<p>“I was just trying to get a selective school where I might get some geographical preference”</p>
<p>You’re not likely to get a “bump” at Northwestern for Geographical Preference if you’re from any urban or suburban area in the Northeast (OP states you’re in the Northeast.) Northwestern is a national university, and has large numbers of highly qualified applicants from the New England and Mid-Atlantic states. In their Common Data Set, Northwestern states that Geographic Residence is not considered in admission.</p>
<p>You may get some help if you’re from a rural area in the Northeast…but I’m guessing that’s not the case. </p>
<p>I’m not saying you wouldn’t be admitted…I’m just saying you don’t have a geographic advantage.</p>