Hi! I’ve been looking at all the different forums, but I haven’t really found one that applies to me. Northwestern is my dream school and I was wondering if someone could chance me.
Female
White
Suburban Public School
GPA: 96 weighted, 94 unweighted, top 10% of class
SAT: 1330
2 SAT subject tests but with very bad scores
Speaks 2 languages (English and Turkish)
I have a “hook” which is I spent my junior year (11 months) studying abroad as an exchange student in Turkey. I experienced terrorist attacks and even had to move because of them. I also did a short 5-week study aboard the summer after my freshman year.
EC:
Girl Scouts (Bronze, Silver and Gold awards)
Fencing (9,10, 12)
Marching Band (student leader) (9,10,12)
Track (Varsity) (9,10,12)
French Club (9,10,12)
Environmental Club (9,10,12)
Pit Orchestra (10,12)
1 Recommendation letter from Sophmore year honors Chemistry teacher and one recommendation letter from girl scout gold award supervisor.
I’ve visited the university twice (once Sophmore year) and talked with both my admissions officer and professors.
I wrote my essay about my love to travel and the effect it has had on my life (exchanges)
I was just wondering what my chances of getting in would be, and how my exchange would affect my application. I wrote in my common app extra information section about why I have no Junior year grades and a low SAT score.
ED or RD?
RD
Study abroad is neither a hook nor a “hook”.
So tell me why having been around a terrorist attack should make you a stronger candidate and someone they would want to admit. Why would I read that in your application and think I now understand this person’s academic achievement better? Why would I read it and be wowed at your dedication and achievement outside of the classroom? Why would I read it and think this person is introspective and can offer something to the NU community? I personally don’t see it.
Also, don’t send the SAT IIs. I would try to increase the SAT I or take the ACT and get a higher score if I were you. I still think you’ll be rejected, but the higher score can help you at other schools and with scholarships. Of course, I could be totally wrong - just my opinion.