Chances?

<p>Hi guys, I am entering my senior year of high school and I was wondering if I could get some input on my chances of getting into Northwestern early decision </p>

<p>Here are my stats...</p>

<p>-White male from the northeast
-I go to a decent public school</p>

<p>Academics:</p>

<p>-99 weighted average (the highest weighted GPA in my school about a 101)
-My school does NOT rank but I am most likely between 10 and 15 out of 250 students
-I have taken the most rigorous schedule possible and I will have taken 9 AP classes by the end of high school
-30 on the ACT (I know it's low) (30's in each section)
-740 on the physics subject test
-Taking a math subject test in the fall (I will most likely score above 700)</p>

<p>Extracurricular Activities:</p>

<p>-Science research program (will submit an INTEL STS paper)
-Key Club
-Italian Club
-Newspaper Club
-Quiz Bowl Team
-Principles Cabinet
-Golf Team
-Track Team
-Bowling Team
-NHS</p>

<p>Jobs/ Community Service:</p>

<p>-I have worked in the service industry for 4 summers in a row and I was promoted to a leadership position rather quickly
-Babysitter
-I have done an average amount of community service through Key Club and on my own
-Tutor in math, science, and italian</p>

<p>Other:</p>

<p>-I will have great recommendations from my teachers and from my employers
-I am a good writer and I plan on spending a lot of time on my essays</p>

<p>I plan on studying physics or a field of engineering. I understand that my scores are not stellar but I am hoping that the rest of my application will make up for it. Do I have a chance of getting into either McCormick for engineering or WCAS for physics early decision? Also, would I have a better chance at one school over the other?</p>

<p>Thank you for taking your time to read this and I am open to any advice that you can give me. Thanks again!</p>

<p>Bump…</p>

<p>ED is your best shot. Good Luck!</p>

<p>What is your UNweighted GPA?
THe 30 ACT could hurt you. Have you taken the SAT?</p>

<p>NorthwesternDad: Thanks.</p>

<p>WCASParent: That is my WEIGHTED GPA. My UN-WEIGHTED GPA is around a 95. I AM in the top 5% of the class with both my weighted and un-weighted GPA. I made the mistake of not taking the SAT (I know I should have) and I am now stuck with this ACT score. I only think I could raise my score one point and I think I rather spend my time working on the rest of my application. Will this ACT score hurt me severely or can the rest of my application make up for it? </p>

<p>Also can someone answer this question for me please… “Do I have a chance of getting into either McCormick for engineering or WCAS for physics early decision? Also, would I have a better chance at one school over the other?”</p>

<p>Thanks again guys!</p>

<p>For both WCAS and McCormick, the more SAT II’s you take, the better it is. S is in Engg and he took 4 SAT IIs - Math, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (though the required minimum, I believe, is 2). With the competition increasing every year, every little addition is a plus and of course, nothing to beat ED, if this is your first choice school.</p>

<p>NorthwesternDad: Thanks for the advice. My physics subject is good (740) and I am taking a math subject test that I should get in the 700s. Hopefully, these can make up for my low ACT score. I also visited the campus and I plan on interviewing which should help too.</p>

<p>If anyone else has any advice id appreciate it. Thanks again!!!</p>

<p>How about retaking the ACT in the fall?</p>

<p>Calmama: I might consider doing that. Thanks! </p>

<p>One last question. Does NU superscore? I can’t find any information online. I they do I have a 31 if that makes a difference. Thanks!</p>

<p>If memory serves, NU does not superscore. Based on the most recently published Common Data Set (2011-12), a 30 ACT composite is in the bottom quartile.</p>

<p>SAT subject tests are not required at all for the general applicant. HPME applicants take MATH II and Chemistry; ISP applicants take Math II, Chemistry, and Physics; and homeschooled applicants take either math and two more tests not in the same subject area. For everyone else, two are recommended.</p>

<p>One thing I noticed in the recently-published CDS. The importance of standardized test scores has been reduced from “very important” to “important.” At the same time, recommendations were bumped up from “important” to “very important.” I don’t know exactly what to make of that except to say not to stress so much over the test scores that you don’t take care of the essays and recommendations.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

<p>Your best bet is Early decision- but even then your ACT is pretty low. Your academic stats will probably be the lower end of the McCormick applicant pool. To be more safe I’d suggest you retake ACT for at least a 34 and subject tests of over 750. Otherwise WCAS might be the better option.</p>

<p>Are you the head of any of the clubs you listed? because that might help.</p>

<p>Deelee590: Thanks for your advice. I am going to be taking more subject tests which I will score high on. I also hold leadership positions in a few of the clubs listed.</p>