***Official Northwestern 2021 ED Results ONLY Thread***

Colleges and Universities A-Z Northwestern University
21

Decision: Accepted

McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science

Objective:

SAT I (1450) - 650 R, 800 M (Only took it once)
SAT II: 800 Physics, 800 Math 2, 760 US History
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.91
Rank 6/1111, top 0.5%
APs : European History (4), Chemistry (5), Physics 1(5), Physics 2(5), Computer Science A(5), Human Geo (5), Calc BC (5) Ab subscore (5), US History (5), Spanish Language (5), Statistics (5),

IB - Not offered at school.

Senior Year Course Load: AP Spanish Lit, AP Macro/Micro, AP U.S. Gov / Comp. Pol., AP Physics C (Mech & Electricity), AICE Mathematics A level, Honors Chemistry II
Major Awards : AIME Qualifier, National Hispanic Recognition Program

Subjective:

Extracurriculars : Chess Club , SNHS member, Soccer player
Job/Work Experience: Math Tutor
Volunteer/Community service: Tutor in Science National Honor Society and also teach chess
Summer Activities: None
Essays: Pretty weird, I wrote about exploring my home city for the common app and wrote it almost last minute with little review. 7/10. Why NW - Was passionate 10/10
Teacher Recommendation: Didn’t see them, were probably pretty good from my physics and stat teacher
Counselor Rec: It’s a very large school so it was pretty generic
Interview: Couldn’t :frowning:

Other

State : Florida
Country : USA
Intended major(s): Undecided
School Type: Public urban

Ethnicity: Hispanic (Mexican)
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: 60k
Hooks : No

Reflection

Strengths:
Weaknesses: Only 5 extracurriculars, not in NHS ,weakSAT I scores
Why you think you were accepted:
I want to know how the admissions process works. Not like the average applicant.
General Comments:
Stressing out too much is not worth it.

22

Accepted

Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown): 1530 (Math 800, CR 730)
ACT: 34 (E 35, M 34, S 34, R 34)
SAT II: None
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.92
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 10%
AP (place score in parenthesis): World History (4), US Government (5), Psychology (5), Biology (5), Literature (4), Language (3), Human Geography (4), US History (4), Calculus AB (4), Calculus BC (4), Physics 2 (3), European History (3), Mandarin (Upcoming)
IB (place score in parenthesis): None
Senior Year Course Load: Capstone: Sports in Society and Culture, Capstone: Differential Equations, Capstone: Brain and Behavior, Capstone: Mandarin
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):
National AP Scholar
National Merit Commended Scholar

Subjective:

Extracurriculars : Church Worship Band Lead Bassist (6 years), Volleyball Team Captain (3 years), Key Club Vice President (2 years), Korean School Assistant Teacher (1 year), Red Cross Club (4 years), National Honor Society (2 years), Badminton Club (1 year), Assistant Bible Study Teacher (1 year)
Job/Work Experience: Mathnasium Instructor (Currently Employed)
Essays: Personal, funny, human. Talked about my weight loss journey, and I had a good laugh writing it.
Teacher Recommendation: Probably pretty good, considering I didn’t get to see the actual letter. They’ve seen me at my worst, and they helped me climb up from the ashes so to speak.
Counselor Rec: The counselor was new to the school, but she got right to business and likely wrote a stellar letter.
Additional Rec: None.
Interview: None.

Other

State (if domestic applicant): Arizona
Intended major(s): Asian Studies and Economics
School Type: Charter
Ethnicity: Asian
Gender: M
Income Bracket:100~120k
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): None

Reflection
The entire process was pretty nerve racking. Nonetheless I did my best, and it paid off.
Strengths: Definitely my essays. They were the one area where I could show who I was as an individual, and I capitalized on that.
Weaknesses: None too glaring.

