Most interested in NU, but what are my chances?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Northwestern University
1

<p>Here's the lowdown:</p>

<p>I'm from a suburb of Chicago and go to a large high school (3,600 students, with 900 in my grade). I'm strong in all areas but math and science (as my grades and test scores demonstrate). I take honors and AP classes in all subjects but math and science, in which I'm placed in accelerated. My school is very competitive, and it is recognized as one of the best in the state. And I will be a senior this coming year.</p>

<p>I am very interested in journalism and plan to major in that (and possibly double major with either advertising or Spanish). I want to go to a medium- or large-sized school, preferably in an urban area. Hopefully I can go to a school that's not only good in journalism, but in other areas, in case I change my mind. I am still not sure what schools I should apply to, so I am open to suggestions, but would like to hear my chances at the schools I'm interested in. My parents would like me to stay in the Midwest, but I'm open to going anywhere.</p>

<p>I don't know if it's worth mentioning but I had some pretty serious health issues through high school, which caused me to miss a fair amount of school (20 days freshman year alone), and I received surgery this past year.</p>

<p>Colleges:
-Northwestern (I have legacy--my mom and aunt went there)
-U of I (not very interested, but feel like I must apply)
-U of Wisconsin-Madison
-U of Missouri-Columbia
-Marquette
-Indiana University (not very interested)
-Boston University
-George Washington University</p>

<p>I was possibly thinking of U of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, but I'm afraid those schools would both would be too conservative (I'm very liberal) and maybe a culture shock.</p>

<p>ACT:
-Overall 31 (35 English, 34 Reading, 29 Math, 26 Science)</p>

<p>APs:
-Spanish (score still not in), American Gov't (4), Comparative Gov't (4)
-Next year I'm taking AP English (will take both English tests then), AP Psychology, and AP US History.</p>

<p>Class rank: 63/899 (weighted)
GPA: 3.75 (unweighted)/4.66 (weighted)</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
Youth group (frosh)
JV swim team (frosh--had to quit for health reasons)
Winter swim club (frosh)
Student council (frosh, soph)
Peaceable Schools Initiative (frosh, soph)
Literary magazine prose reader (frosh, soph, jr.)
Guitar lessons (frosh, soph, jr.)
Summer swim team (frosh, soph)
Lifeguarding and teaching swim lessons (frosh, soph, jr.)
Nat'l Spanish Honors Society (soph, jr.)
Nat'l Honors Society (jr.)
My town's youth commission (jr.)</p>

<p>The extracurricular I'm most passionate about is the school newspaper, which you cannot join till junior year. It has received awards at the state and national level. This year I was the copy editor (great for a junior), and next year I'm the news editor. To say it takes up a great deal of time is an understatement. I'm just afraid colleges won't realize how much time it did consume (I would be there until 11 on school nights several times a month).</p>

<p>Oh and I went to Mexico for two weeks this past school year. I studied at a school there and lived with a family. But I don't plan on writing my personal statement about that, as it's seen as somewhat cliche.</p>

2

<p>Well you'd definitely have to emphasize your journalistic experience if you were applying to the journalism school, so write your essay about those late nights you spent working on the paper. Northwestern doesn't have advertising/marketing or any business majors, but it does have an awesome communications school. You'd probably have a decent chance if you applied ED, otherwise you might want to try to bring up the ACT score a little.</p>

3

<p>I disagree with what the person said above. I got into NU with a 30 ACT and it was fine. I took lots of AP courses, was ranked first and a decent (but not "amazing") public school, and excelled greatly at my ECs. I also wrote some kick butt essays...it's all what you put into it. And a little bit of luck.</p>

4

<p>I am beginning to think about my essays for my application, but I'm not sure which is a better "hook." For each idea, I would talk about how the experience has molded me and changed me for the better (which is quite true), and how I am passionate about each.</p>

<p>My ideas thus far are either my experiences as a lifeguard/swim instructor the past three years or on the high school newspaper.</p>

5

<p>And there's no way I can raise my ACT score--I have no idea how I can go up any more in science or math. (I already took a class, but it didn't help too much.)</p>

6

<p>Well, if you're applying to Medill, emphasize the journalism more. That is a more competitive school in NU. Good luck! (If you decide you really want NU the most, which makes sense because Medill is awesome, you might as well apply ED. That will increase your chances, and your legacy only counts if you apply early, I'm pretty sure.)</p>

7

<p>I don't think I can apply ED anywhere because I have the tendency to change my mind! But when I visited, they said ED doesn't help really.</p>

8

<p>ED will help you nearly anywhere you apply. Especially with legacy.</p>

9

<p>I'm just not sure--when I visited they stressed ED doesn't help anyone.</p>

10

<p>hey Weezer, i had a similar resumer as yours...and i got accepted to/am attending Medill. I would agree with a couple of the other members, EMPHASIZE your passion in journalism....also, i can put money on the fact that you're a great writer, so show it off in your personal statement. =]</p>

<p>if you're not 100% sure about NU/Medill don't apply early...i wish you the best of luck! ~Jen</p>

11

<p>What is the size of Medill? I heard it's much harder to get into than the other schools at NU--is this true? I was thinking maybe I should apply to WCAS second choice, that way I could always transfer into Medill. Is that a good idea?</p>

12

<p>well you can only apply to ONE school...and i haven't heard of applying to Medill, getting into WCAS...Medill has 650 total undergrad; I estimate somewhere around 160/170 freshmen. </p>

<p>Medill is definitely one of hte harder schools to get into...and it's nearly impossible to get off the waitlist because hardly anyone accepted turns NU down.</p>

<p>On the brighter side, I do have a sophomore friend who got into WCAS then successfully transfered to Medill, but don't settle for [applying to] WCAS if it's Medill you're yearning for.</p>

<p>hope this helped! =]</p>

13

<p>Great information, thanks. I pretty much figure I have a one in three chance of being admitted. Although I'm interested if the legacy I have at NU could help. I have no idea how much of a role that plays.</p>

14

<p>I think legacy does help a bit, if anything it makes you stand out.</p>

15

<p>I definitely need to stand out in some shape or form to get into NU. It's weird, but I heard from a friend that colleges really like to see students work as lifeguards--it shows responsibility, I guess. Maybe that could help me get in, and the fact that I teach swim lessons to little kids. Could be a good essay topic.</p>

16

<p>Does work experience help when applying to NU? I don't have many volunteer hours, besides my town's youth commission, which I don't even know if they'd count.</p>

17

<p>work experience spices up ANY college app - most people like to embellish on their volunteer hours because, well, you don't need any proof, but try to stay as close to the truth...since you're a senior now you probably aren't going to be able to add a whole lot from now until 1/1, but just make sure you have something to put in that box.</p>

18

<p>i think i'll write an essay about my work experience ... sound like a good idea? (i'm a lifeguard.)</p>

19

<p>sounds good! =]</p>