Chance me for NEU College of Sciences??

Colleges and Universities A-Z Northeastern University
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Hey everyone, super nervous upcoming senior here. One of my top choices is Northeastern, I’d be beyond happy to go there.

My GPA is on the crappy side, I really slacked off both fresh and soph year, and was just not a school person. By the time Early Action apps are due, my GPA should be a 3.7 weighted.

SAT Score of 2060 ; hopefully ACT score in the 32-34 range.

Work two jobs, one as a math and science tutor at Kumon Learning Center and one as an office receptionist/all around assistant in a medical office.

APs taken: AP US Hist (4), AP Eng 1 (5), AP Art Hist. Self studied AP Chem at home but got a 3. APs for senior year: AP Env Science, AP Eng 2, AP Statistics.

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SAT

Your SAT score is great, but you should stick to one test and study hard for it. Walking into the ACTs or SATs blind or unprepared is stupid and pointless, so don’t do that.

(If you did that with the SAT, I don’t blame you. I was unprepared my first time, too. If you’re planning on taking the ACT, you better study hard and make it worth it.)

Despite how well you did on the SAT, you’re still in the 50th percentile for NU students. So, you’ll want to bring that up. I suggest sticking with the SAT, not switching over to a format you’re unfamiliar with.

GPA

I always say that adcoms (that is, admissions committees) love to see upward trajectories. Sometimes, they only look at your junior or senior year. If your weighted GPA for junior year was a 3.9 to a 4.1, then I’d say there isn’t much to worry about.

But you’re mistaken if you think that NU will see your senior year grades. They probably won’t. Marking periods end too close to the submission deadline. I doubt that you’ll get yours in on time.

Courseload and Extracurriculars

Great AP scores. I know how tough Chem AP is, and you shouldn’t let that 3 bother you. And I’m pretty sure your APs for next year look great. It depends on whether or not you’re taking the most challenging courses possible relative to your classmates, but I’m sure you are.

And your work experience is really great. It must take a lot to balance school and those jobs. Adcoms will recognize your hard work, and at its core, NU values practical experience.

Verdict

First of all, never do what a stranger tells you to on the internet. I could have hidden motives, what if I’m a senior who’s also applying to Northeastern? (I am.)

But I write this long post in an effort to assist you. Everyone deserves the best shot possible. And your best shot is to definitely apply regular decision.

Why? Well, why would you apply Early Action? It’s for students who

  1. Know that NU is a definite top choice
  2. Have their scores together
  3. Are super excited to know where they get in

I’m sure you’re #3. I am. But are you #2? I think you should use your senior year to bump your grades up and show adcoms that your upward trajectory is very real. After all, it’s your senior year. You’ve never been smarter or more ready to get great grades. If you hold off applying for a few months, you can also get your ACTs/SATs in a row.

So, from one prospective applicant to another, good luck on making that #2.

:heart: