**Northwestern University Class of 2020 RD Results Thread**

Colleges and Universities A-Z Northwestern University
21

Decision: Accepted!

Applied to which school/college: McCormick

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): did not submit
ACT: 34 composite, 35’s in both math and science
SAT II: did not submit
Weighted GPA: 4.06
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): no rank, but in top 5% of class
AP (place score in parenthesis): AP Calculus AB (4), AP Bio (4), APUSH (5), AP English Lang (5)
IB (place score in parenthesis): n/a
Senior Year Course Load: AP Spanish, AP Chem, AP English Lit, AP Physics C: Mechanics
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): National Hispanic Scholar, AP Scholar, National Merit Commended Scholar

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Violinist (was principal chair in one group for a season) pianist, student council (class treasurer), started competitive figure skating team at my high school
Job/Work Experience: Tutoring, piano accompanist
Volunteer/Community service: Music volunteer at senior living community, summer volunteering in Flint, MI
Summer Activities: Travelled with a youth orchestra last semester
Essays (rating 1-10, details): 8/10, combined both my background with my passion for music.
Why Northwestern - probably around 8/10, wasn’t sure how they would take it because I tried to incorporate humor and wrote about how much I loved my tour guide when I visited but I guess it worked

Other

State (if domestic applicant): MI
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Catholic
Ethnicity: Hispanic
Gender: F
Income Bracket: <150
Hooks (Athlete; first generation college, etc.): URM

Reflection

Strengths: strong grades in STEM classes,
Weaknesses: not having SAT II scores, extracurriculars alright but not amazing
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: My interview went very well, I had a great conversation with them and really was able to show my strong passion in the school.
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: Accepted to WashU, UNC Chapel Hill, UMich

General Comments: This was my dream school for a very long time and I’m so excited! Congratulations to everyone who got in!

22

Decision: Accepted

Applied to which school/college: Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): N/A
ACT: 34 (35 E, 33 M, 35 S, 34 R 29 W)
SAT II: 790 Math II 760 USH
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.98ish
Weighted GPA: ~4.6
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): N/A
AP (place score in parenthesis): APHG (5), APWH (4), Chem (3), Physics 1 (2 lol), APUSH (5), AP Lang (5), Psych (5), Calc AB (5)
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load:
AP Gov
AP Microecon
AP Calc BC
AP Physics 2/IB HL Physics 2
AP Statistics
AP Computer Science
CP English 12
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): None

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
Job/Work Experience: N/A
Volunteer/Community service: 350ish hours at a hospital, 50 hours at Red Cross (also an officer)
Summer Activities: Internship at my chamber of commerce
Essays (rating 1-10, details): 8-10/10 (I’m bad at rating essays but I really like how they turned out)

Other

State (if domestic applicant): California
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: public charter
Ethnicity: African American
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: 150k+
Hooks (Athlete; first generation college, etc.): URM

Reflection

Strengths: race, GPA, test scores, essays
Weaknesses: no awards, bad ECs
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: I really think it’s because of my race. A friend of mine was better in everything than me but he didn’t get in.
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: Accepted: USC, UCSD, UCI, Cal Poly Slo, SDSU,
Still waiting on USCB, UCLA, UCB, Princeton, Harvard, Stanford, and UPenn

General Comments: its lit :slight_smile:

23

Decision: Accepted

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown): 2290(790 CR, 700 Math, 800 Writing)

PSAT: 217 (72 CR, 67 Math, 78 Writing)

SAT II: US History 800, Spanish 800.

Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.8 Junior year, slightly lower Mid-year report.

AP (place score in parenthesis):
Sophomore: AP Introductory Physics, B+.
Junior: AP European History, AP English Literature, AP English Language, AP Economics.
Senior: AP World History, AP Statistics, AP Biology, AP US Government.
Took no tests due to financial circumstances.
IB (place score in parenthesis):None.

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parentheses):
Job/Work Experience: Several summers, and an online internship.
Volunteer/Community Service: Junior and senior year, 6 hours a week helping kids in poor public schools
Summer Activities: None.
Essays: Pretty good. I spoke about the aspects about Northwestern that attracted me and put in a reference to my mom (who went to NU).
Teacher Recommendations: They don’t really know me as I study in an online school.
Counselor Rec: She barely knows me, though I’m one of the most competitive students in the school. She doesn’t know much of the admissions process.
Additional Rec: Nope.
Interview: None.

Other
Applied for Financial Aid? Yes.
Projected Concentration: History or Political Science
State/Country: Colombia, South America.
School Type: Online.
Ethnicity: Hispanic.
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: <$20,000.
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): URM, test scores.

