Chance an international applicant?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Northwestern University
1

<p>Hey guys, </p>

<p>I am a rising senior who attends a Canadian public school. </p>

<p>I plan on majoring in Political Science. </p>

<p>Here are my stats:</p>

<p>GPA: 4.0 (92% high school average so far)</p>

<p>Academic Rigor: I take 4 of 6 AP courses offered at my school - Math (Adv. Functions & I plan on taking Calculus & Vectors next year), English (Literature & Composition), Biology, Economics ** All of these courses I plan on taking next year</p>

<p>SAT scores:</p>

<p>Critical Reading - 770
Math - 730
Writing - 800</p>

<p>SAT II scores:</p>

<p>Biology - 780
Math II - 800
Literature - 750</p>

<p>•Political staff writer for high school newspaper
•Mentor/Prefect – peer advising; peer leader; freshman orientation program
•Founder/president of community service club/student organization – human rights awareness for youth
•Class president on student government
•Co-President & founder of school’s Model United Nations team
•Editor-in-chief of yearbook committee
•Co-President of DECA
•School advisory council – Student Representative
•Chair/councilor of city youth council
•Special Needs children’s ministry – church community service & volunteer work
•Captain/Coordinator of provincial Model Parliament school team
•Worked as a lifeguard and taught swimming lessons to children; taught first aid & CPR (summer jobs)
•City council work; re-election campaign worker for political race
•Executive on region's Presidents’ Council
•Member of debate union
•Founder & Co-President of Politics Club </p>

<p>I'm working on my essays right now, and I have a unique passion that I believe will stand out and truly show who I am as a person. I plan on getting a recommendation letter from my history teacher who knows me personally beyond my work as a student. My other letter will probably come from my AP English teacher, as I got the highest mark in her class. In addition, I believe the LOR from my guidance counselor and principal will be nothing short of stellar.</p>

<p>Unfortunately, I do not have any significant honors/awards. I have A LOT of school awards, but no academic awards beyond school. I know this isn't an excuse, but there are very few academic extracurricular opportunities in Canada in comparison to the States.</p>

<p>As an international applicant, the competition will be more rigorous, but I would like to know how you guys think I will fare.</p>

<p>Thank you for your time!!</p>

2

<p>Please help me out!</p>

3

<p>You have a great shot if you apply ED.</p>

4

<p>I’m applying RD, since Northwestern is not my first choice. How do my chances stand as an RD applicant?</p>

5

<p>RD is any one’s guess…as with other top schools.</p>

6

<p>RD admit rate is about 10% so quite unpredictable. ED is 33%. Northwestern definitely gives priority to its ED applicants if they are strong. About 45% of the freshman class will be filled through the ED round. Also, if you’re international from an Asian country and not applying for aid, chances are even higher. Northwestern has made it clear it wants to grow in Asia. Morty visits all the major Asian cities and has said admit targets will increase, especially for ED.</p>

7

<p>^Not necessarily easier. He probably expected all the marketing effort would yield more applicants which would lead to more admits when he said that.
Many peers already have their percentages of internations in the double digits (10% or more). At 7%, NU is lagging in this regard. The largest talent pool is obviously in Asia, espeically China with its rapidly expanding middle-class. Monty wants to make sure NU is on their radar.</p>

8

<p>wildcatalum, I am international applicant from Canada. I hear it is much easier for Canadians because as the previous poster mentioned, admissions is a lot more competitive in Asia.</p>