<p>How selective is the Integrated Science Program?</p>
<p>This is a good question, which requires one to know how many students typically apply. I don’t have an answer for that. They have around 30 enrolled students for each entering class.</p>
<p>The ISP does require a separate application, which is due after the regular application to NU. So if you’re interested and meet the somewhat stringent testing requirements, I say go for it. Bear in mind, even with the testing requirements, there’s some level of flexibility. My S, who’s now a freshman in ISP, didn’t have the Subject Test in Chemistry but, with the balance of his application, they said they’d consider his application based on the first semester grade he received in AP Chemistry senior year (which was an A.)</p>
<p>Let’s see what I can remember about S’s relevant stats. His WGPA was around a 4.3. He completed 10 AP classes (including AP Calc BC, Physics C and Chemisty) in addition to Linear Algebra and Multivariable Calculus. He had double 800s in SAT I Math and Subject Test Math 2, plus a 720 in Subject Test Physics. He also had a summer internship working with an Earth Sciences professor in paleoclimatogy issues, where he used Mat Lab to analysis thee fossil record of coral, tree rings, etc.</p>
<p>S had no interest in applying to places like MIT or CalTech, as he wanted a more balanced campus focus for his undergrad years. He has a keen interest in interdisiplinary study. ISP is a great fit for him.</p>
<p>Do a search on the other ISP threads. I’ll quickly say that back when I got in in 2007, they told me it was about a 30% acceptance rate, and from my own very limited experience, I’d say the caliber of students was about the average of students you’d see applying for MIT and Caltech on CC.</p>
<p>I took four years of high school math, but only three years of math in high school, but i did take BC Calculus and get a 5 on the AP exam. I took AP Chemistry and got a 5 on the AP also, but my school doesn’t offer AP Physics. I got a 800 on SAT Math II, but i did really bad on the SAT Chem test. I am taking a physics class this year though, and I plan to take the AP Physics B test in May, so I hope that counts towards something…But I’m really interested in ISP, so I’m probably going to apply, I was just wondering if I even had a chance considering my (sort of) spotty record.</p>
<p>The program is self selective because it requires a lot of prerequisites like
MathII, Physics, Chem SATIIS which many people did not do well on or do not take…
so just try! you’ll never know.</p>
<p>If you’re really concerned about your chances, you could contact the ISP administrator and describe your situation. I don’t remember the application being terribly extensive, in any case, so it’s probably worth it to apply. If it helps, I don’t believe the admission process to be terribly selective - I still haven’t met someone who didn’t get in at Northwestern, and I’m a senior in the program. Keeping with the program ends up being the difficult part, since the schedule of classes you take is relatively fast-paced, and the work load is fairly intense.</p>
<p>so if my Math II is 800, Phy is 790, and Chem 770, do I have a decent chance?</p>
<p>also, i have extensive awards in math</p>
<p>another question, do they read ur common app essay?</p>
<p>Yeah, you probably do. I’m not sure if they read your common app essay or not - I know that they have their own application form, with questions there regarding to your interest in your program and intentions in life, so I’d tend to think not.</p>
<p>It looks like getting into ISP is pretty selective. How selective are they about issuing the invitations to apply? Does everyone who is interested in math or science get invited?</p>
<p>ISP casts a fairly wide net - I think stating a strong interest in science causes your application to be flagged in general admissions for ISP. Certainly, students from both Weinberg and McCormick are issued invitations to apply.</p>
<p>Serithsky is correct. I know of a HS senior who’s applied to McCormick who recently was sent informational materials about ISP and he had not requested them.</p>