Chace me (low GPA..)

Colleges and Universities A-Z Northwestern University
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<p>Alright so I already know this is going to be a reach (if anything) for me, but NU is my #1 pick, and I wouldn't feel right without at least making one thread for my chances.</p>

<p>GPA: (Academic) 3.1 UW
But since I am applying to Either School of Engineering or WCAS for Physics/Engineering, it helps that aside from one semester of Bio I have all (solid) As in my science courses.
College GPA: 4.0
SAT: (I'm going to retake this for about a 2150) CR:730 M: 680 W:610
SAT II's Math: 620 Chemistry: 690 (I could retake this for a WAY higher score)
I am planning on also taking the ACT which I should do MUCH better on.</p>

<p>My GPA is mainly low for 2 D's my junior year, but I explain this in my essay, in that I had to move to another school and lived without parents for my junior year.</p>

<p>My essays are amazing, they show real hardship and true perseverance in overcoming them. I have been told this by plenty of unbiased critiques.
I have not written my "Why NU" Essay yet, but I am trying to plan a visit before I write it, and I am confident that this essay will also stand out well.</p>

<p>I am definitely need based, living with an unemployed teacher-single mother, who is keeping the house solely with a combination of retirement and unemployment. I am also part Native American +1/16 (some from both sides of my family)</p>

<p>My ECs:</p>

<p>Football 9th 10th 11th 12th For Jr. and Senior year I was starting nose tackle on varsity defense. Held a leadership roll, and positive letters from coaches</p>

<p>Wrestling 9th 10th 11th 12th I was JV Captain (2x) Varsity Captain (2x), Won "Most Inspirational Wrestler" Award, League 1st place (2x) Varsity Letter(2x)</p>

<p>Track and Field 10th 11th 12th Varsity (2x) Junior year I held the fastest 110m hurdle time on the team</p>

<p>Competition Cheerleading 11th Varsity team I heard it helps chances, so I would be willing to do it at NU. I was considered exceptional by my team (which is ranked.)</p>

<p>California World History Project - A regional event exactly like model UN, with 13 school participating. I was elected our school's introductory speaker, in the forum had my country's resolution passed, and in the final speeches I was voted by our group (100 or so college and high school students) to be the primary speaker, who presented our resolution to the entire project.</p>

<p>Interned at UCLA's Plasma Physics Lab- Worked with UCLA's Plasma Physics director: Dr. Gekelman researching with/building a Tokamak. </p>

<p>(counts as job experience) Was head counselor for my city's sports camp. Over saw +30 kids at a time. Have letter of req from administrator</p>

<p>Will be a Science Camp counselor for the 6th grade classes of two different elementary schools</p>

<p>Awards:
Junior year: Had the highest score on the Chemistry 1st semester final in the entire high school. </p>

<p>Junior year: Had the highest score on the Chemistry final in the entire high school</p>

<p>I know there is very little chance of me getting in, but w.e. one can hope right?</p>

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<p>At first I was going to respond with no chance in hell, but the Native American ancestry plus the hardship hooks MAY get you in, especially if you can demonstrate a real passion for NU. The sports and EC’s help too.</p>

<p>Any chance of you trying to walk on to the football or wrestling teams? That could be the boost you need.</p>

<p>You also MUST raise your test scores, ESPECIALLY the math. There is no excuse for not having a high 700 on that if you want to be an engineer.</p>

<p>Which Math SAT II is that? </p>

<p>It’s a real long shot without much better testing, and even then it’s a stretch.</p>

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<p>your ec and sports are great i guess getting your grades and test scores might help :)</p>

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<p>@arbiter213 Im not that great at math, I am in Calculus this year, Im just a C/B student at math, always have been. That was the Math II C though for the SAT II</p>

<p>Yeah I know its a total stretch. It sucks because they started sending me stuff in the mail, like applications too.</p>

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<p>just out of curiosity, why didn’t you apply ED?</p>

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<p>because I am definitely need based.</p>

<p>I could only get in on scholarship</p>

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<p>NU’s financial aid stays at “100% of demonstrated need” for both ED and RD applicants, though… doesn’t it?</p>

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<p>i wish you the best of luck and i am not directing this solely at you but… if the fact that you are 1/16th native american gets you into NU over a more qualified applicant, then i dont even know where to begin</p>

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<p>Toward, I’m wondering the same thing…since the ED contract says you can deny NU’s acceptance if financial aid isn’t adequate, shouldn’t the “100% of demonstrated need” policy be the same?</p>

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<p>

</p>

<p>This .</p>

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<p>@freightrain/arbiter</p>

<p>I hope that if I get in, that’s not the reason. I mean if it’s between me and someone with everything just a higher GPA, then I would possibly be ok with it, knowing fully well that I made some mistakes in high school and I wouldn’t be making them in college. </p>

<p>But yeah, if I got in over someone who was way more qualified then yes, I would feel bad.</p>

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<p>^^THen isn’t the answer simply not to identify yourself as “Native American” on your application?</p>

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<p>Why is this a shocker to anyone. ALOT of kids have hooks - whether URM, legacy, athlete, whatever and they get in because of that hook over many more qualified applicants… Everyone knows this on CC. My question is though is 1/16th really a Native American. There must be some guideline on this somewhere. But if this applicant can say they are a Native American, they should and they should not be critisized for doing so.</p>

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<p>@WCASParent because even if this is somewhat selfish, I want to use every advantage I have to going to my #1 dream school.</p>

<p>@kleibo and everyone else, I am OVER 1/16th Native American, My mom’s grandma was Native American, and then my maternal grandfather’s family were cowboys in Oklahoma and have some Cherokee in them.</p>

<p>Either way, I totally appreciate the information and suggestions you guys offer/offered, thanks for the support!</p>

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<p>I made my comment only because you said using your 1/16 (or whatever) fractional Native American ancestry to gain URM status, and hence a major advantage, to help you get in over someone who was more qualified would “make you feel bad.” I guess it wouldn’t make you feel so bad after all.</p>

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<p>Well, if it makes you feel better, it’s not a “huge advantage.”</p>

<p>Actually the way I hope to get in, is writing a really strong “Why NU” essay, I’m trying to plan a visit to the school so I can write a genuine paper.</p>

<p>Any suggestions or words of advice if I am trying to visit NU?</p>

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<p>if you know what you want to major in/do for a living, maybe try to sit in on a class or two or talk to someone from whatever department you’re interested in</p>