23

Decision: Deferred

College of Arts and Sciences

Objective

SAT I (breakdown): 2340/2400 (740 CR, 800 Math, 800 Writing)
ACT: -
SAT II: Math 2: 800, Physics: 800
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): N/A
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): N/A
AP (place score in parenthesis): Calc BC (5), AB subscore (5), Physics C: E&M (5), Psychology (5), Statistics (5), Microeconomics (5)
IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
Senior Year Course Load:
(Chinese National Curriculum)
Chinese
English
Math
P.E

Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):
A regional speech competition, two international MUN awards and AP Scholar with Distinction

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Writer for an NGO, Writing Club, MUN Club, Varsity Badminton, Painting
Job/Work Experience:
Volunteer/Community service: Volunteered in a local hospital
Summer Activities: Attended a summer school at UChicago
Essays: Common app 8/10 (Some said it’s very good while some said it’s just fair) Why Northwestern 8/10 (I would say good but kinda typical)
Teacher Recommendation:
Counselor Rec: 9/10
Additional Rec:
English teacher: 9/10
Chemistry teacher: 9/10
Professor in summer school: Not sure maybe 7or8/10
Interview: -

Other

State (if domestic applicant):
Country (if international applicant): China
Intended major(s): Psychology
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: Asian
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: idk maybe 40k
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):

Reflection

Strengths: test scores maybe
Weaknesses: high school, extracurriculars, international applicant
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: Frankly speaking idk, I guess my high school is not a target school and my essays did not really stand out.

General Comments: Congrats for those who got in and good luck to my RD round.

24

Decision: Accepted

Pick one:
Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown): 1580 (790 on each)
ACT: 35 (36, 34, 34, 34)
SAT II: 800 Math II, 800 Bio M
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 1/110
AP (place score in parenthesis): AP US Government- 5, AP Biology- 5
Senior Year Course Load: AP Calculus AB, AP Chemistry, AP Psychology, AP French, AP Literature, Honors Religion, Physics
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): National Merit Semifinalist

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Volunteer with local dog training organization, small research opportunity at a local university, student council, co-editor of newspaper and yearbook, science bowl captain, some service clubs at school
Job/Work Experience: none
Volunteer/Community service: two service clubs at school, work with dog training organization
Summer Activities: summer program at local university before both junior and senior years
Essays: I worked hard on them! I tried to show my personality in my Common App essay, and I really tried to show why I thought I would thrive at Northwestern in my supplement.
Teacher Recommendation: I submitted two, both from teachers I’ve known since freshman year.
Counselor Rec: It is my counselor’s first year as a school counselor, so I don’t know how this was! She does not know me well.
Additional Rec: none
Interview: none

Other

State (if domestic applicant): PA
Intended major(s): Undecided
School Type: Private
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: 150k
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): none

Reflection

General Comments: Can’t wait to meet everyone!

25

[noparse]
Pick one:
Decision: Accepted

Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown): n/a
ACT: 36
SAT II: Math 2 800, Physics 800
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.88 ish
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): top 5%
AP (place score in parenthesis):
Human Geography 5
Biology 5
AP Literature 4
Psych (self-studied) 5
US History 5

IB (place score in parenthesis): no
Senior Year Course Load:
AP Chemistry
AP Physics
AP Language and Composition
AP Government
AP Micro/macroeconomics
AP Calculus BC
Orchestra

Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): nothing incredibly notable.

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
Debate: four year varsity debater and captain for two years. National qualifier x1, district champion x1
Indiana All-State Orchestra: Three years, 2x concertmaster
Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra: Been in it since 6th grade. This was probably the biggest reason I got in
DECA: 2x international qualifier, state champion, unit leader
Captain of Academic Superbowl Team
Orchestra Council President

Job/Work Experience:
Volunteer/Community service:
Lot’s of volunteering at an adult education center.
Run elementary school orchestra rehearsals and gave free private lessons (violin)

Summer Activities:
Summer Research with a professor (I forgot to put this on my app though)
Volunteering

Essays: Why Northwestern 10/10, common app 9/10, wrote about my experience with teaching high-school dropouts
Teacher Recommendation: assuming both were good
Counselor Rec: 9/10. She loves me
Additional Rec: 10/10 Debate coach explicitly said he would lie for me

Other

State (if domestic applicant): Indiana
Country (if international applicant):
Intended major(s): Poly-sci/econ
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: Asian
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: <100,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): I’ve worked with Northwestern’s music director a couple of times but nothing besides that

Reflection
I’m not sure how I got in, but I’m really familiar with Northwestern and I made it extremely clear in my essays.

