HELP!! Getting off Northwestern waitlist

Colleges and Universities A-Z Northwestern University
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<p>Hey guys, so I am waitlisted at Northwestern, and I really want to go there. </p>

<p>Can someone please suggest me what my chance is to get off the waitlist and what I should do to increase my chances?</p>

<p>If I were accepted, I would go. Here is my general information:
SAT 1: 2110 (650 reading, 800 math, 660 writing).
SAT 2: 800 Math Level2; 770 for Chem and Physics
GPA: 4.0 unweighted</p>

<p>course load:
Freshmen: in china.
Sophomore: AP BC Calc; English 10; Orchestra; Advanced Chem; World History 1.
Junior: AP Stats; AP World History; AP Physics:E&M; AP Chem; English 11; Orchestra
Senior: AP Economics; AP USH; AP Computer Science; Multivariable Calculus; Formal Logic; English electives.</p>

<p>Award: Cum Laude Society(only international student to win this in my class)
lots of math competition medals and a sixth place in state.
Head of school list since I got in my high school.</p>

<p>EC: First Chair violin in my school orchestra.
internship at Alstom, a big french electricity power company.
Three varsity letters for swimming.
Volunteer in Ecuador for 2 weeks in an orphanage.
Volunteers in international sports affairs such as triathlon and cycling.</p>

<p>Essay: should be pretty good.
Rec: my teacher herself told me she did a good job.</p>

<p>Other schools that I got in: UCLA, Carnegie Mellon, NYU, U of Michigan honor program.</p>

<p>Recent updates: Went on an orchestra trip and played a solo part during the performances. Won more math competition medals and is going to the state. win some swimming medals. </p>

<p>Should I send them email about my updates or just the fact that they are my top choice? Should I inform them of my other acceptances?</p>

<p>Suggestions please!!!</p>

<p>Thank you for reading this!!!! :)</p>

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<p>although that is indeed some sad news, but thanks for replying!</p>

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<p>Definitely send in your updates and re-confirm your desire to attend NU. No need to tell them your other acceptances. No one knows the waitlist status, especially this early in the season, but if you’re interested you should let them know fairly frequently and politely.</p>

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<p>thanks for replying! juz curious, do u think CMU will match NU if im majoring in applied math??</p>

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<p>I’m a recent grad who got in to NU off the waitlist. </p>

<p>As others have said, by far the largest determinant is completely out of your control – how many people decide to enroll. As for what you can do, if you can afford it, a visit could help your chances. I got into Notre Dame and went to visit. As part of that trip, I went to NU (I had never visited before), took the tour, and met with an admissions person. I have no idea if it actually had an affect or not, but I have to guess that it did.</p>

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<p>thanks for sharing your experience!! since my high school is like 40 minutes away from evanston, ill definitely go visit NU next Monday.</p>

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<p>additionally, since my school is close to NU, they tend to take some students from our school every year. This year, I am sure that at least two of the admitted students in our school is not committing to NU. Does that mean I have better chances?</p>

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<p>No idea. But since you cant control whether it matters or not, I wouldn’t worry about it.</p>

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<p>@asmith8254 I have found that about 80% of being happy at the college you go to is just being a happy person in general. Unhappy/complainers will be unhappy no matter where they are, and happy people will tend to be ok even if they don’t end up in their ideal places.</p>

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<p>If you want to get off the wait list, I would visit and arrange a meeting with one of the admissions officers, if not the Dean of Admissions, Christopher Watson, who has the final over who gets admitted. In your meeting, you need to be able to show 1) why you are a great match for NU and how you see yourself contributing through X Y Z programs/activities and 2) state (and mean it) that you will attend if admitted and even offer to sign the enrollment deposit on the spot. It would be great if you could meet with NU students you know beforehand and have them vouch for you (saying you would be an invaluable addition to their club/team/etc), whether in person or in a letter (in person is preferable). </p>

<p>Dress as if this was a professional job interview. Wearing some purple (in a tactful way) can’t hurt :slight_smile: If you cannot schedule a meeting, I would just show up on the spot and see who’s available to talk. I’m pretty sure at least one of them will be available.</p>

<p>Do this ASAP (as soon as next week) so you will be looked at first in case spots do open up.</p>

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<p>^I know that is a bit of an aggressive approach and kind of goes against the advice to just send one letter and nothing else (they say this because they don’t want 1,000 people showing up at the office pleading their case), but if I were an admissions officer, I would really appreciate your enthusiasm for NU and admit you.</p>

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<p>thank you guys so much for all ur advices!</p>