Am I a good candidate for the Torch Program?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Northeastern University
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Good morning to you all!
In case you are going to wonder why PolyglotGal’s stats are similar to mine, I am PolyglotGal. My account has just not been working… Anyway I have submitted an application to NU and recently found out about the Torch program. I have been looking at the profiles of scholars and many of them are valedictorians or people with low SATs and high GPAs. The program’s main criteria is those who have academic potential BUT have not year fulfilled it. This trend worries me seeing as it’s the other way around for me. I’ll explain with my stats.
GPA: 3.14 (UW)
SAT: 1300/1600 (M 600, CR 700)
Circumstances that contributed to low GPA and SAT:

  • have been working full time (anywhere from 25 to 45 hours a week or more…) since the age of 14 to support family; father gambles money away and has a drug problem
    I am also a female URM who is trying to go into medicine and eventually become a surgeon.

Now that you have seen my objective, basic stats it is clear that my GPA is SUPER low while my SAT is average or on the higher side for someone with my GPA. I have amazing recommendations from what I’m told and believe that this is the program for me. However I am nervous because the applicants seem to have it the other way around. Either that or they do not mention their GPAs or struggle to earn stellar grades in high school. Could my SAT express potential for academics or will this set of numbers somewhat take me out of the running?

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You must be nominated for the TORCH program:

http://www.northeastern.edu/torch/nomination-process/

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@TomSrOfBoston I’m aware. I spoke to my GC about it. I’m just inquiring about whether they have a preference for high GPA and low SAT vs the other way around. I know they go out of their way to
mention that many scholars have GPAs that don’t indicate a great HS record, but will I necessarily be penalized or looked at as a slacker in the applicant pool?

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According to the website: “While prospective Torch Scholars might not have a grade record that indicates their full academic potential, they have been preparing for college by taking a challenging academic course load.” They do want to see that you’ve taken challenging courses, even if your grades aren’t the best, which I think is how you can compensate for a low GPA.

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@nanotechnology Alright. I have always taken the most challenging course load.