<p>Yeah right with some of you guys. I applied for RD last spring and got waitlisted then released. 3.9 or 4.0 UW GPA, 2000 superscore on the SAT with 730 in math. I was applying for mechanical engineering. Had great extracurriculars too, some related to engineering and some not. I think it’s a shame if the Tufts Syndrome thing you guys are referring to is true, cause I would have loved to gone to NU. I did send in my transfer app though recently.</p>
<p>I’m not a fan of people blaming the “Tufts Syndrome”. I had stronger stats than NU (1530/1600 SAT) and indicated on my application that I was applying to much higher schools than NU AND I barely showed interest because I couldn’t visit other than one tour.</p>
<p>I have to agree with neuchimie. There might be minimal tufts syndrome-ing going on, because I’m sure NU is trying to stay away from being a safety school. But, NU is actively trying to raise average SAT scores, trying to accept good applicants, and trying to get those applicants interested.</p>
<p>But, NU, especially around the time I applied, was known for trying to build diversity (not necessarily racially, but in terms of geography, background, interests, major, etc etc.) It’s great to have good SATs and a good GPA, since NU wants to continue to build selectivity. But I think they do heavily weigh other factors and want to attract unique students. Everybody has solid SAT/GPA, everybody and their mom is from x-northeastern state, everyone and their mom was in NHS or captain of varsity soccer or volunteers or whatever. I really think NU is, and has always been, interested in candidates with something a little different. Also, certain majors are more competitive than other (pharm, undeclared, business vs english, sociology).</p>
<p>When I applied years ago (and to be fair, I don’t know that I’d get in anymore, yall have better SATs than I do), I was just above average in SAT and probably below average in GPA. But I spoke another language, had lived in another country for part of high school, had very unique ECs and interests, wrote a baller essay, and <em>most importantly</em> was from an underrepresented state in the west. Sure wasn’t my SAT/GPA that got me here, it was the fact that I wasn’t like most of the applicants. </p>
<p>Not getting in sucks. And a lot of the time it’s not fair… most of you guys are great applicants. But there are SO many other factors that are at play here beside your SAT and GPA.</p>
<p>^ Except for pharmacy … </p>
<p>I honestly think that the admissions only like to look at the SAT/ACT score and GPA in order to be accepted for that program. I did poorly on my test because I’m an awful test taker, had a good GPA with mostly honors and some APs, a variety of ECs along with 300+ community service hours, and a good essay, yet I got rejected.</p>
<p>My friend on the otherhand has a good SAT score and GPA, yet she only had one EC and she got accepted. I’m happy for her, but it sucks that I was bogged down due to one single factor.</p>
<p>I think the spike in apps this year is definitely a factor as well. Last year at my D’s school 4 out of 6 applicants were accepted…so far the stats on Naviance are showing 4 out of 19 accepted. Huge difference.</p>