A Likely Longshot At Northwestern If I Applied- Is It Worth trying?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Main Point: Rising high school senior that plans to pursue journalism in college. I've been planning on applying Early Decision to Newhouse, however lately I've had friends/faculty suggest that I give Northwestern a try.</p>

<p>I do have ties with an alumnus of Northwestern who is involved with the Medill school ( I have worked with him in the past year). I received some feedback from current Northwestern students, who feel I need to nail my essay so I can show adcom's the person I am and how I want to succeed.</p>

<p>My parents like the school for many reasons, but it helps that they are one of the few schools that are very generous with financial aid. My thought was if I applied Early Decision, not only would I have a better chance of getting in but receive a better packagw as well.</p>

<p>I would love to get some feedback, so I can see if my hopes are too high or I could stand a chance if I put a lot of hard work in this summer. All feedback appreciated!</p>

<p>Quick Summary: decent grades in some tough classes in tough school, average standarized test scores, great activities in my opinion ( I'll let you judge).</p>

<p>I've been overall a B+ student during my high school career. When senior year begins, I will have been enrolled in a few honors/AP courses: AP English Language, AP English Literature, AP Statistics, Biology Honors, German 3 Honors Algebra 2 Trig Honors, English 2 Honors.</p>

<p>I will finish with 4 years of English, Math, Language ( 2 years of Latin, 3 years of german), 4 years of history, 3 years of science, 4 years of religion ( though i realize it doesnt really count).</p>

<p>SAT: 1540 ( combined average of 2 scores).. Very disappointed especially since I'm applying to NewHouse. Will be doing a lot of practice this summer, and will take ACT which I believe I'll be better at.</p>

<p>My Activities/Accomplishments</p>

<p>-I am a professional football writer, and has covered the NFL for over two years. I've had articles featured/linked to on ESPN.com, CBS Sports, Fox Sports, The Houston Chronicle, and the National Football Post. In May 2011, I made a guest appearance on ESPN Radio in Hawaii to discuss the NFL Lockout and off season.</p>

<ul>
<li><p>I write for National Football Authority, which has been labeled by ESPN as a "credible source". I cover the Baltimore Ravens for a blog on NFL.com during the football season. Beginning this fall, I will be a beat reporter and color analyst for my high school's sports radio station.</p></li>
<li><p>I am a member of my school's Campus Ministry team, a lector at my church, a baseball coach in my town, a member of the German Club ( will be president next year), tutor at my high school's higher achievement program, which is open to 7th graders.</p></li>
<li><p>I have volunteered my time with the "Make A Kid Smile" campaign. The program occurs during Christmas time each year. Modell's and the baseball league I volunteer in has teamed up and gives free sneakers and other sporting ware to needy kids in my town.</p></li>
</ul>

<p>-I was honored at a town ceremony as I was given A Citizenship award for my volunteer service in and outside the classroom.</p>

<p>Thanks In Advance!</p>

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<p>Okay what’s your gpa/class rank? </p>

<p>Your EC’s are pretty good, especially the football writing thing but I don’t think it will be enough. Your sat should be at least above 2000, if not higher. I think that’s really the only way you would have even close to a shot.</p>

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<p>My GPA is a 3.5, and my school does not report class rank, though I would say I rank within the top 25% of my class ( about 250 students).</p>

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<p>Your gpa is a little low but definitely not terrible. The 25/75 percentile sat scores at northwestern are 2030/2280, which you are very far from. If you can get solidly in the middle of the average says scores I say go for it. Itll definitely be a reach but not unattainable with great EC’s, recs and essays. If you can’t get your sat up much higher you probably shouldn’t waste your ED on it. You could still apply but maybe apply early somewhere that is still a low reach but not astronomical.</p>

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<p>Thanks for the advice. I am going to take a shot at the ACT, maybe I score much higher and can submit those scores…</p>

<p>Anyone else have feedback?</p>

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<p>Assuming you get better ACT/SAT scores on the next administration, I would apply if I were you. Unlike the liberal arts arm of Northwestern or any other college, which generally look at overall academic performance, specialized schools like Medill focus on specific demonstrated interest in their particular discipline. As a result, they often admit people with unusual talents that match their profile - and I think you are one of the rare cases where your extracurriculars might get you put into that pile of applicants. While you will need to play up your extracurricular involvement heavily to win admission, I think you have a decent chance at the school, particularly if you apply ED.</p>

<p>For examples of otherwise low-stat people who were admitted due to their commitment to a specialized program, take a look at the cornell decisions threads. There’s quite a few people with relatively low numbers who were admitted anyway because they really “fit” with the school’s mission.</p>

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<p>Are you saying that your 1540 is just your two part (CR+M)? Because if so, that score definitely fits into the Northwestern range (it would extrapolate to a ~2310 for the three part score). However, your GPA is very low by Northwestern’s standards and if your school were to report class rank it would damage you even further. Your ECs are excellent for journalism though, and if you get in it will be mostly because of those. I’d stress them really strongly on your application/in your essays.</p>

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<p>Guys, can’t thank you enough for the feedback. To clear any confusion, the 1540 was a combined of two test scores I had, so overall not that good. Going to try my luck on the ACT.</p>

<p>My goal is for my experience in the field to stand out and try to heavily involve it in my application. How would you guys suggest I go about this? Should I have an interview with a Northwestern adcom to discuss this in my application? Plus, meeting face to face is the perfect way to show myself in person…</p>

<p>Appreciate any other feedback out there!</p>

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<p>bump… anyone else?</p>

10

<p>Me again :)</p>

<p>Yes, you should definitely have an interview. Northwestern does place consideration on thier interviews so that would be important. You should study for the SAT/ACT nonstop this summer and most importantly, write amazing essays emphasizing your national publications.</p>

11

<p>Thanks again for advice! I’ve already begun doing ACT practice ( bought Princeton review and red book), and I believe I will do better on that… I’ll be scheduling an interview as well…</p>

<p>Anyone else have feedback?</p>

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<p>Bump bump Anyone else?</p>

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<p>Appreciate any other advice needed, as it is a big decision for me. In what range would I need to get SAT/ACT scores up to even consider applying there?</p>

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<p>Any other thoughts?</p>

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<p>Last call for any other opinions?</p>

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<p>Please comment in both of my threads. Thanks!</p>

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<p>At this point in time, I’m considering of visiting the school in the fall ( I have 2 excused absences from school).</p>

<p>I’m taking the ACT in September, and if my scores are average then I may give up the whole idea altogether, or try to take it again…</p>

<p>Again, if anyone else has feedback for me here it’d be great!</p>

18

<p>Thinking strategically, I think it would be a mistake to give up your chance at ED for Newhouse for Northwestern. </p>

<p>[2009-10</a> First-time, first-year (freshman) admission, Common Data Set - Northwestern University](<a href=“http://www.ugadm.northwestern.edu/commondata/2009-10/c.htm]2009-10”>http://www.ugadm.northwestern.edu/commondata/2009-10/c.htm)</p>

<p>This is the common data set for Northwestern- if you scroll down, you can see what they consider important for admission and their middle 25-75 ACT and SAT scores. They also “recommend” submitting 2 SAT II subject tests, which means that most applicants will submit them. It will be a big reach for you. At best, they’ll defer you to see your senior year grades, and you will have missed out on Newhouse ED.</p>