<p>Most musical theatre programs only care about talent like Carnegie Mellon or CCM and don’t put as much emphasis on test scores with the exceptions of a few such as Michigan and Elon… Is Northwestern this way as well??? I LOOOVVVVVVEEEEE NU and their program seems to be reallllly top notch especially for a BA program and such a GREAT location to be in… Since there is no audition at NU, its only application, can anyone talk ab admissions process… i have high grades (4.1 GPA) and rank number 3 in my class of over 250 but i’m not sure if my test scores are high enough… can any parents of current students talk ab grades and test scores?</p>
<p>You are correct in assuming that grades, etc. are an important component into the NU admission process, especially since it is not an audition-based program. Can you tell us more about yourself? The sense I have is that your average and class rank are great – definitely Northwestern material – but how about your SAT and/or ACT scores? Your extracurriculars, work and theater experience? Will you have strong teacher recommendations? How are your essay writing skills? All of these components go into the admissions decision.</p>
<p>Are you comfortable sharing your SAT/ACT scores? That would help us help you with an answer. Sounds like your average and class rank are where they should be for admission. Do you have a theatre resume? You have to be admitted to Northwestern independently of the theatre program, so you need the academics combined with theatre EC’s-certainly need a demonstrable interest in theatre.</p>
<p>I was wondering the same. 3.9 UW GPA, 2280 SAT, theatre since age nine.
I’m taking an SAT Subject Test tomorrow that I am really really worried for, though-- could a low 600 hurt me significantly? My other two subject tests are low 700s.
Thoughts?</p>
<p>Relax and don’t worry tomorrow, nettocrazy. You don’t need more than two SAT subject test for NU, and even if you did get in the low 600s, I think you look just fine. Your GPA and SAT score are VERY solid. Take your time with the application and essays, get yourself some solid recommendations, and present your theater experience along with your other extracurriculars and community service. You appear to be in great shape. Good luck!</p>
<p>Here is a benefit of reaching for an academically challenging school like NU. </p>
<p>Among hundreds of the world’s top CEOs, Northwestern ranked #6 worldwide among the schools where they recruit most heavily. Not too shabby!</p>
<p>[Education</a> - Image - NYTimes.com](<a href=“Education - Image - NYTimes.com”>Education - Image - NYTimes.com)</p>
<p>Academic prestige may not seem to matter when studying theatre, but even as a freshman D is already noticing some really interesting doors opening as a result of her involvement with NU. Not to mention that we’ve found virtually every person we’ve met on campus (teachers, parents and students) to be incredibly interesting.</p>
<p>Hoping to revive this topic, as it applies.</p>
<p>I’ve got an unweighted 4.0 GPA, #1 of my class of 100ish, with an SAT score of 2050 (750 Reading, 580 Math, 720 Writing). I’ve taken one AP class my sophomore year, and all Honors core classes. In addition, I’m enrolled in a program that allows me to take community college courses for dual credit my Junior and Senior years. By the time I graduate I’ll have my Associate’s of Arts Transfer degree. </p>
<p>I’m worried about my SAT score. I can (and probably will) take it again,and I might also take the ACT. I’m a good writer, so essays shouldn’t be a huge challenge, but my theater experience has been mostly high school. I know I have the drive and passion, but does it translate onto paper? </p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>@BPufferfish - Sorry no one has responded yet!</p>
<p>Obviously, no one who doesn’t work in NU Admissions can really answer your question, but I’ll tell you what I can. First off, I’d say you sound like an NU-type student and should certainly apply. ED might improve your chances, but it’s a binding commitment so only do that if Northwestern is your top choice program (as it was for our D).</p>
<p>Your GPA and class ranking are awesome – congratulations!!</p>
<p>From the College Board site, the 50% scores for NU on the ACT in 2010 were 31-34 (i.e. 25% of those admitted had ACT scores of 35 and above), and for the SAT CR 680-760, Math 700-780 and Writing 680-770. So other than Math your scores are within striking distance of NU’s midrange scores. I’d strongly suggest retaking the SAT and also taking the ACT, since some kids do much better on that exam.</p>
<p>I’m not sure how NU will view your transfer credits. I do know they require a certain number of undergrad hours to be completed on campus, and the progression of theatre classes might even extend that to a full 4 years. I would definitely call to clarify that with Admissions. </p>
<p>Do everything you can in your essays to communicate your passion for theatre and for NU. All of D’s essays focused on some aspect of theatre, as did her activities resume, two of her three letters of recommendation and an additional arts resume she sent.</p>
<p>Best of luck, and enjoy your senior year and this exciting college application process!!</p>
<p>In addition to her statistics and essays, my daughter prepared four monologues (two contrasting classical, two contrasting contemporary) and posted them on You Tube, with a link for all the colleges she applied to. I have no idea if this helped, but we like to think it did 
They did view the You Tube site (we could see activity). She also auditioned for a few BFA programs with these same monologues. She worked on them for several months.</p>
<p>My D did not have 80 million extra curriculars and was weak in foreign language (2 years). She did work for several years at a local restaurant (we are not well off) and wrote about that experience, as well as one professional play she was cast in (her only professional experience). We are extremely grateful to NU that they’re giving her the opportunity to learn there, and she is really excited to start in a view weeks.</p>
<p>Thank you both for your input! </p>
