I’m a junior looking into NU for engineering. My test scores are ok, gpa is LOW but ECs are where I stick out. Chance Me?
GPA (W) 3.9
GPA (UW) Unknown
my school doesn’t officially calculate class rank, but I’m somewhere around 60/550
SAT 2280
CR - 740
M - 740
W - 800
SAT II
Math (taking in june)
Physics (740)
APs Junior Year (Scores haven’t come out yet but I’m pretty sure i got a 5 on all)
AP Physics C (E&M and Mechanics)
AP Calc BC
AP Economics (Micro and Macro)
APs Senior Year (planned)
AP Chem
AP Lang
AP Latin
AP CS
AP Multi Calc BC (not an official AP course, but its the equivalent of calc III and IV)
EC
- Started a robotics team (FIRST Lego League in 6th grade)
- Started a FIRST Tech Challenge team in 9th grade which I’ve been captain of for the past two years and which has gone to the world championships (and been nominated for awards there) both years
- Recognized as top 200 students in the Dean’s List at robotics worlds (out of several hundred thousand)
- Varsity Swimming for two years
- JV Water polo for 2 years varsity for 1
- Varsity sailing for 2 years
- Volunteer at public library teaching children how to use 3d printers
- Created multiple iPhone apps which help to manage schedules for my high school (2000+ users) and scoring apps for robotics (3000+ users)
- Coded multiple websites for businesses as a paid job
- Investment Club
- many others that I don’t have time to list right now
Keep in mind that my school is extremely competitive for GPA
Your extracurriculars are indeed pretty good. Being a coder is valued by colleges these days and being into that kind of stuff will look attractive. Also, you have some sports which always looks good too.
But your school academics are a real weakness. If your weighted GPA is 3.9, I can only guess that your unweighted GPA is less than 3.7. Your class rank is a little low too. However, your SAT score is pretty good. Make sure you do better in the SAT subject tests (you may want to retake physics).
Overall, I think you have a fair chance at Northwestern Engineering. If your GPA and class rank was higher, I’d say you’re pretty much in; but unfortunately your GPA will hold you back. Consider safeties like UW Madison. UW Madison has a pretty respected engineering program and I think you could make it in.
Chance me back please?
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1754467-chance-a-refugee-for-ed-dartmouth-ivies-ill-chance-you-back.html#latest
Low GPA will hurt you. Without more information its hard to say how much, but when you start to have lots of Bs or lower it really adds up. You have great ECs and classes and such. I think you have enough going for you to be considered but your going to have to shine in other areas of your application to cover for your GPA. To maximize your chances write good essays, show interest by possibly visiting if you haven’t already if possible, and possibly apply ED to raise you odds because RD odds are incredibly low. Good luck!
You have a good SAT score, esp. for ED. Nice ECs. Chance back?
Um yeah don’t listen to any negativity because all this is insanely good, even a 3.9 isn’t that bad. Plus they look at everything, and at schools like NU I think their “why Northwestern?” essay and extracurriculars will be most important. Props to you for having the time for all of that. You have a really good shot at getting in.
@headintheclauds i sure hope so… good luck to you!
Thanks you too! Currently dying inside haha.