<p>I’m currently a junior who is thinking of applying ED for the class of 2017 and I’m looking for meaningful summer programs to do over the summer. I know NU has a summer program but the deadline is too soon and it really expensive! I don’t think I can attend the program but instead I was thinking of visiting and maybe interviewing later on to show my interest in the school. Would this make up for not attending the summer program and convey my strong interest? I really need advice on what to do over the summer because I would like to show NU impressive summer activities. I was thinking of attending St. Albans School of Public Service summer program which is a program in DC that allows kids to see the inside workings of public policy making and volunteering oversees teaching underprivileged children English. i know the whole point of summer programs is to open your horizons and provide you with meaningful experiences and I feel these two activities will help me for the path I would like to go on… public policy. I am interested in law and would like to either major in poli sci or economics ( i heard pre law is a joke major is this true in NU too?)</p>
<p>I think you should do whatever feels meaningful to you, which sounds like the summer program in DC. With regard to a summer program at NU: I know one student who attened the summer cherubs summer program for music theater (?) then applied RD and was not admitted. I know another student who attended the cherub summer program for journalism and then applied ED and was admitted to Medill. So, I guess if you are thinking of applying ED, then anecdotally, it seems like it might make a difference in demonstrating interest.</p>
<p>The single greatest demonstration of interest is applying ED, so if that’s already in your plans, I wouldn’t sweat whether or not to do a summer program there, especially if you fnd the cost prohibitive.</p>
<p>I agree with WCASParent that applying ED is the greatest demonstration of interest. I’ll also add that the NU supplement to the common app asks if you’ve visited, when, and what specific programs you attended (e.g., university info session, college-specific info session, tour, etc.). The visit is a good idea.</p>
<p>As to the summer program, find something that demonstrates your passion. If the St. Albans program fits that description, then go for it.</p>
<p>If there’s a major called “pre-law” at NU, I’m not aware of it. Law schools typically want to see a degree (subject doesn’t matter so much) that shows you learned to think logically and to communicate (writing and speaking) clearly. Political Science and Economics would both be good choices.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>I did the College Prep Program and participated in the Northwestern Summer Orchestra last summer and I thought it was both a great experience and one of the key factors in my admission. It definitely shows demonstrated interest in the school, and you can really highlight the specific things that you liked about NU during your visit. I, for example, talked about how I got to simulate doing a dual degree by taking physics and being in the orchestra and how I knew that NU was the only place I could do that. It just gives you a boost over other kids: you can talk about how you went to Andy’s every day and got to experience the campus and campus life, where other kids can only say “NU has really good academics and I want to go there.”</p>
<p>As long as you can make something meaningful out of this summer, I honestly wouldn’t worry about coming to campus. When the admission folks read you app, they wont look up whether or not you came to campus to visit. They simple have too many apps to worry about to care about little details like that. That being said, if you apply ED, your chances of getting in greatly improve.</p>