Chances?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Northwestern University
1

<p>Hi, I'm applying to Northwestern this year and I was wondering if anyone out there could comment on my chances of getting in. I'm applying to the Medill School of Journalism probably, but I really want to go to Northwestern regardless, because I'm most likely going on to Med School or possibly Law School afterwards, but I want a Journalism Undergrad. If you don't think I have chances at Medill, would Weinberg be a better shot at applying?</p>

<p>Here are my stats (applying RD):</p>

<p>White male from small to medium public High School in Illinois
*To comment on my HS, two of my best friends got in last year and are now attending, the first applicants to ever apply to NU or any real prestigious school besides one Stanford attendee about 7 years ago (10 years ago our district was at least 1/4 the size it is now, with senior classes of about 40-60). </p>

<p>ACT: 33
SAT: 2050--Not submitting
GPA: 4.6...something Weighted, 4.0 unweighted
Valedictorian of my class, 1/350
-Took all honors and as many APs as I could (5 APs, we only offer 7 and the other two didn't fit)
-4 years of Spanish
-5 years of English, 5.5 years of Math (I took high school classes in middle school, took BC Calc junior year)</p>

<p>ECs:
-4 years of Speech Team, Captain
-4 years of Marching Band/Band (Snareline)
-4 years of Theatre: Plays and Musicals
-3 years of Mock Trial, Lead Attorney
-3 years of Academic Team, Captain
-2 years of Contest Theatre
-National Honor Society, lots of volunteering
-Student Tutor
-Big Brother
-Eagle Scout
-Had a job for 2+ years</p>

<p>Journalism Specifics:
-Only 4 year member of staff (you must be an English Honors Freshmen with teacher recommendation to join sophomore year, I was exception)
-3 year editor, Only ever 2 year Editor in Chief--Usually only seniors, But I got on junior year.
-Many individual awards
-Participated in 1st ever Illinois State Journalism Write Off Competition, placing at State in Top 15 (I think around 13-11) for Editorial Writing.
-Gained national attention last year personally for fighting the censorship of our publication due to a editorial I wrote criticizing a school board member, which we had the right to do. Had stories about it in 5 local papers, including Chicago Tribune, and discussed on local radio and TV stations. May be benefit because so close to Northwestern? *Possible Essay Topic
-In about 3 weeks I will be attending a Free Speech in Schools Conference hosted by the Chicago Tribune Freedom Museum in downtown Chicago with my adviser, which I was personally invited to due to what happened last year. </p>

<p>I think that's about it. I tried to include as much as possible to give a clear picture of me. Any comments are greatly appreicated. Thanks!</p>

2

<p>Im student at nu- looks good to me</p>

3

<p>Anyone at all?</p>

4

<p>you have a good shot RD, your journalism ECs are good.</p>

5

<p>i just have one question, if you are from illinois and want an undergrad journalism degree to eventually use to go on to med or law school, why aren't you applying ED? What is your first choice?</p>

<p>Northwestern is about as good as you are going to get for the two goals you mentioned besides maybe somewhere like.. columbia</p>

6

<p>I'm not applying ED because of money issues. I can't afford Northwestern if I don't get scholarships to pay for it, and I want to keep my options open. I know that sounds crazy for some people, but I come from a family where nobody goes to college...11 aunts and uncles and tons of cousins, me being one of the youngest, and basically no real college attendance anywhere except for a few small schools and trade schools. So therefore I'm applying to other schools' journalism programs too to see what kind of monetary offers I can get, even if the education is less. I'm also applying to WashU because I'm not fully set on journalism and their philosophy-neuroscience-psychology program really intrigued me to do before going on to possible med school. Still not sure what first choice is, but kind of leaning to Northwestern. So that's why :)</p>

7

<p>ah, northwestern most likely will give you a very good aid package, they have a sickeningly huge endowment and they don't offer merit aid, so it all goes to need-aid</p>

8

<p>I agree w/elsijfdl. Although, do expect to pay your EFC. If you are eligible for outside scholarships, you will need to apply to help offset the work/study and student loans that they offer as part of your FA package. I suggest that you run a sample EFC and determine upfront if you will be able to afford NU or not. I don't think you will see a significant difference between the FA package whether you apply ED or RD. It all depends on your family's income.</p>

9

<p>IANAAP. You would probably be a top candidate anywhere. Why the angst?</p>

<p>Also, why not submit your SATs? Your score is nothing to be ashamed of.</p>

10

<p>^^ ehh... his ACT is alot better</p>