Do I even stand a chance? Should I not even apply?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Hi! I’m currently a senior who is in the middle of the stressful college process. Northeastern is currently my top choice right now. However, I’m considering not even applying because it has gotten so competitive lately. Not only that, it seems like they focus a lot on numbers (especially standardize tests) which is a big disadvantage for me.
What do you think?

Objective:

ACT (breakdown): 28C (29E, 26M, 29R, 26S)
*I know, it is very low for Northeastern
Unweighted GPA: 93 UW, 101 W
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): N/A
AP (place score in parenthesis): AP World (2), APUSH (4), AP English (2), AP Stats, AP Gov, AP Bio
(I know my AP scores are bad, I’m only going to report the APUSH score)
Senior Year Course Load: Calculus Honors, AP Stats, AP Bio, AP Gov,
*I took college accounting my junior year, got an A+ and received 6 credits for it

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
Red Cross (secretary 10-11, Vice 12)
Key Club
Writer for school newspaper
Mathletes
Environmental (Vice 12)
National Honor Society
Math Honor Society
English Honor Society
Science Honor Society
History Scholar Honor Society

Essays: I’m not good at judging my own stuff, but based on what teachers/students have said: 8-9/10
Teacher Recommendation: Got one from my APUSH teacher who apparently writes really good ones. I was her intern junior year! Also asked my math teacher who loves me. I really pushed him to make my recommendation good and not generic.So like 7/10?
Counselor Rec: Probably really generic. She doesn’t really know me. (5/10)

Awards/Honors (not impressive):
Semi Finalist for Stony Brook Japan Essay Competition
Published original poem in a book

Other:
Intended Major: Journalism (thinking about doubling major in accounting or something in the business field)
State (if domestic applicant): New York
School Type: Public school, not very competitive
Ethnicity: Asian! (Chinese)
Gender: Female

I think the only advantage I have is that I will be applying to the College of Arts, Media and Design school for journalism. I’m not sure if its true, but is this school easier to get into?

Anyways, should I even apply to Northeastern or save money from the application fee for something else?
Thank you!

2

Yes, your scores are definitely low for that school.

Finish your applications to your match and safety schools first, and if Northeastern is still attractive to you, you may want to think about giving it a shot. You’d be taking the risk of rejection, but at least you’ll know one way or the other versus wondering this March whether you would have gotten in.

3

Bump

4

bump

5

based on my school’s naviance you are a rejection, and 5-7 kids go each yr

6

how competitive is the college of arts, media and design?

7

Bump

8

bump

9

Looks like you want an answer! So I’ll give two:

  1. Just go ahead and apply! Putting in an application at your top school is not an unreasonable strategy. Now, counting on getting into that one school would be unreasonable. But sending in one application is not the end of the world either way. No matter what, you will need to work to have other options.
  2. No matter what school at Northeastern, your odds are not good. At many colleges, business and engineering schools are often harder, so at least you're not doing that. But your only chance, really, is to apply for the school you're really motivated for, and hope that enthusiasm helps.
10

You should just give it a shot! You never know what they’re looking for. Also, although your test scores are a little low, you can probably make up for it in the essay. Put a lot of time into it and make yourself seem so impressive that the scores won’t matter :slight_smile: good luck!

would you mind chancing me back?
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1946256-chance-me-for-brown.html

11

Bump

12

Why is Northeastern of all schools your top choice? There are a ton of better options out there that don’t put a crap ton of emphasis on standardized testing scores in an attempt to boost their USNews rankings. If it really is your top choice, then by all means apply - I think you definitely have a chance. Regardless, consider applying to some of these schools as well.

NYU
Boston College
Boston University
UMass
USC
Syracuse/SUNY schools
Liberal Arts Colleges
If your parents are willing to shell out more cash, consider Berkeley/Michigan/Virginia/UT/UNC etc.

There are also other public universities and private universities that would probably be willing to offer your scholarship money.

13

I don’t know anything about those schools in particular, so I can’t be of much help. Journalism is a dying industry though and I don’t think it’s a good major for getting a job. This is something you should consider.

14

NE’s ACT mid-range is 31 to 34.

Call or visit SUNY Binghamton and ask how difficult it will be to switch into any of the majors(business, journalism) that you are considering.

15

@nw2this how could it be so high? NE isn’t even that good of a school

16

NE is one of the top 40 universities in the nation according to US News. It has a 28% acceptance rate. NYU is also very selective and both are very expensive.

Baruch has Management, Journalism and other majors. If you decide to attend, no need to transfer. The SUNYs and CUNYs are good options.

17

@carolinahbrahh , you’re very behind the curve. NE has become very selective in recent years and a 28 ACT will likely result in a Deny for the OP, I’m afraid.

18

You could always double major with a more practical major along with journalism or add a journalism minor

19

Should I apply to Boston University? I’m not so sure how easy it is to change majors though.

20

@carolinahbrahh wrote

and then

Your first statement is certainly true as evidenced by your second statement.