Is it rational for me to apply?

Colleges & Universities Northwestern University
1

<p>Hey there! </p>

<p>I received my ACT scores lately and they are apparently bad for NU (I got 22. Will retake, but I don’t think it will reach 30+), but on the other hand, everything is perfect; from transcripts to teachers evaluations. My problem is that I am an awful test taker, I get very tense during such a kind of tests, so I end up with a disastrous result. And to be honest, our education system does not prepare us for the materials that ACT covers. </p>

<p>So my question is, is it rational for me to apply? Or will I be rejected immediately? And does NU review applications holistically? </p>

<p>Thank you!</p>

2

<p>I’m in the same boat…my ACT is 28, but I have over a 4.0 GPA, good rec letters, several extracurricular activities, and leadership positions. I applied ED and I’m convinced I won’t get in…but, hey, I’ll never know if I don’t try. I would apply anyway…you never know what they’re looking for. But I’d definitely make sure you have a sold back up. Good luck! :D</p>

3

<p>Oh, what are your subscores? And what major are you applying for? Because, my English and Writing scores are both 33+, it’s just math and science that brought me down. I’m a Journalism major, so I’m hoping they’ll look at those scores more.</p>

4

<p>Being honest, I don’t think NU will accept a 22 ACT score. 28 is a little iffy, but a 33 is pretty common.</p>

5

<p>Shiz</p>

<p>22 is rather low. NU’s common data set indicates that (a couple of years) ago, they did not accept ANYONE with ACT 23 or below. So unless you can get the score up significantly, it’s probably not worth it.</p>

<p>There are many phenomenal students who simply don’t test well, and many excellent colleges take this into account by making SAT/ACT reporting optional. You may find the link below helpful in formulating a list of schools.</p>

<p>[SAT/ACT</a> Optional 4-Year Universities | FairTest](<a href=“http://fairtest.org/university/optional]SAT/ACT”>ACT/SAT Optional List - Fairtest)</p>

<p>heybails – the same report indicates that about 15% of the enrolling class was below 30 on the ACT. Your theory that your strength in English and Writing is paramount, considering where you’re applying makes some sense, though I have no idea whether NU thinks the same way. However, as you say … if you don’t apply you certainly won’t get in.</p>

<p>FWIW – link to Common Data Set is below.</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.ugadm.northwestern.edu/commondata/2009-10/c.htm[/url]”>http://www.ugadm.northwestern.edu/commondata/2009-10/c.htm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

6

<p>@ zephyr15 Thanks for your input. I took the ACT on vacation, at a school I’d never been to and I only took it once. I wish I had had time to take it again. But, we’ll see. Like I said, I’m hoping they’ll consider my English/Reading/Writing scores more than Math/Science since I want to major in Journalism.</p>