Does a low-ish GPA ruin my chances at Northwestern?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I want to transfer to Northwestern's Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences.</p>

<p>I only have a 3.4 (and a 3.4 high school GPA), but I have a serious physical illness/disability. I had a 3.9 in high school until my junior year when I got sick and my grades tanked. My illness is now better treated, but it's still something I struggle with every day. </p>

<p>My professor recs are both out-of-the-water good. My essay's honestly really good (I'm a freelance writer). I'm also publishing some research right now on kids with developmental disabilities, and I volunteer 10 hours a week leading group therapy at a shelter in the inner city for throwaway kids. I was an award-winning actress in high school. I feel like the rest of my application is really strong, so will this break me? </p>

<p>Oh, and my test scores are solid-ish (31 ACT). </p>

<p>If someone could please answer this, I've been kinda anxious about it. Thanks.</p>

2

<p>Northwestern is one of the most selective schools in the US. Despite your illness, it’s going to be a reach.</p>

3

<p>Illness seems to be a common excuse for low grades. I don’t think your argument holds any value unless you were seriously ill. I knew someone who went through cancer treatment in high school and he did well (after he took a semester off of course)</p>

4

<p>Seniors at my high school got rejected with 33’s and up on their ACT and near perfect GPA’s. I do know of one who showed a TON of interest and wrote awesome essays and got in, so anything is still possible, just be prepared for a rejection, I heard they don’t defer.</p>

5

<p>No. 10char.</p>