Chances of getting into Northwestern University

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I just finished my junior year of high school and I am looking to apply to Northwestern through Early Decision this upcoming fall as a Journalism major. My weighted GPA currently stands at a 3.76 where my sophomore year consisted of mostly Honors classes and my junior year of three AP courses with the rest being Honors. My ACT score is a 31. For extracurriculars, I have written for my school newspaper for three years and I was chief editor during my Junior year and will continue to be editor throughout my Senior year. I am also a columnist for a major local newspaper in my area and I did an internship with another local newspaper during the summer of my Sophomore year. I have logged hundreds of hours of community service and I am the leader of my school’s volunteer organization. Do you think that my academic and extracurricular credentials along with applying Early Decision give me a good chance of being accepted?</p>

2

<p>I also scored a 660 for my SAT II U.S. History and a 720 for my SAT II Literature.</p>

3

<p>Unfortunately your GPA, ACT, and SAT IIs are working against you. For Northwestern you need at least a 3.8 (on average) unweighted GPA, while your weighted is only 3.76. You want around a 2150+ to get into NU (I’m not sure what a 31 translates to). But even still, with your low GPA you want to get way above average to have a chance. Your SAT IIs are pretty low, especially US History. Getting a 660 puts you at a very low percentile. I would retake History and Literature, or take two other tests. Early Decision will help a bit, but it still is unlikely you’ll get in. I would say a high reach~15-20%.</p>

<p>Chance me back?
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1168046-thread-has-interesting-title-ill-chance-back.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1168046-thread-has-interesting-title-ill-chance-back.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

4

<p>Although Northwestern is my first choice I am also seriously considering applying to Syracuse’s Newhouse School of Journalism. Do I have a better chance of being admitted there? What if I apply there through Early Decision? Also, would you then consider Northwestern too much of a reach?</p>

5

<p>You have a much better chance at Syracuse’s Newhouse. I wouldn’t say it’s TOO much of a reach, as you still have a (quite) small chance, but I wouldn’t depend on it. You do have good ECs. You might get in ED to Northwestern.
Try and retake the ACT.</p>

6

<p>Thanks for the input! I understand where you are coming from with my subject test scores and GPA but I think my ACT score is considerably solid since their average is between 31-34. Either way, hopefully ED will help along with my extra curriculars.</p>

7

<p>Any other input would be greatly appreciated!</p>

8

<p>a 31 on the ACT is in the middle 50% for accepted students, that puts you in the bubble!</p>