family to attend college? That is a demographic that colleges track and are interested in. The fact that you will have taken 33 college credits is really impressive to me. It shows that you’ve gone out of your way to make opportunities happen, and to take advantage of those opportunities, and that you are a hard worker/dedicated student. If your grades are strong in your dual enrollment college courses, that would really show what you could be expected to achieve at the college level.</p>

5

<p>Personally, I really hope you get in.
My only concern is consistent with that expressed above - i.e., that a 28 ACT composite is REALLY low for NU. How badly did you do on the sections you didn’t list?
Good luck!</p>

6

<p>No, I will be a second generation college student in my family, as my mother has a Master of Education degree by the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities and my father has a technical degree from Minnesota State University - Moorehead. And all of my grades, both high school and dual enrollment are As and A+s, except for a freshman English course, where I got a B+ in one trimester. Also, thanks for the praise, sciencewoman :).</p>

7

<p>Well WCASParent, English isn’t my forte. in that particular test, I got a 23 in the English section, and a 26 in the Reading section, along with a 9 in the writing. If I superscore my ACT scores I would end up with a 30, as my best scores overall are a 33 Math, 31 Science, 28 Reading, and 26 English</p>

<p>I’m a strait forward, need a set of definite rules and guidelines type of person. I really excel at Math and Science, but I don’t really have any love for English in itself. I saw the English portion of the ACT as a “choose the best line that fits the sentence” type of test, and really thought that it was really opinionated. However, that is just my view on the test and I know that it is not really what the writers of the English section of the ACT intend. In a nutshell, I’m a good writer, not so good of a proofreader.</p>

<p>Also, isn’t 31-33 composite the middle 50% for NU? If so I hope I can be apart of that lower 25%.</p>

8

<p>I don’t know much about admissions, and can’t remember if NU allows super-scoring? If so, you’re obviously better off. Also - is the lower 25% test bracket largely reserved for under-served minorities? If so, is it possible that “Caucasian male” qualifies at NU (I’m serious)?</p>

9

<p>There is a thread on the NU forum saying that they do superscore ACT. You can search it.</p>