<p>I'm applying to McCormick (Chemical Engineering) RD
I'm a white female; Not born in the US; California public school
Chance me (: THANK YOU!!! yay.</p>
<p>ACT: 33
SAT II: Chemistry 730; US History 700; Math II 690
SAT I: 2140 (W 770, M 720, CR 650)
AP: Chem, Eng. Lang., US history, World history - All 4s
Current Classes: AP Calc BC, AP Bio, AP Physics, AP Eng Lit, AP Gov, AP Econ.
GPA: 4.0 uw, 4.3 w.</p>
<p>ECs: School tennis team 9-11th. Local tournaments, etc.
Animal rights club 9-12th
Volunteer at a cat adoption/rescue center 7-12th. I've fostered homeless cats in my house.
I volunteer at a local science center 11-12th
Math tutor (trig/precalc last year, now I tutor AP Calc BC)
Philosophy club 11-12th secretary
Human Relations Council (leadership board) 11-12th
Science Olympiad 9th (it didn't continue at my school)</p>
<p>Honors: Academic Letter + Principals honor roll (GPA awards)
AP Scholar with honor
Chosen to represent my school in the American Chemical Society exam (10th)
MVP/Most inspirational/achievement awards in tennis (9-11th)</p>
<p>This summer I did a chem engineering/biomedical engineering research program (:</p>
<p>I'd say good shot, but I've discovered NU isn't strictly a numbers game. You have good stats, but need to shine in your essays to ensure acceptance.</p>
<p>I've been told repeatedly, 'NU wants students who show they want NU'. Be passionate and best of luck!</p>
<p>Thank you!
NU is my #1 choice now, and I've been working ridiculously hard on the Why NU essay (I'm trying to cut it down because it's too long)...so I'll definitely make sure that I show I'm passionate (:</p>
<p>I have to say this off the bat, I am a declared Chemical Engineer, and you really have to want it. You really have to be into the chemistry, the physics, and even the biology, the lifestyle and what you are doing in society. </p>
<p>I feel as though NU reaaaally considers the SAT 2s strongly. So on that front you're not very competitive. ACTs are very good. AP scores are mediocre, GPA is about as good as you can get these days.</p>
<p>There aren't many students from California, I've also noticed that NU tends to, not exactly favor, but accepts alot more students from New Jersey, New York, Texas (represent!) and Illinois as well as surrounding midwest states. </p>
<p>So in general, yes, you have a shot. But also consider other schools, look at Cal Berkeley (so jealous of you if you go there although NU is awesome) , are you a California resident you have an immediate advantage and it has one of the best engineering programs in any division. </p>
<p>If you have any questions about the Chem E program, just pm me.</p>
<p>"I feel as though NU reaaaally considers the SAT 2s strongly."</p>
<p>I'm not sure specifically for McCormick, there SAT II's might be considered stronger, but I was accepted into SoC with VERY bad SAT II's, but my SAT/ACT/GPA/EC's compensated and i felt confident in my essays and rec's.
Idk, just something to think about. REALLY stress your Why NU</p>
<p>I certainly agree with your admonition about how "you really have to want it" with regard to ChemE. But I'd argue points with regard to admissions.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>SAT II's are not generally critical elements in an application. They are commonly "suggested," rarely required. They primarily serve to verify the rigor of curricula at small high schools poorly known to college admission officers or to justify grades in high schools where grade inflation is rampant.</p></li>
<li><p>Women represent only about 20% of engineering undergrads. At Northwestern, this is closer to 30%. Programs are pretty universally pursuing women to close this gender gap. The OP is female - this can only work to her advantage in her applications.</p></li>
<li><p>About 20% of NU undergrads are from the West/Southwest. A very similar percentage originate from the Middle Atlantic/New England states. About twice this number are Midwesterners - no great surprise. Colleges make no secret of their interest to assemble a diverse class in all manners. While no one releases data on numbers of applicants and acceptance rates based on geography, these numbers certainly argue against a West coast bias.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Manzagal3</p>
<p>Your stats are certainly competitive. You'll be a strong applicant with a very reasonable chance at acceptance.</p>
<p>I know that NU accepts a lot of students from my school every year, so maybe that's a good sign? I know that my SAT IIs aren't that great, but honestly I didn't really take them very seriously. It's weird though because my best subject at school has always been math but my SAT II doesn't show that D:</p>
<p>I really want chemical engineering, and I wrote my Why NU? essay about that but in a creative way. My common application essay is also about engineering...</p>
<p>So I'm just going to cross my fingers and hope that I get in (-:</p>
<p>After it's submitted, that's all there is to do, unfortunately. The last month was the most stressful of my life and now I couldn't be happier!</p>
<p>As for the Why NU? - creative is awesome, anything to set you apart. Just make sure to keep it focused and I'm sure it'll be great. Don't be afraid to take a risk, I made mine a little funny and it seemed to have worked lol. Guess the adcoms didn't mind sarcasm.</p>