Please Chance my DS - ED 2019

Colleges and Universities A-Z Northwestern University
1

Please let me know your thoughts on ED acceptance for my son.

White - from West Chicago Suburbs
Weighted GPA 4.5 unweighted approximately 3.75
SAT 1480
I think he got 740 on both tests, no extra tests. Didn’t take the ACT.
No class ranking (competitive school but they don’t rank)
Curriculum - Advanced AP classes whenever available - Basically taking a full college load as a rising senior. Has been on gifted track since elementary. Has always taken the toughest classes and done well.
4 yrs. German as language
4 yrs orchestra Double Bass Player, 3 yrs top school orchestra as Double Bass Section Leader
Extras - Water Polo, 4 years, captain junior yr, State Finalist junior Year
National Honor Society
School Swim Team 3 yrs.
School Jazz Band 1yr.
Water Polo Jr. Olympics - sophomore and junior summers on club team
Chosen for District Orchestra (played under NU Guest Conductor)
Community Orchestra 4 yrs, Double Bass Section Leader 3 years
Eagle Scout
Life Guard
Employed by Church

Has lots of community service for NHS and Boy Scouts.

Applying ED, would like to play in NU orchestra but not as a music major. Wants to study Industrial Engineering, very interested in musical engineering. What are his chances and Is Double Bass a hook?

2

current NU student, not sure if music is a particular hook because NU’s music programme operates differently from those of other elite colleges just because NU has its own music school. that means that NU never has a particular need for students who play a certain instrument; that being said, the orchestra angle could be worked heavily into the “Why NU” statement.

the current Chicagoland students I know here at Northwestern all had leadership experiences in high school, so I would stress any that he has if possible. seems like there’s a spike there in that regard for water polo.

the best way now to increase his chances is to visit and demonstrate interest - noticing a major spike these days in tour group size and info session attendance so it seems that ED may be more competitive in this interest element this year. good luck!

3

MM - Thanks so much for you input. He has worked the orchestra angle heavily into his why NU. He did visit NU last year, which is in his why NU essay. He understands it is super competitive and will also be applying to other schools with good engineering programs like Purdue, UW Madison, Georgia Tech… He has good options. Interesting about the Water Polo comment, it does seem like it is getting more popular as a midwest sport.