Reflection
Strengths: I think being Hispanic, having good test scores in addition to having an interesting story and good essays helped me.
Weaknesses: Lack of serious curriculum before 10th grade, poor grades (3.4) mid-year report, probably recommendations.
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: I think my essays, story, test scores, and legacy status all helped me get in.
Where else you are applying or have already applied: 12 other colleges: UChicago (rejected), HYPS+ Emory, Dartmouth, Carleton College, Georgetown, Notre Dame, Upenn+ small liberal arts college where I got accepted but probably won’t be able to afford.
General Comments/Advice/Hindsight: I am absolutely amazed that I was accepted. It’s like a dream come true. I’d like to congratulate my fellow admitted students, wish good luck to those waitlisted, and give my best to those rejected. Essays really do count.

24

Decision: Rejected

Applied to which school/college: College of Arts and Sciences (Undecided)

Objective:
SAT I: N/A
ACT: 36C (35CR, 36M, 36S, 36W)
SAT II: 760 Lit
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.9
Weighted GPA: 4.6
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): top 10
AP (place score in parenthesis): AP Bio (2), AP World (4), AP Psych (4), AP Gov (4), AP Lang (4), AP US (5)
IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
Senior Year Course Load: AP Human Geo, AP Calc AB, AP Stats, AP Lit, AP Physics 1
Major awards: AP Scholar w Distinction, invited to U.S. Presidential Scholars Program but too late to update app, some international dance ones

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): dance for 14 years (pointe/modern/preprofessional company member) takes up most of my time (20+ per week), HS Varsity Soccer & Track, Secretary of Operation Smile

Volunteer/Community service: Operation Smile, VP of Take Heart Africa (

Summer Activities: 11th: went to Kenya for 2 weeks for Take Heart and helped widows, orphans, and taught dance/brought boxes of ballet shoes over for kids, 10th: acted in play in Edinburgh Festival Fringe, 9th and up: various dance intensives like EMIA, Joffrey, Complexions, etc.

Essays (rating 1-10, details):
Common App: about my decision to college after considering gap year/peace corps
Supplement: mishmash copy and paste of other colleges’ similar essays (not great)

Interview: couldn’t set one up

Other

State (if domestic applicant): FL
Country (if international applicant): N/A
School Type: Private
Ethnicity: White
Gender: F
Income Bracket: 250k+
Hooks (Athlete; first generation college, etc.): none, don’t remember if I put ADHD

Reflection

Strengths: ACT score, consistency with dance, course rigor

Weaknesses: UW GPA, maybe few ECs/leadership positions but hopefully it showed through that because of dance I could only do other things I really cared about, essay, AP scores

Why you think you were rejected: I sort of gave up on setting up an interview and my essay wasn’t very specific so my lack of any serious interest probably showed through a lot. Combo of eh AP scores and eh UW GPA showed my struggle to care/try my hardest

Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Accepted at UF, The New School, American University of Paris, and University of San Fran. Waiting on BU, NYU, Columbia, Rice, and Brown. Waitlisted WashU in St Louis.

General Comments: Not interested in the school. Was really only planning on considering it for if/when I don’t get into my top schools, and now getting denied means that my chances at those top schools are seeming even more unlikely.

Congrats to everyone who got in!

25

Decision: Waitlisted

Applied to which school/college: Weinburg/ Political Science

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): N/A
ACT: 34
SAT II: 720 Chem
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
UF GPA: 4.32
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): top 10%
AP (place score in parenthesis): Calc AB (5), Chem (3), Lang (5), US History (4), World History (5), Biology (5)
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load: Calc BC, AP Physics, AP Lit, AP Gov, Student Government, Art
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Lots of school awards, AP Scholar w/ Distinction

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Student Government class (4 years, VP senior year) Class Officer (3 years, alternating VP and Pres), School and Club volleyball (4 years, captain each year), young democrats club, feminist club
Job/Work Experience: Babysitting and tutoring
Volunteer/Community service: most NHS and a few hours at an animal shelter, probably 30 total
Summer Activities: went on a Rotary Youth Exchange
Essays (rating 1-10, details): Haven’t read my personal statement in a while but I worked really hard on it. My Why Northwestern was really good.

