chance me please

Colleges and Universities A-Z Northwestern University
1

<p>So, first off I'm from a very underrepresented state (MS) and I go to a small high school (<50 in my graduating class) that offers no APs or Honors classes at all. That being said:</p>

<p>***Standardized tests:
PSAT - 225 (should definitely be a semifinalist/finalist, last year my state's cutoff range was 202 I think)
SAT - 2120; CR-670, M-670, W-780 (definitely not the greatest, but first attempt and I'm going to study more and take it again at the end of my junior year)
Still have to take SAT IIs</p>

<p>***Grades and classes:
Unweighted GPA - 4.0 (98.6 at the moment). My school doesn't offer any AP classes, but I've tried to make up for it by taking as many classes as possible. I've actually run out of science and math classes to take at my school, because this year I'm taking all of the math/science classes that seniors usually take. So next year I'll have to take a lot of online classes to fill my schedule.
Class rank-1st </p>

<p>Last semester I took two classes at a local college, A+ in both
This semester taking another class at local college, A+ so far</p>

<p>***Honors, awards, etc:
1st place, state math and science competition (biology - also plan on majoring in biology)
--wasn't able to compete this year due to bad weather, but hopefully it will be rescheduled and i'll be able to compete again
Science Quest finalist
since 9th grade I've had the highest average in every class I've taken
star student, scholar athlete, other misc. awards</p>

<p>***ECs
Student government: 9th grade class treasurer, 10th and 11th class president
Beta Club president
Math/Science team
Academic team
varsity cross country, competed in state championships twice
about 100 hrs volunteering at a hospital
last summer attended a leadership program at Johns Hopkins
Over spring break this year I'll be volunteering in Ecuador building a school for orphans
This summer I'll either be at Governor's School or a medical scholars program</p>

<p>**<em>Essay/recommendations:
essay - *should</em> be great
recommendations - my principal and counselor both really like me so I should have stellar letters of recommendation</p>

<p>Also does being from an extremely underrepresented state give you a boost to applications? Just wondering</p>

2

<p>Doesn’t matter what state you are from, private colleges usually dont look at in-out state residence in admissions.
But your stats look great :)</p>

3

<p>I like everything but the slightly low M and CR on the SATs, which I suspect you’ll be able to get into the low 700s, in which case I would say you would be a very competitive candidate. Good luck.</p>

4

<p>Well, I would raise the question how you scored so low on the Math section of the SAT’s given your otherwise strong background. Personally, I would take the ACT over SAT a second time. It’s another shot to do well at a standardized test without the negative stimga that retakes carry with them.</p>

<p>Being from an underrepresented state will help, but hurt. If it is a “weak” state, it diminishes the accomplishment of being a state finalist in anything. Do you mean you are taking 4-year university classes at a nearby university, or community college classes? There is value either way, but to varying degrees. It should cover the lack of AP’s either way.</p>

<p>Your grades are plenty good, but the SAT’s may pose a problem. SAT’s are used to rank different high schools. Being first in your class with weak SAT’s will mostly make NU think your high school was just easy.</p>

<p>I’d give you decent odds, but then again, it’s supposedly a bit harder to get in now than in 2007 when I got accepted.</p>

<p>Good SAT II scores would help a lot.</p>

5

<p>Thanks for the input guys.
@GoCats community college courses. So far I’ve taken english comp 1&2 and general psychology. I got accepted to the medical scholars program, which is really selective (about 20 kids in the state get accepted) and I’ll be taking college biology and calculus at a 4 year university.
I’ve also taken the ACT (31 overall, 34 math). I just really screwed up the math section on the SAT so hopefully when I take it again I’ll do much better.</p>