Is it binding if you decide to place your application file on the waitlist and end up getting accepted? I have looked at other threads and have found a mix of answers
@hannah128 it is not binding
thanks! that really worked! got rejected tho 
Son was accepted, a shock for us both! I wasn’t sure he’d be their type of student.
@jacobpilawa - I did. I thought it wasn’t an Essay but a stmt about NU. Didn’t think I had a major contribution to offer.
Can someone who got in post what the message was?
Wait listed at UChicago and WUSTL, and now rejected by Northwestern. Honestly, at this point, im just worried about my chances at the more selective colleges such as Stanford and Ivies… Realistically, am I pretty much screwed for the college’s mentioned above? I got into a top 15 univ. already EA which I’m excited for, but I’m wondering about my vague chances at the others. 
36 ACT, 4.97/5.33 weighted, waitlisted lol wasn’t going to attend anyway, but surprising nonetheless
Dear X,
Congratulations and welcome to the Class of 2020 at Northwestern University! On behalf of the Northwestern faculty, students, and alumni, it gives me great pleasure to inform you that you have been admitted to the Judd A. and Marjorie Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences.
The admission committee evaluates tens of thousands of applications each year, and your considerable academic achievements, extracurricular accomplishments, and impressive character stood out as truly exceptional. You will be joining a vibrant community of engaged faculty, students with diverse talents and backgrounds, and spirited alumni.
Northwestern will immerse you in an environment with limitless possibilities to learn, make a difference, and define your path for future success. We are confident that you will make a significant contribution to the life of the University, both in and out of the classroom.
I hope you have the opportunity to visit campus over the coming weeks. Our admitted student program, Wildcat Days, will give you the chance to meet faculty, advisors, current students, and your future classmates. You will also be welcome to attend classes and tour campus facilities. Details about Wildcat Days, as well as other important information for admitted students, can be found online at admit.northwestern.edu.
In the next few days via mail, you will receive an official copy of your decision letter and materials that outline steps toward enrolling in the Class of 2020. If you plan to accept your place in the incoming class, we need to know by May 1. Please note, our offer of admission is contingent upon the successful completion of your senior year and a review of your final transcript.
It is our good fortune that you chose to apply to Northwestern, and I look forward to welcoming you to campus next fall. The years you spend here will be among the most memorable of your life.
Sincerely,
I feel the same way @blessupman i got wl at uchicago too
@blessupman I feel you
hey, y’all! i got an email to check my decision at 5:08 PM (CST) today, but i was at the beach with my friends and didn’t want to check it in front of people. so i waited until i got home just a few minutes ago, and i checked it and i got in!!! i am so thrilled. i started crying and ran downstairs to tell my parents, but they weren’t that excited lol. i think they’re too sold on vandy to consider northwestern (vandy offered a full tuition scholarship), but I. AM. SO. PUMPED. it’s so unexpected bc i was waitlisted at washu and at uchicago, and i was feeling so despondent. but keep hoping, keep pushing through, and good news will come! congrats to all those accepted, and for those who weren’t, you’re still an incredible applicant and you shouldn’t let a negative decision make you think differently. you are inimitable, and any college would be lucky to have you!
Accepted to Engineering and Communication Dual degree program!!!
accepted. Why should NU accept such a higher percentage ED than RD? Because they want a high yield of kids who matriculate, not because the applicants are better ED. NU is a great school but there are loads of great schools with great educators and fantastic campuses. The whole process is a ridiculous crapshoot and as many of the presenters at schools have said “this is not a meritocracy.” Happy and relieved to be a Wildcat knowing that I would be happy at any of dozens of schools. Good luck to all and wherever you end up, do really well and prove to NU or any other school silly enough to overlook you, that it was their mistake.
did anyone activate their portal early (before thursday) and not receive an email about their status…??? I checked my status through the portal but didn’t receive an email - is it because I activated the portal early?
@trebleclef72 Yeah I didn’t get an email and I also activated my portal early. I suspect thats what caused it
thanks! Did you get accepted? @CO2020Vision
Got wait listed. Wasn’t planning on going anyway but still surprised. I guess I didn’t put much effort into my essays and it showed.
@trebleclef72 I activated my portal early but I received an email. Idk why some got it and some didn’t.
IMHO, this seems like a game of lottery. Similar results in my school. Someone with 31 ACT and no outstanding ECs got into their BioMedical Engineering program (one of the hardest) but a ton better students got rejected/waitlisted.
What can one make of this? Either the admission officers are a bunch of jokers who simply use their common sense (which is very likely) or they are simply overwhelmed with the number of applications and they use the lottery system.