Other

State (if domestic applicant):CA
Country (if international applicant): USA
School Type: Public, medium
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: 150k-200k
Hooks (Athlete; first generation college, etc.): none

Reflection

Strengths: test scores and leadership
Weaknesses: weighted gpa (I think its good but compared to other applicants here lol), basic extracurriculars, and volunteer hours
Why you think you were waitlisted: I was expecting a rejection but I had a really good interview so I think that helped
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: Accepted to San Diego State, UC Davis, and George Washington University (Likely Letter) Deferred: Tulane University

General Comments:
Slightly disappointed but also a little proud seeing what amazing applicants got rejected. I’m going to accept my spot on the waitlist, although I read that only 3% of applicants got in off the waitlist last year lol

26

Ciao Guys :slight_smile:

Accepted :slight_smile:

SAT 2000, International, and Applying for Financial aid …
and the other stuff you are talking about, lol, couldnt be bothered to write that down :))
anyways, congrats to my future schoolmates and good luck the others with your other applications :slight_smile:
P.S. Do you know when the financial aid will be released?:slight_smile:

27

Decision: Accepted

Weinberg

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): Not submitted
ACT: 35 (36E, 32M, 34R, 36S)
SAT II: 770 Physics, 780 Math II, 800 World History
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): ~3.8
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): Unknown, around top 15%
AP (place score in parenthesis): 5s on World History, English Lang, US History, 4 on Music Theory
Senior Year Course Load: AP Calc AB, AP Macro, AP English Lit, AP French, AP Physics 2, Health
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): none

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Captain and President of Academic Challenge (quizbowl), national runner up in JV division sophomore year, #2 point scorer in local conference.
Senior Class Co-President
French Club
Acapella

Volunteer/Community service: Volunteer counselor at YMCA camp, Middle school french tutoring, volunteering at local retirement home.

Summer Activities: Volunteer counselor, attended Columbia University Summer Program in physics

Essays (rating 1-10, details):
CommonApp - 9/10 about composing music
Why NU - 8/10 relatively specific about programs, professors, and community opportunities on campus

Other

State (if domestic applicant): Yes
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Small, relatively competitive public
Ethnicity: Caucasian
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: 100k+
Hooks (Athlete; first generation college, etc.): Legacy

Reflection

Strengths: Legacy, test scores, solid essays, extracurriculars
Weaknesses: GPA (especially relative to my school)
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: legacy, solid recs, test scores, visited campus
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: Accepted at Binghamton, Rejected at Penn, Washu, GT, and UChicago

General Comments:

28

But if anyone is interested, just PM me :slight_smile:

29

Decision: Accepted :slight_smile:

[ b]Objective:**
[ *] SAT I (breakdown): 2160 (710 CR, 760 W, 710 M) yuck!! I know!
[ *] ACT: n/a
[ *] SAT II: 780 Bio M, 760 Chem, 730 World Hist
[ *] Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
[ *] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 1/208
[ *] AP (place score in parenthesis):

Bio 4
World 5
Calc 4
Chem 3
Lang & Comp 4

Physics C Mechanics (will take)
CompSci (will take)
Statistics (will take)

[ *] IB (place score in parenthesis):n/a
[ *] Senior Year Course Load:

AP Physics
AP CompSci
AP Statistics
Calc III
Linear Algebra
Organic Chem Independent Study
Honors English

[ *] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel, etc.): MIT Online Science Technology and Engineering Community (MOSTEC) at MIT, Governor’s School, National Hispanic Scholar, AP Scholar with Distinction, Secretary of Education Scholar for my State
[ /list]

[ b]Subjective:**
[ *] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):

NHS President
SNHS Vice President
Founder of a Medical Club
Math League
Varsity Cross Country (Most Improved Award)
Class Board

11 years of dancing multiple genres

Genetic Research at state school
Research w cardiac tissue engineering and neuromuscular junctions at local children’s hospital

[ *] Job/Work Experience:
Sales Associate since sophomore year
[ *] Volunteer/Community service:
Hospital Volunteering~80 hours

[ *] Summer Activities:
(stated above)
MOSTEC
Research
Gov School
[ *] Essays:

Common App 10/10 - An unconventional essay that I spent TONS of time on, very humorous and showcased my personality well

Why Northwestern: 8/10
-Funny, talked about deep dish pizza, minoring in dance, a neuroscience prof I want to work with, and the residential colleges.Wrote it the night before it was due.

[ *] Teacher Recommendations:

1 AP Chem teacher: Never read, sweet old woman who loved me (8/10 is my guess)

2 AP Lang teacher: Never read, she spent forever on it and I know she likes my writing style (8/10 maybe?)

[ *] Counselor Rec:

Never read, I’m her favorite so probably 9/10

[ *] Additional Rec:

1 MOSTEC Eval from Astrophysics Instructor (7/10, definitely praised me but was kinda more about technical ability)

2 MOSTEC Eval from Science Writing Instructor (11/10) Cried when I read it, she basically said I was in the top 1% of kids she's ever taught, that I'll change the world, and that I write at the level of a college senior LMAO.

