Chances

Colleges and Universities A-Z Northwestern University
1

<p>Sorry to ask again, but I didn't get any responses last time I asked. So how is it lookin so far?</p>

<p>Stats:
demographics:
*I am an Asian Indian Male (most likely won't help)
*From a competitive public high school in Oregon: Beaverton High School, which was also rated the best AP school in Oregon, so yeah, its a smart school. (being from oregon isn't going to help either)
*student body at school = 500+</p>

<p>The Numbers/ECs
*ACT Composite 30 (8/12 on the essay (AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH :( :( :(!!!!))
-English 30
-Science 24 (ouch..my chances)
-Reading 31
-Mathematics 34</p>

<p>*Freshman year:
Language Arts (Honors): A/A
Social Studies 9: A/A
Advanced Algebra 2: A/A
Bio/Chem/Phys 10 (Honors): A/A
SAT Math Prep: A
SAT Verbal Prep:A
Spanish 1:A/A
Team Sports:A
Health 1:A
Web Design:A
Computer Programming:A</p>

<p>*Sophomore Year:
AP Chem: B/A
Lit Comp 10 (Honors): A/A
Physics 2: A/A
Pre-Calc: A/B
Social Studies 10 :B/A (can explain this B)
Spanish 2:A/A
Symphonic Band: A/A
Team Sports: A
Health 2: A</p>

<p>*Junior Year:
Human Anatomy: A
IB Biology: A
Spanish 3: A
IB Calculus: A
IB Psychology: A
Team Sports: A
IB Seminar: P
IB English: A</p>

<p>Note: Right now I have a 3.897 UW GPA, but I should finish high school with around a 3.85-3.87, or at very worst 3.8 UW for fresh-senior year because I missed a few days due to a dental procedure, and my grades aren't doing so well right now</p>

<p>*class rank UW right now = 38/515. Weighted = 30/515. Right now I'm top 6%, but will probably wind up finishing high school in the lower end of top 10%
*IB Diploma Candidate (to be)
*NHS (2 years)
*Varsity tennis 4 years (will have 4)
*Science Team 4 years (will have 4)
*World Quest Trivia 4 years (will have 4)
*Science Club Treasurer (1 year)
*Science Club VP (2 years)
*Math Club (4 years) (VP 2 years)
*Portland Youth Philharmonic (2 years)
*Mathfest Algebra 2 1st place freshman year
*Oregon Invitational of Mathematics Tournament Participant Fresh Year
*Mathfest Participant (will have 4 years)
*6th Place at World Quest out of 32 10th grade
*Oregon Museum of Science and Industry Rising Star Program (will have 150-175 volunteer hours done)
*Mathcounts Tutor (about 50+ volunteer hours)
*Want to major in either Biomedical Engineering, Economics, Math, Physics, but then go on to med school.</p>

<p>Also, I was thinking about applying to the communications school because I want to be a neurologist, and I think there are some communication disorders related to the brain (good for doing a research paper on). So does anyone know what would be a good major for that?</p>

<p>thanks</p>

2

<p>...I know that all 69 of you have an opinion, so why not share it</p>

3

<p>I hate chances threads so I don't know what to say about that, but for a potential major I'd say CSD (Communication Science Disorders) in Comm. You can also study Neurology but I believe that's Weinberg?</p>

4

<p>The best anybody can say is that you are well within range in terms of your numbers, but nobody can quantify your essays and leadership qualities.</p>

<p>I will say that nothing stands out to me, and in such a competitive admissions year, this could be a problem. You don't need to have won a Nobel Prize or cured cancer, but I don't really see much leadership on your application, and that is worrisome. You seem committed to science, which is a good thing, but that alone may not really stand out to somebody trying to read 1,000+ applications and essentially looking for 250 standouts. </p>

<p>If I were on an admission committee and was asking myself whether or not you have really exercised your passion to its fullest extent, I would have to say that you haven't, because there is so much more that you can do with a love of science than simply being part of the Science Club and entering competitions.</p>

<p>That being said, your numbers are fine, and obviously you do have solid extracurricular commitments. The ACT writing shouldn't hurt you. It will boil down to your essays and how well you express yourself on paper. You have as strong a shot as anyone with your numbers, but nobody can give you a percentage. </p>

<p>*edit: Didn't realize that you're still a junior. Your essays will be a great place to distinguish yourself, especially if you decide to apply to Comm Sciences/Disorders. It's an unconventional field but one that is relevant to your interests. They will like the fact that you are eschewing the "usual" hard science major for a road that is somewhat less traveled. Make sure that you make a great case in your essay for why you want to pursue this particular major. </p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

5

<p>The previous person stated that you haven't really displayed any ample amount of dedication to one specific activity which would make you a weak candidate for acceptance. However, my EC's were quite poor, not only in number but the amount of participation in each, yet I was still accepted without being exceptionally above the standards for the average NU student.</p>

<p>I think that with your ACT score and class rank fitting in around the median of NU students, you should have a fairly decent shot at acceptance. However, a subjective admissions office and other variables such as your essays may greatly impact your chances as well. With the high academic standards of NU, no one person is guaranteed admission (for the most part)</p>

<p>Best of Luck :-)</p>