Daughter considering applying ED in Nov for Fall 2019
Stats: 30 ACT composite. 36 English, 32 Reading, 26 Math, 26 Science
GPA unweighted: 3.67
Straight As and A+s in all the AP English and Social Science courses. Studying Econ in Senior year and thinks might pursue Econ/Pol Sci at NU
High School: Private school New Jersey. No grade inflation. Average grade awarded is a B.
EC: Did a semester away program in Fall of Junior year to pursue her passion. Played Soccer and Lacrosse JV. Editor of class yearbook club. Plus a couple other leadership gigs in some clubs.
Basically, want to know what her chances are given this profile. Thanks in advance!!
Her ACT composite is low for Northwestern (below the 25th percentile). Econ is math heavy so that 26 math sub score is a red flag.
What is her class rank? GPA also is low for NU and her math and hard science grades do matter.
IMO, I think her chances are very low unless she has a big hook.
Personally I would not have advised my child to use an ED at a school where her stats weren’t in the ballpark.
Thanks for the candid assesment. It is what i was thinking as well
We are in the Chicago area and have about 120 kids apply to NU each year. No one gets in below a 34 and lots of 34’s are waitlisted AND lots of 35s and 36s denied even with all honors and AP classes. NU is tough nut to crack.
Appreciate the honest assesment
NU ED success seems highly improbable. Successful, unhooked NU ED applicants tend to be on the top end of the ACT/GPA ranges. As already stated her ACT is below the 25% percentile, and a significant proportion of students with the lower ACTs are athletes. GPA is also on the low end, and even if there is grade deflation in her high school, it seems STEM rigor (or offerings or classes your D took) may be lacking based on ACT math/science scores. ECs frankly seem light as well. Have your D take a long hard look at other schools on her list, ones that are seemingly better fits. Perhaps one will stand out where ED would make sense, and she could take advantage of any ED bump.
Plan to apply regular admission to NU but take the ACT on Oct 27 (and possibly again on Dec 8). There is room for improvement on the math/science front and studying, practice, timing should really help with raising those two scores. She won’t have to practice at all for English/Reading. NU will not superscore the ACT but other schools may. If she does raise her composite score substantially, then switch her NU application to ED. Its obvious she is very strong on the English/reading front and can raise her other two scores with study and practice exams. She does not have to hit home runs with math/science, just a couple of doubles.
Thanks. Good idea to re-take ACT