I'm sure you'll be excited to see another chance thread.

Colleges and Universities A-Z Northwestern University
1

<p>I'm applying to Medill and I'm quite nervous, so I decided to let myself post here and see what you guys think about my chances of getting in.</p>

<p>ME
White, female, both parents went to college, middle class, New Englander, Regular Decision. Basically the worst possible background when applying to college, huh?</p>

<p>SCHOOL STATS
Unweighted GPA: 3.4
Weighted GPA: 4.02
Class Rank: 62/400 (15.5%)</p>

<p>SAT SCORES (1430 or 2150 overall)
CR: 800
M: 630
W: 720</p>

<p>U.S. History: 750
(will be taking Literature SAT II next weekend)</p>

<p>SENIOR SCHEDULE (Keep in mind that my school offers a limited number of AP classes)
Honors Calculus
Journalism Practicum
AP Literature
Writing for Publication
AP Physics II
AP French 6
Honors Independent Study</p>

<p>EC
1. School Newspaper: Managing Editor & Layout Staff. 6 hours a week, 40 weeks/year. All four years of high school.
2. Dramatic Productions, including a major supporting role in one play. 6 h/w, 25 w/y. 3 years of HS.
3. Modern Dance, 14th year. 1 h/w, 40w/y. 4 years of HS.
4. Yearbook: Copy Editor. 6 h/w, 40 w/y. Just senior year.
5. Blogger for largest newspaper in state. Just senior year. 10 h/w, 40 w/y.
6. French Club. 1 h/w, 40 w/y. 3 years of HS.
7. Culture Club. 1 h/w, 40 w/y. 2 years of HS.</p>

<p>Job as a Desktop Publisher at a computer company this past summer.</p>

<p>Summer journalism programs at Yale University and Emma Willard boarding school.</p>

<p>Occasional volunteer work.</p>

<p>AWARDS
National Merit Commended Scholar
French National Honors Society
Honor Roll, High Honor Roll
Best Overall Newspaper from 36th Annual Scholastic Press Forum
Honors Court
Currently nominated for National Honor Society</p>

2

<p>Your GPA will not impress.
Your SAT total (1430/1600) is certainly in range, but it is an odd mix of an excellent 800 CR and an unimpressive 630 in math, so I don't know how that will play.
Your ECs are okay. Remember, they look for depth, involvement and leadership, not "the list." For that reason, I think your work on the school paper looks good. I would say the same for the yearbook, but given that you just did it senior year, I don't know.
You are certainly competitive, but I have no idea how you'll do, especially since NU is obviously not your first choice, given the RD app.
I'm just curious - what is your first choice, since it's hard to do better than Medill for journalism?</p>

3

<p>WCASParent, why are you assuming NU is not their first choice?</p>

<p>There are many reasons why one would apply RD rather than ED even when they have a clear preference for a particular school. One of the most common is a need to compare financial aid offers; another reason is to hedge their bets because a lot can happen between fall and spring of senior year. A third reason is that they feel their application will be much stronger with first semester grades and SAT/ACT retakes. </p>

<p>And from my own experience with my nephew: because they couldn't get their act together in time to make the Nov. 1 deadline, due to fall sports and other commitments!!!</p>

4

<p>Fair point, worried-mom. You may be right about why she's not applying ED.
Although if Medill is her first choice, her chances of admission with these numbers, transcript, etc. are better ED than RD.
If NU doesn't perceive the highest degree of interest, I question whether they'll offer her a place in Medill.</p>

5

<p>I'm applying RD because of financial reasons. Medill is my first choice, however.</p>

6

<p>Medill cares less about math score. Even it's an odd mix, high CR is what Medill particularly wants.</p>

7

<p>Excellent chance if you apply early decision. Regular Decision chances are good due to your 800 CR and 720 Writing scores when combined with your committment to journalism. Acting and dance is a plus, especially at Northwestern. All of the above posters are correct, in my opinion, regarding your chances. If you really want Medill School of Journalism, applying ED will dramatically increase your chances. You should be okay with respect to financial aid as Northwestern's multi-billion dollar endowment soared once again to new heights last fiscal year according to the Wall Street Journal. Please try to understand that Northwestern, like Univ. of Chicago, Rice, Notre Dame and Washington Univ. of St. Louis, students and alumni are some of the brightest and most accomplished people that you will meet. Just like at Yale, Princeton and Dartmouth, you are accepted as part of a very loyal family which will help you throughout the rest of your professional life. Many consider Medill to be the best in the world for journalism. Northwestern ED, along with the "why Northwestern" essay is taken very seriously. This will be the single most competitive year in college admissions history. Good luck and best wishes as you certainly deserve to be admitted to one the best universities in the country. I just noticed that your GPA and class rank are a shade lower than is typical at Northwestern. Apply ED if you can.</p>

8

<p>Ok, but isn't the deadline for ED... tomorrow? Also, my mother has specifically forbidden me from entering any binding contract with a school. I'm upset about it, but I understand her worries (especially since Northwestern offers no merit-based scholarships -- she apparently believes that my stats are good enough to get one, which seems ridiculous to me). Is my best shot just writing the best "why NU" essay that I can?</p>

9

<p>The GPA is a bit low, but NU's admissions rep at their info session said they are "looking for A's and B's", so they really are not focused on perfection. Certainly more A's is better of course, and they are likely to be more forgiving of low grades in 9th grade. Otherwise, you are a solid applicant--they'd be lucky to get you!</p>