In the running for ED?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Northwestern University
1

Asian male from Michigan. Applying Early decision. Planning on majoring in Middle East/ North African Studies and earn a business certificate. Hopefully will join ROTC detachment. Had a few relatives attend NU.

SAT: will not report
SAT II: taking 3 tests in October - us history, math II, french
ACT: 31 (will retake in September, hoping for 33/34)
Rank: No ranking system, 700 students in class
IB: taking IB HL English and 1 year of IB SL French
AP: CALC ab - 5 , psych - 4 , physics mech and U.S. gov - 3

Senior year:
AP Calc BC
AP Chemistry
AP Macro/Micro Economics
AP French
IB English
Band
Gym

Junior year:
AP Calc ab (A,A)
AP Physics C (B,A)
AP Gov (A,A)
AP Psych (B,A-)
IB SL French (A-,A-)
Band (A,A)

Sophomore year:
(H) Geometry (B+,A-)
(H) Physics (A-,A)
(H) Chem (B,A-)
(H) English (A-,A)
AP World History (A,A-)
Band (A,A)

Frosh year:
(H) Algebra I (A,A)
(H) Algebra II (B+,B+)
(H) French (B+,A-)
US History (AA)
Computer Science (B+,A-)
Biology (AA-)
English (A-,A)

Took pre calc over the summer (A,A)

Awards: FIRST robotics entrepreneurship award and chairmans award (10,11), National French Honor Society, Academic Award, Rotary Youth Leadership Awards

ECS:
Senior Class President elected by popular vote
National Honor Society President elected by popular vote
FRC Robotics Finance Lead
Interact President
Varsity Track and Field
Varsity Mountain Biking

Volunteering:
300 hours for rotary
100 hours for NHS
100 hours for robotics

Summer Activities:
Led Summer robotics camp for disadvantaged youth
Varsity mountain biking
Job at McDonalds

Already working on those essays.
Teacher Recs will be excellent.
2 Additional Recs.
Large public school with 700 kids.

BUMP

2

ACT score of 33 and unweighted GPA of 3.8 makes you competitive for ED in Northwestern … this is just an observation from the results reported in threads here. You have not listed your AP exam results … they can be important unless you have excellent SAT II exam results (and I am not sure if college board will report results from October tests in time for ED).

3

Thanks
I did report my AP scores.
And October scores are able to be submitted. Just crunch time.

4

You look competitive with a 33, but note that schools like Northwestern accept and decline even top standardized scorers. At this point, hope your ec’s are enough and write a great essay with good teacher recommendations.

5

If you improve the SAT score, you should have a good shot since Northwestern looks at standardized tests as very important. Your work experience may not be that important to them, but rigorous classes and all that leadership will certainly help.

6

you certainly have a good chance of getting in and an even better chance once you raise your ACT score!

7

Realistically, you stand the same chance as every other applicant, about 15%. Your GPA is a little low compared to the usual Northwestern admit, as are your test scores. Your EC’s are good (not necessarily unique, but quality ones to be involved in), so definitely hit those with your essays.

If you have the opportunity, definitely raise your test scores. Its too late to raise your GPA much, but bringing your ACT up to a 33/34 will likely double your chances of admission. Good luck.