<p>I'm wondering if I should retake the ACT test this year as a college freshman. My highest score is currently a 32, which I believe is right at 50% in the Northwestern average. I'm wondering if I should try to increase that to at least 34 because I do want to transfer to Northwestern or some other better school. I only had a 3.6 gpa in high school so I obviously would have had difficulties getting accepted to Northwestern since I am not particularly special in any other regard. Also if I get a say 3.8 my freshman year at my current university (still one of the nation's top 50 universities), have a job and a leadership position at that job and have various other activities, such as clubs, would I be a competitive applicant and have a decent shot at getting admitted to Northwestern as a transfer? I don't really want a chance me since I've had enough experience as that being bs so I just want to know if I would be among their competitive applicants. If I am still not competitive, could I get some recommendations as to what could make me more competitive, even if I am competitive, what else could I do to become more competitive? Thanks</p>
<p>your 3.6 gpa in hs is hard to ignore applying as a sophomore transfer, but if it was an upward trend and you did really well senior year then that could work to your advantage. try to aim for a 4.0 your first semester at your university. good luck.</p>
<p>aabbcc1789- Would you recommend applying as a junior transfer instead as that would potentially give me two strong years in college and would likely make my high school 3.6 look like less of a factor?</p>
<p>My kid applied as a junior transfer and didn’t submit scores. His gpa and the rest of the application got him into McCormick.</p>
<p>Mine as well apply for transfer during the spring and see how that works out. If you get rejected, then you can try again next year and have a shot, since NU readily takes Junior transfers (last I checked, anyways.) I think a combination of your ACT score plus high marks during your freshman year would make you a competitive applicant for transfer. I transferred in with a 3.7 something uw high school GPA from a relatively weak school, a mid 1300’s SAT score, and a 3.6 G.P.A. from a US News Top 50.</p>
<p>What about a 3.94 hs gpa (top 6% in class), 29 ACT, a handful of ECs, and a 3.8 college gpa (at a honors college)? Would my chances be hampered because of the 29 ACT or would I still have a decent chance, assuming I’m applying as a sophomore transfer?</p>
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<p>No, your 29 on the ACT wouldn’t hurt you. Yes, you’d have a good chance.</p>
<p>That’s great to hear. NU has always been my dream school and I’m hopeful that I will be a wildcat come next fall.</p>