<p>Hi everyone! Chance me and I'll chance back right away :)
Chances at...
...NU? (top choice)
...UMich? (in-state)
...Carnegie Mellon?
...Duke?
...UChicago?</p>
<p>-high school class of 2012
-Caucasian female
-mid/upper-class suburban Detroit, MI
-public high school with relatively good reputation</p>
<p>-most rigorous courseload possible (8 APs taken by senior year)
-GPA: currently 3.6 UW, will work to get it up to at least a 3.7; 4.1 W currently, will try to get it up to 4.3 (my school isn't as generous as some others with weighting)
-ACT: 32
-ECs: varsity forensics (broadcasting), tennis, robotics, editor-in-chief of yearbook, Haiti relief organization at my school self-founded, etc.
-work experience: babysitting, lifeguarding/swim instructing, tutoring
-volunteering: ~200+ hours: Haiti efforts (plan on making a trip), Detroit summer relief work (painting/cleaning/gardening/providing day care to underprivileged kids), food banks, summer day camp counselor, Safety Town instructor, tutor
-essays: will write about my experience in providing aid to a country as unfortunate and destitute as Haiti (for NU, for the supplement I'll discuss my dual interest in engineering [prospective major] and journalism [note broadcasting, yearbook] and the uniqueness and outstanding quality of the curricula offered by the school, etc.)
-LORs: will ask my physics teacher I have this year for honors physics as well as next year for AP who really likes me (most likely great) as well as my current math teacher (also probably good); counselor's may be generic, who knows. She just came to our school this year. Will also ask yearbook advisor/AP Gov teacher, who, being a journalism major and all, will probably write a stellar one.
-hooks: female in engineering?
-almost forgot: NHS (hope to be president or VP or something as a senior), International Club co-president, Interact Club, high honor roll all 4 years (except maybe 1 trimester in frosh year, when I was still like the next-highest haha), national community service awards</p>
<p>Thanks in advance! I'll be elated to chance you back!</p>
<p>OH! And also 2 years of MIPA (Michigan Interscholastic Press Association) summer programs at Michigan State University; also hope to get an engineering internship this summer/get involved with research; and also our yearbook has won state awards</p>
<p>I love your EC’s and your essay ideas. Essays can be key. And I believe women in engineering is certainly a hook, all top engineering programs are clamering for qualified and interested females. You seem like a well rounded young lady and I believe the admissions officers at any of your preferred schools would be pulling to get you in… so if you are able to get your GPA up somewhat, you may encourage them to overlook your lower than average stats (at least for NU, Duke, UChicago) and you may even seal the deal. NU, Duke, UChicago I would rate as reaches. Carnegie Mellon and Michigan I would estimate are closer to in your wheelhouse, high match. Best of luck to you and be sure to apply to your top choices.</p>
<p>Everything looks good except the pesky GPA. An upward trend can be a real plus and make up for poor early performance. I’ve got a similar GPA, so if I’ll let you know when I hear back (April) how you’ll do.</p>
<p>Chance me back…</p>
<p>College and Program: McCormick School of Engineering</p>
<p>Stats:
SAT I (by section): 690 M, 720 CR, 700 W
SAT IIs: Bio M 750, Chem 720
ACT:
APs: 5s on AP Language, Biology, and MEH. Yet to take APUSH, Literature, and Physics
IBs:
GPA (UW, W): 3.5 UW, 4.2 W
Rank: N/A
Other stats: Very difficult schedule.</p>
<p>Subjective:
ECs listed on app: FIRST Robotics (Captain in Jr and Sr years), Marching Band (XO in Sr year), Jazz Band, Pit Orchestra, History Club (Treasurer Jr year), JSA, and Science League for Bio I and Physics I.
Job/Work Experience:
Essays (subject and responses): Good responses, on Subjective:
ECs listed on app: FIRST Robotics (Captain in Jr and Sr years), Marching Band (XO in Sr year), Jazz Band, Pit Orchestra, History Club (Treasurer Jr year), JSA, and Science League for Bio I and Physics I.
Job/Work Experience:
Essays (subject and responses): On how Northwestern has pulled me in “like a magnet” and how I plan to use a Northwestern education in engineering to better society. Very positive feedback.
Teacher Recs: Good
Counselor Rec: Good
Teacher Recs: Good
Counselor Rec: Good</p>
<p>Location/Person
State: New Jersey
School Type: Competitive Public
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Male</p>
<p>Yay FIRST Robotics, hahaha. Gotta love those inner-tubes. Anyway, I think you’ve got a decent shot. The GPA is on the lower side, but like you said, an upward trend helps. SAT IIs are good, and demonstrate you’re competent in science. The only thing I find a little weird is your math SAT section score is lower than your writing/critical reading! SAT I score is in the range NU looks for though. Great AP scores. Pretty good ECs, depth in music and science for sure. I love the pun for your essay, hahaha. It’s looking like you stand a pretty good chance, even in RD. I’d say it’s a reach, but I wouldn’t be surprised if you get in. Good luck and hope to see you there in fall 2012!</p>
<p>Some of your stats are pretty similar to mine. Remember that you still have lots of time! Your second semester of junior year will count for a lot as will your senior year! I know that Northwestern doesn’t want a bunch of kids with 4.0’s and 36’s on their ACTs, so grade point isn’t everything. That said, it can never hurt to continually improve that GPA. I think that the most important thing is to take the most challenging courseload you possibly can, work hard, and set yourself apart in your activities and your essays. I think you stand a decent chance for admission, but you’ve really got to knock those essays out of the park. Make sure you have stellar recommendations and interview if you can.</p>