[ *] Interview: N/A
[ /list]

[ b]Other**
[ *] Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
[ *] Intended Major:Neuroscience
[ *] State (if domestic applicant): Delaware
[ *] Country (if international applicant):
[ *] School Type:

Public, average size, noncompetitive
[ *] Ethnicity (Hispanic Y/N/not reported): Hispanic
[ *] Race(s) (AI/AN, Asian, AA, NH/PI, White, not reported): Black
[ *] Gender: Female
[ *] Income Bracket: 90-100k
[ *] Hooks/tips (URM, athlete, legacy, 1st gen, etc.): URM, MOSTEC,
[ /list]

[ b]Reflection**
[ *] Strengths:
ESSAYS ESSAYS ESSAYS!!! SO IMPORTANT!!!

[ *] Weaknesses: SAT SCORES DEFINITELY
[ *] Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected:

Essays, URM status, MOSTEC, person with diverse interests
[ *] Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected:
Dartmouth (LL), Cornell (LL), Northeastern, Drexel
[ *] Where else are you applying for RD:
[ /list]

[ b]General Comments:**
Essays are everything people. I chose unique topics, showcased my personality and what makes me tick.

30

Forgot to mention my app was for McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science Biomedical Engineering.

31

Decision: Accepted

Applied to which school/college:McCormick School of Engineering

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown):
ACT: 32 (E: 31, M:26, R:35, S:34)
SAT II:
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0):3.98
UF GPA:
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable):n
AP (place score in parenthesis): chem-3, us-5, euro-4, english lang-5, spanish lang-4
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load:
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Local medals in academic competitions, nothing major

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): academic team, fishing team, independent study project, etc.
Job/Work Experience:
Volunteer/Community service: 500+ hours
Summer Activities: STEM program
Essays (rating 1-10, details): 8, wrote about NU speaker I saw

Other

State (if domestic applicant):IL
Country (if international applicant):
School Type:private
Ethnicity: did not report
Gender:F
Income Bracket:
Hooks (Athlete; first generation college, etc.): first generation college, woman in STEM

Reflection

Strengths:essays, recs., extra curriculars
Weaknesses: ACT score compared to other applicants, no subject tests
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: Honestly, I did not think I had a great shot at NU engineering. I applied for BME and know how competitive it is. To any future applicants that may be reading this, do not be discorauged by your ACT score. I got a 26 in math and it never got any better than that. I realize that ACT score is not everything. Your grades and ECs matter a lot too. Also, I think I had really strong letters of recs from teachers in the math/science field. Choose teachers that actually know you well. My essays were also good so focus on those!
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: Accepted: Tulane, IIT, UIC
Waitlist: UChicago
Waiting on: many schools still

General Comments: I kind of explained this above, but test scores are not everything. I did not think I had a shot at NU engineering but I think my essays really conveyed my passion. I have been reading CC threads since I was a freshman and more often than not they are really discouraging. Seeing kids with amazing test scores, grades, and ECs being rejected makes you think you don’t have a shot, but you do. Do not read these threads and think they are the end all be all of college admissions. Good luck to all future applicants! If you don’t end up at Northwestern, you will still go to a great school and be successful :).

32

Decision: Rejected

Applied to which school/college: Weinberg

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 2240 (780 M, 770 CR, 690 W)
ACT: 34 (36R, 33M, 34S, 34E, 10W)
SAT II: 640 French, 760 Math I, 720 Literature
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.89
UF GPA: If this is weighted then 4.3
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): school doesn’t rank
AP (place score in parenthesis): n/a
IB (place score in parenthesis): not taken yet
Senior Year Course Load: IB DP (Chem, Bio, French, European History, Literature, Math SL) along with TOK and IB Exam Prep and Product Team (last two are essentially study halls, everyone at my school takes them)
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): National Merit Finalist

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Model UN (leadership cabinet), Ballet, NHS, French Honor Society, Civic Engagement Club, International Culture Club
Job/Work Experience: None
Volunteer/Community service: Habitat for Humanity, local library, food bank
Summer Activities: Habitat for Humanity
Essays (rating 1-10, details): Common App Essay 9/10 if I’m being generous (Georgetown admissions really liked it, though I wasn’t thrilled with it). Why Northwestern was probably a solid 4/10 - I wrote it on January 1st.

Other

State (if domestic applicant): MI
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Public, all IB
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: 100k-150k
Hooks (Athlete; first generation college, etc.): none

Reflection

Strengths: Letters of Rec, Courseload
Weaknesses: SAT IIs were terrible, Why Northwestern essay, GPA could be better (though I did have an upward trend)
Why you think you were rejected: See my weaknesses, I guess. I don’t know.
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: Georgetown EA, UMich EA, and my safeties, Michigan State and Oakland (Honors at both, full tuition at Oakland). I was accepted at all of them, the only rejection I got was Northwestern.

