<p>Northwestern is my ultimate dream school, as I want to study broadcast journalism. I am completely involved and devoted to my school's television production class, and I am currently developing my own student achievement show. However, my GPA is not up to par with what Northwestern usually accepts. The average GPA that is accepted from my school is a 4.5, however I only have a 3.5. My ACT score is a 31, with a 33 in math. I have a wealth of other extracurricular activities, such as publishing a research study that I piloted. The mentor that I worked with is a Northwestern alum. Additionally, I'm a three sport athlete, and I am an elected official for my school's student government. There are other extracurricular activities that I am involved with, such as a full time job with a local start-up company. The teachers that are writing my letters of recommendation, will both write awesome letters. Also, I have one letter from my research mentor and one from a professor at a university that I studied at over the summer. </p>
<p>I guess what my question really is, is should I apply even though my grades are not up to par? Please let me know your thoughts!</p>
<p>If it’s your dream college, then I say go for it! But don’t get your hopes too high. If I’m correct, which I hope not, a 3.5 gpa on a 5 scale is around a 70 average?! Unless everything else is extraordinary, you are going to have a very very tough time getting into a top school like NW. Although, I think you do have some good ECs. Make sure that letter of rec from that NW alum is amazing cause that will def be an important one.</p>
<p>@kunde9 Thank for your words, and I know not to get my hopes up. Do you think that there’s even a small chance that I would get in? Would it help or hinder my chances to apply Early Decision?</p>
<p>One thing is certain which is if you do not apply, there is no way you can get in to your dream school, so why not give it a shot? GPA, of course, is very important but that is not the only criteria and the admission process at NU is very holistic. So give it all you can and apply ED to improve your chances.</p>
<p>@NorthwesternDad thank you so much! You bring a up a good point that if I don’t apply there’s a 100% chance that I won’t get in. But those chances only improve if I do apply. Thank you!</p>
<p>You might also consider retaking the ACT in the fall. Even if you apply ED (which may be wise unless you could bring up your GPA before applying RD) you’d have time to submit even stronger test scores, which might tip the balance in your favor… and you have little to lose by trying. Best of luck to you!</p>
<p>There’s a ton of randomness in the application process. Nobody here ever thought my daughter would get into NU. As it turned out, she got into her top two schools and was either waitlisted or rejected by her next four. She also got waitlisted at one of her safeties (one that’s famous for not taking people they don’t think will actually go there). </p>