<p>OP, I think you have an excellent shot at Northwestern. Yes, I would call it a “high match.” Perhaps it is a matter of semantics, as previously suggested, but a high match =/= a match. Saying that a high match is “just a match with an added degree of difficulty” is, well, true. By that logic, a reach is just a high match with an added degree of difficulty. Of course each step up is a slight added degree of difficulty. </p>
<p>OP, if NU is your top choice, definitely apply ED. While I don’t have the exact figures on hand, the ED acceptance rate is considerably higher and NU takes a large portion of its class ED. </p>
<p>As far as the “insulting” suggestion to aim higher, no one denies that NU is an excellent school. However, I don’t think anyone claims that it is in the top 5 in the country. There are certainly a few universities above NU. Not “all the ivies,” because that is a silly grouping to go by anyway, but a few top schools. It was not meant to be offensive, I’m sure, and to take it as such is a little over the top.</p>
<p>As far as the little squabble that just occurred–everyone calm down. No one insulted NU and a tenth grader can be just as knowledgeable about admissions as anyone. This is a CHANCE thread. People will give what they believe is the OP’s chance–no one thinks of it as an exact science. It is fine to disagree, but there is no need to attack the logic of another poster</p>
<p>In short, OP, I think good, but not certain chances, even better if you apply ED but be sure that NU is your absolute first choice before doing so.</p>