<p>So, I'm applying to Northeastern and I'm starting to question my chances. Could anyone take a look? Thanks! </p>
<p>ACT: 31
Weighted GPA: 3.6
UW GPA: 3.0
ECs:
400+ hours of community service
2 jobs (one of which is frequent)
Captain of state finalist volleyball team
Captain of nationally competing club VB team
Hooks: I'm Catholic, so maybe that will help?
High School: Top ten public schools in
Illinois
Letters of Rec: Average
Essay: Topic not earth-shattering, but well-written </p>
<p>Schedule: All honors and AP classes
Grade Trend: Slight dip junior year</p>
<p>I also posted this on a different college section as an FYI. Any tips would also be appreciated!</p>
<p>Honestly its not good. Good rigor but a relatively low unweighted GPA. Good test scores but nothing to outweigh the GPA. Everyone has community service. The two jobs are nice, but won’t make up for the rest. Selling VB right could help a bit, no hooks, and a dip rather than an upward trend. It’s a longshot, but its certainly worth applying if NEU is one of your top options.</p>
<p>What you can do to improve:
Raise your test score
Sell the jobs if they are a decently sized part of your life, NEU likes jobs/internships (from what I have seen) with the co-op and all.
Sell VB well with good qualities colleges look for included
Hope for the best</p>
<p>If you want a numerical estimate, probably around 10% chance. Hate to be the bearer of bad news but I hope this will help you create a truly realistic college list.</p>
<p>Thank you. I will try to emphasize the leadership aspects as well. Do you know anything about Fordham, Bentley or Villanova? Those are my other top choices and I am starting to get worried. However, Parchment and Cappex is giving me a pretty decent chance on all of those including Northeastern so I’m a little confused. Thanks so much for your help! </p>
<p>Northeastern is getting tougher to get into each year, so it’s hard to predict. I’m also not sure how much stock to put into those prediction sites.</p>
<p>My son got in last year with weighted GPA of 3.2 and ACT 26. Had mostly honors and AP courses, volunteered, worked summers, various clubs and leader in some. Did best his junior and no hooks. He got into Fordham also. Northeastern is getting much more competitive but you seemingly would have a good chance.</p>
<p>I’d use naviance if your school has it to compare yourself to other students from your school that have applied there in the past. In my opinion, Cappex and Parchement are not accurate predictors. I do agree that the UW GPA leaves something to be desired. Being catholic will not have a major if any impact as Northeastern is a secular school. I think you definitely need more safeties.</p>
<p>Two students from my school this year, both in the top 10% of the class, one as the editor in chief of the newspaper, the other of the editor in chief of the yearbook, both highly involved smart kids, didn’t make it this year. Colleges can be unpredictable and for a college like Northeastern that is getting increasingly competitive, I think it is important that you have other options</p>
<p>“Hooks: I’m Catholic, so maybe that will help? / High School: Top ten public schools in Illinois” </p>
<p>Ha… there is no shortage of Catholics in the Boston area. Your high caliber midwest hs might help. Certainly I’m impressed with your work histrory. Think about weaving it into your essays. I hope you get in, but like all students you should apply to a variety of schools. Good luck! </p>