Chance a Rising Senior Please!

Colleges and Universities A-Z Northwestern University
1

<p>I am a junior - Asian American -Indian (great, I know!)</p>

<p>Here's a break down of my stats as of right now:</p>

<p>Rank: 5/ 550 people (Very Competitive)
GPA: 4.7 (out of 4 due to weighting)
Class load: hardest possible no doubt!
ACT: 29 ( I know, I know. This is my WEAKEST point. I am seriously working my butt off this summer. I am studying daily, have resorted to help from a tutor, and hope to raise this score to at least a 31-32 by Sept.) </p>

<p>ECs: (I think this is the stronger portion of my app...Let me know your opinions...)</p>

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<p>Editor-in-chief of School Paper - first junior to become one in a long time, I am absolutely certain that the newspaper advisor will write me a first class recommendation. I am also the first EIC to serve for two years in a row! </p>

<p>Question: Our school paper won a national award from Columbia University (silver crown) during my time this year as EIC, is something I should mention? This award is not directed to me specifically but more to our entire paper. I think it's appealing as it is an award recognizing the top few papers internationally and is from Columbia itself. </p>

<p>Founder and manager of newspaper website </p>

<p>Awarded Outstanding web-designer by IU </p>

<p>Write for other community papers as well, including our cultural one.</p>

<p>Many essay competition awards; won 1st place in state for a newspaper article I wrote. That same article won 4th place nationally at another competition (which I will not list here for security reasons as you can easily look me up) </p>

<p>Started "desktop publishing" company - create flyers for local organizations, private groups, freelance editing, video/slideshow editing, creator, freelance writer, press release writer, t-shirt design services, etc. </p>

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<p>History Fair 3rd Place in State/Metro scholarship Winner/ National Qualifier (Alternate) </p>

<p>History Fair Executive Director's award for Superior History </p>

<p>Internship at congressman office summer before junior year </p>

<p>Teen Rep on local Youth Commission - began this system of teen reps to help form better student-community alliances
Attended Illini Girls State</p>

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<p>Founder/President of an Indian community service council for students (we help out at various community festivals, represent the youth, currently planning a cultural show and a trip abroad to India)
***Currently collaborating to make this an "international student" effort meaning students of all cultures create a joint effort. </p>

<p>Created a "Bollywood Dance" Fitness Company for young children to promote cultural awareness in a dominantly Caucasian community and fight obesity.</p>

<p>State Cultural Pageant winner (first runner up) and miss talent </p>

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<p>500+ volunteer service hours through hospital volunteering (the usual lol), tutoring, after school enrichment program helping for younger children, etc. etc. </p>

<p>Math Honor Society President</p>

<p>Founder and manager of MHS website (to submit service hours, updates on events, etc) </p>

<p>National Honor Society </p>

<p>French Honor Society </p>

<p>DECA state winner</p>

<p>I have several other ECs but I feel that these are my main ones and the ones that I am most proud to be involved in! However, as you can see my goal was to essentially divide my interests in three areas: writing/publishing, Politics/History, Indian Culture. Then of course, this is all accompanied by the usual honor societies and community service. </p>

<p>While I am certain I can increase my ACT score by September as I have this asmy biggest commitment for the summer, I would like you to evaluate my chances ED for CAS this fall as of now and whether it would be worth applying or not.</p>

<p>Recommendations – My counselor especially told me I am her “top junior” and will receive a “stellar” recommendation, and I am certain that the same will apply to my Newspaper Advisor/English teacher who has seen megrow extensively since freshman year. Also, would it be advisable to receive some sort of letter confirming the legitimacy of my internship at the Congressman’s office? I don’t want to give off any sort of impression that it was received through connections and whatnot since it most certainly was not! </p>

<p>Thanks for your advice!</p>

2

<p>you have a good chance.</p>

3

<p>Thanks…! any other opinions or criticisms? all are welcome.</p>

4

<p>J-student in Indiana? What high school do you go to?</p>

5

<p>I am actually from Illinois. However, I did attend the High School Journalism Institute at Indiana University last summer. It was an excellent program.</p>

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<p>I’m sure you’re in. You have stellar ECs. Your ACT is a little low, but with all the hard work, I’m sure you’ll bring it up. I was feeling good about my app until I looked at your qualifications. Dang. I wish I had half of those ECs. You’re in.</p>

7

<p>Not to rain on your parade, but I’d hesitate to use “lock”, “shoo-in” or any other declarative.</p>

<p>NU admissions has gotten EXTREMELY competitive, especially in the past 2 or 3 years since adding the Common App. While your ECs are very impressive, even by NU standards, I do not know if they make up for a 29. NU has more 31s, 32s, and 33s than it knows what to do with, so you would need a very compelling reason to jump all those people in line (especially considering you are not an “URM”).</p>

<p>I think NU is better than many peer institutions and seeing beyond the numbers, so you certainly have a good chance. I know it’s a bit late in the game, but have you considered taking the SAT? If there is something unique to the ACT that is tripping you up, the SAT might be a better plan. I suggest taking a practice test under real conditions and seeing if it is something to pursue. Your chances skyrocket with either a 32 ACT or something resembling a 2150-2200 SAT.</p>

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<p>Are you applying to Medill? If so, I think you’re chances may be higher because of your journalism background</p>

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<p>@CerebralAssasin: Agreed.</p>

<p>i think people in this forum who actually haven’t been through the entire application process (aka high schoolers who are about to) use the terms “shoo-in” and other definitives too eagerly on other students. 1) it’s not very helpful for those looking for “chances”/advice on realistic terms 2) you don’t know that it’s true. Hopefully people are more cautious about what is said for “chance me” threads…</p>