Can I get into Northwestern?

I have a 4.2 weighted gpa, I doubled up last year on sciences (chem and bio) and I currently take AP chem, AP stats, and AP english. I also take physics and the other core classes (all honors). I founded the chemistry club at my school, served as secretary of student government freshman year, I am a chairperson for the leo club, I am on the SADD club (students against destructive decisions), and I am on the National, Science, French, and english national Honor societies (founding member of english nhs as well as executive board member). I am almost positive I will be president of the Science national honor society next year and I have been on varsity swim all four years. I have roughly 60-70 hours of community service and currently rank 20 in a class of 350. I have not taken SATs yet (I am a junior by the way) but I got all advanced scores on the MCAS. I want to go to school for material science/engineering so if not northwestern can you also recommend any schools?? Thank you!!! (White male from massachusetts)

As a senior from Massachusetts, I can tell you that MCAS scores are completely irrelevant in college admissions are not even remotely accurate in determining potential scores. It is impossible to chance you until you have those scores in, so come back when you have them.

Can anyone else reply? Assuming i do well on the SAT can I get in

Your EC’s are compelling. Weighted GPA is low. SAT/ACT and SATII are pretty important. My daughter applied last year with a 4.7 weighted GPA, ACT 32 and both parents who are NU alums and she was rejected RD.

Wow I was thinking I had a high weighted GPA thank you this was helpful

I would, of course, still apply if NU is what you want in a school. ED has a greater acceptance rate by a lot.Good luck.

@anonymous26 Saying your daughter had a 4.7 weighted GPA is irrelevant as we have no idea a) what that is out of), b) how difficult the rigor of the high school is, and c) how high the high school is ranked in general. Many Massachusetts high schools tend to be more difficult than those in other states. Also, a 32 ACT is not very competitive for Northwestern (especially RD). It’s around the 33rd percentile when equated to the SAT. As for your legacy comment, legacy is usually only a boost when you apply ED (and that is how it works with all good schools now a days).

My comment for OP is, come back next year when you have your test scores and more things straightened out, because right now it is impossible to chance you.

It’s really hard to determine if you have a shot right now because you don’t have test scores. In addition, you need to look at your unweighted GPA. You want to be bare minimum at 3.8/4.0. But I would focus on doing well on those tests, and work toward making a complete list of colleges to apply to. It can include NU, but also some safeties and matches.

@jarrett211 All true comments. I was just relaying an individual applicant’s experience which, by its very nature, is a dangerous comparison because of the variables you mention.

As a college counselor once told me there are schools where the application process is a crapshoot. NU is one of them. The point being you should apply to a school that you want to attend and realize that you may not be accepted. That is why you should not a apply to one school. My D took that approach and she is very happy where she is and I suspect she will be fine long-term.

I was planning on doing ED. Can anyone with a good knowlege of Northwestern describe how expensive it is? Some tell me not to apply because it is absurdly expensive and others say it is need based so whatever I cannot pay, they will. My research tells me that it is need based but in their case I don’t know how that exactly works. All these comments have been very helpful

I am not seeing a focus in the EC’s, what is your passion? otherwise, you are at a good start