<p>I am applying to Northwestern University for early admissions. I graduate this year, my junior year. Does this hurt my chances? Keep in mind that I have finished 4 years of Language Arts, Algebra II, Trig, Pre-cal, and am enrolled in college calculus this year. Also i will have 5 years of foreign language. My act score was a 31, which i know is doing me no favors for a school like northwestern. I go to a small liberal arts high school that offers no AP or honors classes, but in the Secondary school report will make clear that all our classes are just as difficult as honors or AP classes. My graduation class is only 30 kids and our high school does not rank. On my SAT Subject Tests for Math II and US history i expect to score low 700s or high 600s, but if in the 600s will take again. But with killer essays, brilliant teacher recommendations do you think i stand a chance?</p>
<p>oh 4.0 gpa also</p>
<p>amazing GPA. i don’t know what your extracurriculars are, but if they’re stellar and/or you have a hook then you definitely have a good shot. if not, your test scores might hold you back. i would recommend retaking the ACT or trying the SAT to increase your chances. good luck!</p>
<p>Your test scores are low.
Sorry.</p>
<p>Yes they are low. I’m worried. But i thought average act for Northwestern was 31? and i don’t have my sat subject test scores, but i know i got a high 700 in US History. Math II i blew it. At best in 700s. So am I just screwed?</p>
<p>Oh, i didnt mention that i have taken chemistry, biology, earth science, and physics with 4.0 gpa in all of them. That has to help me out right? A lot or a little?</p>
<p>With a 4.0 GPA and a 31 ACT, you stand a good chance, especially if the essays and recommendations are top notch and the classes taken are considered most rigorous. My son’s school sends several students to Northwestern every year and the sweet spot tends to start at ACT 31 with a near-perfect GPA. Some in this range are waitlisted, however. It’s tough to say if graduating early will help you or hurt you – make sure your recommendation writers mention something about your social maturity.</p>
<p>Your odds are actually slightly better at the University of Chicago, if that’s on your list of possibilities – and U. of C. has historically placed more emphasis on the essay than Northwestern.</p>
<p>You really think i have a better shot at University of Chicago? Thats definitely on my list, but I thought I’d have a better shot at Northwestern. It does seem that U. of C. does get less applicants and has a higher acceptance rate. Thats pretty enticing… I’m also looking at Notre Dame for ED. Their all in about the same tier. I’ll have to look more at my shot with U. of C.</p>
<p>Actually, it seems their acceptance rate is the exact same for RD. What about ED? and it does seem that U. of C. gets lets applicants, but that doesnt matter, only percentage of acceptance. --Just to correct myself</p>
<p>Uhhh no. Your chances are greater at Northwestern. Chicago has a much lower acceptance rate for both ED vs. EA and RD vs. RD. Chicago’s acceptance rate last year was 18%, while Northwestern’s was 23%. The gap will almost certainly be even greater this year.</p>
<p>You should apply ED to the school you’d most like to attend, not the one that might have a 2% higher ED acceptance rate – the ED competition may be tougher. Because acceptance is so unpredictable these days, you’ll want to apply to a portfolio of schools at the Northwestern acceptance rate and slightly above – say 22-32%. Notre Dame accepts 24%, Rice takes 22%, Emory takes 27%. Small but highly respected liberal arts colleges like Oberlin and Carleton College accept about 32%. Then apply at a safety school like U. of I. Urbana and you should be ensured of an excellent education no matter what happens.</p>
<p>What I’m worried about is my SAT subject test scores. My US history is high. My Math II is low. I need to apply to a school that doesnt stress these too much. Northwestern recommends 3 while U of C only considers them and does even recommend them much. This is why i think i have a better shot at U of C</p>
<p>U of c accepted 28% of ED applicants for 2010. Northwestern accepted 35%. So, with only one high sat subject test, do I actually have a better shot at u of c? As they stress sat subject tests less? But in all reality I’ll get rejected from both I’m sure.</p>
<p>Oh my bad, U of C doesnt offer ED only EA. So i will be applying ED to NU. Now I’m just worried about sat subject tests. Can anyone tell me how bad they are stressed? Please? Thanks</p>
<p>Destroyer, you need to stop stressing yourself out so much. Just do your best and you’ll either get in or you don’t. If you don’t, take your best alternative option, work hard and, if you’re still obsessing, try again for graduate school.</p>
<p>Getting in is ultimately a matter beyond your control. So have a staggered set of backup choices and be happy you did the best job possible. These schools don’t want students who are grateful to get in, they want students who are confident and assume they will do as much for the school as the school will do for them. If you sound needy in your essays or your interviews like you do here, you definitely won’t get in.</p>
<p>haha yes, you are definitely right. I stress way too much. Its hard to help, but thanks a ton!</p>
<p>good advice. thanks!</p>