I understand books, but all of that extra stuff is voluntary. This is not really a problem with Northwestern. This happens at all colleges. The financial aid only goes so far. It’s not going to cover the cost for recreational activities and why should they and why would anyone expect them to? You’re there to learn after all. If they are providing aid for room and board (your dorm and your food) why would they provide additional financial aid so you can by food from an outside source? Top tier schools generally don’t have the large spending stipends that lower (and by lower, I mean lower than top tier. Not necessarily bad schools) tier state flagship schools give out. I know that USC has the Singer and Stamps scholarship that gives out a $5,000 spending stipend, but those are not at all common and are extremely competitive to get at all schools. This does not speak to the quality of Northwestern’s aid. That’s just a problem that you find with financial aid in general.
@CaliCash
My son plans to apply RD for Fall 2016 because he has another elite school he is considering. Based on your conversations with other NU accepted applicants, do you think this would put him at a disadvantage for Northwestern merit scholarships versus applying ED? He has a test score in NU’s top 25%, great grades and state championship extracurriculars.
NU only gives need-based aid, which is not affected by when you apply.
Hey! Big congrats on your acceptance!! I know this is a little late considering you made this thread weeks ago, but I was hoping you would still be able to answer some questions I have! I’m an incoming Junior in high school and Northwestern is my top choice (I plan on applying ED). I’m just worried because I’m an over represented minority (Asian) and my GPA is slightly low. I took AP Bio freshman year and AP Chemistry sophomore year and I ended getting B’s in those 2 classes. The GPA calculations at my school at kinda weird, so I should have around a 3.8-3.9 but I have a 3.67 yikes. If I get straight A’s this year, I can bring up my GPA to a 3.78 by the end of junior year and solidly be in the top 5% of my class. I took the SAT about 3 months ago and I got a 2250 but I’m aiming for a 2300 when we take it again Junior year! Do you think if I write stellar essays and have great recs that I could have a decent chance? This isn’t exactly a hook but I am an Asian who loves acting! I do love medicine and science and want to pursue a career in that field but I am also very passionate about acting (Nationally ranked in Humorous Interp!) so maybe that could show that I’m not the typical math and science whiz? 
Also, in your opinion, how important is the campus visit and interview to admissions? Sorry for this long blurb but I would really appreciate it if you would advise on my questions. Thanks and best of luck in the fall. 
@CaliCash
Did you have much interaction with the NU admissions office rep assigned to your geographic region? As I read the threads on College Confidential, some parents and students of other elite colleges emphasize the importance of developing a relationship with the college rep, but other colleges do not even seem concerned about that. Your thoughts?
@maddan9497 I’ll respond to both of your posts.
As @jb2019 said, NU does not offer merit based aid. They do however offer athletic scholarships. If finances are a concern, ED may not be the best option because you have to go no matter the cost. The only disadvantage with applying RD is that it’s much harder to get in. NU accepted half of their class ED last year.
To your second question, I did not have a relationship with my regional rep. Outside of my supplements, I did not demonstrate interest. In fact, I canceled an interview twice with an alumni rep because I figured I wouldn’t be able to get in or afford NU. NU does however consider demonstrate interest. I would not advocate doing the same thing that I did even though I did get in.
@js1029 I can’t chance you. There are so many factors that I do not know. If you are really low income or really high income, I think that ED would be a great option for you to consider. An Asian pursuing a major in the arts certainly would be different, so if you’re pursuing a major in the arts, I would stress that. The good thing is, you are a sophomore, so you have 3 semesters left to boost your grades.
How important are the campus visits and interview? Well, I did neither and I got in with scores much lower than yours. I was also very active in the NFL and dabbled into speech. NU has the top debate team in the nation, so if that’s something you’re still passionate about by the time you apply, make sure you emphasize it!
i definitely will! Thanks so much for your input.
Thank you very much for this thread, and congratulations. Anything that really should not be missed in a (single day) campus visit ?
Hello all!
I’m an incoming freshman at Northwestern University and I survived the college application process and you can too!
If you’re looking for any tips, advice, or essay revisions, comment on this thread and I will do anything to help you out.
I think I will be particularly helpful because I got in with a low test score by NU standards.
Whether you are a parent or a student, I will try to be as open as possible.
I will not give out full copies of my essays and supplements, but I can give you an idea of what I wrote about.
About me:
State: NY
Test Scores- SAT: CR-670 M-630 W-670
GPA- 3.75
I applied to Medill. I absolutely love writing. I believe that I got in because I spent an exorbitant amount of time on my supplements and my personal essay. I showed that I did significant research into the school.
Disclaimer: I am a URM. I know that does change things a bit. However, the nudge for being a URM is probably a whole lot smaller than people imagine.
In addition, I was selected for a special Wildcat Days program (for admitted students) where Northwestern offered to fly me out for free! So that kinda shows that I wasn’t just a charity case. Initially, I thought it would be because of my ethnicity because it wasn’t like I had high financial need. But when I got there, there were students of all races and SES.
So if you have any questions about the application process from tests to interviews (gasp, I cancelled on my interviewer), to supplements, to visits, sound off below!
I’ll answer any of your questions.
Go Wildcats!
2nd Disclaimer: I am not in anyway guaranteeing acceptance. I’m just giving advice on my process and what I learned from it.
would you mind reading my NU supplement ? I wrote it today but I wanted some feedback to see if i on the right track? (Open to any current NU students )
@inn0v8r Ask to see Norris and a freshman dorm. If possible, try to see something other than Elder or Allison. You know that you’re going to get great amenities with them. You need a really great priority number to get in those two anyway. Check out some of the smaller dorms and maybe a RC.
@inn0v8r the campus tour will take you to Norris. That’s the only real central area since campus is kind of all over the place. I would suggest eating at Edzo’s since it’s one of my favorites places to eat. Really good burgers, fries, and shakes. If you visit while classes are going on and you want to drop in on a class, don’t pick something boring, even if it’s in your intended major. Visit something like Russian Lit, Intro to Psych, Law and Society or search Google or CC for other classes people recommend. Granted, I didn’t visit so I don’t know exactly how checking out a class works haha.
Thanks @CaliCash @Crimsonstained7 . As it turned out they didn’t show any dorms because of summer programs (most colleges were this way), but the facilities in general seemed pretty nice. You gotta love how the visitor center backs to the beach/lake. Overall, it was a beautiful campus, albeit very large.
@inn0v8r I’ve never really thought of our campus as large haha. 1 mile or so top to bottom. But glad you enjoyed it, our facilities are pretty great overall.
I already applied ED (Class of 2020 obviously), and I have one question which transcends everything else. How is the food at Northwestern?
Food is some of the best in the country! Allison and Sargent hall have the best food, so if you can, live there. We also have great late night options North and South campus
I’ve to get in first though [-O<
Bump!
Does Northwestern has a track-your-application type of thing on their website?