General Comments: I didn’t really want to go that much anyways, I really only applied because I had already told people I was applying. Congrats to everyone who got in!!!

33

Decision: Accepted to NU School of Communication

Objective:
ACT: 34
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.69
Weighted GPA: 4.39
Rank: 11 out of 121
AP: US History (4), Biology (3), Literature & Composition (?)
Senior Year Course Load: AP Physics (no test), Italian 5, Senior Thesis in Social Justice, Leadership Education and Development, AP English, World Religions/Theology 4, AP Calculus (no test)
Major Awards: IPO Student Video Competition, First Freedom Center Research Competition, AATI National Italian Examination 9th place nationally

Subjective:

Extracurriculars: Leadership Education and Development Program (Student Director)
Band (4 year trumpet player)
Brotherhood Club/prayer group (Founder)
Video Production Club (Founder)
WYSE Team/Math Team
Cross Country/Track
Job/Work Experience: Own film production company, former caddy
Volunteer/Community service: Extensive volunteering through church/peer ministry/retreat leader
Summer Activities: Cross country team captain
Essays (rating 1-10): 9-10, very philosophical

Other

State: Illinois
School Type: Private
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: $100,000-$150,000
Hooks: None

Reflection

Strengths: Essays, leadership
Weaknesses: Profile (ethnicity, location,
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: Waitlisted at Boston College, waiting on Notre Dame, Yale, Boston University, Villanova, NYU. Accepted to Loyola Chicago, Marquette, Fordham, North Central College, Creighton, St. John’s New York

34

Decision: Accepted

Applied to which school/college: Weinberg (Econ)

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown):2320 (800 CR 770 W 750 M)
ACT: Nope.
SAT II: 800 Chem, US History, Math II, 730 World History
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
UF GPA: 4.3-4.5ish?
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 3/852
AP (place score in parenthesis): 5 in World History, Chemistry, Calc BC, Physics I, US History, and English Language)
IB (place score in parenthesis): None
Senior Year Course Load:Linear Alg/Diff Equations, AP Physics C, AP Japanese, AP Literature, AP Biology, AP MacroEcon/US Gov and Politics
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): National Merit Finalist

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Model UN, Science Olympiad, Math Club, AQT
Job/Work Experience: None.
Volunteer/Community service: Volunteered at the local convalescent home
Summer Activities: House of Cards, community service
Essays (rating 1-10, details): Common App was an 8/10, wrote about superheroes. Why Northwestern was a 6/10, wrote it the day before, and said one of my reasons was because I’m a huge Stephen Colbert fan.

Other

State (if domestic applicant): California
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: Korean
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: Private
Hooks (Athlete; first generation college, etc.): None.

Reflection

Strengths: Scores, numbers, essays
Weaknesses: Extracurriculars, awards
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: Someone on the Admissions Committee really likes Colbert.
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: Accepted to Williams, USC, UCSD, UCI, waitlisted from UChicago, deferred from Harvard EA, rejected from MIT

General Comments: Good luck to all!

35

Decision: Accepted

Applied to which school/college: Bienen (Voice) and Weinberg (Anthropology)

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown): -
ACT: 35
SAT II: 790 on US History, 730 on Literature
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.97
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): top 8%
AP (place score in parenthesis): AP World, APUSH, AP Psych, AP French, AP Lit, AP Stats, AP Music Theory
IB (place score in parenthesis): -
Senior Year Course Load: Enviro Honors, AP Psych, AP French, AP Lit, Chorus Honors, AP Lit, AP Stats, AP Music Theory
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): -
Other Awards: several international, national, and regional music competitions, top 10% in Laureat National (National French Exam), Cum Laude Society (top 10% of class), Illinois State Scholar (top 10% of state’s seniors)

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
Supporting leads and leads in 12 school plays and musicals (ITS President)
Professional plays
Community/college musicals
Elected co-President of sophomore and senior year choruses
co-Leader and percussionist of Madrigals Singers (holiday a cappella Renaissance music group with performances throughout the community)
Handbell Choir (conductor)
Link Crew Leader (freshmen orientation leader)
NHS
volunteer work with local outreach home and children’s camps
Dance
Church’s youth group

Job/Work Experience: professional, paying plays

Volunteer/Community service: I think about 185 hours

Summer Activities: Internship at musical theatre camp for young children, internship at my town’s Historical Society conducting research and composing analytical articles for their quarterly, lots of musicals, acting, and dance classes :slight_smile:

Essays (rating 1-10, details): Obviously everyone was satisfied with their essay or they wouldn’t have submitted it- so like everyone else, I feel as though my Common App essay truly showed the way I think (I analyzed the connections between Alexander Hamilton and one of my favorite stage roles I had my junior year).
My NU supplement was genuine but not especially exciting.

