Northeastern University hopeful

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hello, I would love more than anything to gain acceptance into Northeastern University - specifically, Northeastern's 6-year Doctorate of Physical Therapy program. I have one major concern, that being my SAT scores. The first time around, I scored a 1680 - that's 510 on math, 550 on critical reading, and 620 on writing. Next time I took the SATs I scored a 1760 - 510 on math, 540 on critical reading, 710 on writing with a 10 on the essay portion. So when I take my super score, I have relatively average 1770. I understand that the median SAT score for accepted NU students is in the 1990-2160 range. However, I know that my GPA of 3.7/4.0 - which translates to a 4.6 or so on a 5.0 scale - is slightly above the average high school GPA of accepted NU students. For my senior year I am enrolled in AP English Language & Composition as well as AP Psychology, and I have been a consistent high honor roll student since the commencement of my high school career, enrolled across the board in honors and high honors classes, adding 2 APs to the mix this upcoming year. So I know I have the grades, but am not the best test taker. Any honest opinions or advice on this aspect of my application - or how critically standardized test scores are reviewed by admissions officers - would be greatly appreciated. </p>

<p>Every college nowadays is all about the holistic approach. I know I have a lot here. Aside from being a member of 4 - potentially 6 after this year - honor societies and receiving First and Second Honors continually throughout high school, I am a member of my school's varsity cross country and winter/spring track teams. I have engaged in several school and community service activities, including volunteering at a local hospital, volunteering for Special Olympics, leading school retreats, and actively engaging in campus ministry and volunteering in my parish. Senior year, I am enrolled in a service internship as well. I also hold a job and am hopefully going to keep it through the duration of the school year. I am a Big Sister for the second year in a row for incoming freshmen and I have brief experience in theater also. The holistic review of my resume convinces me that I am a solid candidate for Northeastern, and so do my grades. However, I am still very concerned with SAT scores and am hoping for some helpful advice or just brutal honesty about what exactly standardized test scores will mean underneath the entire umbrella that is my application. If you've read this entire post thank you for your patience! And to any other applicants out there good luck with the college search!</p>

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<p>Yeah, I hate to break it to you, but test scores tend to have significant weight and NEU. Even people with 2000’s and GPA’s like yours were deferred EA, and not all were accepted in the next round. Also, NEU likes to brag about its 1600 average, and your 1050 will not do well there. </p>

<p>Also, how is your GPA a 4.6 on a 5.0 if you only have taken two AP’s? I believe the 5.0 GPA NEU reports is not just a 4.0 scaled but a 4.0 weighted scale. So even your GPA may still be in the average range :/</p>

<p>It’s really too bad, but Northeastern Admissions are pretty stat driven overall. They do look for other things, but it will take a lot to get past that SAT. The school is amazing but if one area is lacking, its admissions for sure. Then again, they have tons of applicants to go through. No excuse, but at least some reasoning behind why its very stats driven and not nearly as holistic as many other colleges.</p>

<p>Have you tried the ACT? If you fare better, your chances really do go up that much more.</p>

<p>As far as EC’s, your only hope is probably to really blow them away in your Common App essay. Perhaps use your big sister thing, or your job. NEU does like jobs/internships as their students/applicants tend to be very career directed due to the co-op program being a key attracting piece and part of the community.</p>

<p>The bottom line here though is to expect rejection but send in the app for the chance. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but I hope you can appreciate the honesty. It’s certainly not impossible, but its very unlikely. Best of luck!</p>