<p>I'm really interested in pursuing journalism, and the Medill School of Journalism seems like an excellent program (I have researched from the website, talked to a counselor about it, read many CC threads about it, etc.) I was just wondering what my chances are for being accepted. If I really want to go here, should I apply ED with these credentials?
SAT: 2260 (800W, 740CR, 720M)
SATII: 800 Math II, 780 USH
APs: Music Theory (5), World History (4), USH (5), AB Calc (5), English Lang (5)
GPA: 95.4/100 (my school doesn't rank)
Senior Year Courseload: Multivariable Calc/Diff Eq, AP Micro/Macro, AP English Lit, AP Spanish, Orchestra, Advanced Journalism, Science Electives, Gov
ECs: School Newspaper (staff, News editor, Managing Board), Children's Orchestra Society (Majors program), theater community (band and chorus), National Honors Society (tutor), Big Sib (homeroom leader), community service club (volunteer), performed in benefit concerts for Japan
Summer Programs: Music camp for 3 years, precollege program, volunteered for 2 political campaigns
Other schools I am thinking of applying to are Williams, Swarthmore, Bowdoin, Duke, Cornell, UChicago, NYU, and Yale (HUGE HUGE REACH)
Thoughts?</p>
<p>Bump…</p>
<p>Well, if you want to pursue an undergraduate degree in journalism, out of your list there is no better school than Northwestern. Heck, out of any list there’s probably no better school for undergraduate journalism. Overall, I think you are a good, competitive applicant. Your SAT is clearly good enough for Northwestern or any school really, and I’m not the most familiar with the 100-point scale GPA system but that calculates to about a 3.8 right? Certainly that’s not mind blowing, but it’s competitive nonetheless. I think GPA is really relative to be honest; some schools don’t have anyone with a 4.0 and others have ten - but yours is still good regardless. </p>
<p>Your list of ECs isn’t the longest, but I like devotion to some activities such as theater and newspaper and orchestra. Sometimes it isn’t about how many easy and meaningless ECs you have but rather it’s about having several that have your steadfast dedication - I don’t see any throwaway activities here. Your summers seem to be spent well also. I actually think political campaign work fits quite well and meshes with journalism. It’s almost a given if you are applying to Medill that you need to be on your HS newspaper, and there’s a big check mark there. I’m glad that you’ve researched the program, and while I’m no expert, I know that Medill is incredibly selective - whether that’s any different from the main schools of NU, I don’t know. What I do know is that they (usually) place a lot of weight into ECs and essays - perhaps more than another school like WCAS. What I noticed in your resume is that you also happen to be taking a journalism course at your school - I think that looks great when applying to Medill. </p>
<p>These things are so hard to determine, but to repeat myself I think you have a good chance of being accepted, but you must absolutely write great essays. College admissions are so hard you need to make your application sizzle. On applying ED, it only helps. With admissions today, you have to decide on whether NU is your first choice school. You could very well get in RD, but these things are such crap shoots. It’s a fact that ED boosts your chances, and if you “really want to go here,” you have to determine whether or not you want to take the chance going RD where applications get even more dicey. Think that over.</p>
<p>Thanks for the really honest response. I know my SAT/GPA aren’t up there, but there’s not much I can do about it now, haha. And yeah, it gets hard to cram in a bunch of EC’s when you commute an hour and a half to school every day, but music and journalism are my real passions (I didn’t put my entire music resume…not really necessary because I’m not doing the dual Medill/Bienen program, but it’ll be on my Common App)</p>
<p>I guess I’ll have to do some deep soul searching…I am SO undecided about EDing. I don’t know if it’s better to EA to other schools and then have a bunch of options/$ packages, or ED to one school that I want to go to and just be done.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the insight though. I will work really hard on my essays :)</p>
<p>Your SAT and GPA are very much “up there.” A 2260 is an absolutely brilliant score. A 3.8 GPA or so isn’t exactly slouching either - obviously it’s ideal to be as close to a 4.0 as possible, but your GPA is still very competitive. Obviously I didn’t know about your commute, but I liked your ECs even before you told me that! The point I was driving at was that you seem to be devoted to 4 or 5 activities - good, serious activities that are not throwaway ones. Your devotion to music and journalism is what Medill will see and admire. I was going for a compliment in case we got our signals crossed :)</p>
