<p>I really want to get into Northwestern University but I suspect my chances are weak. I would love advice as to how to improve my chances.</p>
<p>Predicted GPA: 3.5
Predicted Sat Score: 2000 (more or less)
High School: The Bronx High School of Science</p>
<p>EC: In Robotics club for 1 year
Taking 1-3 APs Senior Year
Taking Trig and History Sat 2s
Unsure as to what to do this summer, either a Job or somesort of volunteer program.</p>
<p>First Generation College Student
Low Income Family
Hispanic Student
A kickass College Essay?
I want to Major in Computer Science</p>
<p>I believe thats all my relevant info. I would love advice and maybe even suggestions to other colleges. But I'd love to find a way to get into Northwestern.</p>
<p>Normally, I’d say that a 3.5 GPA make it very difficult to get into NU. However, all 3.5’s are not created equally – Colleges understand that Bronx Science is extremely hard to get into and extremely competitive. So, my question – where does that place you in class ranking? </p>
<p>Otherwise – Your projected SAT is a bit low (though still worth an application) – another 200 points would help. You should also strongly consider the ACT, a number of students do much better on one or the other test, so why not take both. Finally, if your numbers are in the ball park, consider ED – last year NU took about 40% of it’s class ED, so it appears that they are making an effort to accept qualified students who really want to go there.</p>
<p>On the positive side, your URM status could help a lot. Overall, I think it would be worth applying to NU with your statistics.</p>
<p>Stony Brook, NYU Binghampton – I haven’t looked at these schools recently, but I think you’d have a strong application at all 3 (though perhaps not NYU-Stern).</p>
<p>Other NY schools – if you can get the SAT up, what about Cornell? I believe that thay accept A LOT of Bronx Science students each year. Computer Science is offered in both Arts and Engineering.</p>
<p>Thank you very much for the response. In regard to my class rank a 3.5 gpa is pretty average at my school so in terms of rank I’d say I’m somewhere in the middle. Perhaps I can put in some time and study more for the SAT and get a 2200. It would take a lot of work on my grammer and essay writing (my weaker fields). I’m not sure about the ACT but I may take it after I get some opinions around schoom about it. As for ED, when applying what do colleges look at? My cumulative GPA up to my first semester? I think it may be best to not as I want colleges to focus on my Junior and Senior year beacause my Freshman and Sophmores years weren’t great. However, there is a upward curve from Freshman to now. How do you think my URM status will help? What I mean is will it be something big that colleges notice or a small boost? Haha I have so many questions, its overwhelming. I think that my college essay will be about how I had to take care of my younger siblings often due to my mom being busy with work. I forgot to mention I come from a single parent home. Perhaps, applying to Northwestern won’t be so fruitless. Again, thank you very much for your input. Sorry if my response is a bit scattered I just quickly wrote what I was thinking.</p>
<p>Oh, of course I forgot to address something. </p>
<p>I always considered Cornell a reach for me but I guess it is on the same level as Northwestern. Perhaps I should apply there as well. However if a lot of students here apply to Cornell I fear my resume will look weaker than many students at my school. I failed to be involved as much as I should of my first two years is ECs and such. And I imagine those applying will have GPAs of 4. I think the only thing that would sperate me from the crowd is my URM status. There are only about 20-30 Hispanic kids in my class. Maybe even less.</p>
<p>Obviously you need an actual SAT or ACT score before reasonable advice can be offered. Nonetheless, I suspect that your chances at Cornell might be better than at Northwestern–especially if you apply to one of the three quasi-public schools/colleges at Cornell. Cornell has an ongoing relationship with your school. That being said, both Cornell & Northwestern want Hispanic students. Cornell even offers a common housing option.</p>
<p>@Axelrod Yes this is very true. However I’m confident my score will be around 2000. I will eventually come back to this thread in a few months with updated scores and such. Thank you for the college recommendation. Time for some research.</p>
<p>Im starting to think I may have misplaced this topic. Its more of a “what should I do at this point, I’m anxiois and want answers” than “what are my chances”. </p>
<p>Anyway, CMU seems like a nice fit for me. Definitely considering applying.</p>