<p>SAT: approx 2350 (retaking in Oct)
SAT II: Chinese (first language..) 790, Maths II 760, Chem 720
2 self studied APs: 5(Music Theory), 4(Calculus AB)
No GPA in school, but my raw scores are actually pretty bad. Top 25-30%
School ranks top 5 in country, VERY competitive</p>
<p>Straight As in Stanford EPGY/OHSx English Lit and Maths courses
7A<em>3A1B for GCSE, 3A3B for GCE AS level, 2A</em>A for GCE A level
(People said GCSE results =3.9, and GCE A level=3.85 on CC)</p>
<p>EC:
1. MUN chair of the biggest local MUN club
2. Zonta Z International school club VP
3. School music club President
4. School debating club committee member
5. School Chinese History club VP
6. Music: Various international awards recipient, studying part time in a professional music skl, local record holder, knows 5 instruments
7. School magazine editor
8. Local newspapers and magazines contributing writer
9. Co-founder of a local online orchestra
10. Interned at an investment company
11. Many voluntary works (teaching public speaking,visiting elderly houses, volunteer at music concerts...)
12. Wrote school musical</p>
<p>Applying to School of Communication + Bienen School of Music (Dual Degree)
Pretty confident that I will get into Bienen, not much of a concern. But I'm a little worried what my school grades might do to my application to communication.</p>
<p>That said, I'm aware that I'm an international student on full pay, so I really have no idea what chances I will have for the top schools. YET I have the music hook..</p>
<p>Ok – first of all, with a 2350 SAT I would recommend NOT retaking. This is a superb score, 2400 is not guaranteed for anyone (and to be honest, wouldn’t make much difference). Statistically, the chances are that you’ll go down.</p>
<p>Grades – given what you’ve said, it’s impossible to evaluate. There are some highly elite US Schools where >25% are admitted to Ivies (or Ivy equivalents every year), other High Schools, if you’re not top 10% your chances for a NU are not great. If you’re in a highly competitive, well known school, your grades may not hurt you much. You should ask your Guidance Department what IS Colleges typically admit people with your grades from your HS…</p>
<p>I fell like you definitely have a realistic chance, and as said before, you don’t need to retake your SAT. It will only waste more of your time you could be spending studying for other things or on music. I don’t know about what type of classes you take since I’m not really knowledgeable about non-AP course rigor, but I assume that you have been getting straight As in the most advanced classes offered at your school, which is great. Again, if you school is extremely competitive and top-ranked, not being in the top 10% probably won’t be a deal breaker, and you should be aware of how many kids get into what type of schools in general. Thanks for chancing me earlier, and good luck with your early decision!</p>
<p>Thanks @zephyr15 and @rcz6144 , and sorry for the confusion, I meant that I’m retaking it to get a 2350. 90% sure that I will be getting approximately that score, that’s why i put ‘approx’ there. My previous score was 1890 but that was half a year ago, and I’ve been studying my ass off during the mid time, so yes, I’ve been doing mocks on past papers and constantly getting 2300+.</p>
<p>However, since I’m in a British system school, there’s only me this year who’s applying to the States, so I will have no statistics whatsoever from my Guidance Department/counselor regarding previous students. As far as I know, there were only 5 previous students who’d been to the US and non of them had applied to selective schools.</p>
<p>Do you guys have any idea of the competitiveness/selectivity of NU’s School of Communication? Just asking…</p>
<p>@rcz6144 Good luck with yours too! We’re on the same train…keep in touch :)</p>
<p>All of NU’s schools are highly competitive/selective.</p>
<p>Good luck on your SAT retake. Also, if it’s available for you, consider the ACT. The two tests are considered to be equivalent for most US colleges and some students do better on the ACT.</p>
<p>@zephyr15 Thanks. I think my possibility of 2300+ on SAT is sufficient (haha) and there’s not much time to spare.Thanks for your suggestion though.</p>
<p>@ivyleaguefan I know, but I want to do academic works, so if I can only get into a music school, I’d rather search for other opportunities (plus my family’s objection to me getting in a pure music school). Early Decision’s Dual degree allow me to choose to opt out if I’m only admitted to one.</p>
<p>@zephyr15, @rcz6144 I’ve checked with Northwestern and they accept my British scores. That means my GPA converted is approx 3.9. What are my chances?</p>
<p>At this stage, impossible to say. 3.9 GPA should be fine. The biggest apparent weakness in your profile is your current SAT. If, in fact you can bring it up from 1890 to 2350, I’d say that you’d become a strong candidate (if you were a US student). With 1890, frankly you’d be less strong. However, until you get that score back, impossible to say.</p>
<p>When I say Strong Candidate – I mean that your stats are similar (or slightly better) than most of the students who are actually accepted. BUT – and I want to emphasize this – there are MANY strong candidates who are not accepted at NU. It’s really a not ‘sure thing’ for anyone.</p>
<p>When I say “less strong” – I mean that most accepted students have a stronger stats than you. Honestly, 1890 is somewhat low (though not necessarily impossibly low) for NU.</p>
<p>Now, one caveat, any answer I give is based on self-reported scores/grades from other candidates here. These are by and large US students, and honestly, I don’t know what being non-US does to your chances.</p>
<p>I’m not really familiar with those specific schools in Northwestern but generally speaking I think you have a reasonable chance of getting into Northwestern. I’d say it’s a high match or maybe a low reach (because of grades), but I think your SAT score and ECs make it more of a high match. </p>
<p>I think as long as you can get that 2350 on the SAT you are an strong candidate! Your extracurriculars are stellar and your classes look pretty rigorous. I’m not sure what you mean by intl student on full pay but if you mean that you will be paying full tuition all 4 years you are even more attractive to NU. Good luck! </p>
<p>Thanks guys…but seemingly from my Oct SAT performance, I’m not that certain I can get a 2300 anymore. What if I get a 2200 or 2250? Would that change a lot for me?</p>
<p>Thanks for chancing me! You look like a very strong candidate on paper. I know that a lot of elite schools have respect for the Stanford OHS so the fact that you did so well will probably increase your chances. Also you have some good ECs and they make you appear well-rounded. The only thing that might hold you back is your international status but I really think you are strong enough to be admitted. It will be very competitive among internationals so just make yourself stand out with those essays. Tell a story only you can tell and I am sure it will be compelling. Best of luck!</p>
<p>@biggestsunsfan Thanks for chancing back I’m just worried about my SAT score now because I didn’t seem to do as well as I think. Would you say 2250 change a lot? I know 2200s definitely doesn’t look as interesting as the 2300s.</p>
<p>@alafae 2250 is a great score. I wouldn’t say that changes a whole lot because most adcoms consider anything 2250+ outstanding. Just try and focus on other parts of your application now because there really isn’t much of a difference between a 2250 and a 2300. Also, if you retake a high SAT it can make you look score focused and that could reflect negatively on your app.</p>
I’m just worried about my SAT score now because I didn’t seem to do as well as I think. Would you say 2250 change a lot? I know 2200s definitely doesn’t look as interesting as the 2300s.</p>