<p>Remember that you can’t compare FA packages if you are accepted ED, but technically you can opt out of an ED contract if the FA is too low. If you can afford the school regardless then that may cut that part out of the ED equation. I know that you can ED to NU and EA to UChicago (because it’s not single choice like Yale), but if you seem to be as serious about journalism as you say, then do a little soul searching if you must, but you won’t get that anywhere else. Not to mention that tons of people I know from Medill double major in the CAS - that’s one of the strengths of NU and the quarter system. Since you seem to be looking at other schools without journalism programs, I can only assume you also have another major in mind. But ultimately applying ED is about getting an edge when you know what school you want to go to above all others (within reason). If in several more weeks you’re still undecided then you may already be decided if you catch my drift.</p>
<p>Ahh…you are so sweet! I have no idea how my school’s grading system compares with others, but kids in my school are insanely competitive - there are so many 96 averages and 2300’s, it makes my head spin. And thanks about the EC comment, that really made my day (I was scared I’d have to start a charity or write a novel to keep up with some of the people here)</p>
<p>I never thought of that combination before for early applications, thanks for suggesting it! While I am pretty serious about journalism, I’ve read that sometimes people opt to major in something that relates to journalism (Political Science, some type of Sociology, Economics) and write for really good school papers…hence choices like Yale, Duke, Cornell, UChicago and NYU, which have great A/S programs and reputable newspapers. The LAC’s are kind of just thrown in because I visited them and liked their community nature.</p>
<p>Haha as I’m reading the NU threads, I’m becoming more and more convinced though…mainly because I can have the journalism AND the arts and science AND the music and be a happy camper.</p>
<p>What school are you in? How do you like it? :)</p>
<p>A lot of times people will go to a top school and major in whatever they want and then pursue a graduate degree in journalism. That’s always an option, but Northwestern is widely regarded as the best undergrad. program, and it gives you the option to double major easily. Northwestern is literally one of the easiest top schools to double major in, and the quarter system also allows someone musically inclined like yourself to pursue music courses or even a music concentration (a minor of sorts) from an incredible school like Bienen. Trust me though, if you go to an incredible school like Cornell or Duke also with great newspapers, that’s an accomplishment in and of itself, and I’m sure you’ll get far if you have the drive. But if you really want to pursue a major in journalism now, keep looking into NU. Medill is fabulous, and the resources for journalism they have are outstanding. And that’s not even mentioning how great our regular Arts and Science programs are. Best of both worlds without the sacrifice. </p>
<p>Something you also wrote caught my eye: you mentioned that you like the community feel of LAC. I posted this in another thread, but you might find this interesting…</p>
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<p>It helps make the school feel personalized and closer. I know that the Communications dorm (I think East Fairchild…) is home to a bunch of Medill people who live with a good number of film majors. If you’re looking into community, that’s a good avenue to explore in a social aspect.</p>
<p>I’m tentatively majoring in Mathematics and Film right now btw. I’ve only spent one year here, but I’m liking it a lot. The breadth of courses and intellectual diversity of people is unlike anywhere else I applied. Northwestern is a mixed bag of goodies lol.</p>
<p>I know, I know…I could have it all if I went to Northwestern. So incredibly tempting, but I think my parents are concerned with $ and want to be able to compare packages.
That sounds good. I went to sleepaway music camp for three summers - I liked how within my dorm we were a family, and how the entire camp seemed to be like a community as well. That’s the kind of vibe I want to have in college. I’ll definitely look more into residential life, as I’ve kind of only been looking at academics.</p>
<p>Did you ED?</p>
<p>No, I didn’t - I applied RD. If money is a concern then you might not want to apply ED. That you need to talk over with your family. </p>
<p>And I see that website didn’t get hyperlinked so here it is again:
[Northwestern</a> University : Residential Colleges](<a href=“http://www.northwestern.edu/residentialcolleges/visitors/colleges/index.html]Northwestern”>http://www.northwestern.edu/residentialcolleges/visitors/colleges/index.html)</p>
<p>I know. It’s hard being a middle class applicant because you need money, but probably won’t get much.
Also, I was reading some of the other threads (the one that had the huge argument) and I must say 1) Thank you for thinking out your responses and taking the time to respond to little High Schoolers like myself. 2) HOLY MOLY your stats are amazing, I’m so jealous.
