How important are Northwestern's supplements in comparison to the rest of the application?

Colleges & Universities Northwestern University
1

Hi all- Northwestern is my top choice and I’m applying early decision for the class of 2021. I was just wondering how much the supplemental essays weighs in comparison to GPA, test scores, and extracurriculars. Also, chance me please? :slight_smile:

My stats:
GPA: 3.89 UW, 4.21 W
Rank: 16/400
ACT: 34
SAT 2: 710 Math 2, 710 U.S. History, 710 Bio
Extracurriculars:
-Key Club publicity (member for 4 years)
-VP of a group that performs music for senior citizens (4 years)
-coordinated and taught a camp of autistic children how to play piano (1 year)
-coordinated benefit concerts to raise money to buy pianos for nursing homes (4 years)
-co-founded a team to uproot plants to improve the biodiversity of our local mountains (1 year)
-competitive flutist (8 years)
-got in government sponsored summer camp for music
-went to Boston University’s summer program and took courses in economics and business

  • in National Honor Society and California Scholarship Federation
    Common app essay: solid, but not AMAZING; probs 8/10
    Supplement: I spent a lot of time researching and editing it 9.5/10; I think it really showed that I wanted to go there and I felt like I wrote it in a very Northwestern personality way (idk if that makes any sense)
    Fin Aid: yes
    Income: $60,000
    State: California
    Race: Asian
    Hook: first generation, does knowing 4 languages help? haha

Applying for music performance and environmental science dual degree.

2

The Northwestern Early Decision Deadline was November 1st, and Decisions came out December 14th.

3

Oh I mean regular decision. Sorry.

4

I’m no Northwestern expert, but, based on the extreme amount of emphasis they put on the Northwestern Statement, I would think they give it a good amount of weight. They want people that want to come and have a good four years.

5

Google Is Your Friend - From the NU Common Data Set, Page 7: http://enrollment.northwestern.edu/pdf/common-data/2014-15.pdf
Essay as important as ECs, not as important as GPA and test scores.

6

If NU was your top choice then why did you not apply ED? They DO take into account ED vs RD and I believe the acceptance rate is much higher in the ED round. However, you seem like a competitive applicant nonetheless so that shouldn’t hurt you too much

7

When talking of a highly competitive, you can count on every piece being important. If you blow what you think is a less important part, you may wind up on the short end, behind all those kids who scored on all counts. Despite GPA and scores being more important, they are not the sole determinant. Holistic.