Does anyone know how competitive the ISP program is?
I’ve gotten in this year. Doesn’t seem too competitive
Thanks so much for replying. When in the process did you apply or find out? My son is very interested in this program. Are you doing it next year? Any info welcome!
Is your son a rising senior in high school or a freshman in college. If he’s the latter, then I’m afraid it’s too late. However, if he’s in high school, I highly recommend that he apply early decision for both Northwestern and ISP. ISP has a separate application, as you may already know. Also, make sure he has already taken or will take these classes: AP Calculus BC, AP physics (C is best), and AP Chemistry. He doesn’t need to have the AP score for them, but he still needs to show some satisfactory progress. Also, a good ACT math score would be beneficial. As for myself, I’ll be a freshman in ISP next year. I took physics C mechanics junior year and Calc BC and Chem senior year. My math ACT score was a thirty six and my science was a thirty two. Although I got accepted into NU ED, I applied to ISP RD and still got in, so as long as your son meets the class requirements and gets into northwestern, getting into ISP should be a piece of cake. However, staying in the program, as many people say, is difficult. Honestly, I’m not sure if I will endure its difficulty and rigor. From a positive perspective, however, grad school placement is very high for the program and I’m pretty sure students have close relationships with their professors because of the small size of classes. If you have anymore questions, please feel free to ask!
Thanks. This is extremely helpful. He is a rising senior and is interested in applying ED to NU and ISP. He has taken AP Chem and BC Calculus and Physics C Mechanics. He takes Physics C E&M next year. The concern he had is that he can’t take the Physics SAT2 before November because he never had a full year of real physics so he has had no exposure to any of the topics other than Mechanics. He did take the AP Physics Mechanics C and will take the AP- E&M C next year. He is trying to decide whether he needs to learn the rest of Physics on his own this summer so that he can have an SAT in Physics in time for his ED application. He has taken Math Level 2 and Chem SATs, as well as the APs. Do you think he should try to learn the Physics or will they wait for a AP E&M score? He is incredibly interested in this program and is happy to try to accelerate Physics over the summer if you think it might help. Any thoughts welcome! Really appreciate it and congratulations to you.
I didn’t take a single SAT subject test! I was lucky enough to get in without those. He’ll most likely need those scores for the general Northwestern admissions, but AP scores can replace SAT subject tests in the ISP program. A decent AP score (4+) in Calc, Chem, and Physics should suffice. Also, please advise him to NOT take physics in the summer, unless he is really interested because whether he gets a 1 or a 5 on the E&M test, he will still have to retake physics in the ISP program. However, if he hasn’t gotten a 5 on the AP chemistry test, it could be useful to retake it because a 5 can get him into organic Chem right away ( which btw is a general class, not ISP). I hope I answered your question. Don’t hesitate if you have any more questions
He will have an AP score in Physics-Mechanics C before he applies, but not in E&M. He will have E&M next year. Do you think that Mechanics C can replace the SAT 2 in Physics? Maybe he should call them and ask? I really appreciate your replies and congratulate you again!
I personally only applied with one AP test score: Physics Mechanics. My school doesn’t offer E&M and also, I studied in a high school outside the US during freshman and sophomore year, so I was not thought to be prepared to take multiple AP classes. I’m not sure how about your situation, but I still took a normal physics class during sophomore year, and they still did not ask me why I did not take a Subject test. So in short, Mechanics should replace SAT subject tests. Also, I don’t think I made this clear, my bad, but IOS can wait for your AP scores at the end of the year. They’re waiting for my calc and chem rn. I just showed good grades in class and I think that was enough.
Very helpful. Again, congratulations and enjoy the program!
Also, they probably liked your 36. He only had a 35 on the Math section but retook it today, so who knows.
Thank you! I hope to see your son soon at Northwestern! Btw a 35 on the ACT math isn’t bad. It’s really good especially with a good science score. Your son made it beyond Calc BC, so that is an achievement by itself. Congrats and good luck! Like always, I’m available for any questions you or your son have:)
I don’t think you need to worry given the above. Also, in the past, ISP even sent invitation to NU admits, just in case they weren’t even aware of it. The program is so self-selected that unless there’s a sudden change in demand, there will always be room for anyone interested as long as they have strong academic record in math/science, which applies to just about every NU admits in engineering/science.
The hardest part is the program itself, which some will figure the rigor is not their cup of tea once they get a taste of it. According to a CC member who chose CalTech over ISP, it is very similar to CalTech’s.
Thanks