Insane background story, not so insane GPA?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>SO, I am a senior in highschool.
My GPA is a 3.2, weighted is a 4.3 on a 6.0 scale.
I know it's horrible, but I spent my 9th & 10th grade years in Canada, where I couldn't take any AP/Honors classes and due to the difference in grading scales, my almost straight-A Canadian record became almost all Bs here in the states.
My junior year I got straight As but only one honors class (Chemistry I)
My senior year I am in 6 AP/Honors classes: Physics I (H), Government (AP), Pre-cal (H), English IV (AP), Chemistry II (AP) and Economics (AP).
Currently the only thing I have a B in is pre-cal and I'm working to raise that, the rest are high As.
My ACT was a 29 and my SAT was an 1840, which I know isn't too good either
HOWEVER, my personal essay will tell my background story, which is very intense and deals with depression, eating disorders, family mental disorders, the struggles with moving, the struggle with money, etc. it will basically show that I've been through a whole lot of crap in my life but I've managed to stay a strong and positive person, which I am proud of :)
My question is, due to my low GPA and not extraordinary test scores, do I have a chance of being accepted into Northwestern? Is a crazy background story told in a well written essay enough? Thank you in advance :)
And I am in the top 50% of my class</p>

<p>OH and for ECs: I've danced in various companies for 4 years, taught dance to younger children for 2, was a camp counselor for 2, volunteered at my religious organization for 2 years, and am part of the science national honor society</p>

2

<p>NWU: Reach</p>

3

<p>Northwestern is really selective. I would encourage you to tell your counselor so she can let all your colleges know why your gpa is so low. </p>

<p>I would still say it’s a reach. </p>

<p>Try some middle tier schools that are just as good for your undergrad.</p>

4

<p>Unfortunately you’re story isn’t as “insane” as you portray it to be. Emotional struggles and hardships only go so far. They can’t really make up for the 3.2 GPA, 29 ACT that you need to improve, and the fact you’re only in the top 50% of you’re class has a very low low acceptance rate at Northwestern. Sorry but good luck is all I can say.</p>

5

<p>You’re not the only one who faced “depression, eating disorders, family mental disorders, the struggles with moving, the struggle with money, etc.” Many of us have. Please know that the explanation won’t help your case too much because there are kids who have done very well despite their circumstances (see: ‘Homeless to Harvard’). The best thing you can do is improve your test scores significantly so that there is better context to understand your grades. Do look into other schools too.</p>

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<p>I would personally consider NWU a reach, if not a high reach as well. College admissions go:
GPA (and difficulty of course load), Test Scores, EC’s (including honors), Recs, Essay, in that order. Chance me back, possibly?
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1559607-chances-getting-into-bu.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1559607-chances-getting-into-bu.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;