Any Chance for Social Policy at SESP?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Northwestern University
1

<p>Any Chance? Advice? I'm having a hard time finding statistics on SESP admissions. Thanks. Oh--random fact--, several of the buildings and stuff at NU have my (uncommon) last name. No relation, as far as I know.</p>

<p>Regular Decision
4.3 W GPA, 3.2 UW*
Rank: 10/~50 (Public w/ Admissions Process)
ACT: 30 {34 E, 31 M, 26 R, 28 S}
APs (Online, School Doesn't Offer): AP Lit-4, APUSH-3, AP Art History-3
Senior Courses: HS: Honors Philosophy, Honors Discrete Math; College: American Lit I, Calculus III, Financial Accounting, General Physics I, Intro to Sociology, Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Walking (PE)
-Smallish Town, Practically No Applicants to "Top" Schools
-Low Income (Parents Unemployed, On Disability)
-Learning Disability</p>

<p>*GPA is low because of crazy online classes; most other grades are really high. Counselor will include statement; online classes were screwy and from a very new provider. Statement should include that without those courses, I'd have about a 3.7 UW and a 4.6 W. </p>

<p>ECs
-I help write policy at my state's education department; appointed by state superintendent of education and state board of education chair; compensation per day of service. 11-12
-Advisory Board Member for major state/national education group, state board of education appointee (first student). 10-11
-Ex Officio City Official (Sworn in at City Hall by Clerk of Superior Court and all); Vice President of City's Youth Council (100+ members), Former Parliamentarian, State Delegate; Revised Bylaws and City Ordinances. 9-12
-Teen Court Attorney, Featured in Multipage Local Newspaper Article. 10-12
-Scrabble: High Score of 552, > 4,300 Games Played. 9-12
-International Course-Reviewer, Developer; Major National Education Non-profit. The projects I'm working with are funded by NASA. 10,12
-Paid Community College Tutor (College Employee). 11,12
-Tae Kwon Do: Black belt; 1st Place in Division, State Competition. 9,10
-Secretary/Treasurer of Bowling League (50+ Members), State Qualifier. 11,12
-Varsity Golf (Partner Intercity School), Scholar Athlete. 9
-University Archives Intern, 60 hours, Research for University Project. 12
-Founding Captain, Varsity Science Olympiad Team; 3rd Place, Regional Varsity Astronomy. 9</p>

<p>Awards/Recognition
9: 1st Place in Senior Technology, County Science Fair; Symposium Presenter at State University
10: Published Commentary on Major State Education Lawsuit, State Newspaper
11: Guest Presentation, State Science Museum
12: Keynote Speaker at State Education Reception</p>

<p>Not Listed on Common App: AP Scholar, National Merit Scholarship Corporation: Commended</p>

2

<p>Can anyone tell me anything about SESP admissions, at least? =/</p>

3

<p>Your ACT looks a little low, but everything else looks really good. I think they’ll be really impressed that you took the initiative to take online APs. You’re most likely in. I’m applying to SESP, too. :slight_smile: Out of all the schools at Northwestern, I remember reading that it was about the third or fourth most competitive, so, middle of the road for NU. Our chances (I’ve heard) are better than if we were applying to Medill or WCAS.</p>

4

<p>You’re too kind. I just looked at your chance threat; with your smarts, involvement, and social grace, you’ll make superintendent in no time. </p>

<p>Put in a good word for me with SESP when you’re admitted? lol</p>

5

<p>I’m applying to the SESP as well, for Learning and Organizational Change.</p>

<p>Your extracurriculars seem really cool, definitely goal-oriented and very interesting. The only problem I think would be the GPA, and because there was a weird situation, I don’t think that would affect you.</p>

<p>Good luck =)</p>

6

<p>Thanks bandgeek; good luck to you too. :slight_smile: </p>

<p>Looking back, I guess it would have been so much easier if I had taken a lighter load… Maybe y’all would have a better perspective if I posted what I’ve taken. Is there any chance I can overcome these grades in my application?</p>

<p>Note that a full load is 4 courses per semester and the APs were online and year-long.</p>

<p>9th
Geometry 97
Algebra II 90
AP Art History 94 (Exam=3)
Apps of Science Honors 96
Engineering Honors 95
English I Honors 98
Pre-Calculus Honors 99
World History Honors 96
Writing Honors 95</p>

<p>The one year I did well.</p>

<p>10th
English II Honors 97
Spanish I (College) 96
AP Calculus BC 70
AP Physics B 65
Chemistry Honors 96
Spanish II (College) 88
Spanish III (College) 88
Spanish IV (College) WP
English III Honors 99
Earth/Environmental Science Honors 100</p>

<p>Yep, I took accelerated Spanish where they condensed the semester course into 8 weeks each. Both AP courses were online and there was simply no learning material, but after the 10th day of class, it wasn’t possible for me to drop. It was terrible.</p>

<p>11th
AP English Lit and Composition 73 (Exam=4)
Biology Honors 96
Chemistry I (College) 96
Calculus I (College) 96
Chemistry II (College) 80
Civics and Economics Honors 91
Calculus II (College) 80
American Government (College) 96
AP U.S. History 70 (Exam=3)</p>

<p>So the next year I was like, “Well, I did well in AP Art History freshman year, maybe it’s just the math and science courses.” Everything was all fine and dandy until after the magic 10th day. This time, there were an ungodly amount of assignments… the teachers started un-assigning things and all. That, combined with starting medication for my learning disability led to a cascade effect in Calc, Chem, and even civics.</p>