Another Chances Thread, but more interesting!

<p>There are some concerns that my family will asked to be relocated from South Florida to Chicago because of my dad's job. Personally, I feel Northwestern is a major reach for me, though my dad believes for some reason I have a good chance simply because I had the same ACT score as my cousin who got in, so I wanted to ask you guys.</p>

<p>Unweighted GPA: 3.8 (FYI, My school includes electives in their GPA calculation, so it may be very inflated.)</p>

<p>School does not rank</p>

<p>School info: Private, extremely competitive, non-religious school. Over a dozen students get into the Ivies each year, and there are close to 30 National Merit Scholars.</p>

<p>SAT Scores (I believe Northwestern does NOT superscore)</p>

<p>Test 1:</p>

<p>Math- 690
CR- 640
Writing- 620</p>

<p>Test 2:</p>

<p>Math- 650
CR- 690
Writing- 560 (I have no idea what happened to me that day)</p>

<p>ACT Scores</p>

<p>Test 1:</p>

<p>Composite- 30
English- 28
Reading- 34
Math- 28
Science 29
NO WRITING</p>

<p>I am still awaiting the results for test #2 and should arrive any day now in the mail. I also took writing that time. (I had a non-national test date, so I can't see it online)</p>

<p>Senior Year Classes:</p>

<p>Honors Web Design
English IV
Honors Calculus
Honors American Government
Honors Economics
Honors Psychology
College Writing
AP Environment</p>

<p>Please note this AP class is my ONLY AP class of my HS career. (I think this is my main weak point) I did take an Honors College class for credit during a special program at Florida Atlantic University's honors college last summer. (Got an A!) Please see the additional info at the bottom for more details about the AP situation.</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:</p>

<p>National History Day- The project is done for no extra credit. I like to make short films, and it has become my hobby. I have won 2nd place in the state of Florida, and participated in the national competition in D.C. (In D.C. I was only one place away in the initial judging round from being placed in the finals, which is the top 14 in the nation)</p>

<p>"Ambassador" Program- A club of students at school that is invitation only, and very selective. Only 10 other members of the senior class are part of it. This means not even the National Merit Scholars get a free pass in! Members are selected based on academics and other personal qualities that contribute to the school. (As you can imagine, the latter got me in.) We meet with new students before they matriculate, and continue to keep in touch throughout the year helping with teachers, class selection, etc.</p>

<p>Youth Leadership Broward- This is an organization independent of the school that I participated in my junior year. (It is for juniors only) I still think it's important. As part of the program, I was paired with a small team to do a year-long community service project at the Boys & Girls club. We taught very young 8-12 year-olds leadership and other qualities such as communication and diversity. Similarly, other teams were assigned to other local clubs and at the end of the year each team was judged by important county officials including the public school superintendent. As part of the project, I used my hobby to create a video as part the presentation we gave to the judges. As a team, we contacted Frito Lay, who ultimately sponsored our snacks given to the children during our programs. We also contacted a local radio station who sponsored our team's effort and other supplies.</p>

<p>Community Service- Since Freshman year, I have volunteered 2.5 hours per week at my synagogue every Sunday in a purely administrative position. (That's how it counts as service!) I have become an extremely import member of their "staff," and now rely on me being there everyday. It has now reached the point that if I can't make it, I have to send my brother to replace me! (He needs service hours too anyway.) Because I don't have a true job, this kind of makes up for it. Leadership Broward also counts as community service. In all, I will have about 300 service hours by the end of the year.</p>

<p>NHS Member</p>

<p>Fundraising Co-Chairman for Young Democrats Club</p>

<p>Additional Information:</p>

<p>In middle school I was in remedial classes because of a diagnosed learning disability. Because of this, I was not in prime position to start taking AP classes; I initially became mainstreamed my Freshman year. However, there is still a very obvious upward trend in both the difficulty of classes and grades, from half Bs and half As Freshman year to straight As last semester. Also, I went from all normal classes to all honors plus the AP I squeezed in. My school requires students to be recommended for AP or honors classes by their previous teacher of the same general subject area. Because of the extremely competitive nature of my school, it also increased the time it required for me to advance. It will also be seen on the transcript that I advanced from Pre-Algebra Freshman year to Honors Calculus Senior year. (I hope and pray that impresses them.) Northwestern will know about my disability; I'm using my essay as a vehicle to get it across. It's actually very good!</p>

<p>That's it! Sorry it got a little long. I am prepared though to be rejected; I'm also applying to Illinois Urbana. It would help if I could also be chanced for that. (Kill two birds with one stone!) Thanks!</p>

