If it's an absolute no, I don't want to waste $65, so please respond!!!

Chance Me / Match Me!
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<p>I just found out my ACT retake score and I got a 30!!! Which is what I was hoping for 'cause when I took it in March, I had a 27. I sent a copy of my scores to Northwestern because it was just a dream sort of floating around ever since I visited Evanston last Thanksgiving, and now that I actually got a 30, which is like the bare minimum for Northwestern, I don't know if I should apply.</p>

<p>I have a 4.0, but I only took two APs last year and another two this year. (I got fives on both tests last year, though, so hopefully that counts for something.) I did one sport for four years, second year in nhs, one instrument, a couple of minor clubs, extra classes, and volunteering at church. I'm not going to bother with the highly recommended 3 SAT subject tests because I don't want to stress over it, score badly, or spend the time and money.</p>

<p>So, be honest with me, should I even bother applying to northwestern???</p>

<p>I'm not really thrilled to write another college essay and apparently a research abstract (WHAT IS THAT?!) nor do I want to get my dad's hopes up, nor do I want to receive a rejection letter, nor do I want to waste $65 dollars, nor do I want to tell my recommendation teacher that I'm applying to another school because then she'll ask me if I got in later.</p>

<p>BUT, if I honestly have a chance (because I know a 4.0 and two 5s don't suck) then I'll definitely apply because I want to go. It's a dream and I loved the place when I visited last year.</p>

<p>(And lets say I do apply, I am at a loss with this essay prompt:</p>

<p>What are the unique qualities of Northwestern--and the specific undergraduate school you are applying to, which for me would be Judd A. and Marjorie Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences UNDECIDED!--that make you want to attend the university? In which ways do you hope to take advantage of the qualities you have identified?</p>

<p>I don't know anything about their undergraduate schools or unique qualities! How would I go about this??? Is there a information online or something? And I'm totally undecided, which doesn't help, I know!)</p>

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<p>You definently have a chance. Best of luck.</p>

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<p>Hi northwesternhope! (sounds like you really want to go … make that clear when you write your Why? essay! … that should help) </p>

<p>No applicant can ever be considered “hopeless” – there’s always a chance if you try. </p>

<p>Anyways, let’s start my eval by looking at your grades. You’re obviously an excellent student, because you have a perfect 4.0. However, the number of APs you have are a little below Northwestern’s average – 4 APs in total are a bit skimpy. If your school sets limits on the number of APs you can take or has a limited offering of AP classes, have your guidance counselor talk about it in his/her rec. It should help in the admissions decision, because the ADCOM will look at this in perspective. </p>

<p>Now on to test scores … there is no “bare minimum” to get into Northwestern .Remember that decisions are made holistically … no one single factor can be the sole cause for rejection. Your ACT score of 30 is good but not great. However, I’ve seen applicants with lower ACT scores get admitted into NU … I’m talking about 26s, 27s, and 28s. It happens, though it is a bit rare. (Also remember that the 30 is the 25th percentile … a quarter of NU’s class has under a 30) </p>

<p>A note about the research abstract … that is optional. </p>

<p>You also seem to be somewhat involved in school … but I don’t see how much of your ECs you do because you didn’t do a complete listing. </p>

<p>Overall, you’re a pretty good student. I feel like you’re a solid candidate for Northwestern. Just work on your essays. Also don’t stress too much. Stressing too much will only do you harm in the end. And $65 is nothing compared to the $50,000+ a year you’ll end up paying at a private.</p>

<p>Chances: Reach (ACT could be higher and could have taken more APs)</p>

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<p>Thanks for your response, and I agree, it is a reach. My school doesn’t have limit on APs either. So at the end of the day, I have a higher chance that a normal person, but no so much compared to all these other “chance me” people that will actually get in. I’m still figuring out if it’d be worth my time to fill out the application just to most likely get rejected.</p>

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<p>apply apply apply apply apply apply</p>

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<p>lol, encouraging</p>

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<p>You are a solid student with a good chance of admission. Your chances fo admission without applying are zero!
So what if you are rejected? If you never get rejected from anything or anywhere, you are not stretching yourself, you are only playing it safe. Go for it! Try your best on the application and then, if by some chance you are turned down, go to one of the other schools on your list.
DON"T GO THROUGH LIFE NOT TRYING JUST BECAUSE YOU MAY NOT SUCCEED</p>

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<p>“I’m not really thrilled to write another college essay and apparently a research abstract (WHAT IS THAT?!) nor do I want to get my dad’s hopes up, nor do I want to receive a rejection letter, nor do I want to waste $65 dollars, nor do I want to tell my recommendation teacher that I’m applying to another school because then she’ll ask me if I got in later.”</p>

<p>That is a lot of “I don’t want to”. Why are you so afraid? If you are not applying to a school where you may receive a rejection letter, you are shooting too low. So what if you have to tell people you didn’t get in; you’re graduating!</p>

<p>Instead of taking APs, did you follow a strong interest; you can talk about that in your app. And if you are so hot on going to NW, it shouldn’t be hard to write a page on what would be so great about going there. Of course there is information on line and 5 million other places.</p>

<p>You sound like a good student who might be a little sheltered; not only should you apply to NW, you should pick another reach school to apply to as well; you’re young; dream big!</p>

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<p>I agree with okgal. </p>

<p>There’s not much you can lose if you don’t apply, and if you don’t get in, there’s always the opportunity to go to NU for grad school. </p>

<p>Like okgal said, you seem to be extremely interested in NU. Let that shine in your essay. Have that shine and set you apart from the rest of the crowd. Be in that special 25% who get in instead of the average Joes 75% who get rejected. When you write your essay, talk about an event that made you extremely interested in NU. What made you interested? That quirky guy on your tour? There’s obviously something that makes you so interested in NU. What do you see in NU that you feel you could be a part of? Remember, college admission officers are trying to build a student body (the class of 2013) … tell them something in your life that makes you so unique that they would want you to be a part of the class … that you could contribute something to NU. It doesn’t have to be big like finding the cure for cancer or founding a Fortune 500 company … something seemingly small could also be significant.</p>

<p>Also, if you’ve been discouraged about my rating you as a reach, don’t be! I rate tons of people as reaches for top privates, especially Ivies, but they still end up applying, because they just want to grab that opportunity to just try. You only have one opportunity to apply for undergrad as a HS senior, so why not grab every single opportunity that you have?</p>

<p>And if you’re still afraid of rejection, read this article: [College</a> Admissions: Dealing With Rejection](<a href=“http://www.collegeconfidential.com/college_admissions/admission_rejection.htm]College”>Admissions Timeline 2022-2023: A Guide for Juniors and Seniors - College ConfidentialCollege Confidential). </p>

<p>Again, you sound like a really good preson and a really good student. Just feel more confident about yourself, and let everything happen the way they’re meant to. Being worried will only do you harm, and I’m saying this based on personal experience. As a sophomore/junior, I was always worried about screwing up my tests. And I did on my first sitting for the SAT. I totally bombed. Right after the test, when I got home, I actually ran to my room and locked myself in there for hours because I felt like a loser who could do nothing right. I eventually realized that making myself miserable was the stupid part. Why? I got nothing out of it except for high blood pressure. When I stopped worrying for my second round of the SAT, I ended up with a score almost 200 points higher. (one of many life’s lessons)</p>

<p>Now breathe in and breathe out: You’ve done a great job in high school. Look at it this way: You’re better than 95% of the people in this country with that ACT score. You don’t need a 36 to show that you’re a good student. You already are one.</p>

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<p>Thanks, guys! I’m pretty much convinced I should apply, I just have to write those oh-so-important essays!</p>