Can I get into Northwestern University?

Question

I got a 1950 on my SAT and have a gpa of 3.8. I've lived in another country for the past 3 years and was wondering if Northwestern would accept me. The problem is I don't think I can afford the high yearly tuition so what are my chances of getting a decent scholarship to this school? I'm thinking of majoring in literature or journalism and I've just finished my junior year. Thanks for the help!

Answer 1

If paying for school is one of your primary concerns, don't let it be.  Financial aid from the institution is always offered to subsidize the cost of attendance.  Federals loans are also available:  the Perkins loan, and the fafsa.

Most everyone I've known to do well in high school is afforded SOME sort of scholarship money.  Naturally its contingent on a specific set of activities while at the school and/or maintaining a specific gpa in your course of study.

When school is out you simply consolidate all your loans and pay them off with a monthly check that you can easily integrate as part of your monthly budget.

You sound like an interesting candidate that Northwestern would like to welcome to their academic community.  When I took the SAT, the max score was 1600... so I don't know how the standards measure up today.  

Schools are inundated with thousands of applications every year.  Don't go out of your way to make yours stand out.  Just remember that schools aren't looking for reasons to accept you, they qualify candidates by what they can object to on the application.

- Illegible print, or not typed at all

- poor grammar

- no extra curricular activity

- recommendations from family members or non-academic authorities

- a GPA below their minimum standards

- a criminal record

- lying in your personal statement

You'd be suprised how many seemingly capable academic individuals make callous moves like these... with no afterthought.

All of these things are cause for your application to be thrown into the "Thank you for applying, but..." pile.

On the other hand, if you want your application to move to the pile where they'll comb over it once more and review it more closely...

- Your parent might be a graduate of the school, giving you legacy status

- Type the application

- Be genuine in your personal statement

- Sit down with whomever is going to write a recommendation for you and give them an in depth picture of yourself.

- Go for an interview at the school

- Don't allow your parents to follow up on your behalf

Everyone who has good grades and is intelligent will apply to Northwestern or a top tier school.  But its the little things you can do that will set you apart.  Counselors want to grant admissions to the students who not only deserve but WANT to attend.  Nobody likes giving the talk freshman year of college: