Chance me please?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Northeastern University
1

<p>I'm really starting to think this is my top choice school. My guidance counselor has told me that NU could be a match for me but I'm really unsure.
I just finished my junior year, and my overall high school weighted GPA is about a 3.7. I had some family issues in my sophomore year that really brought down my grades, but there is definitely an upward trend shown from my sophomore to junior years, and I am glad to say I got mostly A's and B's in nearly all of my classes this past year.</p>

<p>SAT: 2070 (700 CR, 650 M, 720 W)
ACT: 29 (probably won't submit)</p>

<p>Mostly honors classes throughout my entire high school career
APs: AP world history, AP language and composition</p>

<p>Next year I am taking AP US Gov, AP Environmental Sci, and AP English Lit, and am planning to work incredibly hard first semester to bring my GPA up as much as possible.</p>

<p>Intended major: Journalism/Communications</p>

<p>Starting my essays asap to make sure they're the best they can be
Expecting my letters of rec to be very good as I did my best in the classes of the teachers I asked to write my letters</p>

<p>I have visited campus, and I just attended a summer journalism intensive workshop for a week on campus.</p>

<p>ECs include:
Drama Club- I have done many aspects of shows such as acting, production, props, etc.
Select Choir
Photography Club
National Honor Society
Literary Magazine
Writer for Yearbook
National Art Honor Society</p>

<p>I have done many hours of volunteer work in the main office at an elementary school in my school district, but am definitely looking to do more community service asap. Also currently a counselor at the same school for a summer recreation camp for elementary students.
I know it may be a little bit of a reach for me with my GPA, but having just lived on this campus for a little bit, I am completely in love with this school, and am willing to do whatever I can in the coming months to help me get accepted.</p>

2

<p>I wouldn’t call NEU a match, but it certainly isn’t a big reach. NEU tends to emphasize testing and course rigor over GPA when compared to other schools. Your 2070 will keep you in the ballgame, though a better 1600 score would be preferable. They will like the upward trend as well. It’s not gonna be a match, but it certainly isn’t out of reach or a lottery. I had a similar profile (3.73W, 34 superscored ACT, accepted EA, upward trend) and was accepted last year with merit and aid.</p>

<p>Do note though, it will be a noticeably harder to get in if you are from a northeast state.</p>

<p>What you can do at this point:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Apply EA. If you are close, they will defer you, and if they can hopefully see a good first semester of senior year, that will up your chances. It won’t hurt to do EA, I talked to an admissions rep last year about exactly that.</p></li>
<li><p>Test one more time on the SAT if you haven’t taken it more than twice yet. NEU really does like their test scores.</p></li>
<li><p>In your essay, talk about how you will utilize experiential learning if you can and it is true. A core part of the academic philosophy at NEU is practical learning, the co-ops, etc. They like directed students too, so focus on your passions which appear to be Journalism / Lit and such if you can.</p></li>
<li><p>Make contact with your local admissions rep. Make sure they know you are truly interested and that it is a top or the top choice of yours. That will only help you. If you meet in person, send an email shortly after with any questions you have.</p></li>
<li><p>Don’t worry too much about tons of service hours if it will in any way affect your senior grades or application quality. It’s one of those things every student has, and it won’t do much for you.</p></li>
</ol>

3

<p>Seeing child’s experience ( accepted but not attending ) you have a chance. In my childs class the only students admitted to NU were in the top 10% of class - hopefully you are ( a friend ranked #25 out of 360, got denied). NU is a totally different place than it was 30 so years ago. It has always been popular globally but even now more so so its extremely competitive. They want 2100 on SAT for honors (that also will give you 20k in scholarship from what we’ve seen, know 3 kids that got into honors and got 20k a year). Apply Early Decision if possible, best chances - again based on experience this past year…</p>

4

<p>@PengsPHils you are right about EA (i meant to say EA instead of ED). However, getting aquainted with local admissions reps was a waste of time to be honest). Guess it can’t hurt though. We had an issue we tried to clarify after child was admitted and they were useless (though prompt in getting back to us initially). Based on our experience with NU their attitude is -‘if you don’t accept our offer for admission, fine, someone else will be there right behind you to take your spot’. Very impersonal as compared to the smaller schools child got accepted at and is going to attend one of them. Perhaps that’s due to the size but keep that in mind. </p>

5

<p>@PengsPhils‌ @streetcred‌ Thanks for the advice! Definitely planning to apply EA, and will submit first quarter grades ASAP, which should be only a few days after the deadline. Do you know if there’s a supplement essay? </p>

6

<p>I agree NEU does tend to be impersonal in the application process, which is why making some contact and bringing a face to the name ideally is best. I don’t see why you would be contacting an admissions rep after acceptance though. You would probably want to talk to a different office depending on the issue, and may be part of the reason for them being useless. I had pleasant contact every time I had any with the rep, all before and none after admission.</p>

<p>They certainly do have that attitude though, as many top schools do. NEU has been getting more and more apps by the year (with a rising quality), so I think its understandable. If you’re expecting to be courted, then you will be disappointed.</p>

<p>@rdward96‌ - There wasn’t one last year and no change has been listed on their website, so make your CA essay good.</p>