<p>Maybe late to the game on the popularity of Northwestern but as soon as I saw they had over 30,000 applications, I realized that NU was not using the traditional application review process. Even if there were ten admissions reviewers, each would have to review over 3,000 applications in a three month period. Sure, they can eliminate some via scores but still. I think the reason the decisions seem so confusing is that NU may be using data mining to increase their yield. NU’s problem is that it doesn’t get all the students it wants and data mining is a way to optimize selection of people who will ultimately attend. In data mining, tons of information is used and hidden variables may emerge that predict which people should be selected. A hidden variable could be something that is not obvious, like having low income and going to a private school together make you more likely to attend NU. The Common App asks a lot of information that could be used in data mininge (sibs’s colleges, parents’ profession etc.) I imagine the vast increase in quantity in applications due to ease of Common App has led to this more statistical approach.</p>
<p>Just looking at this website, most of the people accepted seemed to be planning to attend. I happened to look at Emory’s forum and a lot of people who were accepted said they were planning to go elsewhere. So NU may be doing something different.</p>
<p>The bottom line is probably Early Decision is the way to go to improve your chances of getting in.</p>