Chances of getting into Northeastern, BU, and BC??

Hi!

Some info about me…

Background:
-White female in the greater Boston area
-First Generation College Student

GPA and Scores:
Weighted: 4.5205
Unweighted: 3.7859
SAT: 1300 (combined)
ACT: 28, 8/10 for writing (will take a second one next week)
APs: Seminar (4), Lang (3), Chemistry (3)
APs this year: Research, Biology, Calculus AB, and Psychology
Bunker Hill classes: Human Biology, Stats

Leadership and activities:
Track: 3 years
Chemistry Club: 2 years
Science National Honors Society: 2 years
-President and Co-founder
Lab Assistant for Bunker Hill at my school for this year
-Only Lab assistant (specifically selected by Bunker Hill professors)
Research Intern at Northeastern for Youth Scholar’s Program
-Highly Selective
-One out of 20 people who were selected out of over 270 people
-Worked in a cancer research lab for 6 weeks during the summer with PhD students
-Volunteer at local hospital for two years
-Over 60 hours

My testing scores are average but I’m hoping to increase my ACT score by 1-3 points, if possible.

I will be applying EA for Northeastern and BC and RD for BU

Thank you!

Also, Rank: 19/428

I attend a public school that’s the most diverse in my state

Your test scores are low for all three of those colleges. Middle 50 percentiles:

Northeastern (has been criticized a little for excluding certain groups of students from score reporting)
admitted class of 2022 SAT 1470-1550, ACT 33-35
enrolled class of 2021 SAT EBRW 680-750, SAT math 690-770, ACT 32-34

BU
admitted class of 2022 average SAT 1468, average ACT 32
enrolled class of 2022 average SAT 1421, average ACT 31
enrolled class of 2021 SAT EBRW 640-720, SAT math 660-760, ACT 29-32

BC
admitted class of 2022 average SAT 1448, average ACT 33
enrolled class of 2022 SAT 1340-1480, average SAT 1392, average ACT 32
enrolled class of 2021 SAT EBRW 660-760, SAT math 660-730, ACT 31-33

.

Do you think i could still get in?

Everything else is fine, including that I have strong recs and essays, etc.

@evergreen5
Hi can you elaborate on Northeastern’s test score reporting exclusion you mentioned above? Thanks!

@PepperJo @evergreen5

The only students who do not have to report SAT/ACT scores are international applicants.

Time to be brutally honest:

Statistics wise, you are not looking so hot except for the weighted GPA. If you can, I would recommend improving your SAT or ACT score. Your AP scores are not so high but I think you should be fine. As for the ECs, they are average, nothing too special.

I looked into the YSP program you listed. Keep in mind that only massachusetts resident within commuting distance could apply. So 20/270 isnt too outstanding compared to other summer programs in the area such as Beaverworks, WTP, RISE, RSI, PROMYS, etc. as they have a applicant pool across the country. However, it still looks amazing on college apps.

Northeastern: low reach (has become increasingly harder to get in)
BC: match
BU: match/reach

How is a 4.520 not good??

@GoBears2023

@TomSrOfBoston I was under the impression that the scores of NUin students were also not included in Northeastern’s score reporting, according to the Boston Magazine article. If that is correct, then between international (17%) and NUin (500 students? another 17%?), roughly a third of the enrolled class may not have scores included in Northeastern’s reported data.

@GoBears2023 Hard to call any of these schools matches considering the OP’s current test scores are below the 25th percentile for all three and all three have low acceptance rates.

@Sciencenerd19 Good luck with your test taking!

@evergreen5 That is correct, NUIn stats are not included. It is the same for BU in that they do not include stats for students offered the CGS January London program (400 students) and for those offered guaranteed sophomore transfer. Cornell does not include those fall applicants who are offered the January entry option and their guaranteed sophomore transfer option.

To the OP, you would have a chance at BU if you choose the CGS option.

@Sciencenerd19 I said that your weighted was fine …

@evergreen5 Know looking closer at the stats report for the schools, I agree. She may get in state preference though? But for the most part, I think they are all reaches now.

@GoBears2023 But remember, even if I improve my scores, it doesn’t always come down to test scores. I could still get in. Remember, these are stats so they don’t completely represent the schools. You have personal essays, recs, and background, which are considered more. Looking at your application stats and info, many hs students aren’t really like you because they don’t have as many opportunities like you to receive honors (which is an extensive list) and most students don’t get a near or exact perfect scores on both their SAT and ACT.

By far the biggest correlation to college admissions is GPA/course rigor and test scores, even at more holistic schools. Northeastern is particular is very stat driven, and BU/BC aren’t going to ignore GPA/test scores. The good news is that a high GPA will makes these attainable reaches, but all three are just that - reaches. Improving your ACT/SAT would really make the biggest difference at this point. Being part of a Northeastern program should be helpful as well. But I think it’s best to temper expectations and consider them very solid reaches.

Good luck!

Just wondering what do you mean by “temper expectations?”

Also, people have gotten in with my test scores.

@PengsPhils

@PengsPhils I totally agree with you.
@Sciencenerd19 First off, I’m just trying to give you realistic picture. In addition, I wasnt given any opportunities throughout high school. My total income is less than $50k a year. Each and every score / award I have achieved was the product of countless hours of studying and fighting tooth and nail to make everything work. The classes I have taken are either taught at a local community college or because my school was willing to hire a teacher to teach it. Most of these classes are not offered to other students. I’ve spent days and nights emailing the admin to get the classes I needed to succeed. Unlike you, I have to worry about getting enough money for my family each week to simply get the bare essentials. Please don’t judge other people by their stats and info. It doesen’t fully reflect their background at all.

You came to CC seeking opinions on your chances. Those opinions are not what you were hoping for. So you are arguing that we are wrong and that BU, BC and Northeastern are matches for you. The only way you will know is by applying. By “temper expectations” is meant that you need to have some true matches and safety schools in addition to these reach schools.

^ Exactly right. You will find there are folks with “better” resumes that get rejected and those with “worse” who get accepted to all three schools. It’s a subjective process. Having safeties and true matches is very important unless you believe in simply hoping for the best. That could work but doesn’t ensure college admissions anywhere.

just letting you know — nobody here knows what’s gonna happen. gobears or whatever might have impressive awards and what-not but they are not a college admissions officer. you apply, and what happens, happens. If you put in the time, and your essays are great and you improve your standardized tests, you have a shot— wherever you go!!