Thanks for the residential colleges link. Which one are you in? What are some cool/quirky things about it? I feel like CRC or CCS would be fun to live in.</p>
<p>I lived in Willard. It’s essentially a non-themed residential college. So, it’s a little more eclectic residential community. I personally find it the most beautiful dorm building but it’s also not air conditioned (pretty much yuck for the beginning and end few weeks). Here’s a pic: <a href=“http://www.northwestern.edu/residentialcolleges/visitors/colleges/willard/willard.jpg[/url]”>http://www.northwestern.edu/residentialcolleges/visitors/colleges/willard/willard.jpg</a>. Shepard is another eclectic dorm too - much nicer inside though. And CRC is awesome - they have a screening room with a blu-ray player! You’ll probably find the most Medill kids in CRC, Shepard, and Willard. Some things we did at Willard are firesides (meetings for everything under the sun, guest lectures, etc.) in our basement room called the “Rat Trap,” a Polka Party, a Luau, etc… Definitely you need a sense of quirkiness and humor to live in a residence college. If you go to that first site I gave you in my last post, you can find links to the RC individual websites through our main NU one (usually on the right side under the picture). Not all too familiar with CCS, but check a few of them out. When you submit your housing forms, you have to write a short prompt on why you want to live in a RC, but it’s worth it. I didn’t live in a non-RC dorm, but from visiting friends, it’s my idea that we grew a lot closer. It helps make a school with 8000 undergrads (not huge mind you) feel all the more like home. </p>
![http://www.northwestern.edu/residentialcolleges/visitors/colleges/willard/willard.jpg[/url]](http://www.northwestern.edu/residentialcolleges/visitors/colleges/willard/willard.jpg%5B/url%5D){kind=link}
<p>Oh, and to that little high school student remark, I’m only 19 lol - I’m not some wise 70 year old didact! I just try to take the same in thinking through every response. I never am careless with my words and am always out there just to help - it makes me feel good when people notice so thanks! Yeah, that thread got a little heated though - not anyone’s proudest moment. Thanks for that compliment btw. </p>
<p>The problem is that some people have such a low income that they’ll be able to attend for virtually no cost while others have the wealth to afford a full tuition. A lot of people (maybe the bulk?) however sit in the range where their parents make enough to not be considered for all too much FA but still don’t make enough to pay for college. That’s one unhappy middle grounds consisting of debt and loans.</p>
<p>Well for all intents and purposes, that explanation just kind of gave me a sense of how even in a large university, there is a sense of community. I don’t think I need to start worrying about the specific residential colleges until I get in, if I get in. But it’s really good to know that they do exist.
Haha, I’m only 16 - I feel quite small and unwordly compared to most college students. But yeah, I appreciate it. That thread did make me chuckle a bit though.
MY SITUATION EXACTLY. I wish I could be in a situation where my parents say “It’s your call! We’ll pay for you, wherever you go. Don’t worry about it,” but I’m not. Any scholarship tips?</p>
<p>Scholarship tips? Ummmmm…try your best lol? I don’t really know if I could help you in that area to be honest.</p>
<p>Haha, it’s okay. You’ve been SUPER DUPER helpful already 
So I wrote a draft of my Why Northwestern essay…about 500 words.
Is it supposed to be focused on what you would take advantage of in the school? I only focused on academics and music, should I include residential life? I don’t know how much I can cram in without it getting really verbose.</p>
<p>to OP: your stats are better than mine and i was accepted and will be attending this sept. so my guess would be as long as you write quality essays you will get in.</p>
<p>Yes, writing about what you will take advantage of looks great - anything that is a draw for you, academically or socially, can be included. It really is just a “Why NU” essay. My best advice is to spend some time letting the school soak into your brain a little. Develop some ideas about what to write and spend the time churning them over until they flow. Writing too rapidly and too randomly isn’t always the best thing to do. Take it from me: save your draft, spend several days to a week thinking things over consciously and unconsciously until everything clicks into place or some “divine inspiration” hits. </p>
<p>You see, it’s the “Why X School?” essays that can oftentimes be the most challenging. It is not only about research on the school and flattering an admissions staff; you have to talk about the school within the scope of yourself. This essay is about taking a pilgrimage to your own mind in order to take a step forward in the academic universe! As is my personal touch, I wrote an introduction in milky prose that established where I saw myself starting this whole process and where I ended up: at Northwestern’s doorstep. I managed to find a way to talk about not only myself but how I saw my reflection in the school itself.
Certain classes, professors, clubs, my unique set of majors. I know that may not make sense having not read my essay but perhaps you catch the drift.</p>
<p>Just out of curiosity…how long was your supplement essay? I feel like if I say all that I want to say, it’ll end up as 800+ words. Right now it’s about 5 paragraphs - a little intro, a long paragraph on Medill, a slightly shorter on the CAS courses I would take as the other 70% (what I’m interested in), another on Bienen & what I would want to do, and another about the opportunities being close to Chicago (with a concluding sentence at the end)</p>
<p>My NU essay was 558 words. Unless your essay flows exceptionally and there really is no fluff to cut out, I’d caution an 800+ essay. Admissions officers take minutes to read these things. But if you know in your heart it has to be that long, then it has to be that long. </p>
<p>I would urge you to make specific references to unique things academically at Northwestern - certain classes or professors and obviously you already have Medill to write about. Maybe include some social aspects? Make it unique though.</p>
<p>Well right now it’s a little over 500, but it is purely about academics (with a couple of references to the advantages of being a journalist in Chicago)
I did add the names of certain classes…professors no (should I?)
And yeah, I completely neglected social aspects except for joining the Philharmonia, so thanks for the tip :)</p>
<p>You don’t have to forcefully insert the names of professors or classes if they don’t fit within the confines of your essay. Only add what actually appeals to you.</p>