<p>Hi, I was wondering if I have any shot of getting accepted to Northwestern, either early decision or regular decision. I will be a senior this coming fall. I am a white male. I live in New Jersey, and I believe i am within the top ~3% of my class of about 530 students (potentially in the top 10).<br>
GPA:
101.95 (my school doesn't use the 4.0 scale)
SAT:
combined score of 2220 (800 math, 770 writing, 650 reading)
ACT:
took once, 32 composite
SAT II:
800 on math II, 800 on chem, considering taking one of the bio ones
AP:
4 on chem (sadface), and 5 on statistics. will take bio and calc (probably BC) this school year
EC:
*interact club 9-12
*boys tennis 9-12 (jv 9th grade, will be captain this year)
*sportsmanship award and allstar award 11
*USTA team tennis for 3 years
*tennis lessons for over 7 years
*french honors society 10-12
*ESCAPE club (environmental club) 11-12
*english department award 10 (given to the students with the 2 highest averages in honors english)
*second place in chemistry olympiad test in my school (not sure if this means anything)
*volunteering at an assisted living place for the elderly (started recently, going 1-2 times a week for a couple hours at a time)
*summer job working as a cashier at a grocery store (between 10th and 11th grade)
*summer program at northwestern for medicine and leadership for 10 days (the program gave a letter of recommendation, and noted 73 hours of educational events. met with real doctors to experience the field of medicine).</p>
<p>GPA is low. At my school 15 people applied last year, 2 got in. The person with the lowest GPA from my school that was accepted had a 4.31. You do have a shot, however.</p>
<p>I’m not sure how the 4.0 GPA scale works since my school doesn’t use it. In my high school career, I have ended with all A’s. I have taken all Honors classes and 3 AP classes so far. I don’t know if I would say that my GPA is low, but maybe a little misinterpreted. :)</p>
<p>Also, does legacy extend to uncles? My non-biological uncle (I guess?) went to Northwestern. I’m pretty sure it doesn’t, but it may be a nice surprise.</p>
<p>First, don’t take too seriously any replies you get to a “chance me” thread. Unless someone from the Office of Admissions is posting anonymously, no one here really knows.</p>
<p>Your GPA is not low–unless there are multiple others from your school applying to NU. In that case, you’d need to consider how yours compares to theirs … and that’s still not the whole story.</p>
<p>What school at NU are you thinking of applying to? </p>
<p>The SAT-R looks somewhat low, which would probably be more important for Weinberg than it would be for McCormick.</p>
<p>Otherwise, your statistics appear to be average-above average for NU admittees. (However, with the 15-16% acceptance rate, many highly qualified candidates cannot be admitted.)</p>
<p>To answer your uestion – you have a shot. Apply.</p>
<p>If Northwestern is absolutely positively your first choice, then it would not be a waste under any circumstances.</p>
<p>With a 32 ACT (slightly below average, but in the range) for NU, EDshould increase your chances – still, I recommend discussing this with your GC, who is better equipped than any of us to evaluate your chances.</p>
<p>I’m a Class of 2016 dad, and I’m cringing at the thought of you making a decision like this based on anonymous responses to a “chance me” thread on an internet forum.</p>
<p>Go here, [2011-12</a> First-time, first-year (freshman) admission, Common Data Set, University Enrollment - Northwestern University](<a href=“http://enrollment.northwestern.edu/common-data/2011-12/c.html]2011-12”>http://enrollment.northwestern.edu/common-data/2011-12/c.html), for some objective data. True, your SAT-CR score is in the bottom quarter. On the other hand, your SAT-M is in the top quarter and your ACT composite is in the middle 50%. Notice also that between 2009-10 and 2010-11, standardized test scores were bumped down from “very important” to “important” (recommendations moved up from important to very important at the same time).</p>
<p>Is NU your first choice and if admitted, would you attend? If yes, get very serious about your essays, secure an excellent recommendation, and apply ED; that’s what it’s for. If no, then yes, you’re “wasting” your one ED.</p>
<p>Maybe just improve your ACT/SATI scores slightly (try for 34+/2250+). Also try to take more APs, but if your school only offers that much then it’s okay. If they do offer more APs and you’re just not taking them, definitely apply ED. If you’re applying to the engineering school, give serious thought to applying ED because it’s very hard to get into the engineering school compared to the other ones (many people with almost perfect test scores and extremely challenging curriculums have gotten flat out rejected). Also, only apply ED if Northwestern is your number one choice-- they can tell through your essay. You have to really show that NU is your top choice, and that you’re taking a serious interest in the school. Try to use info you can’t find on the internet, go visit the school, take notes on interesting stories or pieces of info the counselors or tour guides say, etc. and use them on your essay to the best advantage to show that there is a high chance you would go there if you got in).</p>