Very Concerned - Should I even try?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Northwestern University
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<p>I am terribly sorry for the immense length of this post.
I understand that, as a rising Junior, this may be a tad bit premature, but I fear I may have already blown my chances to get into NU. My high school is on a 4x4 quarterly schedule, and I was in an accelerated math and science program in middle school that rewarded me with high school credit.
Desired Major : Double Major in Music Performance and Communications</p>

<p>High School Records:
Grade 7 - Algebra I Hon: B</p>

<p>Grade 8 - Geometry Hon: B
Physical Sci Hon: B</p>

<p>Freshmen Year - Chorus I: A
English I Hon: A
Creative Writing I: A
Biology I Hon part1: A
Biology I Hon part2: B
Freshman Transition: A
Chorus II: A
Spanish I: A
World Culture Geo: A
Algebra II Hon: B</p>

<p>Sophomore Year - Chemistry I Hon Part1: A
Chem I Hon Part2: B
Spanish II: A
HOPE (Health/PE): A
Chorus III: A
Trigonometry Hon: C
Analytic Geometry Hon: C
World Hist Hon Part1: A
World Hist Hon Part2: B
Chorus IV: A
English II part1: A
English 2 Part2: B</p>

<p>Projected Junior Year Courses:
Chorus V Honors
Creative Writing II
Psychology I
Humanities/Literature and The Arts I
Keyboard I
Art 2D/Drawing
Art 3D
AP English Lang + Comp
AP US History
Sociology</p>

<p>Unweighted Current GPA: 3.63
Weighted GPA: 4.11
SAT: 2010 (720CR, 680M, 610W)
Class Rank (Although this may mean nothing as my school is most decidedly below average): UW - 80 of 543 (Top 15 Percentile)
W - 51 of 543 (Top 10)</p>

<p>Due To Medical Concerns, I've never been able to participate in school sports, but other ECs are:
4 years Martial Arts (Two Styles)
All State Choir Participant
3 time All County Choir Participant
Seven Years of Chorus
4 Years With Touring Church Choir
2 Years With Auditioned Touring Show Choir
Venture Crew President (Through BSA)
2 Years Personal Voice Coaching
Summer Camp Counselor (Through BSA)
Church Volunteer (Set Design and Children Ministries)</p>

<p>I am worried because of my lack of sports involvement, which I have been told is highly desired by the university, and my low math and testing scores. Also, I am worried that my state(FL), having a reputation for the second lowest testing scores in the COUNTRY, will somehow hinder my chances. Help please?
Again, many apologies for the mega huge post.</p>

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<p>Of more concern for admissions are the C’s in Math. Sat scores need to go up. Do you realize that admission to Bienen is audition based? You might fare better only applying as a performance major, since the average SAT scores are somewhat lower for the school of music.The lack of sports should not be a factor.</p>

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<p>I am aware of the audition… do you think a double major is out of the question at this point?
I’m working on getting the scores up :)</p>

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<p>everything is sort of below average for northwestern. the audition might be your chance though.</p>

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<p>once you get in as a performance major, you might be able to double major.</p>

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<p>Corryn-The fact that you are even taking the time and effort to see what your chances are for you as a rising Junior speaks volumes about your goals. It is clear you have a desire to go to NU. Now…you mentioned you have received High School credit for taking the math classes in middle school-have you checked your transcript? Let’s assume that these classes are posted, with the notation that they were taken in middle school. Top Tier schools want their students to be well rounded, and you did not take a math class your freshman year, nor do you have one slated for your Junior year. Do you have time/ability to take the next level math class this next year? My sense is that it will be important to achieving your goal-and to get extra tutoring/help to raise that math grade to a B or better. You have the drive-now-do you have the desire to do what it will take to make NU a reality? Your call-G’Luck! APOL-a mom</p>

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<p>APOL- Thank you for the advice. I did take Algebra II in my Freshman year :slight_smile:
The math credits received in middle school are in fact on my transcript – thank goodness, because otherwise I think I might have eternally reprimanded myself for enduring three years of the worst teacher I have ever encountered (She was bipolar and didn’t always take her medication =o).
Unfortunately, The only maths I haven’t taken that are offered at my school is AP Calculus(There is no ‘regular’ calculus) and business math, which is - in my opinion - useless. And by the time my counselor called me up to finalize next year’s schedule, priority had been given to seniors to take AP calc…
I’m hoping to be able to take it senior year, but do you really think that not having a math next year with hurt me? :confused: Not good.</p>

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<p>Corryn-First-thank you for correcting my error in reading your post…My two cents-I think taking AP Cal your JR year is that important. Can you email the teacher, and see if they could help you get into the class this next year? Some students drop out the first week or so, because they often will give a weeder exam near the beginning of the semester/quarter and some students will be concerned about the GPA and drop the class. If you show a “B” or higher in this AP class it will strengthen your application.</p>

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<p>Make sure to maintain your top 10% ranking. work hard first semester senior year because northwestern will look at your most recent grades esp. in borderline cases. </p>

<p>being from Florida shouldn’t hurt you. </p>

<p>have you tried the ACT? maybe you’ll do better on it. if not, you don’t have to report your scores anyway so it might be worth a try. </p>

<p>don’t worry about the lack of sports involvement. NU only cares about what you’re interested in. </p>

<p>I don’t know much about the music audition process but i hear a really strong performance can offset some academic weaknesses.</p>

<p>ED could be a strong boost if you really want NU.</p>