Hi! I have an unweighted GPA of a 3.75 (with a perfect 4.0 junior year), and 34 on the ACT (only took it once). I want to apply ED to Northwestern (specifically for their theatre program) and was wondering if I have a chance. I’m considering taking subject tests in October, as I haven’t taken any. It’s probably also worth noting (since I’m applying to their theatre program) that I’ve been acting professionally throughout all of high school in addition to doing okay academically, which might be seen as additionally impressive, but I don’t know. Do I have a shot?
I’ve also volunteered at animal shelters and taught Shakespeare workshops for underprivileged kids, in addition to some slightly wackier ECs (like being my state’s organizer for an international cake baking society) which kind of round it out?
Overall I think you should be a competitive applicant, especially if you apply ED. But remember, even competitive applicants don’t have a great chance of being accepted.
Is a 3.75 not great at your school? If you let us know your class rank we could give you more feedback as to whether your GPA is competitive or not. Either way though, your ACT score and ECs (even though ECs aren’t as heavily considered by admissions) could make up for that, so I would encourage you to apply even if your class rank ain’t all too good. Also, it seems like you have an upwardly trending GPA, which admissions people see positively.
Good SAT Subject Test scores could be useful, especially in subjects in whose classes you didn’t get an A or A-, or did poorly on the AP exams. NU recommends sending two Subject Tests anyway, so I would take some if I were you.
My school doesn’t do class ranks, but it’s a very good school (one of the highest ranked public schools in MA) and I was in entirely honors classes. I’m now signed up for two Subject Tests, so hopefully those will go well. I didn’t take any AP exams (I was going to take one, but ended up performing at Carnegie Hall that weekend, haha)
Yeah I think you’re a competitive applicant then. Go for ED!