Chances at Getting Into Nothwestern (Medill)?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I'm extremely interested in applying ED to Medill at Northwestern, but I'm not really sure at all whether I'd make the cut. Any help would be appreciated.</p>

<p>GPA - 4.63w 3.92uw
Rank: School doesn't publish rank, but I'm in the top ten in my class of 100 at the small prep school I attend (my parents' idea, not mine)
HS Class: 2009</p>

<p>Scores:</p>

<p>PSAT: 221</p>

<p>SAT Reasoning Test: 2150
Writing 770
Math 640
Reading 800</p>

<p>SAT II's (So far)
American History 740</p>

<p>AP American History 4, and I will be taking the Latin IV, English Language and Composition, Biology, and European History AP exams this spring.</p>

<p>I've taken the most advanced courses availible at my school in every area except math, and I've made mostly A's with mid-to-high B's in Honors Chemitry and Pre-Cal.</p>

<p>I plan to continue taking advanced classes my senior year, as I have heard that helps with the admissions process.</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:</p>

<p>Journalism: Editor of the Press Corps at a statewide YMCA Youth in Government Program, will be Editor in chief of my high school paper, have been the paper's News Editor, am the Literary Magazine's Layout Editor, and I have contributed to the Yearbook from time to time. Some of my writing has also been published in a professionally done magazine sent out by the school.</p>

<p>Mock Trial: I've been a member of my school's Mock Trial team for three years, and last year I was captain of the "JV" team. Next year, I expect to be the captain of the "Varsity" team.</p>

<p>Quiz Bowl: 3 years, I'm my grade's team captain.</p>

<p>Theater: I've been doing plays since about birth, and my school is letting me direct a play next year.</p>

<p>Fencing: I was a founding member of my school's fencing team, which I will captain next year.</p>

<p>School Service Stuff: I volunteer time to be a techie for school assemblies, and I also tour prospective students and mentor eighth graders.</p>

<p>Occasional but consistent civic service.</p>

<p>Various club participation and leadership.</p>

<p>Chance me, as they say? Any advice on just generally getting into Medill, schools that have similarly awesome Journalism schools, or on how you think I'd do as an Early Decision applicant would be tremendously appreciated.</p>

<p><em>Edit</em> Forgot to mention that I sing in the school's award-winning a capella choir, too, if that makes a difference.</p>

2

<p>Your chances should be above average if you apply ED to the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. Odds decrease significantly if you apply RD as this is often regarded as the best journalism school in the country at one of the hottest and most sought after schools in the country.</p>

3

<p>Agreed. About average chances at Northwestern. You might want to take the SATs again to see if you can push your Math score higher. It would help.</p>

<p>Another college with an excellent Journalism school you might want to consider is Syracuse University. Syracuse’s Newhouse School of Communications is among the best in the world and your GPA, SAT scores and ECs would make you a very competitive applicant there.</p>

4

<p>I think I read in the Daily Northwestern that acceptance rates are actually similar between ED and RD now because so many people apply ED.</p>

<p>I think you have a good chance of getting in. Medill obviously is going to look at your essay – make it good! After I was accepted and was visiting the school, the dean saw my name tag and remarked on the memorableness of my essay. Make sure yours is powerful and not cliched, and you should be fine.</p>