Other

State (if domestic applicant): IL
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: White bread
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: Upper middle
Hooks (Athlete; first generation college, etc.): lol

Reflection

Strengths: Common App essay and very specialized extracurriculars
Weaknesses: It was not my strongest audition, and I haven’t taken the most difficult courses possible in STEM areas
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: I have shown a very genuine passion for how Northwestern approaches music. I also think they just needed someone to Dual Degree in an eclectic major like Anthropology haha
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: Waiting on most of my schools
Accepted at University of Michigan (SMTD/LSA Honors) and Tulane (Presidential Scholarship)

General Comments: Remember that this process doesn’t define you- if you got in today, congrats! If you didn’t, it’s no reflection of your self worth. Being a student is not your whole life, and the next four years are not the turning point in your journey. It’s simply a stepping stone.

36

Decision: Accepted

Applied to which school/college: McCormick

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 2290 (720 CR, 780 M, 790 W)
ACT: didn’t take
SAT II: 800 M2, 770 Chem
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Weighted GPA: 4.4
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 1/700
AP (place score in parenthesis): European History (3), Chemistry (5), Biology (4), Eng Lang (4), Calculus BC (5), US History (5)
IB (place score in parenthesis): none
Senior Year Course Load: AP Computer Science, AP Eng Lit, AP US Gov, AP Statistics, AP Physics C: M/E&M, service working
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): National merit commended, AP scholar with distinction

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Girl Scouts, Red Cross Club (president), Rocketry Club (VP), peer tutoring
Job/Work Experience: paid peer tutoring
Volunteer/Community service: Red Cross volunteer work, volunteer at school library
Summer Activities: library’s summer reading club, group leader at school’s freshman orientation, CTY
Essays (rating 1-10, details):
Common app - 9, talked about experience with a drunk woman that introduced me to the “real world”
Why Northwestern - 6, really bad now that I think about it, pretty generic (like “NU has so many clubs and great professors”, not really specific)

Other

State (if domestic applicant): CA
Country (if international applicant): n/a
School Type: large public
Ethnicity: white
Gender: F
Income Bracket: 20,000
Hooks (Athlete; first generation college, etc.): first gen

Reflection

Strengths: GPA, maybe SAT
Weaknesses: few ECs, lack of leadership and accomplishment, poor “Why northwestern” essay
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: I honestly don’t know! Perhaps my common app essay and letters of rec helped convey me as a person?
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: Accepted to UCSD regents, UCSB regents, CSULB; deferred at Stanford REA; rejected by Caltech; waiting on UCLA, UCB, Princeton

General Comments: I’m honestly amazed and humbled by the students with much better credentials than me who got rejected/waitlisted! Out of all the places I’ve been accepted so far, Northwestern is my top choice. If I don’t get into Berkeley/Princeton/Stanford, I will happily be Northwestern Class of 2020! :smiley:

37

Decision: Rejected

College of Arts and Science

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): Didn’t send.
ACT: 33
SAT II: Bio-M (780), Math II (730)
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Weighted: 4.43
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 1/120
AP (place score in parenthesis): Psychology (5), English Language (5), Calc AB (5), Statistics (4), APUSH (3), APHUG (3), AP Lit (3). (I took Lang, APHUG, and APUSH without having taken the classes because my counselor had extra tests on those days).
IB (place score in parenthesis): None
Senior Year Course Load: AP Environmental Science, Spanish, AP English Language, AP US Government and Politics, English 47A (Dual Enrollment), English 101 (Dual Enrollment), Biomedical Innovations, Medical Interventions,
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): I guess if this counts? Under my leadership, our ACE Mentor team received an award for having the second-ranked project in the nation.

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): So many, this list wouldn’t be complete. Key Club (Div. Sec, Pres, Sec), HOSA (VP, Sec), ACE Mentor (Pres, Sec, Treas), MedTech Academy (Pres, Rep x 2), Summer Tutoring Program (2-time volunteer), MUN (VP, Sec), Ambassadors (Pres), Another Ambassador Club, etc. it goes on and on.
Job/Work Experience: Kaiser Permanente Summer Youth Program (Worked 140 hours alongside physicians and nurses in an emergency room and spent 20 hours participating in health leadership seminars).
Volunteer/Community service: 400+ hours volunteering at summer tutoring program, the local food bank, and various other events as a member of Key Club.
Summer Activities: Spent a lot of time at the school campus helping staff with administrative work and also helped tutor kids/acted as a sort of camp counselor during a summer Freshman bridging program. Also worked in the local hospital, also conducting research on health insurance in the United States and how we could go about reducing healthcare costs by advocating for a single-payer health care system. Presented research to colleagues and supervisors at the end of my internship at the hospital.

