<p>I’m a junior and really want to go to Northwestern to major in journalism and maybe mass communications… But I know I’m not the smartest kid in the school and I also know that Northwestern is very hard to get into. I’ve been working very hard this year (since it’s the one that matters most!) so I can boost up my GPA. But anyways I just want to know if I’m on the right track into possibly being accepted at Northwestern:</p>
<li>I know I am going to apply early admission</li>
<li>I have a 29 ACT, but I’m in an ACT class that can increase a student’s score at least 3 points so I’m hoping I get a 31 at least on the Oct. 25 test!</li>
<li>I am Mexican</li>
<li>I am in 7 ECs: School newspaper features editor (next year possibly “in-chief”), Class Officer - Spiritmaker, Student Council representative, Athletes Commited to Excellence, Diversity club, Peer Leadership Network, and I’m very involved in badminton, hoping to go to state this year!</li>
<li>My GPA is a 5.0 but I’m taking 2 regular classes: spanish 4 and physics, other than that I’m in AP English, AP US history, fashion merchandising (FACS is required), and honors precal. </li>
<li>Oh and I’m in the top 20 percentile of the class</li>
<li>I think I can whip up a pretty good essay as well. </li>
<li>I’m already in-state (in IL), I don’t know if that really matters but I know some schools are more leniant on admitting those who are already in-state. </li>
</ol>
<p>I’m not sure what else to put on here but I’m so anxious to know if I should even try, I know so many smart people that should go there but for some reason I don’t think I will get in but the other half of me thinks I will. I just don’t want to let myself down because I’m so hooked onto going there. Please help!</p>
<p>You should definitely apply. Work to get those test scores up and keep on doing what you're doing. Make sure when the time comes to have some other schools in mind you could be happy to attend. It's not good to hyper-focus one place when it's a selective school, but by all means go for it. Early decision could be really helpful, too. I know a student with an interesting, but by no means exemplary high school record, and he was admitted ED.</p>
<p>Early next fall see if you can visit the campus and talk to someone in the academic departments you are most interested in. The student I know did that, and the prof. actually called into admissions and put in a good for him.</p>
<p>Oh yeah I have other schools in mind, like I said there is part of me denying myself from applying so I don't freak out if I get declined. Also, I'm thinking about doing a summer journalism camp at NU, and you said to talk to the academic depatments that I'm most interested in, so would that work? Thanks so much for the help! I really appreciate your response!</p>
<p>Your weak class rank and test score (for NU standards) + competitiveness of NU journalism will be canceled out by URM status.</p>
<p>Go for it</p>
<p>It doesn't hurt to apply right? Maximum 10 hours effort and $60?</p>
<p>However, being in the 2nd decile hurts. The ACT neither helps nor hurts at 29 or 31. You show a history of dedication to journalism so that helps.</p>
<p>I would suggest that playing it straight ahead in your application you've got about a 20% chance. that is not a criticism... there are very few people who have a better than 50% shot at a very selective school. You might consider doing something really creative with your essay, and work really hard on your recs.</p>
<p>Thanks to everyone for their advice, it is very helpful!! :]</p>