Northwestern is my dream school, but I know that my chances aren’t very high. Let me know if you have suggestions of schools that are similar to Northwestern, but with higher acceptance rates! I am looking for a mid-sized school in a city (but with a real campus!) and Greek life. I am a rising senior.
Scores:
GPA: 3.9 unweighted 4.2 weighted
ACT: 30 (33 English, 29 Math, 31 Reading, 26 Science)
AP: AP US History (4), US Givernment, Biology, and Calculus
My school doesn’t rank but I am on the highest honor roll
Sophomore Classes: AP US History, Honors Alg 2/Trig, Honors Bio, Honors English, French 2
Junior Classes: AP Gov, Honors Economics, Honors Pre-Calc, Honors Chemistry, Honors Lit/Comp, French 3 Honors
Senior Classes: AP Bio, AP Calc, French 4 Honors, Honors English/Social studies (interdisciplinary class), Honors Physics, and Yearbook
ECs:
Varsity Tennis (since sophomore year, captain next year)
Lacrosse (freshman and sophomore year)
Dance at a studio since I was 5 (I am very involved in classes and shows)
160+ Volunteer hours at the Children’s museum
Student Council (Service Committee)
Newspaper (executive editor)
Church Youth Group
NHS
School Blood Drive Committee Co-Chair
Strengths:
I write really good essays, and have good relationships with my teachers so I expect excellent recommendations!
UWI: Match
SMU: Low match
NWU: Reach
NEU: High match
UPitt: Safety
GWU: Match/High match
Bucknell: Reach
UNC-CH: Match (in-state)/Reach (OOS)
NU you have a shot ED. You have a good UW GPA the main thing you need to improve is your ACT over the summer. The only thing that might hurt you is a lack of APs, but your in all honors and maybe your school doesn’t offer to many so I wouldn’t worry. After finishing the school year and having an extra year of knowledge usually it’s easier to improve your ACT between now and early next school year. If your struggling with science you should do lots of practice with it because while its easily the toughest section, their is a formula to doing well on it. (The sci section is broken down into three types of passages, and you can tell which type each is by the number of questions for each of the 6-7 passages. Its like research summary, comparing viewpoints, and like analysis or something. It also helps not to read each question due to the time constraint and skip to the questions). Also the English/reading score tend to be variable based on the passages you get so if you get lucky and get a passage you connect with its easier to do better. Also knowing precalc now will make the few trig questions a cinch in math. Outside the ACT (which even if you only improve 1-2 points it should be fine), if you right good essays you’ll definitely have a chance. I’d strongly consider applying ED though over RD if Northwestern’s your top choice because the acceptance rates differ highly (33% admit versus like <5% RD) and RD admittance rates tends to have a higher average test scores which could hurt you. I’m going to NU next year so if you have any specific questions feel free to ask! All your other schools on your list are basically matches except for maybe one or two but of course everyone gets rejected from a few schools they apply. Good luck!
What major are you looking at?
I’m from WI and considered Madison but chose at Northeastern. I don’t know about the other schools, but for those I’d say:
UW: match
Northeastern: high match/low reach (ACT is below 25th percentile of 31, also admissions is getting constantly more competitive)
I cannot stress it enough-apply to Northwestern EARLY! Over half of the class is accepted early.