Strengths: Test scores, extracurriculars
Weaknesses: GPA, race

General Comments: Go wildcats!
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26

[noparse]
Decision: Accepted

Pick one:
McCormick

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown): n/a
ACT: 34
SAT II: math 2 (800) chemistry (800) bio e (800)
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0):3.95
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable):n/a
AP (place score in parenthesis): Chem (5) Spanish Language (5) Physics 1 (5)
IB (place score in parenthesis):n/a
Senior Year Course Load: BC calc, AP physics c (mechanics and e&m) honors English, wind ensemble (top band), AP Econ (micro and macro),
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):
Eagle Scout, a few department awards at school, but nothing major or super unique
Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
Cross county, track (team captain junior and senior years)
Boy Scouts (SPL two terms), interact (led community service trips to Tijuana and Guatemala), various bands and orchestras at school, MUN (VP of training, won individual awards at Stanford, Berkeley, and Georgetown conferences)
Job/Work Experience:
Math tutor (on weekends)
Volunteer/Community service:
A bunch of stuff with Boy Scouts, led two week long service trips in Latin America.
Summer Activities: volunteer tree surveyor for city, work
Essays:
Common app (5/10). It was really quite poor. I wrote about struggling to change my embochure on trumpet, but it reqlly didn’t turn out too well at all.
Why NU (10/10) talked about their engineering curriculum and how it would help me grow as an intellectual and a person. Focused on the aspects that made the NU engineering program unique and why those differences were important to me.
Teacher Recommendation: Physics Teacher (10/10) didn’t read, but I knew her very well and she liked me as a student. English Teacher (10/10) had him 3 years in a row, amazing writer and knew a lot about my adverse family situation.
Counselor Rec: (10/10) I’ve essentially been the caretaker of my three younger siblings while in high school due to illness and domestic abuse issues with parents. He told me he would address this in his Rec.
Additional Rec: none
Interview: none

Other

State (if domestic applicant): CA
Country (if international applicant):
Intended major(s): Undecided Engineering
School Type: 2100 student public school, highly competitive
Ethnicity: Caucasian
Gender: male
Income Bracket: 300,000+
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): none

Reflection

Strengths: extracurriculars, Recommendations, Why NU
Weaknesses: Personal Statement, mix of a’s and b’s in math
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected:
Honestly, it’s a crapshoot. I made it clear in my application how much I really wanted to go to the school, and my ability to persevere through adversity was probably the strongest theme in my application overall.
General Comments:
Don’t pay too much attention to threads like this. It’s fine to see how you roughly compare to others who got accepted, but it’s impossible to predict your admissions results based on it.
[/noparse]

27

[noparse]
Pick one:
Decision: Accepted

Pick one:
McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown): Didn’t take
ACT: 34(35E, 33M, 31R, 35S)
SAT II: Didn’t take
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.86
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): School doesn’t rank
AP (place score in parenthesis): AP Gov(5), APUSH(5), AP Physics 1(4), AP Physics 2(4)
IB (place score in parenthesis): Nope
Senior Year Course Load: AP Calc BC, AP Psych, AP Bio, AP Computer Science A, Comp Lit & Film, Anatomy & Physiology/Medical Careers(2 periods)
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): NHS, High Honor Roll each semester (lol)