Essays (rating 1-10, details):

Common App Essay: 9.9-10 I honestly don’t know lol. I must have spent forever drafting this essay and wow was it amazing. I discussed how my dad’s addiction to substance abuse had driven me to seek validation and appreciation at school. I then discussed how it drove me to advocate for my principal as she was about to be removed because of a change in our school’s leadership structure.

Northwestern Statement: 4. I copied and pasted one of the essays I had used for another school and added in an extra little paragraph about Northwestern. Definitely could have done more here.

Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):

AP Calc - 10/10. I waived FERPA, but he let me read it. It brought tears to my eyes it was absolutely amazing.
Honors Chemistry/Medical Interventions - Unknown. Haven’t read it, but I purposely chose this teacher because I struggled in her classes so much and I thought she could speak to my resilience.
Counselor - 10/10. Haven’t read it, but my counselor is the coolest person ever and we’re like best friends so it’s probably pretty amazing.
Past Principal - 7/10. She and I were amazing friends and I spoke out at a district board meeting to save her job. Her letter was kind of generic, but I think just having it improved the meaning of my common app essay.

Other

State (if domestic applicant): CA
Country (if international applicant): United States
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: Declined to state
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: Low enough
Hooks (Athlete; first generation college, etc.): Cool af

Reflection

Strengths: Stood out at a less-than-average public school and am genuinely passionate about education. My essays were wonderful and my letters of rec were on point.
Weaknesses: Test scores could have been a bit better and I also could have spent more time on my Northwestern Statement.
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: I don’t really think that my personality was a match for what Northwestern was looking for and I’m glad that they made the decision accordingly.
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: I was accepted to Stanford REA (100000000% hella committed), UC Berkeley Regents, UC Santa Cruz, Cal Poly Pomona, and Cal Poly Slo. Waitlisted at WashU.

General Comments: The college admissions process is honestly so random and weird. I think that as long as you’re a qualified applicant, the admissions officers care about making sure you’ll fit in at the institution you wind up attending. I’m absolutely in love with Stanford because it was my hella dream school so this rejection doesn’t mean much to me. If you were rejected and feel a loss in self-confidence for the upcoming ivy-day, don’t. Admissions decisions are random. Just because you weren’t accepted into Northwestern doesn’t mean that other universities don’t want you or that you weren’t qualified. It means that there were other candidates who would fit into NU better.

38

**Decision: Accepted **

Applied to which school/college: College of Arts and Sciences, Undecided

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 2330 (CR 760, M 800, WS 770)
ACT: NA
SAT II: Math2 800, Physics 800
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): International so NA. School percentages: ICSE 10th Boards 97.4%, 11th Grade 94.4%, 12th mid terms 96.2%, 12th Boards Predicted 97.2%
UF GPA: NA
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 1/70
AP (place score in parenthesis): NA
IB (place score in parenthesis): NA
Senior Year Course Load: CBSE English, CBSE Informatics Practices, Physics at highest level, Math at highest level, Chemistry at highest level
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): National debate winner, Tennis awards, Academic and debate awards (No major awards though)

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
(Founder President) of an independent MUN with thousands of dollars in revenue, (Founder Owner) of a start up company in the virtual marketplace space, (Co Owner) of a web design company, (Assistant Director) of the largest MUN in my city, (Founder President) of city’s largest youth run NGO, National level debater, several debate prizes and (Founder, School Debate Head) of Debate Club, frequent MUN participation, Nationally ranked tennis player and (School Tennis Head), (Head Boy of School), (ex House Prefect), Online Courses, Harmonium player, Student Exchange to Sweden, (Captain) School soccer team

Essays (rating 1-10, details): I don’t believe in rating essays, but both my essays were really strong and my NU essay really was specific and detailed

Other

State (if domestic applicant): NA
Country (if international applicant): India
School Type: Private
Ethnicity: Indian
Gender: Male
Hooks (Athlete; first generation college, etc.): None

Reflection

Strengths: Extreme entrepreneurial focus, well rounded, athletics, leadership, academics, strong essays
Weaknesses: International Applicant from India!! :frowning: Also, risk of genericity
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: See strengths
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: Accepted: University of Michigan, UC Berkeley, Fordham University. Rejected: None yet

General Comments:
Although I would not be attending NU (As I prefer Berkeley to it), I am extremely happy! One piece of advice I would give is show the university why you should be there through your essay. Also, more importantly, never lose hope at all…my Early round wasn’t succesfull, yet I got some great acceptances already. So you may think yourself to be weak/strong, but after a point it doesnt really matter. Good luck!!

