Hi, I’m an uprising junior in highschool and I’m interested in Northwestern with other schools. So what did u do to get in? I know grades and act score are important, but what about outside of that? What helped you get in besides grades? I wanna do as much as I can in junior year to help my chances. I will most likely do the pre med route. Thanks! Looking at colleges is very fun!
Hamzag - I think you are approaching this wrong… I am a dad of 1 NU alum and one current rising senior. Neither of them did anything JUST to get into NU (or other super-selective school). Like you they got good grades and test scores, but outside of that, they did exactly what they wanted to, either because they were good at something, like a varsity sport, or because they were interested in helping others, or just wanted to do something outside of school with a different group of friends.
I can’t think of worse way to pick ECs than to try and select based on what some nameless AdCom might be looking for in the future! Do what YOU want to do and you will enjoy life in HS - abd beyond - and there WILL be a school that appreciates you for what you are all about. Hopefully that is NU - but any kid that wants to be pre-med and is qualified for that is going to be chased after by a ton of schools! One of them, will be right for you. Good luck!
There is no set formula for getting into NU. Be yourself when writing your application, hopefully get good enough grades and test scores throughout high school, and don’t seclude yourself in a dark mossy cave during you free time in high school and go out and join and enjoy extracurricular activities THAT MAKE SENSE FOR YOU based on what YOU like and are interested. Practical things to boost your chances would be to visit campus if you can afford it and/or live close, and if your very interested and NU is your top choice apply Early Decision for much better admission odds. As a Junior the main things you can work on now are ACT/SAT (if you still want to improve or need to take for the first time) and essays. Essays are really important for NU so make sure you spend time on the “Why NU?” essay. Good luck!
Thanks! Maybe one day I’ll be a wildcat! 
Thank you so much! Hopefully I’ll get in
It all depends.As I’m sure you heard, the college admission system is largely arbitrary, and places like Northwestern could reject anyone. My friends and I were all competitive applicants, with very high GPAs, SAT/ACT scores, rigorous courseloads, EC’s, community service, etc…, but the majority of us were rejected or waitlisted, with seemingly no rhyme or reason. I did in fact get in, but I’m not sure what they saw in me that wasn’t there in my other equally competitive friends.
One thing I will say is that you NEED to demonstrate “interest” in the school. Northwestern knows that it’s probably just one school in a long list of other schools that students are applying to, so it needs to know that you would actually attend Northwestern if they did accept you. Schools have matriculation rates to consider, so they would much rather accept applicants that they’re sure would most likely attend they’re college once admitted. One way to do this, of course, is applying ED, in which your chances are greatly increased. Otherwise, just write specific essays, interview, visit the college to show that you really know that Northwestern is where you’re really considering.
Of course, this is all stuff to worry about next year, in the fall of your senior year. In the meantime, just do as the other commenters said; pursue your passions, get high grades and acts, etc and you’ll be fine