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Soccer-varsity senior year, club soccer, freshman mentoring, key club, relay for life, access sports clinic-practiced with kids with disabilities and helped coach them, NHS
Job/Work Experience: None
Volunteer/Community service: ~150 hours (food pantry, random key club stuff, med careers shadow/volunteer at local hospital and other medical places)
Summer Activities: Soccer league and camp for my school
Essays: Common app(9/10) it was pretty unique and talked about my love for problem solving
Why NU(8/10) it wasn’t written that well but I used a lot of specifics like professors and classes
Teacher Recommendation: APUSH/AP Psych teacher(9/10) she’s super nice and liked me plus I had her for 2 years
PreCalc H/AP Calc BC(10/10) she saw me mature and knew how much I love math, she recommended that I take BC and she also told my parents she thinks I have the mind for engineering so I’m sure her letter was bomb
Counselor Rec: (9/10) she is nice and was the leader of NHS and the freshman mentor program so she knew me pretty well
Additional Rec: none
Interview: none

Other

State (if domestic applicant): IL
Country (if international applicant):
Intended major(s): Biomedical engineering
School Type: public with around 2700 total
Ethnicity: Caucasian
Gender: M
Income Bracket: 150k
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): none

Reflection

Strengths: Massive upward trend in GPA and difficulty of classes, became more involved as high school went on, recs, common app essay was unique
Weaknesses: lower than normal weighted GPA, course rigor was weak freshman year, ECs
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: I think they saw how much I matured throughout high school and also recognized my passion for problem solving, on par test scores, recs were probably very good, and my common app essay.

General Comments: I’m still in shock. Good luck everyone! Can’t wait for the fall of 2017!

28

Decision: Accepted

Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown): None
ACT: 32 (English - 35 | Math - 30 | Reading - 30 | Science - 33 | Writing - 33)
SAT II: Math II - 730, Bio M - 680
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.7
Rank: None
AP: Calculus AB - 4
IB: SL Physics, HL French 4, HL Biology, HL English Literature, HL History, SL Math (Haven’t taken exams yet)
Senior Year Course Load: All of the above IB classes plus Theory of Knowledge
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): None

Subjective:

Extracurriculars: Varsity Soccer, Varsity Swimming (Vice Captain), Varsity Water Polo (Captain), Guitar, National Honors Society
Job/Work Experience: Shadowing a trauma surgeon in Columbus, Ohio for one week. I followed him on rounds and observed around eight various operations while I was there.
Volunteer/Community service: Two years of volunteering for the WE Foundation.
Summer Activities: None
Essays: Common App - 8/10 I did the failure question, and in my opinion my response was very insightful and reflective on the experience that I discussed. | NU Statement - 9/10 I was very clear about my ambitions for the future and discussed specific qualities about Northwestern that would help me achieve those ambitions.
Teacher Recommendation: Did not read
Counselor Rec: Did not read
Additional Rec: Soccer coach - 10/10
Interview: None

Other

State: Illinois
Intended major(s): Biology, Global Health minor
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: White (European), Asian (Chinese & Filipino)
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: >500k
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): None

Reflection

Strengths: Essays, Extracurriculars, IB, International background
Weaknesses: GPA, lack of summer activities
Why you think you were accepted: I believe that my strength lies in being well balanced. I made sure to highlight all the different aspects of my life while writing my essays. This included the rigor of my academics and the dedication that I put into my athletics, while still maintaining a strong social life and making time to volunteer.

General Comments: Extremely excited for next year!

29

Decision: Accepted
McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown): did not take
ACT: 36C (36E, 36M, 34R, 36S)
SAT II: Math II - 770 (did not submit)
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): n/a
AP (place score in parenthesis): n/a - At our school, we don’t really take APs before Gr. 12
IB (place score in parenthesis): n/a
Senior Year Course Load: AP Calc BC, AP Physics 1&2, AP Chemistry, AP Language, AP Statistics
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): n/a

