And I still able to get into Northwestern, and if so, how?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Northwestern University
1

I’m a sophomore (I know it’s still early) but I am really thinking about college lately.

Freshman year was not my strongest, I had a 3.6 GPA unweighted and 3.8 weighted.

Sophomore year first semester I got a 4.57 weighted GPA, with all As in : AP US History, Math 3 Honors (i’m a year ahead), Spanish 2, English 2 Honors, and Chemistry Honors as well as Health & Business Law elective.

Next year (junior year) my schedule consists of: AP Gov (S1) AP Psych (S2), AP Chemistry, AP Language & Comp, Spanish 3 Honors, Precalculus Honors, & Physics Honors, with my mandatory gym elective

So far I have about 90 service hours from math tutoring, and other volunteering I’ve done. I’m in Key Club, have a part-time job, and i’m applying for NHS next year. I am also leading freshman orientation this summer.

I know it’s still early, but is it still possible for me to get into Northwestern, even if I didn’t so great freshman year?

2

Make sure you focus on that upward trend and filling out other parts of your application (EC’s, test scores, etc.) and you should be in a good place.

I just got deferred and here is my GPA trend over the years:

Freshman: 3.08 UW / 3.48 W
4 Honors, 1 regular

Sophomore: 3.36 UW / 3.61 W
3 Honors, 2 regular

Junior: 3.49 UW / 4.12 W
3 AP’s (School limit), 2 Honors, 1 regular

Senior (First semester): 3.95 UW / 4.70 W
4 AP’s, 1 Honors, 1 regular

I know this is just from one person, but if you’re able to show consistent improvement in a more rigorous courseload, I wouldn’t worry too much about freshman year.

3

As long as you maintain an upward trend, I wouldn’t stress! However, I’d start thinking about building your extracurriculars if possible (maybe try to get some research and/or music and/or sports in). Other than that, it’s sort of hard to gauge acceptance this early, but for now in terms of academics: hone in on maintaining a high GPA throughout the rest of high school and freshman year shouldn’t be much of a burden. Good luck!!!

4

thank you! I am actually joining soccer this spring as well as the upcoming fall, so hopefully that gives a boost extracurricular wise.