<p>Urbana- Yes.
Northwestern- No.</p>

<p>I think that NU is a real long shot based on what you've presented here</p>

<p>You're not an automatic reject, and your stuff (especially your extracurriculars) are mostly solid. The scores/grades won't be the top of the heap at Northwestern, but given your situation, they may give you some extra consideration. </p>

<p>Out of curiosity, your cousin got in with a 30 ACT? Was he ED/athlete/legacy or took really hard classes in high school? Just curious, I'm evaluating my chances here too! :)</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

<p>Well, it was about 7 years ago, so that probably made a BIG difference. I think we have a legacy there but I'm not 100% sure. Not only that but "he" was a SHE, which actually makes it more amazing to me she got in. I can't help but think we have some kind of strong legacy status. (I do know I have legacy at Urbana as well.)</p>

<p>I only learned about my dad's situation after the priority application deadline for Urbana, so I am not sure how much that will hurt my chances there applying for the January deadline instead.</p>

<p>There is a huge difference between the NU Admissions picture of 7 years ago and that of today.
It has become much harder to get into in just the last 2 years, during which NU has enjoyed simply unbelievable jumps in the number of applications (18% and 19%). In that context, 7 years ago is a different era.</p>

<p>WCASParent is right. Northwestern Univ. will be a reach school based upon your posted info. It's important to note that, even if you are admitted and matriculate at NU, Northwestern students tend to be as hardworking and driven as they are brilliant. Without a compelling passion, such as journalism or conservatory level training in acting, that makes Northwestern a match/dream school for you, your "Why Northwestern?" essay may also be lacking. Due to the dramatic increase, both in quantity and quality, of applications to NU over the past few years, successful applicants to Northwestern have to be a match not only in terms of academic qualifications, but also regarding passion/commitment/accomplishment in the desired area of study.</p>

<p>ur sats are actually not that bad considering my sister got in with a 1370 RD, but she also took 8 aps throughout highschool. your courseload is a little weak to be honest. if you applied ED, you have a shot. RD, i wish you luck, although you have a chance if they like you in the big picture.</p>

<p>Sorry for reviving this thread guys, but I just got my new ACT scores back and got a 32, up from my old 30. I just wanted to know how much that changes anything at all. (I doubt it, because I know my course load is relatively weak.) I just want your input. Thanks.</p>

<p>I was just admitted with a 30 ACT. Its possible, albeit early decision.</p>

<p>I think that you can get in with great essays and recs. Part of me thinks your EC's may be weak though.</p>

<p>Northwestern 40%
U of I 90%</p>

<p>But then again, what do I know... GOOD LUCK!!</p>

<p>i don't know why people think you don't have a shot at getting in, i would say your chances are decent as long as you DON'T send in your SAT scores. besides that your ACT is fine, your GPA is fine, and your ECs are fine.</p>

<p>Thanks for the tip. I wouldn't send it anyway now that I know my ACT is higher. My dad just got back from Chicago on a business trip where he talked to my 30 ACT cousin who urged me to apply, I think I'll just do it. But now I have to convince my school to send my transcript before winter break. Sigh....</p>

<p>Was the second ACT score with the writing component?</p>

<p>Yes, it was. Also, I do have a legacy there, but I'm not sure of how strong it is. My aunt, uncle and cousin (same immediate family) all went to Northwestern and I put them on my application. My same aunt also used to work for Northwestern but the application doesn't allow you to list former employees.</p>

<p>Alright, believe it or not the app is already ready to go!</p>

<p>Why Northwestern? essay: GC Reviewed and 100% Awesome</p>

<p>Additional Research Abstract: A historical documentary I made for a contest outside of school about the Nazi-Skokie conflict, right next to Evanston, should give me brownie points. Yay for brownies!</p>

<p>Legacy Info: Aunt, Uncle, and Cousin's info all in!</p>

<p>Transcript: I convinced my GC to jump me to the head of the line to get my transcript out. Hooray!</p>

<p>ACT/SAT: SAT was given the axe and deleted from my application to make way for the superior ACT. I'm from an SAT state. SAT sux.</p>

<p>Activity Chart: Well.......it's an activity chart. It's just relaying everything already in my application, but they want it so........</p>

<p>Application Fee: Thanks mom and dad for giving me that credit card for Hanukkah! Now to spend $65 sending the NU app with it and my ACT scores! Yay for my first credit card!</p>

<p>I'd say I did very well preparing an application in 3 days. Even though it was through the common app, some things needed to be changed.</p>