For students

Colleges and Universities A-Z Northwestern University
1

<p>Hi guys! Some questions about Northwestern:</p>

<p>1) Northwestern is a great school, but I have never had a chance to visit its campus. I am applying there RD anyways because Northwestern has an all around great program (biology, journalism, business courses, etc.). What would you say is the most popular major at Northwestern? </p>

<p>2) One of my dreams has been to go into journalism. I know Northwestern has a fantastic school of journalism. Unfortunately, though, I have never been on the newspaper staff. I realized my interest in writing late in my high school career, and am not exactly remarkable. I hope my other stats can get me into Northwestern, but to get into the journalism program, do you have to show experience? Or are samplings required?</p>

<p>3) What are the best and worst parts of Northwestern?</p>

<p>4) Chances? Also, any scholarships I can apply for?:</p>

<p>Rich Indian guy from a Texas suburban town...</p>

<p>ECs:
Involved in some things, and have gotten a few state awards. No/very few national awards (National French Exam, and some other stuff). I am not outstanding in this area, I'd say like most other applicants. Im involved in orchestra, current events and social studies competitions, etc. I also participate in statewide French competitions, and am semi-active in student council. I was in math and science club and chess club for a while but I sucked at both activities, and quit my junior year. I was a participant (that tells you all) in cross country as a frosh and JV. Lots of travel, should I include that?</p>

<p>SATs: 1600
SAT IIs: 3*800 (math iic, writing, chemistry)
Rank: lets say 3/500
Essays: now these could hurt me. I am trying to write well, but with a huge flurry of school work, I am having some trouble. I will probably write OK essays, nothing that will pop out at the admissions officers, but hopefully nothing that would make them laugh.</p>

<p>No big hooks, no alumi status...what are the chances? moreover, what can i do to fix my chances (i know they look way beyond test scores, especially northwestern i have heard!)...any scholarships available?</p>

2

<p>Northwestern doesn't give out any merit-based scholarship. Since you are from a rich family, I don't think you will get any money. It does look odd to me a kid from a rich family is concerning about scholarships</p>

3

<p>Sam Lee: "It does look odd to me a kid from a rich family is concerning about scholarships"</p>

<p>Not only is it odd, but infuriating. Leave the scholarships to those whose parents cannot afford to pay rather than those whose parents don't want their son's college tuition interfering with that Porsche they planned to buy. Christ.</p>

4

<p>Sodfather, I'm sorry if I came across as greedy. My family is rich, but not porsche rich. And I wasn't aware about the scholarships based on income. I have just started looking at universities recently, and Northwestern was one that really interested me.</p>

<p>Also, if the scholarship had been based on merit, my being rich or poor (or another kid being rich or poor) wouldn't matter. Since scholarships are based on income, I assume it is like financial aid at other schools. I think the college can be a great judge of whether I should get money and how much money would be appropriate. Our family might be over the price limit, although I honestly wouldn't know...I don't get involved in finances.</p>

5

<p>yo even if a family is rich, it doesnt neccesrarily mean theyre gonna pay his whole tuition. hes still prob gonna have to take out student loans and thats tough for anyone.</p>

6

<p>Okay, let's drop this "rich" thing. We all hate the price of Northwestern, but we take out loans and do whatever we have to to go here. Now, about going here: </p>

<ol>
<li><p>I'm not really sure what the most popular major is. Many freshmen don't yet know what they are going to major in, so I would say that the most popular major right now is "Weinberg undecided."</p></li>
<li><p>Don't worry about not having done newspaper in high school. Despite what some people may tell you, many many first-year journalism students didn't do journalism in high school and are not even sure it is really what they want to do in college. Word on the streets has it that Medill is a little bit harder to get into if you apply directly than to Weinberg (Arts & Sciences), but I'm not sure how true that rumor is. I do know, however, that if you start in Weinberg and want to transfer into Medill, the process is very long and complicated, not to mention hightly competitive. </p></li>
<li><p>I can honestly say that I love nearly everything about Northwestern. Yes, the classes are hard and require copious amounts of reading, but most professors really know their stuff and make even dry topics somewhat interesting. Socially, I think NU does a lot to foster friendships between first-years, but I am speaking from a "South Campus" point of view (if you know what I am talking about). Up north there is a "freshman quad" of dorms (the largest being Elder) that are comprised entirely of first-year students, and I know that many of the kids that live in those have made friends with many students their age. However, they also party...a lot. Although I have made friends here, I know that that is not the case for everyone - you just have to make an honest effort in the first few weeks, and everything will probably be fine.</p></li>
<li><p>As for general admission goes, your stats look good, but being Indian won't help you (incase someone incorrectly told you that affirmative action might work in your favor), however, being from Texas will. In the past, NU has had a devoid of southern kids, so I think they have been trying to compensate in recent years (there are 80 kids from Texas in the class of 2008). Your recs and essays will have to be stellar, though, to make you stand out from all the other 1600s that apply. By this point, there isn't really that much you can do to improve your chances, just do the best you can on the application and essays, and make yourself look good. Don't lie, but don't be overly modest either. And, like others have said, don't expect any money to come your way. NU's financial aid is ALL need-based, and much of that aid consists of student loans and work-study. If money is a major issue, I would recommend applying somewhere that has merit-aid.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Okay, I will stop. Feel free to ask me about NU. I'll try and help as much as I can. Good luck!</p>

7

<p>At least 50% of Northwestern students are getting some kind of financial aid in work-study, loans and/or loans. 20% of students come from families whose gross income is $250,000+. 7% of students come from families whose gross income is less than $50,000. That should give you an idea who is receiving financial aid.</p>

<p>As for popular majors, I would say: Journalism, the Social Sciences and Engineering.</p>