<p>NU is an amazing school and it is my goal to go there. Overall, I think I am a very worthy applicant - with one exception- GPA. My overall GPA now is a 3.5 weighted and I am a sophomore. I take 2 weighted classes. I guess then my questions are</p>
<p>1) How important are grades to NU?
2) Do I still have a chance of getting in?</p>
<p>I really do have an outstanding profile...it's just the grades that terrify me..</p>
<p>1.) Yes, GPA is important. There are few schools that don't think that GPA is important. Northwestern University says that GPA is a very important factor in admissions.
2.) I don't know, but if your profile is as outstanding as you make it seem, then you're probably fine. A 3.5 won't kill you, you know.</p>
<p>Class rank, GPA and rigor of secondary school record are listed as "very important factors" by CB at NU. Upon seeing the ED thread this year for NU, pretty much all students outside the top 10% of their class were deferred or rejected so draw your own conclusions. Obviously some will get in since 85% are listed as being 10% of their class, leaving 15% outside. But be sure to take a rigorous course load while improving your grades and definetly try to get into the top 10%. You obviously still have a chance since you're only a sophomore.</p>
<p>grades are VERY important--some would argue they are the most important factor. of course, they look at your GPA in context of how hard your classes were. You do still have a chance at getting in (as does anyone who applies), but you would have to have a few other really strong things going for you, which it sounds like you do. If i were you i'd sign up for a rigorous course load for next year and then work your butt off to get good grades in them. Upward trend is always a plus!</p>
<p>Northwestern admission standards have become really high lately largely due to surge in number of applications. Just several years ago, NU accepted plenty of students who were not ranked top 10%. Nowadays, it is very difficult to get into this college if your grades/SAT aren't good.</p>
<p>Oh my, yes I remember hearing about NU in the past.</p>
<p>as for course load, I already take the most challenging one possible at my school for a sophomore. I can't take many AP until next year... I take the toughie classes so I'll just have to try harder to get A's.</p>