<p>So what do you guys think? Should I even apply?</p>
<p>Gender: F
Ethnicity: White
College Class Year: 2015
High School: Public
Will apply for financial aid: Yes</p>
<p>Academics:</p>
<p>GPA - Unweighted: 4.00/4.00
GPA - Weighted: 4.10/4.10 as a junior, as a senior the highest is 4.25 if you're taking all the weighted classes, which I am.
Class Rank: 1/146
Course load: Most rigorous available (we only have one AP class which I'm taking this year :/)</p>
<p>Significant Extracurriculars: Concert Band (9-12) (Section Leader 11, and hopefully 12)
Marching Band (9-12) (Section leader 11-12)
Jazz Band (9-12) (Section Leader 11-12)
Steel Band (10-12) (doesn't have leadership)
All-County Band (9-12) (Section Leader 11, and hopefully 12)
Pep Band (9-12) (Section Leader 11-12)
SADD (10-12) (no leadership)
Jr. Optimists (11-12) (Secretary 12)
Academic Quiz Team (10-12) (doesn't have official leadership)
French Club (9-11) (Secretary 11)
Science Club (11-12) (I'm gonna try to run for an office this year)
Fastpitch Softball Jr. Varsity (9)</p>
<p>*I might also found a Improv club this year, not just for the sake of looking good on my app but because I'm interested and we don't have one.</p>
<p>Awards: The only one I think I have is an Honor Scholars Award in 11th grade that was is given by our local Rotary Club to students in the top 5% of their class. It's not offered for freshman, I would've gotten it my sophomore year but I didn't attend the benefit, and I should get it again this year.</p>
<p>Hooks: I don't know if this is a hook but I'm a first generation college student and I come from a low income household.</p>
<p>And if this helps I want to major in psychology and also take pre-med classes.</p>
<p>Okay thanks. Though I’m not sure if I can raise my score any higher. I took a class before I took the ACT the first time and got the 28. When I took it the second time I studied like crazy and still only got a 29. I just can’t do the reading and science portions very well because I’m a type of person who needs more time to think about stuff like that. I think I’ll probably apply but I’m gonna worry about that ACT score.</p>
<p>I’ll also be worrying about the fact that I don’t have any SAT II’s. I just don’t have loads of money to keep spending on taking more tests so what I have now is probably it.</p>
<p>Understood understood. You just have to understand the small disadvantage of your scores. It’s definitely not that fair that some people have unlimited money to pay for classes/tutors and then all the testing.</p>
<p>Our school isn’t really competitive, I don’t think. And I’m pretty sure we don’t send very many to top schools, or at least I haven’t really heard of anyone going.</p>
<p>I’m not entirely familiar with Questbridge, but I heard it’s somewhat of a boost, esp. if you list NU as #1 on your form. NU in particular has seen a meteoric rise in the number of low-income students attending, so it’s likely admissions has made recruitment of such students somewhat of a priority. I don’t have ED vs. RD stats from last year but in years past, ED had provided a significant boost. Anybody out there care to post ED stats from last year?</p>
<p>You are a perfect candidate for Questbridge.
Has anyone from your school been selected for Questbridge? You can ask your Guidance Counselor. It helps to have had students selected before, as the teachers get a better handle on how to handle their recommendations. If your school has never been selected-then think of yourself as the FIRST SUCCESSFUL candidate. G’Luck!</p>
<p>Don’t underestimate the importance of the essays, in particular the Why NU essay. In fact, it might not be a stretch to say your 29 ACT is fine if you have the backing of Questbridge and have great teacher recs and essays. What state are you applying from? Are you rural? Of course, 31+ will be better but if you really can’t get it that high, don’t stress so much and just focus on other things you can still control.</p>
<p>Hmm… I don’t really know of anyone else at my school who’s done questbridge, so I think I might possibly be the first. And I’m definitely gonna ask my GC about it when school starts. And wouldn’t for NU they would only look at my 28 ACT? Because when I got my 29 I didn’t take the writing and they requite writing :/</p>
<p>NU takes a very holistic approach to admissions. My cousin (who had ridiculous ECs, to be fair) got a 25 and got in. So although your ACT is weak(ish) you still have a good shot considering your great extracurriculars and outstanding GPA.</p>
<p>apply…worst you can do it get denied, which is what happens to the vast majority of applicants. no shame in that.</p>
<p>Just took my son to an open house at NU two days ago…based on what you are saying, and the financials… they’ll probably pay the whole thing…they didnt seem to be as test and grade oriented as I had expected (unfortunately)</p>