One of those really obnoxious "chance me" threads.

Colleges and Universities A-Z Northwestern University
1

<p>You know, it's funny. I read posts where people talk about how useless it is to have anyone "chance" you. It's so arbitrary, they say, and no one can really predict it. And I nod and agree. </p>

<p>But yet, it's February, and despite having applied to lots of schools that I liked, I've just discovered that I really, really like NU, and would love to at least have the chance to go. So... is my GPA going to sink me?</p>

<p>I'm a white girl from California, and I'm applying to Medill.
GPA: 3.4ish uw/3.86ish w (at a very competitive public magnet program - to give some perspective, I got C's in two classes where I got 5's on the APs, and it's not because I'm lazy)
RANK: top 12%
CLASSES: By the end of senior year, I'll have taken 9 APs and 10 honors courses. The only things that were neither were electives (orchestra and journalism).</p>

<p>That testing stuff:
SAT: 800CR/710M/800W
SAT IIs: 790 Literature, 760 US History, 680 Physics
APs: 5s in Euro History, US History, English Language. 4 in Calc AB. 2 in Physics B.</p>

<p>Senior Schedule:
Honors Bio, AP Stat, AP English Lit, AP Macroecon/Gov, Honors Lit Analysis, Journalism - first semester I got 5 As, 1 B</p>

<p>ECs:
- Editor-in-chief of school paper and magnet literary magazine (I've worked on both for two years)
- 3 years of violin in the school orchestra
- Historian for Junior State of America
- Staff writer for local teen magazine
- Work for a state assemblyman (policy/community service)
- Tour guide for a museum
- Hebrew school/Jewish Student Union
- Selective summer program in creative writing at CalArts
- There are a few others, but those are the major ones.</p>

<p>Awards:
- California Scholastic Federation (honors society)
- Semi-finalist for State Board of Education seat, also for Senate Youth Program
- School English award
- Smith Book Award
- National Merit Finalist
- One of the AP Awards (I honestly can't remember which one)
- Published in several newspapers, anthologies, etc.
- California Arts Scholar
- 1 of 50 students in USA chosen to compete in the National Vocabulary Championship</p>

<p>My essays were pretty good (common app was about writing a novel a page a day), and I think my recommendations were fairly strong as well - I didn't get to read them. I think my interview went reasonably well, and I definitely demonstrated interest - I also brought a few clips. I don't know if it's any kind of a bellwether, but I've already been accepted to USC (Annenberg School of Journalism).</p>

<p>Thanks if you've taken the time to read this and assuage my mild panic. Again, I realize that it isn't an indicator of much, but I'm too nervous to just sit around and wait. Is there anything else I should do to increase my chances - send in supplementary materials, etc.? Is it too late for that?</p>

2

<p>WOW great job on SAT. pat urself on the back!!! And also I think that you definately have a good shot at northwestern. Although that 2 on ur AP physics test isnt going to help... but u got great scores on all the rest, so it should be fine. GPA is important, but not the #1 thing that they're looking for. Your ECs are great btw! Good luck!</p>

3

<p>despite the GPA, i think you have an excellent chance with those test scores and EC's. i wish i had your stats :)</p>

<p>i applied to medill and annenberg too...when did you hear back from USC?</p>

4

<p>Wow - thanks to both of you for bringing a considerable amount of cheer to an unusually bleak California day. I hope NU is as kind as you are. </p>

<p>editor07 - I got my letter from USC at the very beginning of February, but I applied before the scholarship deadline, so that might have had something to do with it. Best of luck to you as well - I'm sure you'll do great.</p>

5

<p>...wow, if you don't get in, I'd hate to meet the actual applicant pool of accepted students</p>

<p>Your SAT scores are a great reminder of why I'm thankful for applying ED</p>

6

<p>One final comment...</p>

<p>I wouldn't worry too much about your GPA, especially if you have a very rigorous schedule and attend a competitive school. However, I still believe that essays are a crucial part of getting accepted at NU, so hopefully you put a lot of thought and effort into what exactly you chose to write about.</p>

<p>Good luck :-)</p>

7

<p>I hope you get in! I'm in a similar situation... 2260 SAT, strong APs and SAT IIs, good ECs, NM finalist, tough courses at a good public high school (over 20 went to the ivy league last year out of a class of 230)... but a 3.7/4.3 weighted GPA with 5 Bs junior year... I hope NU puts a lot of emphasis on scores</p>

8

<p>Inverted Commas: what school do you go to?</p>