Hey guys. So I’m basically putting Northeastern University as my top choice and I’m applying regular decision. Here are my stats:
Major: American Sign Language Interpreting
SAT: 1380
Cumulative GPA (weighted): 3.9something
Cumulative GPA (unweighted): 3.6something
I went from a 3.8 to a 4.1 GPA between junior and senior year
Race: Black/Nigerian/African American
Classes: Our high school doesn’t offer AP’s until Junior Year, but my freshman and sophomore years I took all honors classes possible. Here’s my junior year schedule:
American Sign Language 3 Honors (No AP offered)
Trig/Pre-Cal Honors
AP US History
English 11
Chemistry Honors
Varsity Track
Senior Year schedule:
American Sign Language 4 Honors (AP not offered)
English 12
AP Calculus AB
AP Government
Economics
Earth Science
Extra Curriculars & Achievements:
3 years of Varsity Track & Field
Varsity pole vault captain junior year
Athletic Scholar of the year at my school
Won the Track & Field annual coaches award two years in a row
Designed the club t-shirts for my school ASL club
ASL Club Treasurer
ASL Club member all 4 years
Christian Club member all 4 years
In charge and a part of the annual ASL variety show which hundreds of people attend annually
I’ve had two separate jobs. One was for 3 months and the other I currently have
I am on track to receive graduation cords from ASL club as well
50+ volunteer hours
Does my ethnicity and major help at all this? A lot of my EC’s revolve around sign language so I figured that would help. I put everything into my essay and I know it’s great, but I know my SAT could be stronger. Either way, any answers are appreciated.
Certainly the ASL focus (tying into the major) is a boost, and ethnicity can’t hurt you either. Your GPA and SAT are both a little low for Northeastern, though. I’d peg your chances around 20 to 35% – a low reach.
I honestly think you could get in with you EC’s and the fact that you’re dedicated to so many different clubs and activities, also I thing that might hurt you is your SAT score you’re right below the average. Yeah I think that you could get in because of how much passion you have for your major and if you’re essays were as good as you say they are you have a pretty good chance. Just pray on it haha, I know the feeling
Did you say yes to being considered for NUin? I think NU would want you for your many strengths and interests, as well as the diversity factor; but you might be a candidate they would peg for NUin because your stats, while solidly in range, aren’t on the “raising the average” half of the range.
Still, even if you said no to NUin, my gut feeling is that NU would want you. They talk the talk about valuing diversity, but they struggle to improve their demographics re: students of color, especially in their domestic applicant pool. They turn down a lot of qualified white applicants, but I think they think a lot harder before turning down a qualified black applicant (especially if you are “geographically diverse” as well). Plus, it looks like you could make a strong case for yourself as a contributor that they would want in their community.
So, I would put my money on your being admitted, although there’s always that element of randomness that nobody can predict. What I would be prepared for, though, is that you could get in but end up being disappointed on the affordability end. Even if they throw some merit aid your way, it will not “stack” on top of your need-based aid - it will just replace an equivalent amount of need based aid (although with luck it could replace loans rather than grants, thus reducing your debt even if it doesn’t change your immediate out-of-pocket).
@aquapt I said yes to NUin although I have no idea if my parents would let me. They even just now have finally accepted me wanting to go to Boston. I’m from Cali so idk it’d be a big decision. Thanks for your answers, though!
Well, there’s the McGill option for NUin - Montreal vs. Boston from California isn’t that huge of a difference Anyway, being a West Coaster will help you, admissions-wise, so there’s that. We’re in CA too - my daughter got in EA, and will be weighing against in-state options as well, so… we’ll see you for the agonizing decision phase
I don’t think west coast would be much of a noticeable boost for admissions. (They used to have a breakdown of admitted students by region, but I can’t find something like that now.) From my experience, the west coast (especially California) was well-represented. As a midwesterner, there were fewer of us. Being out of the northeast may be a tiny boost, but I think that’s becoming less of a factor as the school rises in name recognition/ranking and it’s easier to attract students from the whole country.
Anyway, being a West Coaster will help you, admissions-wise, so there’s that. We’re in CA too - my daughter got in EA, and will be weighing against in-state options as well, so… we’ll see you for the agonizing decision phase 
Being out of the northeast may be a tiny boost, but I think that’s becoming less of a factor as the school rises in name recognition/ranking and it’s easier to attract students from the whole country.