<p>So I already applied to my backup schools, and I am in the process of applying for my 4 reaches: Vanderbilt, Notre Dame, Northwestern, and Wash. U. in St. Louis. I am a prospective chemical engineering major and assuming I am accepted, how do y'all think they compare, in overall atmosphere, student intelligence, happiness, engineering curriculum, etc etc? Could I go wrong choosing any of them? are any better than the others? Obviously I have seen Northwestern was ranked top 25 for chemE by us news, but I know those rankings are very arbitrary and should be taken lightly. So what are the overall opinion on the 4 schools?</p>
<p>Also am I competitive with ACT 32 composite, 34 math? Several AP's, 4.2 WGPA, 3.85UWGPA. Lots of extra curricular/leadership/sports/service/boyscouts. Do I compare well the the average student at these universities? particularly in engineering? Obviously I know "if you get a 33 you'll have better chance," but I'm done testing, so please don't suggest that.</p>
<p>What is your class rank or approximate decile?</p>
<p>I think all 4 of these schools are reaches based on your stats and, although you are somewhat competitive, you only compare “moderately well” in these applicant pools, IMHO. To me, Northwestern would get the nod between these 4 schools for ChemE. My S was wait listed at Northwestern last year (MechE) with a 2230/34, 3.8uw/4.5w, top 3%, National AP Scholar, and better than average ECs and leadership, who’s now at UCBerkeley. Obviously, each candidate and application year holds many variables… Good luck.</p>
<p>top 5%. I don’t quite understand how he was wait listed with those stats… A 32 is their average act, and while obviously many people have a higher score, plenty have below that as well. Anyways, I covered basically ever possible EC angle. I’m eagle scout, 10 year cellist, class president, etc. So hopefully I have a bit more luck than he did. I have very good essays and recs so hopefully that will help</p>
<p>I’m not sure your ECs are covering “ever(y) possible EC angle” with what you listed. My S was also an Eagle Scout. Class officer is not a “biggie”. MUN, mock trial, debate, etc. has a little more clout, imo. (My S didn’t do any of the ones I just listed. He played tennis all 4 years and was a paid tutor in math and physics, and President of Safe Rides.)</p>
<p>As long as you’re in the top 5% and score reasonanbly well on your standardized tests (which you did, although I don’t know your SAT II scores), good essays, recs, etc., you have a shot. The bottom line is you are a very strong applicant and will get accepted to a very good school.</p>
<p>Well I am in MUN too, but I understand your point. I actually didn’t do SAT II tests, but none absolutely require them (I know they recommend them). I guess I’ll just cross my fingers. I’d still like to see input from others comparing and contrasting the schools a bit.</p>
<p>If Northwestern is your top choice, apply ED, assuming you haven’t missed the deadline. It will obviously show “demonstrated interest” and your chances go up nicely.</p>
<p>thanks for the input UCB… any elaboration on that claim? Jshain, I did not apply to vandy or UND early because vandy is contract binding, and notre dame will not reconsider you regular decision if you don’t get in early. So people always say don’t apply to ND unless you are very above average. Do you know anything about applying early to northwestern? Does it share any of these cases?</p>
<p>I’m not familiar with each of your school’s “conditions” for early application submittals. I recall last year NU’s admit rate was about 10 pts. higher for the ED round (30% v. 20%?).</p>