<p>My absolute dream is to go to Northwestern one day and I've basically outlined all my classes, activites, and athletics in a way that I'm hoping would get me in. I'm even taking AP World History as a freshman because I want college credit (5) for NU and I want to impress NU. I'm currently in soccer, I do a lot of community service, i travel a lot, and dance marathon (we raise money for a charity). Basically, I want to know what current NU students did in High School that helped them get in. Specifically someone whos studying to be an architect/civil engineer.
I'm going to be a sophmore this year and my schedule is as follows:
Chemistry (reg)
Spanish 2
Honors English
AP Statistics
Honors Algebra 2
Civil Engineering and Architecture</p>
<p>My advice to anybody who is absolutely positive where they want to go to college is to apply ED. It’s the biggest boost you can give yourself–far bigger than any other single thing you can do.</p>
<p>Do things that you love and do them really well, don’t just do stuff that you think colleges want to see. And have fun doing what you do.</p>
<p>While it’s essential for you to keep up your grades and course rigor throughout high school, that’s not what will be the ultimate deciding factor to what will get you in. Competition has been getting more and more intense as the years go by, and by the time you graduate from high school it’s likely that NU’s acceptance rate will have dropped to maybe 10% if not into the single digits.</p>
<p>My advice to you would be to demonstrate commitment in what you’re passionate about (don’t do a bunch of random EC’s for one year or semester each- doing that won’t impress them- they’ll just look like a bunch of application fillers), and in your application essay you absolutely NEED to show your interest in the school in a really specific way. What do YOU bring to the table? How will you take advantage of the resources they give you- are you going to be worth the investment should they admit you?
In your essay, don’t be general and dull (e.g. “The campus is really beautiful and it just felt right to me”)
Northwestern knows that they’re a great school- you don’t need to tell them that. Tie in what you’re passionate about, how you can take full advantage of a Northwestern education, how you can contribute to the Northwestern community, etc.
NU will look at thousands and thousands of applications that’ll look more or less like yours. Perfect standardized test scores, perfect GPA’s, and great EC’s are not uncommon or outside the norm.
You have to make yourself stand out among the masses- being a paper girl with paper grades and paper test scores in a paper town won’t get you admitted.
Make yourself a personable and well-rounded character. </p>
<p>I would also highly recommend going through an interview too!</p>
<p>Keep up the math and science to prepare you for engineering!</p>
<p>I’m a current Northwestern student! In HS I took many AP classes, and became involved in extra-curriculars. Leadership positions in your activities always look great!</p>
<p>I also agree with icepulse937! Everyone here has high test scores, high GPA’s, so in addition to that, make yourself stand out through your essays and through your passions!!</p>
<p>Tough love: Work on your writing skills. Come essay time, it could make or break you. GL</p>