39

Decision: Accepted

School: Engineering and Communications Dual Degree program
(School of Communication + Robert R. McCormick School of Engineering)

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown):2280 in one sitting (730 R, 790 M, 760 W)
ACT (breakdown): Didn’t take
SAT II: 780 Math 2, 790 Bio E, 790 Chinese, 740 Physics, 790 Chinese
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): School doesn’t do unweighted GPA, but maybe around 3.7~3.8?
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): N/A
AP (place score in parenthesis): AP Biology(4), AP Macroeconomics self-studied(5) AP Physics 1(4), AP Language and Composition(5), AP Chinese(5)
IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
Senior Year Course Load: AP Calculus BC, AP Physics C Mechanics, AP Physics C Electromagnetism, AP Computer Science A, AP US Government and Politics, AP Literature and Composition
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Central Taiwan National Debate Championships 1st Place, WSC Taiwan Round debate champion, WSC Global Round debate champion

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
Debate Club Captain- On the national WSDC debate team + Represented Taiwan at the NSDA National Round in Texas. Central Taiwan National Debate Championships- 1st Place, NIFTY Impromptu speaking-1st place, and some other debate awards not worth mentioning.
Swimming Team Captain- 200 meters Butterfly Hsinchu City-1st Place; Broke two Hsinchu County records for 50 meters and 100 meters Butterfly in November 2014, and a lot of other swimming awards not worth mentioning.
WSC Club Founder and President- WSC National Debate Champion; Global Round Final Debate (Represented Taiwan’s top debater at Dubai); Global Round (Dubai) Debate Champion…etc
Robotics Team Co-founder and Captain- International Student Software Competition (ISSC) 2015; TAIROS Industrial Robotics Convention… no major awards
World Cultures Club- Founder and President- Helped out at lantern festival, volunteering at migrant worker centers…etc
Every Child Counts Club- Vice President- Fundraisers, community service at orphanages…etc
Piano- Had a lot of regional awards, nothing major
MUN- Had around 6 best delegate awards and some chairing experience

Job/Work Experience: Had a biorobotics internship at NCTU in the summer of 2015 and wrote a research abstract on the matter.
Volunteer/Community service: Had around 70~100 total community service hours volunteering at the Hope Center for migrant workers, teaching children English/Chinese at the Honghua Orphanage…etc
Summer Activities:

  • Had a biorobotics internship at NCTU. (Created a prototype for a rehabilitative robotic exoskeleton- I worked on the electromyography of the exoskeleton)
  • Represented Taiwan’s national debate team at the World Schools Debating Championships (WSDC)
  • Was the champion qualifier team in Taiwan so we attended the National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) National Round in Dallas, Texas.
    Essays (rating 1-10, details):
    Commonapp-(7/10)
    Northwestern Statement- Spent a lot of time on this one (9/10)
    Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):
    Counselor- Doesn’t really know me (6/10)
    AP Physics teacher- (8/10)
    AP Lit teacher- (7/10)

Applied for Financial Aid?: No
Country (if international applicant): Taiwan
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: Taiwanese (Asian)
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: 80,000~100,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): Nopeeee

Reflection
Strengths: I think my extracurriculars definitely helped me on this one
Weaknesses: GPA
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: Accepted- Georgia Tech, Purdue, UIUC, UCSD , UT Austin
General Comments/Advice/Hindsight: Happy that I got in!

40

Decision: Rejected

Applied to which school/college:McCormick

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown):
ACT:33c 34e 29m 36r 34s
SAT II:
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0):3.56
UF GPA:3.78
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable):11%
AP (place score in parenthesis):4 AP English lan. AP euro, AP world history, AP Chem, AP Calc(did not take tests bc of cost)
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load:AP Calc, physics, dual credit English
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): varsity soccer(captain), drummer outside of school, lots of outdoor ec
Job/Work Experience: farm work year round
Volunteer/Community service: lots community service through my church
Summer Activities: NSLC
Essays (rating 1-10, details): 8

Other

State (if domestic applicant):
Country (if international applicant):Mexico
School Type:public
Ethnicity:Hispanic
Gender:m
Income Bracket:45,000
Hooks (Athlete; first generation college, etc.):urm

Reflection

Strengths:act maybe
Weaknesses:gpa
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected:gpa, needed lots of fa
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected:accepted at all of safeties,waiting on vandy, w and l, Swarthmore, penn, Yale

General Comments:was sent an email that they did we’re need aware for international students so I kind of expected a rejection
Post edited by CaliCash on March 17
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