I’m currently in the process of applying to Northwestern University, but I doubt my chances. I have legacy status but that amounts to little in my opinion.
Desired Major: Biomedical engineering
SAT Score: 1390
SAT II: 730 for chemistry (NU said they don’t require SAT IIs)
Past AP Courses: AP Chemistry, AP Calc BC, AP Music Theory, AP Language and Composition, AP Physics
Current AP Courses: AP Computer Science, AP Biology, AP Statistics
Class Rank: 8th/246
Athletics:
Club Swimmer - received top 16 in the state, and thirteenth in the NE
Varsity Swimmer - state finalist, all-conference, all-conference academic team
JV/V Tennis - planning to play varsity tennis my senior year
National Honors Society - vice president
Science Honors Society - tutor and member
Piano - 13 years
Violin - 10 years
Guitar - 3 years
Experience:
Intern at Boehringer Ingelheim
I will be doing a healthcare internship in second semester of my senior year in either dermatology, dentistry or orthopedics
Service:
I have about 120 hours of community service done
Special Olympics Volunteer
I’m really scared that I’m gonna be outright rejected due to my low SAT score. My SAT score range (which collegeboard says gives a more accurate depiction of a student’s skill set) is between 1370 - 1430 and from what I’ve observed, the 25th percentile has been around 1420 - 1440.
I’ve been looking on this website and people have been saying you need a 1500+
Comments like “you need to get your SAT score” won’t help me as that is something I already know. If you have an experience similar to this, I would appreciate if you could share your story.
I’m not going to lie - I think it’s going to be tough with a 3.7 UW GPA and a 1390 SAT. But if it’s truly where you want to go, apply ED and have really good essays and recommendation letters. They say right out on their website that they look kindly upon the students who apply ED.
I’m also applying to NU ED and I have 3.85 W and 30 ACT. My desired major is Secondary Education with a minor in History. And as someone who is in your boat as we are both under NU’s standards I hope I can ease your anxiety a little. From the looks of your app, the things you have going for you are that you have really strong ECs and are a legacy (with more prestigious schools it does more than you think). You didn’t put anything specific about your essays or recs so that’s a very large gray area that I can’t help with. My only pieces of advice would be SAT up (I relate because of the amount of time and effort that I would need to get my ACT up even up two points is ridiculous) and the only other thing is that if you haven’t submitted your app yet I would recommend that you change your desired major to something a little less competitive (like education wink wink) and then when you get in you can change it back to Biomedical Engineering. Hope this helped in some way!
With a 1490 SAT score & stellar class rank (top 4%) and with demonstrated abilities in music & athletics, you should be a strong candidate for admission if you apply ED.
P.S. Special Olympics volunteer places you in a very favorable light.
1490, your GPA, and your legacy status should get you a very very solid chance if you apply ED.
1490 helps a lot. One of my best friends here got into engineering with a 1480. Be confident, write your essays genuinely, ask for staring letters and I hope to see you next year.
I don’t know about severely, but it will hurt. ED rates in general are much higher and your legacy status won’t play as big of a role anymore in RD. Why didn’t you apply ED?