<p>Rotten Apples</p>
<p>First of all, I don’t want to diminish your accomplishments. With 600 SATs, you probably fall in the top 20% of all students, which is an accomplishment and speaks well for you.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, based on your statistics, it would appear that NU is a far reach for you. The most recent University Data is in its common data set – [2009-10</a> First-time, first-year (freshman) admission, Common Data Set - Northwestern University](<a href=“http://www.ugadm.northwestern.edu/commondata/2009-10/c.htm]2009-10”>http://www.ugadm.northwestern.edu/commondata/2009-10/c.htm)</p>
<p>I’m specifically looking at questions c9 and c10.</p>
<p>Question c-9 shows that for the SAT CR 75% of enrolling students scored 670 or better. 95% of admitted students scored 600 or higher. SAT W is very similar For SAT M, the standard is even higher, with 75% scoring at least 690 and 97% scoring 600 or better.</p>
<p>This means that your scores would be in the bottom 5% of admitted students.</p>
<p>Question C-10 says that 99% of the enrolling students were in the top quarter of their HS graduating class, which would put you in the bottom 1% of students.</p>
<p>These data are a couple of years old, however, if anything, NU has become more competitive in the last couple of years.</p>
<p>Though excellent essays and recommendations can help – even with your excellent activities, I’d say it’s a real long shot based on the information you’ve provided.</p>
<p>Now here’s my advice – Despite the odds, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with applying to one or two (if you have the time) real long shots (others disagree, I know). First of all, the cost is fairly low – application fee plus a bit of your time. Second, for many people, there’s always the nagging ‘what if’ question, that could follow you around for years. Applying, even if you’re rejected at least answers the question.</p>
<p>However, I think you need to focus your efforts on other schools, because realistically, that is where you should expect to be admitted based on your accomplishments.</p>