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Class President (4 years), Black Belt in Karate (10+ years and assistant teacher), Co-founder and Vice President of non-profit - raised over $30 000, Senior Band (first trombone + tutor), Modern Language Head at my school
Job/Work Experience: none
Volunteer/Community service: Tutor at local disadvantaged school
Summer Activities: nothing interesting
Essays: Common App - 8/10 I wrote about starting a poker club at my school and related it to different parts of my character, it wasn’t very well-written but I think it was funny and stood out. Why NU - 7/10 It was pretty simple, I mentioned a professor and class, an engineering project, and a couple other things I really liked about NU.
Teacher Recommendation: Did not read, but I think they were pretty good
Counselor Rec: Same ^
Additional Rec: none
Interview: none

Other

State (if domestic applicant): n/a
Country (if international applicant): Canada
Intended major(s): Industrial Engineering
School Type: Private, all-girls
Ethnicity: Mixed Asian/White
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: high
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): none

Reflection

Strengths: ACT, funny and interesting essay, lots of leadership ECs
Weaknesses: Why NU essay was a bit lame, no engineering ECs
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: It’s all pretty much luck - I think my ACT score definitely helped me out, and I had strong ECs that showed a lot of commitment throughout the years

General Comments: I remember all the hours I spent going through these threads, so thank you to everyone on CC and good luck to everyone applying!

30

i’ve never made a post before lol but i’ve spent so long on this frikin website that i feel like i gotta pay back my debt. Hopefully this will bring 5 seconds of comfort or security to someone else in the future who’s more qualified than me XD

Decision: Accepted!!
Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences

Objective:

SAT I: didn’t take
ACT: 34 (35E, 35M, 35R, 30S)
SAT II: U.S. History- 740, Math II- 730
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.95
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): top 10%
AP (place score in parenthesis): AP Calc AB(5), AP Lang(5), APUSH(5), AP Studio Art(3), AP Physics(3), AP Chem(3)
IB (place score in parenthesis): nope
Senior Year Course Load: AP Bio, AP Lit (Online), AP Gov, AP Calc BC, ASB, Varsity Virtual Business
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): 1st Place in all three Marketing Plan Competitions, AP Scholar w Distinction

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): 3 years Varsity Cross Country (Captain Senior Year), ASB (Sophomore Class Treasurer, Senior Class President), Varsity Softball since freshman year, Varsity Virtual Business (VP or Finance),
Job/Work Experience:
Volunteer/Community service: Youth Commission (chair)
Summer Activities: summer internship
Essays: Common App 8/10- I just reread it but at the time that I submitted it I didn’t like it and probs would have given it a 6/10. Now I realize that it was alright… just kind of had a weak end.
NU Supplement- 9/10 Thought it was pretty good if not a little cheesy
Teacher Recommendation: 9/10- Only asked APUSH teacher and he really liked me. He’s also very verbose lol so that probably helped.
Counselor Rec: 8/10 I don’t know her that well but I’m sure it was alright
Additional Rec: 10/10 Asked my ASB advisor like a week before it was due but he agreed to write one for me cause he’s the best. Only teacher I’ve ever really gotten close to
Interview: none

Other

State (if domestic applicant): CA
Country (if international applicant):
Intended major(s): History
School Type: public
Ethnicity: Mixed- White/Asian(Japanese)
Gender: female
Income Bracket: 150k-180k
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): mixed race??? idk if that’s really a hook… probs not

Reflection

Strengths: ACT, GPA, supplemental essay, leadership positions
Weaknesses: subject test scores- was dead on my feet when I took the math subject test and fell asleep for a good 5 min, wrote my common app essay 2 days b4 early deadline so I didn’t have much time to go over it/rework
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: I’m not sure if there’s really one thing. I think my personality came through pretty well in my essays and I guess the admissions officers liked it(???). Other than that, ACT and GPA but the whole process is so subjective I really couldn’t say. I guess it didn’t hurt that I got 3 35’s and it was only the science that pulled my score down which is not what I’m focused on anyways (not that the ACT science is actually science but u know)

General Comments: Can’t wait!1!! Good luck to everyone applying. Can’t wait to meet u all in a few short months

31

Wow! a lot of acceptances this year. Can’t wait to see the stats for ED!