<p>Connections, your D’s situation sounds a lot like mine. If you wouldn’t mind, could you tell me a bit more about her academic situation, for comparison? </p>
<p>And would either of you reccomend ED? I’ve been thinking about it, as Northwestern seems to have everything I want, and I can’t think of anyplace I’d rather go, but I don’t know if I’ll come across another school in the next few weeks I like better, or has better financial support, or is closer to home (I live in Washington State.).</p>
<br>
<br>
<p>Our D is thrilled to have applied ED, as she had several similarly-qualified and very talented friends who were rejected RD her year and regretted not applying ED. A higher % of ED applicants are admitted, though NU says the ED pool tends to be more highly qualified overall than RD, aside from recruited athletes. This year 40% of the incoming class was filled during the ED round.</p>
<p>D was somewhat sad to miss audition season, as she actually loves auditioning (sounds crazy to me but I guess she’s meant for a life in theatre), but from my perspective it saved the family a lot of money and stress once NU became her clear top choice school. She had done two rounds of early BFA auditions (International Thespian Festival and regional auditions) and had several acceptances and strong interest from all schools she’d auditioned for, so she didn’t totally miss out on college auditions.</p>
<p>If you consider ED, sit with your parents and very honestly complete the online tuition calculator. Then decide if your family is able/willing to pay your EFC. NU says students are given identical financial aid ED or RD, but if you apply RD you can compare FA offers. All the kids D knew who did that ended up choosing NU, even in cases where it was more expensive (she also has several classmates who found NU’s need-based aid the most generous of all schools they considered), but for some families it is important to have all final FA offers on the table before reaching a decision. </p>
<p>Perhaps you can plan your application schedule around ED, then you can always switch to RD at the last minute before submission if you find a school you might prefer or decide you need to compare FA offers.</p>
<p>Have fun with your senior year and all of this college planning. Exciting times!!</p>
<p>For others with questions about academic qualifications you may find that past Nothwestern results threads, though not exclusively focused on Theatre majors, can give you some feel for the types of folks who were admitted/rejected in past years.</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/northwestern-university/1254579-official-northwestern-ed-2016-results-thread.html?highlight=2016[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/northwestern-university/1254579-official-northwestern-ed-2016-results-thread.html?highlight=2016</a></p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/northwestern-university/1308001-official-northwestern-rd-2016-results-thread.html?highlight=2016[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/northwestern-university/1308001-official-northwestern-rd-2016-results-thread.html?highlight=2016</a></p>
<p>You’ll notice from these threads that stats can be all over the board, so applications are certainly considered holistically. The only thing that is certain is… you can’t be admitted unless you apply! ;-D</p>
<p>Bpufferfish, Sorry, I just saw your question now–
My D applied regular to all colleges, because we are in need of as much aid as possible and this is the standard strategy for those who need aid. However, NU seems to give only need based and based only on a formula. They were generous to us, but I’m not sure it would have been different had my D applied ED. Also, at least in my experience - I can only speak for us - they are not receptive to competitive bids (eg, school x has offered us x, so can you match them?). Again, I can only speak for our own experience, but based on that, I’d say that you have everything to gain by applying ED since you really want to go. My D’s SAT scores were high (she was a National Merit Finalist) and her grades were high but as I said she wasn’t this wunderkind in extracurriculars. She was president of her GSA and involved in theatre and got good grades and worked, and that’s pretty much it–I think the main thing is that she is extremely, extremely passionate about theatre and academics supporting theatre. Oh, she was blessed to have great theatre and academic recommendations–make sure to have as good recommendations as you can manage. 
I do think she’s a great match for NU but you never know how the college will decide. It’s always a crap shot anyway, but if you don’t apply, you definitely won’t get in! Best of luck–</p>
<p>Connections -</p>
<p>I’m thinking that your D is probably on the brink of moving to Evanston, and am wishing her a FANTASTIC freshman year.</p>
<p>Go Cats!!</p>
<p>Aw Momcares, thanks so much! She’s so excited! I’m doing this semi insane thing and we’re driving out for a mother/daughter road trip (we live in NJ). Hope your D has a fabulous year as well.</p>
<p>Hope your road trip is a magnificent bonding experience and that she can squeeze herself into a dorm room!</p>
<p>We’re not going for move-in this year (D is already there) but we’ll be going to see a show in early November and will do some errands for D then. If your D needs anything by late October, don’t hesitate to pm me and we’ll be glad to help her out while we’re visiting!</p>
<p>Wow Momcares, thanks so much for this offer! I may take you up on it And yes, the pros and cons of driving over your dorm stuff are the same–you can pack however much you want. Luckily, this is my third kid, so I’ve gotten better (I hope) at helping them gauge what’s critical and what isn’t. I wanted to share with you that she was surprised and honored to find out she is a Communication Century Scholar! We hadn’t even heard of it and are so thrilled by this honor. NU sounds so amazing for her–hope she has a great experience.</p>
<p>Congrats to you and your D!</p>
<p>Our D was very ill her first month last year, so I hope yours has a smoother start. </p>
<p>Honestly I envy these kids for the chance to attend NU, as it seems like a very special experience. ;-D</p>