<p>Combined GPA: 5.97 / 6.3 (6.3=highest in class) [school doesnt use freshman grades for GPA or ranking purposes]
Rank: 57/1147 (Top 5%)
SAT I: 2140 (700M 720V 720W)
SAT IIs: 800Chem, 770 Math IIC, 770 US History
AP scores: (5) Calc AB, (5) Chemistry, (5) US History, (4) English Lang. </p>
<p>ECs:
Online Business
Varsity Volleyball (captain)
FBLA
Junior Achievements Company Program (VP Finance)
Ski and Snowboarding Club (Cabinet)
Key Club
NHS
Autistic Awareness Olympics Volunteer (Principal Adviser)</p>
<p>Summer:
Penn Biomedical Research Program
Summer Science Research Program at Drexel University </p>
<p>Work:
Tutoring in summer (5hr/ week)
Landis & Kreig Motor Services (12hr/week)[all year]</p>
<p>Honors:
1st in regional competitions and placed in top10 for state competitions [FBLA]
Won Junior Achievements Company of the Year Award
AP Scholar w/ Honor
AMC/AIME participant
Volleyball Varsity Letters
Various accolades and achievement award from school</p>
<p>Other
Essays: should be excellent
Recs: sending in two; both will be great</p>
<hr>
<p>I am pretty set on applying ED to NU. Only thing that may be a concern is finances. Academically, I had a decent dip in GPA sophomore year which led to my horrific rank. In hindsight, it was a culmination of entering a huge public school, joining too many clubs, and having my grandmother pass away. I probably won't mention any of that though because it just seems like I'm making excuses and whining about my poor grades.</p>
<p>Though I've only visited Northwestern twice, I'm still think its a great match(excluding my academics qualifications, perhaps).</p>
<p>Perfect location: access to all the benefits of a major city without having to deal too much with its associated problems.</p>
<p>Highly respected econ department and several opportunities to get certificates from Kellogg</p>
<p>Cold Winters-- yes call me crazy, but I actually enjoy the cold, bitter winters probably because I'm on the slopes almost every weekend.</p>
<p>On a lessor note, the big ten sports are definitely a plus although NU doesn't fair too well in actually winning, but its about the camaraderie right? </p>
<h2>My only reservation is the price: essentially, with the figures NU gives, I should have about $20-25k in loans/year. The lingering question always seems to be is NU truly worth this much?</h2>
<p>Not sure if i should start another thread but do you guys know if there is a word limit to the Why NU essay? Common App states you only have 1000 characters to respond(brevity be damned) but I unknowingly wrote close to 500 words.</p>
<p>If you can write 500 words without rambling or **<strong><em>ting, I encourage you to send it in. If you're rambling or *</em></strong>*ting, keep it slim. </p>
<p>And I only visited after I was already sure I was coming (though that had most to do with Financial Aid packages and unexpected rejections). To my pleasant surprise I loved it here. If you prospie, let me know I could host you :)</p>
<p>well, thing is that its not the typical "I like NU because...." essay in that a lot of my reasons for wanting to attend are indirectly embedded into a short narrative. I guess I can be more direct and cut it down to 300-400 words. </p>
<p>You are a strong applicant. Apply ED if it's your first choice. If they don't give you enough money, I don't think you're obligated to go. Check on this.</p>
<p>Very strong candidate for admission. "Why NU " essay will determine, based on posted info., whether or not you are admitted. Within the past few years, Northwestern's undergraduate economics program was ranked number one by BusinessWeek Magazine ( I think, but don't have the article).</p>