<p>I'm a rising senior in high school and I'm getting ready to apply for colleges. I really only have two colleges that I want to go to, Drexel or Northeastern. I really have no idea which one I like better at this point and I'm wondering if I can even get in to either?
SAT- CR 730 M 680 W 660
ACT- 30
GPA- 3.9
Rank- top 15%</p>
<p>I've taken all gifted or AP classes through out high school, but I'm afraid that I might not have focused enough on extra curriculars. I was on the cross country team for two years, JCL for one, National Latin Honors Society for 3 years, and Film club treasurer for one year. I have been actively participating in Relay for Life since kindergarten and have been a team captain,and I also have helped create props and worked on the stage crew for my sister's dance shows for several years. </p>
<p>Another reason I am worried about acceptance is because I am applying for the Music Industry program. I hear that it highly competitive and so I'm trying to figure out a way to stand out from the other applicants. I'm working as a part of the Vans Warped Tour street team this summer, and I'm getting a job at a music venue near where I live once school starts up again. I also am taking a year long class for half the day at a technical school for music recording. </p>
<p>I would love to know your opinions on either school, the Music Industry program at both, and of course... my chances of even getting in. I appreciate any replies!!</p>
<p>getting in vs getting out:</p>
<p>Average admitted student stats are much lower for Drexel then NEU, but both have rather low grad rates.</p>
<p>Per the June '09 American Enterprise Institute, posted on this board “Diplomas and Dropouts” the 6 year graduation rate fro Drexel was 64%; Northeastern was 66%. Neither has a particularly good history of students actually graduating. 40% of students at both are paying off loans without a degree.</p>
<p>Thank you for that information, though it wasn’t exactly what I was looking for. It’s still something important that I should consider. If you have any more thoughts on getting in, specifically, though, I would love your input.</p>
<p>A couple of comments with respect to rankings: there have been numerous postings on this forum and others pointing out some of the problems with rankings that rely heavily on graduation rates. Schools like Northeastern and Drexel are penalized in such rankings because they are predominantly 5 year programs; students are not expected to graduate in under 5 yrs because they are taking 2-3 co-ops that are 6 months long each, yet these schools are continually being compared to schools where there is an expectation to graduate in 4 yrs. </p>
<p>In addition, it is only in the past 3-4 years that NEU has become more selective and more academically rigorous. Through the 1990s, NEU was primarily a regional commuter college; its average m/v SATs in 2001 were below 1100. The school has turned itself around academically since then; it has become increasingly selective and is gaining a national reputation, and its average m/v SATs are currently well above 1200. Statistics that are often used in the various rankings that we currently see are much more reflective of the “old” student body and not the current student body which has been greatly changed in just a few years. And those 6-yr graduation rates? They have also been increasing but presumably could rapidly jump once students who began in the last few years graduate.</p>
<p>The methodology used in some of these rankings can sometimes end up comparing apples to oranges…</p>
<p>With respect to your chances of being admitted, your chances seem extremely good based on your stats and background; you should even qualify for a decent merit scholarship and the honors program. I am not very familiar with the music industry program but it includes a high concentration of business and entrepeneurial courses, and NEU is very well-regarded for its programs in this area.</p>
<p>Good luck to you!!</p>
<p>Thank you for your opinion. It seems like not many people, other than the universities themselves, really know that much about how exactly the music industry program differs from other programs in the selection process. I appreciate your response and it really made me feel better about my chances.</p>